Animal Crossing Aquarium Tour Maps out 2026 Us Stops

Table of Content

The Animal Crossing Aquarium Tour is set to continue across the United States in 2026. Nintendo confirms the themed program will resume on Feb. 13, 2026, visiting a mix of new and returning aquariums throughout the year. The experience is inspired by Animal Crossing: New Horizons and layers series touches onto existing aquatic exhibits. On select dates, attendees can also expect character appearances and interactive activities. Below are the confirmed details from the official announcement.

When It Starts and Where It Goes

The 2026 leg begins on Feb. 13 and will travel to multiple US locations. Nintendo lists the following aquariums as planned partners for the tour:

• SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium – Orange County, Florida
• Birch Aquarium – San Diego, California
• SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium – Grapevine, Texas
• SEA LIFE New Jersey Aquarium – East Rutherford, New Jersey
• SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium – Auburn Hills, Michigan
• SEA LIFE at Mall of America – Bloomington, Minnesota
• SEA LIFE San Antonio Aquarium – San Antonio, Texas
• SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium – Tempe, Arizona
• SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord – Concord, North Carolina
• SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium – Kansas City, Missouri

Nintendo notes that some venues are returning partners while others are new for 2026 – the full schedule and specific dates are available on the company’s official site.

What to Expect Inside the Tour

The activation adds recognizable series elements to the aquarium visit, with activities that vary by location and date. Confirmed features include:

• Photo spot with an aquarium-themed background featuring Animal Crossing: New Horizons characters.
• Informational signage throughout exhibits, including Blathers and in-universe creature descriptions.
• Character standees placed around each venue – Kapp’n appears on the aquarium tour for the first time.
• Stamp Rally on certain days, where visitors find character standees to stamp a card.
• Opportunities on select days to obtain themed patches based on familiar characters.
• QR codes available in each aquarium to download mobile wallpapers to a smart device.
• Meet-and-greets with Isabelle, Tom Nook, or K.K. Slider on select days and stops.
• On some dates, visitors can play the latest update of Animal Crossing: New Horizons at the aquarium.

Read also our article: Mechborn Targets Ps5 in Late 2026 with a Mech-as-Deck Twist

Participation details – including which activities happen when – differ by location, so attendees should check the posted schedules for each stop.

Game Update and Platform Notes

Alongside the tour, Nintendo highlights the game’s latest free content update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The company also points to the recent launch of Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition for the Nintendo Switch 2 system. According to the announcement, this edition includes enhanced resolution, mouse control support for more intuitive decorating, and an in-game megaphone that uses the system’s microphone – among other refinements.

Final Takeaway – Why This Matters for Players

For series fans, the tour adds a structured, in-person way to engage with Animal Crossing’s world while exploring real aquatic exhibits. If the stop list includes your city, expect light, family-friendly activities – and if not, the latest game update and the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition features keep the experience moving forward at home.