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.
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BRAND NEW ATTRACTION: EYE-OPENER
New this summer, don’t miss the Eye Opener! This 60 FOOT experiential tree activity center provides the ultimate adventure challenge adjacent to the water. With 5 levels of activities including 62 steps to the top, 13-foot and 18-foot enclosed spiral slides, assorted suspension rope bridges, cargo and climbing nets and more, families will get a bird’s eye perspective, enjoying sweeping views of the Peconic River. Each level has an educational element with tie-ins to the Peconic Estuary and habitats found throughout Long Island. The Eye Opener is interactive, educational and fun for all ages. $12/person (parents are free) and includes 4 climbs at the Rock Wall, children under 45” must be accompanied by an adult. Weather dependent.
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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
- The Aquarium is stroller and wheelchair friendly
- Food & drink options available at their cafeteria
- Makes sure you watch the seal lion show
- 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 10:00 am to 5:00 pm year-round (Closed Christmas & Thanksgiving Days)
The Long Island Aquarium
431 East Main Street, Riverhead
631.208.9200
WANT TO WIN A FAMILY 4 PACK OF TICKETS?
CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
Enter to win a family 4 pack of tickets to be used at your convenience.
Giveaway ends 8/25/21 at 12pm
NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. ODDS OF WINNING WILL DEPEND ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ENTRIES RECEIVED. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. DO NOT ENTER THIS SWEEPSTAKES IF YOU ARE NOT EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AS OF 8/25/21 AND A LEGAL RESIDENT OF AND CURRENTLY RESIDING IN ONE OF THE FIFTY (50) UNITED STATES OR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM.
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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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