The New York Aquarium, an American aquarium, is situated in Brooklyn, New York. It has a rich history, having been established in 1896 within the Castle Clinton of Battery Park in Manhattan. In 1957, it was relocated to Coney Island in the south of Brooklyn. This location change has allowed the aquarium to expand and continue its mission of educating the public about marine life.
Covering an area of 5.7 hectares, the New York Aquarium is home to 266 species. Visitors can see a variety of marine life, including Cape penguins, California sea lions, Rhinoptera bonasus rays, common seals, walruses, bull sharks, and sea otters. The aquarium, being one of the oldest public aquariums in the United States, offers a unique opportunity to learn about and appreciate the diversity of marine life.
Nature & Natural History Aquarium Animals
November 1, 2025 — April 1, 2026
Monday - Sunday: 10am - 4:30pm
April 2 — May 22, 2026
Monday - Sunday: 10am - 5pm
May 23 — September 7, 2026
Monday - Sunday: 10am - 6pm
September 8 — October 31, 2026
Monday - Sunday: 10am - 5pm
November 1, 2026 — End of March 2027
Monday - Sunday: 10am - 4:30pm
Surf Avenue, New York
No exhibitions in New York Aquarium have been found.
New York Aquarium has 2 ratings.
The New York Aquarium, located in Brooklyn's Coney Island, offers visitors a chance to explore marine life from various ecosystems. The facility houses a diverse collection of aquatic species, including sharks, sea lions, penguins, and tropical fish. Visitors often appreciate the Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit, which provides an immersive experience with its coral reef tunnel. The sea lion shows are generally well-received, offering both entertainment and educational value.
However, some visitors find the aquarium smaller than expected, especially considering its admission price. The layout can feel somewhat dated in certain areas, and some exhibits may appear in need of renovation or expansion. Occasionally, guests report that some animals are not visible or active during their visit, which can lead to disappointment.
Despite these drawbacks, the aquarium's conservation efforts and educational programs are frequently praised. The staff is generally described as knowledgeable and passionate about marine life. The location on the Coney Island boardwalk is seen as a plus, allowing visitors to combine their aquarium visit with other nearby attractions.
Overall, the New York Aquarium provides a decent aquatic experience, though it may not always meet the high expectations set by some larger, more modern facilities. It remains a popular attraction for families and marine life enthusiasts, offering a mix of education and entertainment.
We visited the New York Aquarium on Jun 26, 2025 as part of the Road Scholar's "American Mosaic - An NYC Exploration" program. Tickets were provided by our tour group. Parking isn't free, or cheap. We didn't have to worry about that since we took the subway.
We started at Glover's Reef and slowly moved through Conservation Hall. By "we", I meant me. There was a lot of people, and they kept walking into my shots. That meant waiting and more waiting, but it was worth it. From Conservation Hall, I exited to an outdoor area known as Sea Cliff. This area housed the otters, sea lions and penguins.
More on Sea Cliff later. I approached the Ocean Wonders: Sharks! building, went in, and was immediately greeted by the wonderful underwater glass tunnel. This was easily the most impressive gallery in the aquarium. Multitudes of marine creatures were swimming over my head with every step I took. It was breathtaking. The rest of Ocean Wonders was all about sharks... mostly. There were rays, turtles and other fishes too.
Next was the Spineless and PlayQuarium building. The Spineless gallery was not impressive, with the spider crabs and the octopus being the only standouts. No sturgeons. The collection of fishes wasn't as impressive as Ocean Wonders or Conservation Hall. We bypassed the PlayQuarium and into the gift shop. Last but not least, the sea lions. They were adorable. I took some videos but am unable to post them here. They can be found in my YouTube channel @1Somber. Look for "2025-1: American Mosaic - An NYC Exploration" playlist, and the "Day 5: Sea Lions" video.
Thankfully, we didn't have to pay for our tickets. If we had, I would insist on visiting the 4-D Theater and the Aquatheater. But we did not due to lack of time. We were given less than 2 hours and the time was almost up when we were done with the main exhibits. The New York Aquarium is definitely comparable with the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA. The visit was enjoyable. It's worth visiting one time.
Visited on Jun 26, 2025
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