New York Aquarium Tickets

Visiting the New York Aquarium is a highly entertaining activity that you can enjoy during your trip to New York, spending a unique day immersed in nature and disconnecting from the urban environment. Whether with family or on your own, you will have a wonderful time and learn a great deal about ocean conservation.

It's a very interesting place to visit, as they have recreated the natural habitats of many aquatic species in great detail, and the result is amazing. Did you know that more than 500 marine species live here? There's so much to explore inside the aquarium! So don't wait any longer and get your tickets. Here's the most important information you need to know.

Discover the oldest aquarium in the United States.

New York Aquarium Tickets

Discover the underwater fauna and flora

Enjoy the New York Aquarium, walk through its impressive 12-metre tunnel and be amazed by the sea lion show.

From €26 at Hellotickets

With this ticket to the New York Aquarium, you'll have the opportunity to visit the oldest aquarium in the United States and see the 350 marine species that live there. Penguins, sharks, sea lions, octopuses, manta rays and many other species... You can also walk through the 12-metre tunnel surrounded by water.

This ticket also includes a ticket to the 4D theatre, an immersive experience with sensory effects, and the sea lion show. You'll also have access to all meals and animal interactions, including the touch pools and the Playquarium.

Recommended if... you're visiting New York as a couple, with your family, with children or with friends. The Aquarium guarantees a fun time.

The first thing you need to know if you want to visit the New York Aquarium is that you will have to buy your tickets online and in advance of your visit, as the aquarium requires all visitors to choose a time and date for their tour at the time of purchase.

In other words, as with the Bronx Zoo, you will not be able to enter the New York Aquarium without a pre-booked tour. This step is essential, as you will not be allowed to enter the premises without having booked your day and time in advance.

Types of tickets

That said, what types of tickets are available to visit the New York Aquarium?

• Adult (over 13 years old): From £24
• Senior (over 65): From £21
• Children (ages 3 to 12): From £16

These tickets are single-use only, so if you leave the New York Aquarium and try to return later that same day, you will not be allowed to enter due to capacity limitations.

Currently, no major New York City sightseeing pass includes admission to the New York Aquarium. Go City passes (New York Pass / Explorer / All-Inclusive), CityPASS and others only cover the SEA LIFE Aquarium in New Jersey, not the aquarium in Coney Island.

Yes! Every Wednesday from 3pm, admission is free. However, as with Aquarium Admission tickets, you must also book your tickets online in advance to visit the New York Aquarium for free. This is because you must choose a time and date for your visit.

As it is free, Wednesdays are very busy days, so if you choose to visit the New York Aquarium on this day, I recommend choosing an early time to avoid the crowds.

Each visitor can book a maximum of 4 tickets on Wednesdays, and everyone must have a ticket to enter the premises from the age of 3. Only children under the age of 3 can enter the New York Aquarium for free on any day of the week.

The New York Aquarium usually opens at 10 a.m. every day of the year and closes at different times depending on the season. Let's take a look!

Visits to the New York Aquarium usually last between 1 and 2 hours, although once you enter the premises you can stay as long as you like viewing 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 lives of the different sea creatures that live in the aquarium's tanks and pools (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 exciting shows where you can see sea otters feeding or sea lions performing acrobatics. They are the real stars of the aquarium!

Of course! And I would even say that it's great for adults too. In fact, it's one of the best things to do in New York with children to take a break from cultural visits or historical tours of the city.

The New York Aquarium is full of exhibits that are organised in an entertaining way and adapted to different ages so that the tour of the aquarium is never boring. This way , children can get close to nature and learn in a fun way about the importance of caring for the environment to protect the habitat of all the friendly animals they will meet there.

It also has great shows featuring otters and sea lions, as well as play areas such as the Playquarium, where kids can transform into sharks and learn about the underwater world. They will have such a great time at the New York Aquarium seeing so many aquatic creatures up close that it will be an unforgettable memory of their trip to the city.

What should you not miss at the New York Aquarium?

There are many areas to see inside the New York Aquarium, but some of the ones you can't miss during your visit are:

• Spineless: In this exhibit, you'll see some of the most curious invertebrates that inhabit our oceans and seas, such as Pacific octopuses, moon jellyfish, zombie worms and Japanese spider crabs.
• Ocean Wonders, Sharks!: Enter an aquarium infested with sharks near the Coney Island boardwalk to meet amazing animals such as sharks, sea turtles and manta rays.
• Aquatheater: Be amazed by the difficult acrobatics performed by sea lions on stage alongside their trainers. You can see them up close and even say hello!
• Sea Cliffs: In this exhibit, you'll see species that usually live on rocky coasts, 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 huge variety of fish of all colours, shapes and sizes that will leave you speechless. Keep an eye out for the piranhas!

• Don't forget to book your tickets online and in advance for the New York Aquarium. Even if you're going on a free Wednesday. All visitors must have a ticket with a specific date and time for their visit.
• Download the aquarium map to your mobile phone or print it out so you can easily find your way around the facilities.
• When you arrive at the New York Aquarium, check the aquarium's website on your mobile phone to find out about all the exhibitions and shows available on the day of your visit.
• It is forbidden to feed the animals in the aquarium or touch the vegetation.
• Wear comfortable clothing and footwear during your visit to the aquarium as you will be walking around a lot.
• Do not use the flash on your camera to take photos of the animals, as this may disturb them and alter their behaviour.

The New York Aquarium is located in Coney Island (at 602 Surf Avenue Brooklyn). To get there, I recommend taking public transport.

• New York Metro: Take the F or Q lines to West 8th Street station in Coney Island. You can also take the N or D lines to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station.
• Bus: Take the B36 line towards Surf Avenue and West 8th Street or the B68 line towards Neptune Avenue and West 8th Street. Then walk south on West 8th until you reach Surf Avenue.

Before heading to the New York Aquarium, I recommend having a hearty breakfast or lunch so you don't get hungry in the middle of your visit. However, if you do get peckish once you're there, there's no need to rush out of the Aquarium, as there are several places where you can grab a bite to eat and recharge your batteries.

Places to eat at the New York Aquarium

• Food Truck: Serves drinks and tasty snacks such as chicken nuggets, burgers, chips and salads. You'll find it in the Aquarium Plaza.
• Oceanview Bites: Ideal for a bite of seafood with views of the promenade, the coast and the city skyline. It is located on the roof above the Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibition.
• Oceanside Grill: This is the Aquarium's beachfront restaurant. They specialise in seafood. A fantastic place to go after visiting the Aquarium.

And if gastronomy is your thing, I recommend this article on where to eat in New York so you can continue exploring the culinary delights of the city of skyscrapers.

And if after visiting the Aquarium you're still looking for something similar, don't hesitate to visit the Central Park Zoo or the Bronx Zoo. If, on the other hand, you're looking for something different, read the post about things to do during your trip to New York and discover all the possibilities.