(718) 265-3474

Surf Avenue and W 8th Street (W. 8th St)
Brooklyn, NY 11224 40.5754 -73.9765

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Neighborhood: Coney Island

NYAQUARIUM.COM

Hours:

Vary by season, always open 10am-4:30

Last updated 4.26.10

What People Are Saying About New York Aquarium

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

This aquarium right off the Coney Island Boardwalk is the perfect attraction for those who love animals, crowds and science. The highlight for most visitors is the Aquatheater, where sea lions frolic daily to the eager delight of schoolchildren, families and locals. Exhibits of fish and wildlife are both inside and outside. Walruses, otters, and penguins frolic in open pools, while indoor aquariums show off sharks, sea turtles, all manner of fish (including beautifully lit jelly fish) and amphibians such as snakes and frogs.

Editor's Tips

Save Money:
General admission is $13 for adults, $10 for seniors, $9 for children 3 to 12 and free for children under 3. Add $4 for the Total Experience Ticket if you want to see the 4D movie. On Fridays after 3pm, admission is pay-what-you-wish.
Parking:
There is an adjacent parking lot for $13.
menu variety
50.0% positive
  1. When I was going to the aquarium I really expected to see great samples of variety of marine life.
  2. Aquariums were filled with dirty water, and frankly the variety of species presented was very limited.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. This is a great place to spend the afternoon.
value
100.0% positive
  1. So, if you come out here expecting to see huge tanks with killer whales.
3 Star Rating: Average

07/13/09

Aquarium

by magicloop2009 at Citysearch

This is located in Coney Island. I've seen Aquarium's ten times bigger. The aquatheatre does have trained sea lions, which the trainers treat like a dog. Reminds me of six flags. You can hear the cyclone going from a mile away, even indoors. Bring your own food, prices for the cafe here are skyhigh. Jelly fish room is dark and awesome. In one of the tanks I saw walruses a mommy holding her baby daughter awww how cute. Some of the fish there look like the cast of finding nemo. They kinda have hands on projects for kids and school groups. This place is very educational if you are heavily into marine biology.

  • Pros: You see exotic fish
  • Cons: Not big enough, prices, filthy tanks
4 Star Rating: Recommended

05/28/09

great way to spend the day

by Jeffk at Citysearch

This is a great place to spend the afternoon. The location is conveniently across from the Atlantic Ocean and the selection of fish was decent.

  • Pros: selection of acquatic life
  • Cons: maintenance could be an issue
4 Star Rating: Recommended

08/30/07

Not the largest aquarium...but worth the trip out there...

by hermommy at Citysearch

I was a bit apprehensive about visiting this aquarium...especially after reading the previous scathing reviews here. As my 12-year-old child and I were winding up our recent trip to NYC, we thought we'd take the time to venture out to Coney Island...a nice break from the hectic pace of Manhattan. We were not disappointed. It was not filthy as reviews have said....it showcased nicely themed areas of interest....sea mammals....fish....everything you'd expect to see at an aquarium. It was about as modern a place as you could expect...though, as I said....not the largest aquariums. So, if you come out here expecting to see huge tanks with killer whales...or acres and acres of animals...this isn't the place to visit. But, if you want just a brief respite from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, this is the place to go. You can walk across the street and dip your toes in the Atlantic Ocean, and linger on the sand awhile. Remember, it's not Disneyland....but, it's not half bad either.

2.5 Star Rating: Below Average

04/14/03

Not What It Used To Be

by boobee0007 at Citysearch

My most recent visit to the Aquarium was disappointing. The animals such as the sealions and penguins looked like they were kept in sewage because the water looked so filthy and nasty. The place is pretty small but combined with a visit to Coney Island Astroland it makes for a full day out with the kids.

  • Pros: Near Astroland, Indoor Exhibits
  • Cons: Poor Maintanence, Small
1 Star Rating: Poor

07/04/02

Not worth the trip

by wisegirl at Citysearch

When I was going to the aquarium I really expected to see great samples of variety of marine life. However I found the exibits poorly managed. Aquariums were filled with dirty water, and frankly the variety of species presented was very limited.

The Details on New York Aquarium

Place Categories:

  • enjoyed leisurely stroll
  • dirty water
  • huge tanks
  • great aquarium
  • great samples
  • great place