More about: New York Aquarium Tickets and Tours
Visiting the New York Aquarium is a very entertaining plan that you can do during your trip to New York to spend a different kind of day getting into nature and disconnecting from the asphalt jungle for a few moments. Whether with your family or on your own, you'll have a great time and learn a lot about ocean care.
It's a very curious place to see as they have recreated the natural habitats of many aquatic species in great detail and the result is amazing. Did you know that over 500 marine species live here? There's a lot to explore inside the aquarium! So don't wait any longer and get your tickets. I'll tell you the most important things to know.
New York Aquarium Tickets
Discover the underwater fauna and flora
Enjoy the New York Aquarium, cross its impressive 12-metre tunnel and be impressed by the sea lion show.
With this ticket for the New York Aquarium, you will have the opportunity to visit the oldest aquarium in the United States and see the 350 marine species that live inside. Penguins, sharks, sea lions, octopuses, manta rays and many other species... You will also be able to cross the 12-metre tunnel surrounded by water.
This ticket also includes a ticket for the 4D theatre, an immersive experience with sensory effects and the sea lion show. In addition, you will have access to all meals and animal interactions, including touch pools and the Playquarium.
Recommended if... you are travelling to New York with your partner, family, children or friends. The Aquarium will ensure you have a great time.
How do I get tickets to the New York Aquarium? What kind of tickets are there?
The first thing you should know if you want to visit the New York Aquarium is that you will have to buy tickets online and in advance of the day of the visit, as the aquarium requires that at the time of purchase all visitors choose a time and date to make the tour.
That is, as happens at the Bronx Zoo, you can not enter the New York Aquarium without having purchased a previously scheduled visit. This step is essential as you will not be allowed to enter the facilities without having booked your day and time in advance.
Types of tickets
So, what types of tickets are available to tour the New York Aquarium?
- Adult (over 13 years old): From $24
- Senior (over 65 years): From $21
- Children (ages 3 to 12): From $19
These tickets are for one-time use only, so if you leave the New York Aquarium and try to go later in the day you will not be allowed in due to capacity limitations.
Can I visit the New York Aquarium with a New York City Sightseeing Pass?
That's right! If you plan to visit the New York Aquarium during your stay in the city, you won't need to buy a ticket if you have the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass (from 74 ¤ in Hellotickets) or the New York Sightseeing Pass (from 148 ¤ in Hellotickets).
Which pass to choose?
- New York Sightseeing Flex Pass: Perfect for travellers on a tight budget or who have been to New York before and prefer to see just a few sights.
- New York Sightseeing Pass: Ideal for travellers who are visiting New York for the first time and want to get the most out of their trip or for those who like to see the sights on the go without a set sightseeing plan.
If you want to know more about the New York sightseeing cards and all their advantages when it comes to exploring a city like this, I suggest you take a look at the post The best New York sightseeing card as there you'll find a detailed analysis of each one.
We compare in the table at a glance the price of the tourist passes that allow entry to the New York Aquarium
- New York Sightseeing Flex Pass
- You will be able to New York Aquarium
- Access to up to 12 attractions
- Duration 60 days
- You'll save around 50% when you see 2 attractions per day.
- Book
- New York Sightseeing Pass
- Access to the New York Aquarium
- Access to 100 attractions
- Duration from 1 to 10 days
- You'll save around 70% when you see 3 sites per day.
- Book
Free admission to the New York Aquarium?
Yes, admission is free every Wednesday from 3 p.m. onwards. However, as with Aquarium Admission tickets, you also need to book your tickets online in advance to visit the New York Aquarium for free. This is because you still need to choose a time and date to take the tour.
Being free, Wednesdays are very busy days, so if you choose to visit the New York Aquarium on this day, my advice is to choose an early hour to avoid the crowds.
Each visitor can book a maximum of 4 tickets on Wednesdays and all visitors must have a ticket to enter the Aquarium from the age of 3 years old. Only children under the age of 3 are admitted free any day of the week to the New York Aquarium.
When is the New York Aquarium open?
The New York Aquarium generally opens at 10am every day of the year and closes at different times depending on the season, so check it out at a glance!
- Summer through Labor Day
- Hours
- 10 AM TO 5 PM
- Open every day
-
From September 8 to October 31
-
Hours
-
10 AM to 4 PM Monday to Friday
-
10 AM to 4:30 Weekends and holidays
- From November 1st to the end of March
- Opening hours
- 10 AM to 3:30 PM
- Every day
How much time do you need to see the New York Aquarium?
Visits to the New York Aquarium usually last 1-2 hours, but once you enter the Aquarium you can stay as long as you like to see the exhibits and marine shows - there's so much to discover at the New York Aquarium!
On the one hand, you can learn about the life of the different marine creatures that live in the aquarium's tanks and fish tanks (sharks, octopuses, manta rays, sea otters, jellyfish...) and watch them go about their daily lives.
On the other hand, you will have the opportunity to attend some very cool shows where you can watch the otters feeding themselves or the sea lions doing acrobatics - they are the real stars of the aquarium!
Is it a great experience to go to the New York Aquarium with children?
Of course it is! And what's more, it's for adults too. In fact, it's one of the things to do in New York with kids to disconnect a little from the cultural visits or historical tours you do in the city.
The New York Aquarium is full of exhibits that are organised in a fun way and adapted to their age so that the aquarium tour doesn't get boring at any time. Children can get close to nature and learn almost as a game about the importance of taking care of the environment to protect the habitat of all the friendly animals they will meet there.
There are also great shows with sea otters and sea lions as the main characters and play areas such as the Playquarium where children can transform themselves into sharks and learn about the underwater world. They'll have such a great time at the New York Aquarium seeing so many aquatic creatures up close that it will be an indelible memory of their trip to the city.
What's not to miss at the New York Aquarium?
Inside the New York Aquarium there are many areas to see but some of the ones you can't miss during your visit are:
- Spineless: In this exhibit you will see some of the most curious invertebrates that populate our oceans and seas such as Pacific octopuses, moon jellyfish, zombie worms or the Japanese spider crab.
- Ocean Wonders, Sharks: Step into a shark-infested aquarium near the Coney Island boardwalk to meet such amazing animals as sharks, sea turtles and manta rays.
- Aquatheater: See sea lions perform difficult acrobatic stunts on stage with their trainers - you'll get to see them up close and personal and even say hello!
- Sea Cliffs: At this exhibit you'll see species that usually live on rocky shores, such as seals, black-footed penguins, sea otters and sea lions - they're adorable!
- Glover's Reef: One of my favourites! You'll see a great diversity of fish of all colours, shapes and sizes that will leave you open-mouthed and don't miss the piranhas!
Some useful tips for visiting the New York Aquarium
- Don't forget to book your tickets online in advance to the New York Aquarium. Even if you go on Wednesdays for free. All visitors must have a ticket with a specific date and time of visit.
- Download the Aquarium map to your mobile phone or print it out to easily find your way around the Aquarium.
- When you arrive at the New York Aquarium, check the Aquarium's website on your mobile phone for all the exhibits and shows available on the day of your visit.
- It is forbidden to feed the aquarium animals or touch the vegetation.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes during your visit to the aquarium as you will be walking around a lot.
- Do not use your camera flash to take pictures of the animals as you may disturb them and alter their behaviour.
How to get to the New York Aquarium
The New York Aquarium is located in Coney Island (at 602 Surf Avenue Brooklyn). To get there I recommend taking public transportation.
- New York Subway: Take the F or Q line to West 8th Street station in Coney Island. You can also take the N or D line to the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station.
- Bus: Take the B36 to Surf Avenue and West 8th Street or the B68 to Neptune Avenue and West 8th Street. Then walk south on West 8th to Surf Avenue.
Where to eat at the New York Aquarium?
Before you go to the New York Aquarium I recommend having a hearty breakfast or lunch so that you don't get hungry in the middle of your visit. However, if you get the munchies once you're there, you don't have to rush out of the Aquarium because there are several places in the park where you can have a drink and recharge your batteries.
Places to eat at the New York Aquarium
- Food Truck: Serves drinks and tasty snacks such as chicken nuggets, burgers, fries and salads. You'll find it at the Aquarium Plaza.
- Oceanview Bites: Great for a seafood bite with views of the promenade, coastline and city skyline. Located on the rooftop above the Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibition.
- Oceanside Grill: The Aquarium's beachside restaurant. They serve especially seafood. A great place to go after visiting the Aquarium.
And if gastronomy is your thing, I recommend this article on where to eat in New York to continue exploring the culinary delights of the city of skyscrapers.
And if after visiting the Aquarium you're still in the mood for a similar plan, don't hesitate to go to the Central Park Zoo or the Bronx Zoo. If you're looking for something different, read the post What to do during your trip to New York and discover all the possibilities.