Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery Row, Monterey (831) 648-4800, montereybayaquarium.org
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a bit of a dark (sea)horse in the race for best museum, although it is the incumbent, holding the office since 2017. Is it still a good candidate? Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a museum as “an institution devoted to the procurement, care, study and display of objects of lasting interest or value.” The Aquarium is indeed devoted to the procurement, care, study and display of the creatures of the sea, and those creatures are certainly of lasting interest and value. It is one of the finest collections in the world of sea life and a true advocate for protection of these precious resources. Here’s to another term!