23 Aquariums In NEW YORK (Fun, Interactive, & Fascinating)
Are you interested in discovering a world under the oceans?
Look no further than New York, where you’ll find numerous unique aquariums educating visitors about sea animals.
From salt to freshwater fish, you’ll observe different species of sharks, sea stars, seahorses, moray eels, moon jellies, clownfish, and piranhas.
Are you familiar with these fascinating aquariums?
Don’t worry; this article will provide incredible information about all the interactive aquariums and their events.
Watch the training sessions underwater, and enjoy your day with your family and friends.
Time your visit appropriately and get the opportunity of the trainer of the day.
Get ready to discover a mysterious underwater paradise in these aquariums.
And by the way, you may also want to check out the best Zoos in New York.
Aquariums in Upstate New York
1. VIA Aquarium
If you are searching for a family-oriented aquarium featuring a diverse range of marine species, you’ve reached your destination.
Explore a spectacular world under the water, and take a self-guided informative tour.
Observe its 25000 ft water tanks, see the colorful sharks swimming overhead, and see a cluster of fishes surrounding you in the tunnel tanks.
Attend its reptile shows, touch, meet, and learn about the habitat and various species of reptiles living at this aquarium.
You’ll find Bearded Dragons, Tarantulas, Ball Pythons, and many other species there.
Don’t miss its stingray feeding, where you’ll feel a stingray’s soft, smooth, and slippery skin as they wave on your hand.
Take advantage of its educational programs, and enhance your knowledge about these unique animals of sea and oceans.
Meet the VIA staff, and join them on their journey to see behind-the-scenes areas and get answers to all your questions at the aquarium.
Dive into this magical world of sea creatures, and be an aquarist for a day.
Address: 93-W Campbell Road, Schenectady, NY 12306, USA
2. Aquarium of Niagara
Are you looking for a hands-on, interactive experience at an aquarium?
The Aquarium of Niagara is the perfect option, which has everything.
Meet above 1500 unique aquatic animals living at this aquarium, representing the ecosystems of coral reefs and Great Lakes.
You’ll find an extensive collection of California sea lions, harbor seals, gray seals, penguins, jellyfish, and many freshwater invertebrates.
Introduce yourself to the above 128 species of various fishes, mammals, reptiles, and birds, and get the opportunity to host and feed these animals.
Tour with aquarium staff behind the scenes, and know how they manage good nutrition, medical care, clean water, and keep the aquarium hygiene.
Purchase your tickets separately for the unique Seal Encounter program, and observe the training and care of these mammals.
Never miss its unique Penguin Encounter experience, where you’ll get a very close beak-to-nose encounter with the beautiful Humboldt penguins.
Watch your feathered friend playing around, learn about these joyful birds from their keeper, and capture countless photos with them.
Get your tickets now, spend an entire day with the aquarium trainer, and be the junior trainer for a day.
Address: Whirlpool Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14301, USA
3. The Wild Center
Get ready to explore the ocean’s incredible depths and interact closely with numerous sea creatures at the Wild Center.
You’ll see diverse marine life, especially freshwater fishes from the Adirondacks region.
Take a self-guided tour, and explore its inborn fish species, such as brook trout, lake sturgeon, and largemouth bass.
Watch its natural, live otters, watch its multimedia sessions, and attend its hands-on training workshops.
Never miss meeting its famous resident otters; you’ll have fun watching them swim, sleep, and snack.
Get a friendly interaction with these beautiful speedy animals, and enhance your knowledge while chatting with a naturalist.
This place has it all, and you’ll never find such an award-winning, environmentally friendly place for enjoying and learning.
Moreover, you’ll also experience the natural history and environment of the Adirondack landscape and its numerous amphibians and mammals.
Time your visit correctly, enjoy your day with live animals, walk on its natural trails, and have a great day.
Address: Museum Drive, Tupper Lake, NY 12986, USA
4. The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
Escape the chaos of urban living, take an hour’s drive at the New York – Connecticut border, and explore this underwater paradise at Norwalk.
Get a unique experience, and observe its efforts in aquatic conservation, educating the guests, and managing marine life habitats.
From numerous sharks, freshwater fish, sea turtles, exotic fish, and jellyfish, you’ll discover more than 2500 marine animals worldwide.
You’ll have a close encounter with diverse species of stingrays, game fish, jellies, lobsters, sea turtles, and harbor seals.
Participate in its 75 indoor exhibits that feature more than 7000 animals from freshwater rivers to shallow waters, and learn a lot about them.
But that’s not the end; you can experience its scout programs, enjoy a touch tank for a day, and get in-person and virtual programs.
Enhance your knowledge and expertise by attending its educator workshops and hands-on training.
Meet the friendly and experienced staff there, interpret from them, and enjoy your interactions with them.
Enjoy a film or documentary at its two-story screen 4D theater, where you’ll experience thrilling, special visual effects, bubbles, mists, and winds.
So, are you still waiting for something more exciting?
Purchase your tickets now, and have the best time of your life.
Address: 10 North Water Street, Norwalk, CT/NY, United States
Also see our article on Alpaca Farms in New York.
Aquariums in Syracuse, New York
1. Rosamond Gifford Zoo
If you’re hunting for a wildlife zoo and aquarium in one place, there’s no need to search further.
Rosamond Gifford has everything from more than 700 animals of all sizes and shapes and a fascinating indoor aquarium.
Enter its submarine cave, and take an evolutionary tour of various life forms changing over time.
You’ll have an informative interaction with a diverse range of marine life, including fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and many invertebrates.
Learn about the habitats of animals and early marine species, and enhance your knowledge about jellyfish, endangered reptiles, anemones, and rare fishes.
But that’s not all; you’ll also explore its thrilling lion corridor, bird aviary, and numerous animals, from monkeys to apes, in the social building.
Introduce yourself to the species from all over the world, and get a close encounter with azure damselfish, bluegill, lookdown, pencil urchin, and yellow tang.
Book your tickets now to have a blast with your family and friends.
Address: Conservation Pl, Syracuse, New York 13204, USA
2. The Living Sea at the Museum of Science and Technology
You must have heard about the Living Sea annual exhibition at the Most.
Featuring numerous touch tanks, you’ll get an opportunity to explore and learn about unique and amazing marine animals.
Attend this exhibition, interact closely with various species of marine life, and touch them.
Take a tour of this interactive display, and observe different sharks, colorful reefs, turtles, and numerous sea creatures from waters all over the world.
At its aquarium, you’ll find sea stars, horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs, sea urchins, and various fishes, from jellyfish to clownfish and seahorses to bluegill.
Exploring this exhibition will offer unlimited fun and enhance your knowledge about challenges, protection, and the importance of marine life.
Learn about the environment of the oceans, adaptations, and human activities’ impact on sea creatures.
So, what are you looking for?
Mark your calendar, and visit this popular attraction for an educational experience.
Address: 500 South Franklin Str, Syracuse, New York 13202, USA
Also see our article on National Parks in New York.
Aquariums in Rochester, New York
1. Seneca Park Zoo
Have you ever seen a massive marine animal right next to you?
Get ready to enjoy the breathtaking journey of Seneca Park Zoo, which allows you to interact closely with various animals.
Your young ones will have a blast as their imaginations will run wild, and they’ll get information and inspiration at its indoor aquarium.
Explore and learn about their conservation plans for endangered species.
But that’s not all; you’ll have an opportunity to see more than 90 unique freshwater species, marine life, invertebrates, and wild animals.
Attend its ocean conservation weekend, join its aquarium staff, and check sea lion diet, food preparation, and where they get fish.
Moreover, this zoo is also famous for hosting the first African bush elephant in New York.
So, what are you looking for?
Book your tickets, experience wild side’s life, get close interactions, and support its conservation efforts.
Address: 2222 Street Paul Street, Rochester, New York 14621, USA
2. Rochester Museum and Science Center
Do you want to learn and discover a wide range of aquatic animals and want to see the world of water?
Rochester Museum and Science Center have it all; its thrilling and interactive exhibitions allow you to get as much knowledge as possible.
Observe and learn about various animal habitats and interact with amphibians, reptiles, frogs, and fishes at the NatureWorks exhibit.
RMSC exhibitions offer hands-on learning experiences and close interaction with diverse marine animals worldwide.
Participate in its Living Ecosystems exhibition, where you’ll find a 1000-gallon amazing freshwater aquarium featuring sea creatures.
You can also attend its Butterfly Garden exhibition to explore the koi fish and learn about the aquatic plants.
But that’s not the end; whenever you visit this, you’ll always find something exciting and new awaiting you at every corner.
From attending exhibits to watching live science sessions and demonstrations, you’ll get plenty of new experiences.
Get tickets or become a member, and enjoy a trip that is sure to be fun for you.
Address: 657 E Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607, USA
Also see our article on State Parks in New York.
Aquariums in Buffalo, New York
1. Mystic Blue Aquarium
Have you ever desired to take some unique fishes and sea creatures to your home while visiting an aquarium?
You’ve reached your destination; Mystic Blue Aquarium is packed with numerous saltwater and freshwater fishes.
Though it’s not a traditional aquarium, but serving as an aquarium, and you’ll have an opportunity to feed the fish living in the tanks.
Explore and observe their unique collection of fishes, from blue dream to shrimp and cherry shrimp to electric blue lobster.
Learn about these tiny creatures, how the staff feeds them, and how they manage their water and medical care.
You’ll also find varying koi, smokey, gold angelfish, and a wide range of plant species, such as Lilacina, Hygrophila, and Ludwigia.
Purchase some of these stock fishes and make your beautiful tiny aquarium at home.
Schedule your visit during working hours, and interact with these little creatures.
Address: 244 Niagara Falls Blvd, Buffalo, New York 14223, USA
2. The Buffalo Zoo
Are you an animal enthusiast looking for a destination to attend numerous exhibitions?
Your quest can end with the Buffalo Zoo; from plenty of educational programs to learning activities, you’ll find everything in this adventurous hub.
Though it’s a zoological park, its informative aquatic exhibits and displays are worth visiting.
At its aquatic exhibitions, you’ll see numerous water tanks surrounding you with countless unique sea creatures giving you a feel like underwater heaven.
Join its exhibits, see the aquatic animals, learn and discover new things, get close to animal encounters, and perform hands-on activities.
From fishes to reptiles, amphibians to coral reefs, you’ll witness the Panamanian golden frog sitting in its habitat and have so much fun interacting with it.
Never miss seeing the speedy northern river otters playing and enjoying in the snow.
This place has it all; from interacting with 1200 mammals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures to numerous educational and hands-on activities, you’ll not run out of things.
Spend a day at the Buffalo Zoo, discover and learn from its staff, and make your day unforgettable.
Address: 300 Parkside Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14214, USA
Also see our article on Trampoline Parks in New York.
Aquariums in Brooklyn, New York
1. New York Aquarium
Are you ready to discover a fantastic wild world underwater without holding your breath?
No place like the New York aquarium covers your wild side, ensures your close wild encounters, and enhances your knowledge.
Leave your little ones in PlayQuarium, and they’ll learn about animals’ communication and ecosystems, play the role of scientists, and explore kelp forests and coral reefs.
Meet the local marine invertebrates at its Touch Pool, where you’ll touch, feed, and feel spider crabs, sea urchins, and aquatic snails.
Discover fascinating penguins, sharks, sea lions, octopuses, and jellyfish, and get a close interaction with them.
Enjoy numerous of Coney Island’s amazing shows at its aqua theater.
Get an opportunity to participate in inspiring exhibits, meet its knowledgeable staff, and learn in a friendly environment.
Take a look at its upcoming events and exhibits, and mark your calendar accordingly.
Ride, feed, and enjoy with the fantastic water creatures, and make it the best day ever.
So, what are you waiting for?
Address: 602 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11224, USA
2. Staten Island Zoo Aquarium
Are you tired of the hustle and noise of urban life?
Escape the chaos of busy life, take a half-hour drive, and explore the magical world underwater at a new aquarium in Staten Island Zoo.
You’ll find a fantastic array of displays and walk through its fifteen small and four massive ceiling-to-floor tanks.
Introduce yourself to its renovated and newly designed sections, and meet with its attractive aquatic creatures.
The impressive thing about this facility is that you’ll see a diverse range of things moving and swimming in front of you.
At this aquarium, numerous tanks featuring species from around the world will surround you, and you’ll feel an environment like heaven.
From tropical coral reefs to kelp forests and Asian freshwater to Atlantic waters, something is exciting for everyone.
Moreover, the screens installed at tanks provide unique facts about the creatures within and enhance your educational experiences.
You’ll witness a dynamic and spectacular space surrounding you with vibrant and fascinating marine life.
Additionally, you can explore the other zoo sections and enjoy a day full of fun with your family.
Get tickets now, dive into this aquarium, and be an aquarist for a day.
Address: 614 BDWY, Staten Island, NY 10310, USA
3. Ocean Wonders: Sharks!
You must have heard about the most famous exhibition of the New York Aquarium, where you’ll go below and discover a magical world.
Dive deep into the surface, and meet the thrilling giant sharks, sea turtles, rays, and many unique sea creatures.
Enjoy the underwater views with its live cameras, stare into the depth of the waters, and observe the activity of sandbar sharks and tiger sharks emerging from shadows.
Interact with more than 115 marine animals, 18 kinds of unique sharks and rays, and get a close nose-to-nose encounter with misunderstood animals.
Are you ready to learn about sharks, how they reproduce, and breathe?
Remember to experience its spectacular tunnel vision, and you’ll see blacktip reef sharks and zebra sharks surrounding the colorful coral reef.
Observe tiger sharks’ sharp, ferocious teeth, but you’ll know these sharks are docile to humans.
Look at the beautiful cownose ray and loggerhead sea turtle swimming above you.
Purchase your tickets, and participate for answers, close interactions, and fun facts.
Address: New York Aquarium, Brooklyn, NY 11224, USA
4. Brooklyn Zoo and Aquarium
While this may not fit the traditional aquarium, including it in aquariums is essential because it has everything.
From boasting a variety of wild animals to sea creatures, you’ll have an opportunity to learn and discover the animals.
In addition to them, you’ll also meet many unique and colorful species of birds, fishes, and reptiles from all over the world.
Have a close nose-to-nose interaction with a range of tiny water life, and take a look from sharks to stingrays and spectacular fish and turtles.
See a decent arrangement of many small aquariums and clusters of fishes surrounding the coral reefs in these aquariums.
Learn about their habitats, feed management, aquarium maintenance, and how they conserve their lives.
Moreover, you can bring these aquariums, fishes, reptiles, and other necessary items to your home and turn your imagination into life.
You’ll also find many educational programs, and hands-on training activities there, enhancing your knowledge.
Make sure to visit this aquarium during working hours.
Address: 2377 Ralph Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11234, USA
5. Prospect Park Zoo
Have you ever dreamed of getting up personal with giant sharks and lion seas?
While this zoo has not had a diverse species of exotic animals like the Bronx Zoo, you’ll not run out of exciting things.
You’ll interact closely with 125 species of mammals, turtles, birds, amphibians, and aquatic animals.
The park’s best attraction is its sea lions and aquarium exhibit, where you’ll see impressive and joyful shows at various times of the day.
Never miss sea lions’ training sessions, where you’ll learn about their curiosity, intelligence, and how they manage insulation for the winter.
Take its Discovery Trail, and get entry through many animal habitats, a duck pond, and an aviary to explore.
Learn about the zoo’s conservation efforts for the water animals, and attend its education programs, making things interesting.
Book your time-specified tickets now, and have fun with your family at this walkable park.
Address: 450 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, New York 11225, USA
6. Pacific Aquarium
If you are a fish enthusiast searching for a collection of exotic tropical fish aquariums, the ideal choice is Pacific Aquarium.
With more than 2,000 sq ft area for exhibition, you’ll get a unique opportunity to explore and learn about different marine life.
From small freshwater fish like celestial pearl danio to emerald rasbora, you’ll witness a massive collection of corals from all world waters.
Explore this beautifully themed aquarium, and learn about these fishes and management from the experienced aquarium staff.
Get experts’ opinions about these tiny animals’ management, medical care, feeding, and habitats.
The best thing about this aquatic attraction is its specialty in exotic and rare fish and aquatic plants.
Did you know that this aquarium is the only facility in New York where you’ll find numerous exotic species of marine life?
Get into this aquarium, and explore the captivating marine organisms that await you.
Address: 46 Delancey St, NY 10002, USA
Also see our article on Water Parks in New York.
Aquariums in Long Island, New York
1. Long Island Aquarium
Your quest is complete if you’re looking for aquatic adventure and indoor and outdoor exhibits.
Long Island Aquarium has been serving for years and offers various attractions, display tanks, exhibits, and educational programs.
One of the best attractions is its closed-system coral reef exhibit, where you’ll see a 30 ft display tank featuring 20,000-gallon water.
Explore this display, discover a natural reef ecosystem, and get the unique experience of the aquatic behavior of sea animals.
From best buddy’s clownfish and anemone to form and function, you’ll get to attend a vast collection of indoor exhibits.
Participate in these exhibits, learn about the habitat, discover more than 200 species of jellyfish and sea jellies, and closely interact with them.
Discover the fantastic tribe of toothed fish, the piranha, and observe their ferocious look.
Be assured you’ll have countless exhibits throughout the year, and describing all of them one by one is difficult.
Never miss its shark and touch tank, where you’ll see thrilling giant sharks and other sea creatures swimming right before you.
Learn from the aquarium staff in a friendly atmosphere, and go behind the scenes to see how these interactive displays work.
Get your family to this fantastic destination and spend a day in an underwater paradise.
Address: 431-East Main Street, Riverhead, New York 11901, USA
2. Tropical Island Aquarium
This exciting educational attraction features plenty of aquariums in a well-designed facility.
Showcasing various species of marine life in its aquariums, it introduces you to creatures from tropical waters of the world.
With hundreds of freshwater and saltwater aquariums, this place has everything you need.
You’ll be amazed when you see their collection of freshwater livestock, from rainbows to discuss and from mollies to angels.
Get an opportunity to touch and feed some of their sea turtles, sharks, and fishes living in aquariums.
Meet with knowledgeable staff to answer your questions and provide professional opinions about these creatures.
Tour this well-maintained facility, and enjoy observing the tiny fish surrounding the coral reefs in a beautiful array of aquariums.
Attend its informative sessions, hands-on training, and demonstrations, and interact closely with these fascinating creatures.
You must visit this aquarium and bring an aquarium to your home.
Address: 2112 Deer Pk Avenue, Deer Park, New York 11729, USA
3. Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium
Have you ever seen and experienced growing and reproducing a fish?
This educational center will allow you to discover freshwater ecosystems and explore the living collections of underwater worlds.
Visit this facility with your little ones, and take a self-guided tour of its two fascinating aquariums and eight vast outdoor ponds.
Try out its catch and keep fishing experience, feed the hungry trout, and touch and interact closely with them.
For families, particular summer programs and pollywog fun-filled adventures that teach you about various topics.
Explore its buildings, and observe 30 species of native fish, rearing pool, trout, largemouth, bowfin fish, and turtles.
Bring your little ones with you, and attend its school-guided programs suitable for students of all ages.
Meet with the aquarium staff, and you’ll get incredible information about the hatchery, management, feeding, medical care, and fish production.
So, what are you waiting for?
Plan your Friday visit, enjoy its catch, and keep trout fishing.
Address: 1660 RTE 25-A, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
Also see our article on Indoor Water Parks in New York.
Aquariums in Queens, New York
1. The Queens Zoo
Are you excited to visit a diverse collection of wild and sea animals all in one place?
Explore one of the fantastic zoos of New York in Queens, and attend its numerous aquatic exhibits and sea creatures.
Observe diverse fish species and other water animals kept in this facility.
Enjoy a delicious lunch with its most prominent sea lions exhibit, and interact closely with these torpedo-shaped bodies and oar-like flippers.
Discover various aquatic animals, including sharks, fish, turtles, frogs, amphibians, and colorful, unique animals at its exhibits and aquariums.
You’ll find something new and exciting awaiting you whenever you visit this attraction.
Have fun feeding and interacting with these animals, and see the beautiful domestic animals on farms.
Look at the underwater areas, and watch out for sea lions and harbor seals swimming and playing in front of you.
Don’t forget to explore its aviary dome, and you’ll have so much fun watching colorful birds there.
Learn about their management and conservation, and meet its knowledgeable staff who gladly answer your queries.
Attend its educational exhibits and programs, and get an opportunity to learn about marine life and their habitats.
Address: 53-51 111th Street, Queens, New York 11368, USA
2. Monster Aquarium
Offering a diverse selection of aquariums, and sea critters, this is one of the best destinations for aquatic enthusiasts and aquarium lovers.
You’ll see a wide array of small and large aquariums there, featuring a unique collection of marine life.
The best thing about this aquarium is the presence of the unique appearance of the Arowana fish, entertaining you with its impressive behavior.
You’ll discover the largest freshwater fish species there, from arapaima gigas to marbled lungfish and congo puffer to MBU puffer.
Discover and learn about sea creatures from all climates ranging from Southeast Asia to the basin of South America.
Surprisingly, you’ll see a collection of fish of various sizes from 3 meters to 3 feet surrounding the colorful reefs in different aquariums.
Learn about the hunting powers and jumping abilities of African and black Arowana from the aquarium staff and how they manage them.
Moreover, you can also get livestock of these fish if you want to interact closely with them at your place.
Visit this amazing place, and bring fish from all waters to your home.
Address: 13108 40th Road, Flushing, Queens, New York 11354, USA
Also see our article on Amusement Parks in New York.
Aquariums in Bronx, New York
1. Central Park Zoo
If you’re in the Bronx looking for an aquatic attraction outside the city, take a half-hour drive, and explore this fantastic Central Park Zoo.
This zoo has everything from conservation society to volunteer programs, a diverse range of endangered animals, and learning programs.
Explore its polar circle as the aquarium, where you’ll find many unique aquatic creatures and exotic animals.
From aquatic birds to animals, you’ll enjoy a fantastic sea lion exhibit that entertains you in the pool with its movements and fun-filled activities.
Take a look at its 3D theater, where you’ll discover many programs and sessions about wild and sea creatures.
Meet with the experienced staff and learn about habitats, management, and conservation of endangered species.
But that’s not all; you’ll also have friendly interaction with animals from all the climates, such as hippos, leopards, and bears.
You’ll see many creatures and animal habitats that you’ll never find them again.
Are you ready to travel the entire world in one visit?
Address: East-64th Street, New York 10021, USA
2. The Bronx Zoo
Featuring numerous sections, four zoos, and one fascinating aquarium, this place has something for people of all ages.
You’ll find regular attractions there, and your little ones will have a blast at this zoo.
Get entry into one of the largest zoos in New York, and have close interaction with above 17000 different mammals.
Explore their habitats spreading over 265 acres, and learn about their feeds, medical care, and conservation efforts.
This park is more than just an aquarium; you will find diverse fish species, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and invertebrates.
But that’s not the end; participate in its upcoming events and regular exhibits, join the zoo staff, and discover many hands-on activities.
Opening from 10 am – 5 pm, the Bronx Zoo offers you countless activities and attractions that you’ll have all the entertainment.
Remember to explore the fantastic Nature Trail Adventure, where you’ll see the breathtaking view of everything in the zoo like an eagle eye.
Get your tickets now, and have the best day with your new aquatic friends.
Address: 2300 S Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460, USA
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Looking beyond New York? Check out our article on the best Aquariums in Texas and Illinois.