The Aquarium
With so many types of animal species, there is something for everyone at the New York Aquarium. Handy maps available at the entrance explain what visitors can find and how to make their way to these locations around the Aquarium.
Feedings and Demonstrations
The animals have to be fed! For kids of all ages, feeding time at the zoo is the highlight of the trip. Visitors can watch staff members feed the walruses, sea otters, penguins and even the sharks. The aquarium posts the times of each feeding session at main points throughout the site.
Animal Enrichment
The wildlife organization that manages the New York Aquarium is always seeking new ways to stimulate and enrich the animals in captivity. Animals in the aquarium are ensured top quality of life and fun-filled enrichment sessions. Staff members use anything from special toys to stimulate the animals, to placing food in containers so that the octopus can be physically and mentally challenged. All these sessions can be watched by visitors to the aquarium, making for a riveting peek into the mysterious workings of aqua life.
The Aquatheater
After a successful renovation, the Aquatheater of the New York Aquarium was reopened in 1995 and is now one of the key features of the site. There is no extra charge for shows viewed in the aquarium’s aquatheater. Visitors will be thrilled by the playful dolphins who put on a marvelous display. The giant sea lions of California are a popular draw card to the aquarium. These huge sea mammals give a daily demonstration through informal training sessions. This is a definite “not-to-be-missed” attraction!
"Explore the Shore"
Kids and adults alike love this feature of the New York Aquarium. The location includes excellent hands-on options that allow visitors to experience first-hand how tidal waves work, the fragility of coral reefs and other environmental issues.
The “Explore the Shore” also houses the wave machine that simulates the crashing of waves on the seashore.
"Sea Cliffs"
“Sea Cliffs” is home to the walruses, sea otters and fur seals, among others and provides visitors with the perfect combination of entertainment and conservation knowledge. After enjoying each display, visitors get to learn a little more about the animals that are so well protected at the aquarium. The staff is always keen to explain their conservation efforts, including the need to teach some animals the basic ‘tricks’ needed for survival because they are orphaned at a young age.
Roy and Silo
This famous ‘gay’ couple of penguins made quite a name for themselves when park attendants realized that the pair was trying to hatch a rock and switched it with an extra egg from a nest belonging to another couple of penguins. The egg eventually hatched and the couple raised the female chick, named Tango, quite happily. The story of Roy and Silo inspired the famous children’s book, “And Tango Makes Three” by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson. The penguins are a star attraction at the aquarium.
The Deep Sea 3-D Simulator Ride
Open to anyone over 36 inches tall, this amazing ride allows participants to ride in a deep-sea submarine to view the ocean floor, tangle with a giant squid and even swim with a whale! The ride costs extra with the purchase of an admission’s ticket to the aquarium. |
