The World Aquarium was an interactive animal exhibition, conservation research center,[1] and animal sanctuary located in Laclede's Landing, St. Louis, Missouri, United States, founded by Leonard Sonnenschein.

One room featured large fish displays, and other areas were designed for interactive, immersive experiences for kids and adults of all ages.

], the mission of World Aquarium was to increase the knowledge of aquatic life and environments, to enable people to conserve the world of water, and to provide leadership for the preservation and sustainable use of aquatic resources globally.

The aquarium, which had been open since 1993,[3] reopened in a historic building near the Mississippi Riverfront in 2016, after a short hiatus, to allow for a move from its previous location at City Museum.

The new location saw success until 2019 in a historic neighborhood of St. Louis, featuring close-by views of the Gateway Arch.