The New York Aquarium

I love the New York Zoos and Aquariums. Always. And that is why I gave it the score I did. I remember being Amazed as a child, learning about new animals and sea life. Its always a treat to go back, even as an adult and still learn something new. Unfortunately, Because of Hurricane Sandy, a lot of their habitats and animals are no longer available. The price is also higher because of the situation. I was pretty disappointed with the situation. Of course, I would be completely ok to pay the higher entrance fee even if its only ¼ of the original size because its not something they can control. But at least tell customers in the beginning, have a notice that the park isnt up to full potential.

I recently visited the NY Aquarium on a cold winter afternoon with some friends. Both of us are members of the Wildlife Conservation Society so admission and parking were free. However, had we paid, we would have been disappointed. I hate to review the aquarium this way because it is really quite a special place. But it is still rebuilding after serious destruction by Hurricane Sandy. The parts of the aquarium that are open are done well, but it’s quite tiny.
As you walk through the entrance you’re greeted by a gigantic aquarium, Glovers Reef. This is probably my favorite feature there. This tank houses a large variety of salt water fish as well as sting rays and eels.
Just past the reef is Conservation Hall which showcases a lot of coral reefs, coral frags, tropical fish and more. The tanks are vibrant, healthy and very well maintained. The kids enjoyed these but were especially drawn to the wooden boat which they could climb into and rock back and forth.
Outside there are walruses, otters, penguins, a shark tank and an Aqutheater where the sea lion show is held. This is a nice open air amphitheater and although we missed the show this visit we’ve seen it many times. It’s about 20 minutes long and very cute. The sea lions perform well and the trainers are very engaging. Plus there is catchy music throughout. On this trip we happened to arrive right after a show finished and there just wasn’t enough to see for two hours, until the next one began. If seeing the show is important to you, be sure to coordinate your arrival time with the performances. It takes one hour, maximum, to tour the aquarium.
In addition, there is a fun 4D movie theater just outside the entrance which is currently showing a 10 minute version of Sponge Bob. These tickets are purchased at the aquarium ticket booth. This show is really cute. You wear 3D glasses, the seats move a little and bubbles float around the theater during the movie. A definite hit for little ones.
As you exit the aquarium you can easily walk onto the Coney Island Boardwalk. We love making a beach day of our aquarium visits during the summer. During the winter it’s just nice to get a glimpse of the ocean.
All in all, I’m happy we made this 45 minute car trip from Manhattan. Our three and four year olds thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m not sure how much more of the aquarium they would have appreciated anyway. I just wish there was more to see for me :)
for more family fun adventures check out:

I really want to give this place a better review. I have great memories of visiting the New York Aquarium as a kid. It also seemed much bigger then.
The problem is that the aquarium is still damaged by Hurricane Sandy and under renovation. Parts of the aquarium are off limits. The parts that are open are nice. I liked the various ecosystems represented.
I really liked the sea lion show. Yes, I really like sea lions in general (see my review for the Central Park Zoo), but the trainers and sea lions were very entertaining and informative. It was a fun show.
The planned renovations, including a shark area, sound great, and I hope to visit after the renovations and give a better review.
So, for now, I had a fun hour, but it was pretty underwhelming. Kids will have fun seeing the fish and sea lions, but I’d wait until after the renovations are complete.

This place seemed much bigger when I went here as a little kid. You can walk through the place in one hour even. It consists mostly of smaller sea life: fish, jellyfish and crustaceans. They do have a few sharks and a theater with a sea lion show. The aquarium is however currently undergoing an expansion, so it might be much better once that is done. Until then, it’s a very average aquarium.
Tip: If you go Fridays after 3pm, admission is free.

A very tiny aquarium. There’s not that much to see. The sea lion show is probably the best thing they have. Don’t make a trip out just for the aquarium.

Decided to visit the Aquarium with my Grandson today! since the last time I visited was with his Mother like in the 80’s to my surprise everything looked & was still the same way… I paid $ 10.95 since I purchased the tickets on line even drove to Brooklyn & after a few minutes found parking on the road which was a good thing cause the parking lot cost $ 13.00. the signs stated they where under construction, as we walked around we expected more but to my surprise, in the many years it still looked the same way, no changes or improvements, a big let me down… even my 4 year old Grandson kept asking to see more… but with the savings on the parking I purchased him a stuffed walrus so that was worth it! Maybe when there finished with construction I will get to go back… at least I made so memories today…

I am sure they did a huge mistake by renovating the place during the winter. The problem is that not only that they made the mistake, they have big signs declaring: we are under construction, but we are still open.
For what they offer right now, they will do good if they will charge based on donation, because there isn’t much to see right now.
I love underwater world, and to see sea life is always beautiful. And after seeing many Aquarius all over the world, I can say that it is better to wait for after the construction.

I been to the Coney Island aquarium when I was a child and it was so cool. So I decide to take my son there as well. I know since Hurricane Sandy affected this place but I didn’t know how bad. I have to admit, it will take you 15 mins to go right through it. For the price they ask to get in, is just wrong. They should lower the price because a lot of the place is still under construction. At least they warn you before you buy the ticket but they should still lower it. They is not much to see at all. I prefer to go somewhere else and travel than come back here until they are finish. I would update this review again in the future but right now I would not be returning.
Cons:
Price to high for nothing much
Still under construction
Not much to see
You can go through it in 15 mins

I didn’t expect this aquarium to be so small. I paid $ 25 for admission for one with parking and had to buy an $ 12 admission ticket for my 1.5 year old. They should offer kiddie discount. Although we lingered at many of the fish tanks and was provided some educational information about the content of the tanks, we were done in about a hour. Half of the aquarium is under construction and there’s really not much to see.
The second floor area provides a nice view of Coney Island beach with a few tables you can use for lunch. Beware of birds, they were pooping and you can end up with an unpleasant surprise.
The gift shop had some cheaply made but expensive toys.

My girlfriend and I made the trek here from Manhattan and we very much enjoyed our time visiting the aquarium!
I did read several reviews before going to the aquarium, many of which lambasted the size of the aquarium (and cost) etc. On a relative basis to, say, the Baltimore aquarium there’s no clear comparison as the Baltimore aquarium is leagues larger and better in its respects. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the NY Aquarium and for a nice Saturday afternoon activity, this hits the nail on the head. Yes, I agree with the other Unilocal reviews that it was small but to me the highlight of the aquarium was all of the friendly, approachable staff at the aquarium. I learned a ton from being able to casually chat with the staff members who were all knowledgeable. Unlike many zoos/​aquariums I’ve been to, the aquarium staff were plentiful and lingered around the exhibits (which I think is a perk of having fewer exhibits and a smaller aquarium). We chatted with the summer’s only animal care intern (Sam?) who talked to us about the sea lions/​seals on display, as well as a volunteer diver (Brendan) who was cleaning the artificial coral in the main tank in the conservation hall (he even convinced my girlfriend and me to take diving lessons and get certified!). The cool thing about this tank is that there’s an opening at the top of it that you can climb a set of stairs outside and chat with the divers in the tank if they’re cleaning.
The aquarium is broken up into indoor and outdoor exhibits. The indoor exhibits is called the Conservation Hall with a variety of coral environments with fish of diff sizes and rays. The outdoor exhibits had sea lions, seals, walruses, and penguins. While sometimes it’s hard to see them since the underground area to view the tank underwater has been closed off post-​Sandy, they were pretty active when we were there (around 12ish) and there’s also a feeding show between 1 – 2! There’s also a temporary tank holding sharks and stingrays right now before a new half million gallon exhibit is built to hold them where you can see them swim in the tank above and around you. The sea lion show was a real treat, too. Not long (~20 min) but super entertaining and fun.
To me, the staff made the visit a much more personable experience, and I can’t wait to come back when they open the new exhibit!

Half the aquarium is closed due to renovations yet the price is still the same. And then you have to pay for parking. I’m sure the NY Aquarium will be awesome when they are done rebuilding, but right now it’s not worth the price.
You’re much better off heading to a cyclones game or hitting the boardwalk. You get more for your money and re crowds are more manageable.

Not a bad aquarium to bring the family. It is small and 30. Cost to enter is $ 11 at the door for $ 10 online.
There is a small salt water tank and fresh water tank preview fish and sea creatures. Outdoor is the sea lion, otter, penguin enclosures. There is a sea lion show which is the highlight of the aquarium. This place was packed with families and their kids.
The aquarium can be walked in 20 minutes.
This place does not hold a candle to Baltimore Aquarium but for $ 10 it will suffice.

I absolutely love the seals, sea lions, and walrus. The aquarium is under drastic construction so there aren’t a lot of exhibits, you can literally see everything in 10 minutes. I remember years ago they had whales and dolphins. I know storm sandy hit hard and almost 3 years later they are still trying to recover.
I also recommend a membership, the perks are amazing. Free parking, admission, and discount on food and giftshop. You can’t go wrong. Best 200 bucks spent and we’ll renew every year.

With just 2 hours left until closing, I thought I have to miss a couple of exhibits because I like to observe everything that is offered. At the moment, like half the aquarium is still under renovation, so two hours was a perfect amount of time to check out the Glovers Reef (huge tank full of schools of fish and other cool looking marine animals), Conservation Hall (about a dozen tanks with some common fish and others you don’t see at the pet fish shops), Aquatheatre (enjoy a great performance by a beautiful hostess (forgot her name), aspiring trainer, Christina, and her sea lion partners, Bruiser and Oscar (?) who are super duper cute btw), Spongebob 4D short story (jelly fish rescue adventure with cool physical effects, I love these sort of childish things: D), and gift shop (good variety of stuff to bring home if you feel like it). The sea lion show was awesome and I think I like it better than the one in Boston. From what I remember, Boston was more informative. NY is more entertaining. A couple things I was kinda eh about was that I couldn’t find the eel in Glovers Reef and that the swishy things below the seats kept whipping my bare legs during the SpongeBob show. It’s 11.95/person but I saw another review said its suggested donations on Friday after 4PM. If you buy tickets online you save 20%!

This place is indeed under major construction. My tip will be to go on Friday at 4 pm and pay what you want, although they have a suggested donation of at least $ 5. There will be a long line but don’t worry, that line move fast!
You can glimpse through everything in half and hour.
When you walk in, you go into a room filled with multiple fish tanks with a lot of different fish. My favorite tank is located near the other end of the room with the humongous fish in it. They left me wondering how they grew to that size.
When you leave that room, you are outside and there are several areas with penguins, a sea otter, and a sea lion chilling around.
I was most excited to go see the sharks and turtles, expecting it to be in the dark room but it was outdoor, in one tank and there were no turtles. :(What a big letdown. The sharks were just swimming around and some of them were just chilling at the bottom of the tank.
The interactive part of the aquarium where you can touch starfish closed early so I was unable to touch any starfish and other animals that they allow you to touch.
There is the sea lions show which was fun although getting out could be hazardous. Everyone is pushing everyone else, trying to get out as quickly as possible, which I cannot understand.
My suggestion is to wait until renovations are done before you go and visit because it really is not worth it.

DO NOT GO HERE! Not at least until they fix all the exhibits. Waste of $ 22 per adult.

I wouldn’t even bother visiting here. It use to be a very good aquarium until hurricane Sandy hit. Since the hurricane, it still hasn’t fully rebuilt so many of the great exhibits I use to love are no longer around. They are working on it and I will return after the construction is complete. As of now, this isn’t worth the time or even the reduced admission of $ 11.95. Also, the outdoor exhibits that stood up to the horrible storm or small, in poor shape and are seriously outdated. I hope the construction ends soon because I want to return and hope that it’ll be even better.

The size of the aquarium exhibits were rather small, compared to other aquariums. Some of the outdoor exhibits were closed because either the weather was too cold (this was back in October) or because parts of it was still under construction after Hurricane Sandy. Some of the outdoor exhibits were closed because the animals were asleep or being bathed/​fed. The gift shop had a good assortment of souvenirs such as key chains, toys, stuffed animals, books, postcards, etc.
There was a theatre that showed SpongeBob 4D, which I thought was cool. The only critique is that the «belt-​like» material that slapped our legs (to simulate jellyfish) kind of hurt my legs a little bit (I was wearing a dress that day so my legs were exposed). The aquarium overall was a fun and new experience for us in NYC. I wish there was a larger aquarium in the city, but the location of this one is great because it’s by the man-​made beach and right next to Coney Island!

Let’s face facts, this aquarium pretty much sucks. The only thing enjoyable about it was the 4D SpongeBob movie they show which lasted about 7 minutes or so. Other than that, the fish tanks are not glorious like at other aquariums by any means. There was like one sea otter, a shark or two, a turtle which I never even saw, & an overpriced gift shop, as well as overpriced mediocre soft pretzels & churros. I would not recommend wasting a trip here when you’re near Coney Island. Go & ride the wooden roller coaster or even better, go to Riverhead & see a real aquarium! I’m sure Hurricane Sandy wiped some of it away but by now don’t ya think they’d rebuild by now & add more to their exhibits?

I was able to visit the Coney Island Aquarium for free due to a family membership privileges. I haven’t been here in such a long time, and the devastation that Super Storm Sandy left is still apparent in some of the exhibits that are not open and still under construction.
The aquarium is clean and we did get a chance to see the Walrus show. I haven’t seen live Walrus in a while either so that was a nice treat. As I walked by some of the enclosures the pungent smell so familiar to me brought back memories of the sea lions of Pier 39 in San Francisco. Yes, it was that smell that made me immediately know that was the location of the sea lions. I also got a good view of the two otters.
They have a variety of fishes in the aquarium that if you take the time to look at, you will notice there are many varieties. The aquarium also extends into the gift shop, so if you didn’t get your fill of fish, you can still catch them as you shop. The gift shop has lots of stuff toys and a pretty good looking otter T-​shirt to boot. Don’t forget to take a picture with the giant walrus on the side of the gift shop. It’s a great photo opportunity.
They should hurry up and finish construction, so more people can populate and enjoy the aquarium and all it has to offer. This place is great for kids and families who have never seen or visited an aquarium before, but since I’ve been fortunate to see other aquariums, there are not enough exhibits for me.