Aquarium NYC Experiences
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New York Aquarium is the oldest continually operating aquarium in the country, right on the boardwalk in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), like Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, and other establishments, it aims to inspire people to value nature. Driven by that, it’s home to over 250 species of aquatic wildlife and family-friendly activities, exhibits, and venues like the Aquatheater, Conservation Hall, Sea Cliffs, and 4-D Theatre.
There are plenty of activities, exhibitions, and entertainment for everyone in the aquarium, even toddlers. This includes shows with trainers, feedings, and educational programs for teens in different grades. Here’s what you can expect when visiting New York Aquarium.
What to See
New York Aquarium is one of the world’s most unique and fascinating places. Located in Brooklyn, it’s the largest aquarium in the United States and home to hundreds of species of aquatic life from around the globe. Whether you’re a fan of nature and wildlife or just looking for an unforgettable experience, visiting the New York Aquarium will not disappoint. Let’s explore what makes this place so special.
The New York Aquarium offers something for everyone, with eight exhibit areas featuring everything from sharks and rays to seals and penguins. For conservation interests, there are also several interactive exhibits focused on sustainable fishing and ocean health. And if you’re feeling brave, there’s even a cage diving experience where you can get up close and personal with some of the world’s largest sharks.
Aquatheater
New York Aquarium’s Aquatheater is the place to see California Sea Lion performances with their trainers. Visitors like it for entertaining and hilarious shows, as animals do tricks and dance around in between educational breaks about sea life. The shows are hosted daily, depending on the weather.
Conservation Hall
On the left from Aquatheater, visitors will find New York Aquarium’s Conservation Hall, which is open all year round. It’s home to three habitat exhibits and galleries: the Pacific Ocean’s Coral Triangle, two freshwater lakes of Africa, Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria, and the Amazonian flooded forest in Brazil. Visitors will get a snorkeler’s-eye view of colorful marine life, including piranhas, stingrays, angelfish, clownfish, anemones, and black pacus, featuring Cownose Ray and Green Moral Eel.
Glover’s Reef
Like Conservation Hall, Glover’s Reef is also a major part of A Sea Change at the New York Aquarium, a 10-year transformation initiative announced in 2009. The 167,000-gallon exhibit showcases fish and coral native to the reef in Belize, including eels, Atlantic rays, French angels, and Cuban hogfish. For educational purposes, the gallery also features graphics and an interactive coral kiosk to provide information about environmental threats facing reef systems.
Sea Cliffs
Right outside Aquatheater, New York Aquarium, guests will find Sea Cliffs that are popular for their animal feedings, featuring black-footed penguins, harbor seals, Pacific walruses, California sea lions, and sea otters. The attraction is open year-round and is accessible by wheelchair like the other exhibitions.
On the north of the New York Aquarium area, visitors will find a display with sand tiger sharks, rays, and turtles. Being hosted in a temporary home means the location is subject to change with the opening of Ocean Wonders: Sharks!.
Ocean Wonders: Sharks!
Ocean Wonders: Sharks! is part of the new chapter in New York Aquarium’s history: an all-new 57,000-square-foot building with an exciting exhibit in an area planned to open for the public in 2018. As the name implies, it will tell the urgent story of sharks as endangered species, including whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, sandbar and sand tiger sharks, Port Jackson sharks, wobbegongs, and nurse sharks.
Educational Programs
The establishment is also home to various educational programs. This includes summer camps for 3rd- to 8th-grade students, single-day camps for children and teens, like the Keeper for a Day program, and family programs like Breakfast with the Animals series (sharks, seals, and sea lions, and penguins), and Aquarium Toddler Time.
4-D Theatre
As if the above wasn’t enough, one 4-D theatre admission is also included with a ticket to the Aquarium, combining the visual drama of a 3-D film with a variety of built-in sensory effects featuring movies like Ice Age 4-D: No Time for Nuts.
All in all, New York Aquarium is a must-visit venue in Coney Island or on a leisure trip to the city, offering educational and entertainment elements for people of all ages.
History and Background
The New York Aquarium was opened in 1896 and has since been providing fascinating and educational opportunities for visitors from all over the world. It has grown immensely over the years and now boasts over 14,000 individual animals representing more than 550 species. Some of the aquarium’s highlights include a magnificent 4D theater show that transports visitors into the deep sea, an interactive turtle-feeding station, touch pools with creatures like jellyfish and starfish, an underwater discovery center and even an aquatic theater.
When to Visit
The New York Aquarium is open year-round except for major holidays. During peak season (from May to October) visitors can enjoy extended hours until 9pm. However, even during the off-peak months, there are plenty of amazing opportunities to explore the aquarium’s incredible exhibits and activities – making it a great option for any time of year.
Visiting New York Aquarium
Location: 602 Surf Avenue and West 8th Street in Brooklyn, New York
Click here to visit New York Aquarium official website.
Conclusion
There’s no shortage of things to see and do at New York Aquarium. From breathtaking shows to exciting activities, it’s a must-visit destination for any admirer of nature and wildlife. So be sure to add this iconic destination to your sightseeing bucket list – you won’t regret it!