Best Aquariums in the New York Area
By Melissa Wickes
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 of 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!
- Aquariums in NYC
- Aquariums on Long Island
- Aquariums in Connecticut
- Aquariums in New Jersey
- Aquarium Live Streams
Psst… Here are the best swimming lakes near NYC!
Aquariums in NYC
New York Aquarium
602 Surf Ave, Coney Island
(718) 265-3474
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The New York Aquarium, part of the Wildlife Conservation Society, is home to 350 marine species and 18 sharks and ray species on 14 acres on Coney Island.
Aquariums on Long Island
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium
1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor
(516) 692-6768
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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 x426
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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, sea horses, starfish, and more.
Aquarium Live Streams
Bring the aquarium to you with these live streams!
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Access ten live cams displaying different Monterey Bay exhibits including sea otters, jellyfish, the open ocean, and more.
Wildlife Conservation Society
The Bronx Zoo offers live cams of some of the hottest spots at the zoo, including some of their aquatic spots!
Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium offers nine live, underwater live streams, including the Ocean Voyager cam where you’ll get to see the majestic Whale Shark in action.
