Animal Crossing Aquarium Tour Lands at Birch Aquarium in San Diego | February 16 – March 26, 2026
If you love Animal Crossing: New Horizons AND ocean creatures, mark your calendar — the Animal Crossing Aquarium Tour is officially coming to Birch Aquarium in San Diego!
This special aquarium experience features Animal Crossing characters, stamp rally adventures, meet-and-greets, and real marine animals that inspired critters from the game.
And yes, Tom Nook will be there.
What Is the Animal Crossing Aquarium Tour?
It’s a traveling aquarium experience inspired by the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game where guests can:
✔️ Photo spots with familiar Animal Crossing characters
✔️ Creature signage featuring Blathers with facts pulled straight from the game
✔️ Life-size character standees including Kapp’n (making his aquarium tour debut!)
✔️ Stamp Rally activity on select days — find standees, earn stamps!
✔️ My Nintendo kiosks to check in and earn 100 Platinum Points
✔️ Limited Animal Crossing patches available on select days (while supplies last)
✔️ Exclusive QR codes to download mobile wallpapers
✔️ Character meet-and-greets with Isabelle, Tom Nook, or K.K. Slider on certain tour dates
✔️ Official Animal Crossing merch in the gift shop
✔️ Play stations to try the latest Animal Crossing: New Horizons update on select days
The tour will be visiting aquariums across the U.S. throughout 2026, but Birch Aquarium is California’s stop for the tour this year.
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Why Birch Aquarium is the Perfect Stop for the Tour
Birch Aquarium is located at UC San Diego and is the public exploration center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography — one of the world’s leading ocean science institutions.
At Birch, families can:
- Visit over 60 ocean habitats
- Meet La Jolla’s leopard sharks
- Touch sea creatures at Tide Pool Plaza
- Step inside a two-story kelp forest
- See seahorses and seadragons
- Watch the adorable little blue penguins (the smallest penguins in the world!)
- Explore the new Living Seas exhibit
- Join behind-the-scenes seahorse tours
- Sign up for camps, tidepooling, and seasonal events
So when you combine Animal Crossing + real ocean science = it’s basically Blathers’ dream day.
Photo: Birch Aquarium in La Jolla, California
What to Do During the Tour at Birch Aquarium
Here’s what you can look forward to:
Aquarium Adventure Features
- Character standees including Kapp’n (making his aquarium debut!)
- Stamp Rally on select days
- Game-themed photo backdrops
- Creature signs with Blathers-style descriptions
- QR codes for downloadable wallpapers
- Animal Crossing merchandise in the gift shop
Nintendo Features
- My Nintendo kiosks for earning 100 Platinum Points
- Meet-and-greets with Isabelle, Tom Nook, or K.K. Slider on select dates
- Pplay the newest update of Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch 2
Tickets
There is no extra ticket needed — the tour is included with general admission.
Dates & Location
Animal Crossing Aquarium Tour at Birch Aquarium
📍 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA 92037
📅 February 16 – March 26, 2026
🎫 Included with general admission
Visit Nintendo’s official event page for full aquarium schedules and participating cities.
FAQ
What is the Animal Crossing Aquarium Tour?
A themed aquarium experience inspired by Animal Crossing: New Horizons featuring characters, activities, and Nintendo stations.
Does it cost extra?
No, the experience is included with general admission tickets to Birch Aquarium.
Will characters be there every day?
Meet-and-greets only happen on select dates. Check the schedule before visiting.
Can I earn My Nintendo Platinum Points at the aquarium?
Yes! Guests can check in at kiosks to earn 100 Platinum Points for digital and physical rewards.
What’s new at Birch Aquarium?
Highlights include Living Seas exhibit, little blue penguins, seahorse tours, and Birch After Hours.
Is Birch Aquarium good for kids?
Birch offers hands-on exhibits, tide pools, science learning, and seasonal camps — very family-friendly.
Can I play the game at the aquarium?
Yes! On select dates, guests can play the latest New Horizons update for Nintendo Switch 2.
Full Tour Stops
- SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium in Orange County, Florida (Feb 13 – Apr 30)
- Birch Aquarium in San Diego, California (Feb 16 – Mar 26)
- SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium in Grapevine, Texas (Feb 21 – May 25)
- SEA LIFE New Jersey Aquarium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Apr 2 – Jun 21)
- SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium in Auburn Hills, Michigan (May 7 – Jul 23)
- SEA LIFE at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota (Jun 11 – Aug 23)
- SEA LIFE San Antonio Aquarium in San Antonio, Texas (Jul 30 – Oct 10)
- SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium in Tempe, Arizona (Sep 3 – Nov 15)
- SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord in Concord, North Carolina (Sep 24 – Dec 6)
- SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium in Kansas City, Missouri (Oct 22 – Jan 3)
Official Sources and Further Info
Nintendo Event Page
Birch Aquarium
Categories: Blog
This post was written by Kidsguide
