8 Awesome Aquariums to Visit in the New York Area

8 Awesome Aquariums to Visit in the New York Area

Family trips to the aquarium can be a magical adventure filled with colorful sea creatures and fascinating nautical species of all kinds. Spend a day exploring marine life at any of these aquariums in the New York area, where you’ll encounter the many wonders of the sea, including sharks, sting rays, moon jellies, clown fish and even beluga whales. If you’re feeling daring, you’ll have to visit the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey, to walk across the suspension bridge that hangs over a 21-foot-deep shark tank!

NYC
Long Island
Connecticut
New Jersey
Aquarium Live Streams

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Aquariums in NYC

New York Aquarium

602 Surf Ave, Coney Island

(718) 265-3474

The New York Aquarium, part of the Wildlife Conservation Society, is on 14 acres on Coney Island and is home to 350 marine species and 18 shark and ray species.

Aquariums on Long Island

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor

(516) 692-6768

This nonprofit center is dedicated to educating visitors about the freshwater ecosystems of New York. It has the largest living collection of New York State freshwater reptiles, fish, and amphibians. Tour two aquarium buildings and eight outdoor ponds, or feed the hungry trout.

Long Island Aquarium

431 E Main St, Riverhead

(631) 208-9200

Features one of the largest all-living coral reef displays in this hemisphere, a 120,000-gallon shark tank, year-round sea lion shows, numerous touch tanks, butterflies from all over the world, and more than 100 exhibits and interactive experiences, including Shark Dive, Penguin Encounter, Pirate Snorkel, and Shark Keeper. Plus, for an extra fee, you can board the Atlantis Explorer for a 2-hour cruise.

Aquariums in Connecticut

Maritime Aquarium

10 N Water St, Norwalk

(203) 852-0700

The Maritime Aquarium is a landmark in Connecticut and home to nearly 75 live exhibits featuring more than 2,700 marine animals of 300 species, including jellyfish, sharks, tortoises, quail, porcupines, and sea bass. For an extra fee, you can see a movie in the aquarium’s 4-D theater.

Mystic Aquarium

55 Coogan Blvd, Mystic

(860) 572-5955

Mystic Aquarium is home to thousands of species of marine mammals, fish, invertebrates, and reptiles. Exhibits include beluga whales, sea lions, seals, sharks, penguins, octopi, clownfish, seahorses, sting rays, and jellyfish.

Aquariums in New Jersey

Adventure Aquarium

1 Riverside Dr, Camden

(844) 474-3474

Attractions include Caribbean Currents, Creature Feature, Hippo Haven, the KidZone, Little Blue Beach, Ocean Realm, Penguin Park, Piranha Falls, Sea Turtle Cove, Shark Realm, Stingray Beach Club, Gill’s Grotto, and Touch A Shark. You can even walk just inches above the 21-foot deep Shark Realm exhibit on a V-shaped rope suspension bridge.

Jenkinson’s Aquarium

300 Ocean Ave, Point Pleasant Beach

(732) 892-0600

The aquarium’s exhibits give visitors the opportunity to get up close to animals from all over the world, including African penguins, harbor seals, local sea life, turtles, parrots, and sharks. For an extra fee, visitors can also participate in animal encounters to meet penguins and sloths.

New Jersey Sea Life Aquarium

1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford

(551) 234-6382

This NYC-themed aquarium, dubbed the City Under the Sea, features exhibits with a nod to NYC’s most memorable moments—like Times Square, Fifth Avenue, rush hour, and Studio 54. Visitors will see sharks, sting rays, jellyfish, clownfish, seahorses, starfish, and more.