New York is lucky enough to have more than one aquarium to visit for those interested in the sea- we are surrounded by ocean water, after all.
Although the New York Aquarium is definitely more accessible for those visiting New York City, the Long Island Aquarium is accessible both by car and by public transportation- the Riverhead Long Island Railroad stop is only a 15 minute walk away!
I’ve only ever driven here, and while there is technically no on-site parking, there are parking lots located only a block or so away, across the railroad tracks. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of signage to help you find your way once you get there!
To be honest, I find this aquarium to be extremely steeply priced. A ticket for an adult is almost $50 per person- and that’s gone up since my most recent visit! Luckily, the Aquarium offers free admission for those visiting within 7 days of their birthday- a pretty incredible deal.
For those accompanying the lucky birthday person, I suggest checking out your local library for deals- mine offers discounted tickets for $27 per person. This doesn’t help any out of town visitors, of course, but it can be a lifesaver for families looking to save a few bucks.
Once we arrived, my ID was checked to confirm my birthday was indeed in that two-week window, and my companion and I were both stamped to mark our full access to the aquarium.
The humid and fishy smell of the aquarium hits like a wall as soon as one steps into the building, but that’s to be expected in these places. I always like to start my trip in the Butterfly Exhibit, which is a tropical oasis in the face of my winter birthday.
There’s a ton of flowers and the butterflies are really active- just be careful not to step on any of butterflies that may be resting on the ground.
There used to be an interactive bird exhibit attached to this location, but it seems to have been closed down in the past few years.
After leaving the butterflies, the fish tanks take precedence.
I always really like the anemone exhibit with its many clown fish, but the main draw is the huge shark exhibit known as the Lost City of Atlantis Shark Habitat.
This aquarium was once known as the Atlantis Aquarium, and this exhibit still has nods to that with its 12 foot tall trident and remnants of a once grand city. The 120,000 gallon tank is home to a variety of sharks and other fish, including sand tiger sharks and nurse shark circle the tank that can be viewed both from above and from the side- really letting you get eye to eye with these creatures.
For $250, the aquarium even offers a cage dive with the sharks!
There are a few tactile exhibits that let you touch its resident stingrays or horseshoe crabs, but be warned that your hands WILL smell like sea water for the rest of the day. Ask me how I know.
In addition to its fish and butterflies, the aquarium also hosts a selection of other animals, including penguins, otters, marmosets, and porcupines. Most of these animals are located outside of the main building, and it can definitely get cold in the winter. The otters and seals are really fun to watch, though!
The aquarium hosts a range of activities throughout the day- there’s something to check out every 30-60 minutes or so. The Sea Lion Presentation is one of the more popular attractions, and is located just outside of the main building in a tank that is partially surrounded by a concrete stadium. The whole presentation takes about 20 minutes and is worth a watch. It happens twice daily, so it’s convenient to fit into the day.
In addition to its shark diving, the Long Island Aquarium also offers penguin and seal selfies at a surprisingly reasonable $25, and more in depth “encounters” for upwards of $185 per person.
The Long Island Aquarium was a staple of my childhood, but it’s definitely starting to show its age. I understand that they have to feed their animals and pay its staff, but I don’t feel that it’s worth the $50 admission fee. If I’d paid full price, I’d have felt a bit ripped off.
Definitely keep an eye out for any opportunity for a discounted admission, though. It’s still a fun family friendly day out- if only the price was a bit lower!
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