Congratulations to Megan D!
Please check your e-mail Megan
I have been taking my family to the Long Island Aquarium since my first born was a baby. We have made countless memories as both members and visitors since then. Located nearby in Riverhead, the Long Island Aquarium has become a local icon and a great place to spend the afternoon as a family.
If you have been a long time reader, you know that I live in a high risk household with my mom who is severely immunocompromised. This means that we have not done much of anything this past year. However, we did visit the Long Island Aquarium. They have implemented a lot of safety protocols this year. They are operating at a lower capacity and are asking all visitors to reserve a time-slot online before visiting.
All visitors over the age of 2 must wear a face mask. If you are unable to wear a face mask due to a medical issue, please visit at a later time. These must be worn while visiting inside and outside. You may only remove it if you are eating at a table.
Visiting the attractions in a one way pattern also helps social distancing. Please follow the signs. We visited during school hours to make sure it was the least crowded possible. I would recommend this as the best option if your schedule allows it.
OUR FAVORITE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AQUARIUM
My daughters favorite spot is right at the entrance - the sting rays! You can purchase tiny fish to feed to them too. My daughter always squeals with a giant smile each time she gets to do this. Near the entrance, you can also feed the turtles!
In the colder months such as now, there is no better place to be then in their Bugs, Butterfly & Birds Exhibit where it feels like a tropical rainforest. You can get up close with butterflies - watch out! They may even land on you. You are able to also feed their parrots and see exotic bugs. Also indoors, you'll find my son's favorite part - the Lost City of Atlantis Shark Exhibit with a 120,000 gallon tank! This round and massive tank is fun to explore and feels like you're going into a cave on an adventure. The sharks always swim up close to the glass, making it truly remarkable to watch these creatures who are only inches away.
My favorite indoor exhibit is the Coral Reef tank. There are so many different and beautifully colored fish in this tank. However, my favorites are the tiny fish that are orange and pink. Such an unusual and bright color! On the display, they tell you the name of each and every fish so you can find out what the official names are as well.
 Photos courtesy of the Long Island Aquarium |
My children and I both really enjoy watching the sea lions. When there is not a show going on, you can watch them in comfort on the inside in a darkened cave-like room. It is so peaceful in there. It has quiet music, it's dark with just the light swaying from the sea lion pool, and the sea lions swim majestically across the glass window.
Outside, you'll find the penguins. These penguins are African penguins, so they do not like all of the cold weather. If it is very cold out, they are brought inside, so you may not get to see them during your visit. Also outside are the koi fish in the pond. These fish do like the cold, but on very cold days the water may freeze. Outside you can also access the reptile house, the otters, critter cove, and the Japanese snow monkeys, porcupine, bats, and coatis. The coatis are a newer addition to the aquarium and they are such cute brothers, that they have their own Instagram account. Their famous seal lion friend Java, does too.
This is a wonderful place to spend some family time together!
LONG ISLAND AQUARIUM RUNDOWN
- Reserve your spot online before you visit
- Bring masks for everyone over the age of 2
- The Aquarium is stroller and wheelchair friendly
- Food & drink options available at their cafeteria
- Makes sure you watch the seal lion show and bundle up - it can get cold and windy in their outdoor amphitheater
- Bring coins for their coin donation machine - my kids love watching the coins coil down inside
- Their gift shop is full of reasonably priced souvenirs
- The Bugs, Butterfly and Birds exhibit costs extra
- Any food you feed the animals (sting rays, turtles, birds) is also extra
- They have special encounters available to make your visit that much more memorable
- Special events can be booked in their ballroom, party room or right on the aquarium floor
- Parking is available across the street at the municipal parking lot or in other spots nearby
- Long Island Aquarium is open daily 10:00am to 5:00pm year-round (Closed Christmas & Thanksgiving Days)
The Long Island Aquarium
431 East Main Street, Riverhead
631.208.9200
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Greater Port Jefferson Macaroni Kid is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in the Greater Port Jefferson area in and around Stony Brook, Setauket, E. Setauket, Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson Station, Mt Sinai, Miller Place, Sound Beach, Rocky Point, Shoreham, Ridge, & Middle Island. We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week, and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, event and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more.
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