The New York Aquarium

First opened on December 10, 1896, the New York Aquarium has had a long and successful history of bringing exotic sea life to tourists and local New Yorkers alike. Originally located in lower Manhattan in Battery Park, the Aquarium is now found at popular Coney Island in south Brooklyn. As the oldest continually operated aquarium in the United States, the New York Aquarium is yet another jewel in the Wildlife Conservation Society’s crown.

Situated on 14 acres by the beach, this aquarium is home to over 350 species of aquatic wildlife and over 8,000 specimens. The Aquarium also has special exhibits and public events to help bring the sea creatures and their ocean habitat into the lives of everyday people.

What to see:
Alien Stingers
This home of exciting and odd sea jellies holds many mysterious creatures of the deep seas. Like animals from another world, their diverse beauty looks like something straight out of science fiction. This is a rare chance to see these specimens, as the New York Aquarium is the only place in North America to permanently feature jellyfish.

Sea Cliffs habitat
Always a favorite at the Aquarium, this exhibit features blubber busters from the far north seas. Come see surprisingly intelligent California sea otters, majestic northern fur seals and the masters of the beach, Pacific walruses. The Aquarium’s Glover’s Reef features jawfish, morey eels, rays and more than 35 other sea creatures living in a stunning coral reef ecosystem.

Daily Feeding
Don’t miss the feeding of the sharks, sure to thrill and chill any visitor! There are also special feeding sessions of the penguins, sea otters and walruses. All feeding times are posted at the main entrance and plaza area of the Aquarium.

Animal Enrichments
These unique activities help the animals with the same variety of physical and psychological challenges and activities they would encounter in the wild. Some examples of these at the New York Aquarium are:
- Sea otters having fun with barrels and balls
- Sea lions and walruses learning new tricks
- Hiding food in containers for the octopus, who love the challenge
All Animal Enrichment times are posted at the main entrance and plaza area of the Aquarium.

Aquatheater Informal Training Demonstrations
This is one of the more popular events at the Aquarium, come see the incredible California sea lions entertain the whole family! Daily informal training session times are posted at the Aquatheater entrance.

Ayvek the Walrus
Hailing from Lawrence Island in the Bering Straight between Alaska and Siberia, Ayvek arrived to New York in 1994. When he arrived, Ayvek was only 150 pounds and could hang out in a small dog kennel. Today, he is an impressive 1,200 pounds! When he was just a baby though, he arrived with two other walruses, Uupa and Kuluisq, to join Nuka, a female that has been at the Aquarium for over 16 years. Though Avyeq will get bigger, right now he is still way behind the full-grown Nuka who weighs in over 1,600 lbs!

All four of the walruses can be seen at the Sea Cliffs Exhibit. A great time to visit them is during their feeding, when they loudly call for more food, or during their Enrichment sessions, where they love to play games.

Willie the Sea Otter
Willie the sea otter has a unique story that represents some of the best work of the Wildlife Conservation Society and other protective programs. He is a California sea otter, which were thought to be extinct in the 1900’s. But in 1915, a small population, numbering only 32, was discovered at Point Sur. Today, there are almost 2,000 in the entire world.

Willie was almost lost, being found as a baby among sand kelp on the beach of Spanish Bay, near Pebble Beach in California. Willie was saved a team at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but he struggled day-to-day to survive outside of the wild. But through diligent care, Willie pulled through and in 1994 he packed his bags and came to join the other animals at the Sea Cliffs Exhibit here in New York. Sea otters are very intelligent and Willie is no different, so make sure to drop by and see him. This is probably your only chance to ever actually see a California sea otter, which makes Willie even that more special.

Special Events!

Earth Day—Seas the Day!
April 21–22
Join us to honor our Earth Day marine animal ambassadors, learn what you can do to protect our planet’s ocean inhabitants and participate in special activities.

Mother’s Day Weekend
May 12–13
Bring your mom to meet ocean moms! Learn about the different ways marine mothers care for their young, from sharks, whose pups are independent from their first moments in the water, to sea otters, which carry their young on the furry beds of their stomachs.

Aquatic Asia
May 19–20
Learn about different types of sea jellies found off the coasts of Asia. Discover dragon fish, sea turtles, sharks, archerfish and several varieties of seahorses. Enjoy Asian cultural arts performances, arts and crafts, and more.

The Aquarium Strikes Gold
Celebrating 50 Years in Coney Island
June 9­–10
Help us kick off a summer of fun! Stay tuned for details on this special weekend event.

Mermaids of the Deep
June 23–24
A fantastical weekend showcasing myths and legends of the high seas, featuring mermaids and giant octopuses, plus Nemo, Poseidon and Aquaman!

Sea Life Sock Hop/Grandparent’s Day
September 8­–9
The annual 50s-style sock hop features doo-wop music, arts and crafts, and storytelling. Make a gift for your grandparents to mark this special day.

Halloween at the A-scarium
October 20–21, 27–28 & 31
Dress up the family and join us for this safe, fun and educational Halloween tradition. Learn all about the monsters of the deep while you enjoy face arts and crafts, painting, games and prizes. Experience the thrill of our new “Haunted Pavilion” and our special 3D Halloween ride. Watch for details about after-hours festivities for adults.


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