My son and I walked up to the doors of The New York Aquarium ready to experience the uniqueness of aquatic life. We were not disappointed.
Happy Feet 4-D
Our journey began even before we entered the hall, as we were attracted to the separate-admission Happy Feet 4-D experience. We donned our 3-D glasses and sat down as the penguins of Happy Feet danced and sang while saving the environment, and as watery mist splashed down on us (thus the 4-D designation). My 6-year-old son had entered the theater slightly nervous that he’d find the show too intense, but he ended up loving it and asking to see it again.
Our feet nice and happy, we crossed the courtyard and entered the aquarium. Right away, our attention was drawn to Grover’s Reef, a 165,000-gallon tank just inside the doors that whets the fish-watching appetite with an assortment of colorful fish, eels, stingrays and coral.
Over and Under the Sea Cliffs
We passed through Conservation Hall, which featured fascinating aquatic displays and entered the aquarium’s main promenade. Rather than residing in a single building, the New York Aquarium is one large, slightly fish-shaped (if you squint at the map) courtyard ringed by individual buildings and exhibits. The large “Sea Cliffs” exhibit, which consisted of four roomy, watery Pacific Ocean habitats filled with walruses, sea lions, seals, otters and penguins, was intriguing. While watching all these animals climb up on the rocks and splash back into the water was fun, the real treat was when my son dragged me down to the subterranean passage that exists beneath the Sea Cliffs. There, we stood in awe in front of windows looking into these same habitats from under water. Through the glass, the large, lumbering walruses from above were turned into graceful swimmers and the funny, waddling penguins became speed demons as they plunged into the water. One Northern fur seal repeatedly dive-bombed the window to the delight of a dozen kids, including my son.
The Under the Sea Cliffs passage also contained an octopus, some seahorses, a bunch of crabs and a “How Long Can You Hold Your Breath?” challenge where you see how you would fare as a denizen of the oceans. I found this to be incredibly entertaining until my son held his breath for longer than me, at which point I decided it was time to move on.
More Attractions
The “Explore the Shore” and the “Alien Stingers” exhibits contained display after display of oddly colored or oddly shaped fish, as well as sea jellies, eels, rays, and of course, the oyster toadfish. He’s the ridiculously ugly one that grunts – you can’t miss him.
Outside, we made the obligatory stop at the touch pools where my son got up close and personal with an assortment of slimy, spongy or shelled individuals. He was especially taken with a horseshoe crab, though I’m not convinced the feeling was mutual.
Eventually it was time to go home. Before we got back in the car, however, we took a stroll on the Coney Island Boardwalk, located right outside the aquarium’s walls. It made for a great addition to the visit, and allowed the Aquarium to serve as the centerpiece of a larger excursion.
David Neilsen is a Tarrytown-based writer, a father of two, and a land-based mammal.
When You Go …
The New York Aquarium – Surf Ave., and 8th St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 718-265-3474; www.nyaquarium.com.
Open 365 days a year.
Fall hours: Sept. 4-Nov. 4 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. weekends and holidays.
Winter hours: Nov. 5-March 29 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily.
General Admission: $14.95 adults, $10.95 children ages 3-12, free under 3.
4-D Theater: $7
Total Experience Ticket (general plus 4D): $19.95 adults, $15.95 children.
