{"id":177229,"date":"2026-03-27T15:21:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T15:21:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/177229\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T15:21:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T15:21:15","slug":"family-friendly-underwater-adventures-worth-the-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/177229\/","title":{"rendered":"Family-Friendly Underwater Adventures Worth the Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"AquariumsGetty Images<\/p>\n

From Brooklyn to Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut, these aquariums near NYC deliver sharks, sea lions, touch tanks, and full-day escapes kids will love.\u00a0<\/p>\n

At a Glance:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Aquariums are one of those rare outings that work for every age and every season.\u00a0They\u2019re\u00a0calm but captivating, educational but never boring, and just the right kind of reset when you need something different without overplanning it!\u00a0<\/p>\n

The best aquariums near NYC offer something for everyone:\u00a0stay local with the New York Aquarium for an easy city day; head east to Riverhead for the most complete Long Island experience; or go big with Adventure Aquarium for a true destination outing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0looking for aquariums that are\u00a0perfect\u00a0for little kiddos or\u00a0perhaps a\u00a0more in-depth\u00a0learning\u00a0experience,\u00a0the Jenkinson\u2019s\u00a0Aquarium or\u00a0The Maritime Aquarium may be your best bet.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When you need an outing that feels immersive, calming, and genuinely exciting for kids, aquariums deliver every time.\u00a0There\u2019s\u00a0something about dim lighting, glowing tanks, and slow-moving sea life that shifts the energy of the day,\u00a0in the best way.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Whether\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0staying local in New York City, planning a Long\u00a0Island day\u00a0trip, or heading out of state for a bigger experience, these aquariums near NYC combine education, entertainment, and that magical, under-the-sea atmosphere families keep coming back for.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Psst\u2026 Check Out 2026 Dinosaur Museum NYC Guide: Best Exhibits & Activities\u00a0Near You<\/a><\/p>\n

Aquariums Near NYC:\u00a0Explore the Many Wonders of the Sea with Your Kiddos!\u00a0
\n\"AquariumsGetty Images
\nBest Aquariums in NYC\u00a0
\nNew York Aquarium<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

602 Surf Ave, Brooklyn\u00a0
Hours: Daily, 10 am-4:30 pm\u00a0
Price: From $30 per adult and $26 for kids; discounted tickets available\u00a0<\/p>\n

The New York Aquarium is NYC\u2019s only aquarium\u2014and it\u2019s a classic for a reason. Located right along the Coney Island boardwalk<\/a>,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0an easy outing that feels both nostalgic and refreshed thanks to major post-Hurricane Sandy renovations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sharks\u00a0are\u00a0the standout exhibit, with immersive viewing areas and a strong conservation focus.\u00a0You\u2019ll\u00a0also find sea lion shows, penguins, and a mix of indoor and outdoor exhibits that keep things moving.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best Aquariums on Long Island\u00a0
\nLong Island Aquarium<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

431 E Main St, Riverhead\u00a0
Hours: Daily, 10 am-4 pm\u00a0
Prices: $51 per\u00a0adult; $36 per child\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Long Island Aquarium is one of the most robust aquarium experiences in the\u00a0region and\u00a0can easily be part of a mini getaway if\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0looking to spend a day around Suffolk County<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0just tanks and tunnels. Expect a massive coral reef exhibit, sea lion shows,\u00a0a shark\u00a0dive experience for older kids and adults, and outdoor exhibits with otters and penguins.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0interactive, expansive, and worth the drive.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"AquariumsGetty Images
\nWorth-the-Drive Aquariums Near NYC\u00a0
\nAdventure Aquarium<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

1 Riverside Dr, Camden, NJ\u00a0
Hours: Daily, 10 am-4 pm\u00a0
Price: Tickets start at around $50,\u00a0depending\u00a0on the day and time\u00a0<\/p>\n

For a high-impact, high-energy experience, Adventure Aquarium is one of the best aquariums on the East Coast. Suspension bridges over shark tanks, one of the only hippo exhibits in an aquarium setting, and more than 8,000 animals make this feel like a full-scale attraction, not just a quick outing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jenkinson\u2019s Aquarium<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

300 Ocean Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ\u00a0
Hours: 10 am-5 pm\u00a0
Price: $30 per adult; $20 per child\u00a0<\/p>\n

Located right on the boardwalk, Jenkinson\u2019s Aquarium is\u00a0smaller but\u00a0perfectly sized for younger kids.\u00a0Penguins, seals, and touch tanks keep things interactive, while the surrounding boardwalk adds built-in fun: rides, arcades, and beach access.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

10 N Water St, Norwalk, CT\u00a0
Hours: 10 am-5 pm\u00a0
Price: $40 per adult; $30 per child\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk offers a more focused, educational experience centered around Long Island Sound ecosystems.\u00a0Touch pools, jellyfish galleries, harbor seals, and a strong emphasis on marine conservation make this feel thoughtful and engaging,\u00a0especially for school-age kids.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0Psst\u2026 Check Out 15 NYC\u00a0Playgrounds\u00a0Kids Will Never Want\u00a0to Leave<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Sign<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Getty Images From Brooklyn to Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut, these aquariums near NYC deliver sharks, sea…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":177230,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[71787,71788,9,24,55,54,56,71786,1248,18705],"class_list":["post-177229","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-york-city","tag-aquariums-new-jersey","tag-aquariums-new-york","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-new-york-city-headlines","tag-new-york-city-news","tag-ny","tag-ny-aquarium","tag-things-to-do-nyc","tag-things-to-do-with-kids"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177229","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=177229"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177229\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/177230"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=177229"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=177229"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=177229"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}