Plan Your Day at the Long Island Aquarium | 🐠What to Do [Hours, Info, Tips, Data, Guide]

Are you planning to visit or relocate to the Riverhead town of Long Island, New York? If so, one of the must-see destinations is the remarkable Long Island Aquarium. This is one of the best aquariums on Long Island due to its extensive size, world-renowned displays, and quality education programs. Whether you’re diving with the sharks, feeding the stingrays, enjoying a boat ride, or observing the massive coral displays, the Long Island Aquarium is the perfect place to take the family!

This complete guide to visiting the Long Island Aquarium and exhibition center covers absolutely everything you want to know!

The history of the Long Island Aquarium began in 1995 when the Town of Riverhead purchased the land with the intention of it becoming a rehabilitation project via the Okeanos Foundation of Hampton Bays. As the co-owners and founders of the Long Island Aquarium, the developers James J. Bissett and Joseph M. Petrocelli provided the aquarium’s original cost of $15 million. The facility’s construction took off in the spring of 1999 and was formerly known as Atlantis Marine World up to 2011. Nonetheless, the original facility of The Long Island Aquarium officially opened in the summer of 2000 and is New York’s first large-scale aquarium in nearly 40 years.

Today, the incredibly enthralling Long Island Aquarium expands over 3.2 acres and is accredited by the A lliance of Marine Mammal Parks (IMMPA) & Aquariums, and IMATA. There are over 5,000 individual animals at the Long Island Aquarium representing around 565 species.

Long Island Aquarium has seen millions of visitors in the last two decades, hundreds of thousands each year, and is recognized for several notable accomplishments. One of which is the all-living Coral Reef display at Long Island Aquarium– one of the largest in the entire Western hemisphere. The Long Island Aquarium also holds more than one million gallons of water and is home to one of the largest living insect exhibitions in the nation .

The Long Island Aquarium and exhibition center has even been featured on numerous TV shows such as The Apprentice , Tanked , Sesame Street , and Project Runway Allstars. It’s no secret why Parents Magazine listed the Long Island Aquarium in the top 10 Interactive Aquariums.

Where is Long Island Aquarium and when is it open? Here’s everything you need to know:

The Long Island Aquarium is nestled along the scenic Peconic River in Riverhead. As one of the most fun places to go in Riverhead and the rest of Long Island, The Long Island Aquarium houses an arcade, a bug exhibit, a waterfront, sea lion shows, a marine rescue center, a gift shop, and numerous ethical mammal habitats.

To help you get a feel of the facility’s layout, here’s a map of all the exciting amenities the Long Island Aquarium has to offer:

Regarding the directions to the Long Island Aquarium , once you get on Peconic Avenue, drive to Main Street and take a right. The aquarium is situated at 431 East Main Street on the south side. There will be signs to follow for parking. While there is no dedicated parking lot at Long Island Aquarium, the facility’s parking is part of the Riverhead Parking District. This accounts for free 3-hour municipal parking. There is also a paid parking lot on Ostrander Avenue which has a fee of $12 per vehicle. Additionally, there is an abundance of handicap within the lots around Main Street. The rest of the Aquarium is also fully accessible to visitors with disabilities.

Like any fun day trip, it’s a good idea to know what the costs are before announcing it to the family. Let’s take a look at what to expect for pricing at the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center .

The General admission is $42.99 for adults, $31.99 for seniors, $29.99 for children up to 12, and Long Island Aquarium free admission for kids under three years old. Long Island Aquarium and exhibition center tickets are sold online or in person.

You can join the Long Island Aquarium membership to receive free unlimited admission and several 10% discounts at the cafe, gift shop, and select events. Here’s a rundown of membership costs for a single-family:

Additional memberships are available for college students, individuals, seniors, couples, single parents, and grandparents. There are also group sales available here.

There are over 100 indoor and outdoor exhibits at Long Island Aquarium and 48 aquatic habitats. The most notable exhibits at the Long Island Aquarium include:

With over 20,000 gallons of ocean water from Shinnecock Bay, this is one of the largest coral reef displays in the Americas. It features vibrant coral, over 800 types of fish, and a diverse mix of marine life.

The facility houses dozens of indoor exhibits you and your family will love! A few of them are:

A few of the most popular exhibits that take place outside include:

When you want to feel more included, there are plenty of Long Island Aquarium interactive activities and exhibits to choose from! Check them out below:

You don’t have to worry about going hungry while visiting the aquarium. The Atlantic Cafe in the Long Island Aquarium is the place to go when you’re in need of caffeine. Additionally, you can have group lunches in The Riverfront Room, Riverside Pavilion, and outdoor patio. Your group can receive a discount when you pre-order lunches or ice cream. The Seaside Grill is another great food option that offers a delicious lunch and dinner.

The two gift shops on the aquarium’s premises are the City Treasures Gift Shop which is adjacent to the Main Entrance, and the Enchanted Gifts gift shop within the Butterflies, Bugs & Birds lobby.

A few of the most popular events at the Long Island Aquarium include, but are not limited to:

Fish and Sips at Long Island Aquarium

This fun event is perfect for adults! You’ll get to taste over 20 local wineries and craft beer vendors while enjoying live music, hors d’oeuvres, and great aquatic views from the aquarium.

Long Island Aquarium’s Fishes and Wishes New Year’s Eve Party

If you’re looking for a family-style event to take the whole family, the Fishes & Wishes New Year’s Eve Party is right up your alley! It features a cocktail hour, a DJ, animal encounters, a buffet dinner, crafts, dessert and ice cream bar, and a midnight toast for when the Times Square Ball Drop hits rock bottom!

Here are some planning tips to get the most out of your day at the Riverhead aquarium.

If you are researching aquariums on Long Island because you are moving to the area, Zippboxx is here to give you a smooth and stress-free relocation. For the best moving services on Long Island , reach out to us today at 631-600-0000 or fill out the “Request a Quote” form on this page!

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