From April to September, Long Island Aquarium is offering discounted pricing and coupons for its 25th anniversary.
(Photo courtesy of Long Island Aquarium)
If you’re looking for a fun day out for the whole family – rain or shine – then head out to Riverhead and visit the Long Island Aquarium. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Long Island Aquarium offers something for everyone – from its interactive butterfly exhibit to its giant treehouse.
With over 40 exhibits, your little ones and big ones will be entertained from the moment they step inside the lobby. On one side of the bridge, you’ll see the habitat of the North Shore of Long Island. On the other, the South Shore – complete with different species that can be found on the Island. The indoor exhibits capture the ambiance of the Lost City of Atlantis, while the outdoor exhibits share their home along the Peconic River.
“I love taking my entire family to the Long Island Aquarium when we’re looking for a fun day out,” says Heather Cunningham, founder of Wives and Mothers of Long Island. “My kids’ ages range from nine months to six years old, and there really is something for all of them. We go several times a year!” And, of course, each time you go, there are more exhilarating and entertaining things to do.
(Photo courtesy of Long Island Aquarium)
The fun doesn’t stop at the exhibits – there are daily shows, such as the sea lion show, that wow their audiences. If your little ones won’t sit for a show, there are plenty of interactive exhibits – some are included with admission, while others are an added fee. Those included are the Ray Bay, where you can pet stingrays and small sharks, the Touch Tank, where you can get your hands wet and learn about sea stars, clams and crabs and the Eye Opener, a 60-foot experiential tree activity center. For an extra fee, you and your family can experience having butterflies fly around you, encounter penguins or even swim with live mermaids. And for the more adventurous types, you can have a creepy, crawly experience in the Bug Encounter or take a shark dive. “The Long Island Aquarium is one of my girls’ favorites places to go!” says Danielle P. “They have the most beautiful fish tanks, the butterfly exhibit, and my daughters’ absolute favorite – the LIVE mermaids!”
(Photo courtesy of Long Island Aquarium)
If a family trip to the Long Island Aquarium seems pricey, there are ways to get discounted tickets. Long Island Aquarium offers discounts for military and law enforcement families, seniors (ages 62+) and Green Key card holders. If you’ve got a birthday in the family, you get free admission either seven days before or after your birthday (with a valid ID or birth certificate). WAM member Ashley H. also suggests checking your local library for discounted tickets.
WAM member Tracy C. suggests looking into Long Island Aquarium membership options. “It’s only a little bit more than two single-visit adult tickets, and you get admission for the whole year,” she says. “We love going, even on a cold winter day when we just need a fun place to walk around and get out of the house.” Katie Lynn says she and her family have been members at the Long Island Aquarium for the past six or seven years. “My kids never get bored there!” she says. “They spend hours running from tank to tank. They also love following all of the sea life that the aquarium helps through the New York Marine Rescue Center.”
(Photo courtesy of Long Island Aquarium)
To celebrate their 25th anniversary, the Long Island Aquarium is offering $25 tickets on the 25th of the month from April to September this year. (This is only offered on tickets bought in person, not online.) The Long Island Aquarium will also offer guests exclusive coupon books, swag bags, discounted interactive experiences (Atlantis Explorer Tour and the Snorkel Adventure), and weekly giveaways.
The Long Island Aquarium is open every day of the year, with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Their hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m on weekdays.