When it comes to sightseeing trips, it is impossible not to consider visiting Niagara Falls as part of the itinerary. This natural monument located between two countries hides great discoveries, as well as adventures and fun for everyone.
Among its great attractions is the Aquarium of Niagara where everyone, from adults to children, can learn about marine life. If you want to know what you can find in this aquarium, join us to learn more about it.
De esta manera podrás aprovechar al máximo tu visita con esta experiencia turística, familiar y educativa que te ofrece The Niagara Aquarium Foundation.
Brief history of the Aquarium of Niagara
The Aquarium of Niagara was founded in 1965 by a private group of researchers and scientists who had created a sea-like environment. From there, they began to collect a large number of marine species for their care, study and development.
It is also known as Niagara Aquarium, being located on the U.S. side of Niagara Falls right next to Niagara Falls State Park.
The artificial ecosystems implemented in the Aquarium of Niagara were models for other aquariums, as they were the most accurate for marine development. Taking this into consideration, if you visit Niagara Falls you must stop by this impressive aquarium.
Today the Niagara Aquarium is one of the main attractions to visit when visiting this area between the United States and Canada.
How to buy tickets for the Niagara Aquarium?
With the reality of today’s times, the Aquarium of Niagara has changed its policies and behaviors within its facilities. With COVID-19 biosecurity measures have been the main addition to the way amusement parks and/or aquariums are enjoyed.
And the Niagara Aquarium is no exception; although you can visit it by paying your entrance fee, the best way to enjoy this aquarium is by booking online. This way you will be sure that you and your companions will enjoy everything it has to offer.
Niagara Falls is open Sunday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and on Friday and Saturday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, closing only on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
To enter, adults must pay $19.95, seniors over 60 years $17.95, children between 3 to 12 years $14.95 and finally children under 2 years, free, and may vary depending on the time of year. On the website of the Aquarium of Niagara you will find a section called ‘Plan Your Visit‘ where you will find all the measures and logistics to take into account.
Research and Education at the Niagara Aquarium
As mentioned above, this aquarium was founded by scientists and chemical researchers who developed an artificial sea environment. However, their research did not stop there thanks to the support of the scientific community.
The aquarium has been able to gather more than 1,500 aquatic specimens that are distributed in different adapted ecosystems. And one of the attractions of the Aquarium of Niagara is that it offers educational exhibits where you can even feed the animals.
In this way, the aquarium’s main mission is to bring knowledge to the public about the different marine species, their development, behavior and more. They do this through presentations, educational and recreational programs where they promote preservation.
Sea Research Foundation
They also seek to encourage people to preserve the seas and promote marine research. In 1977, Kevin Smith created the Sea Research Foundation whose purpose is to educate about and research marine life.
That is why the Aquarium of Niagara has always sought to create awareness, understanding and appreciation of the marine world. Considering that this principle must be applied to conserve all wildlife.
That is why the Aquarium of Niagara has always sought to create awareness, understanding and appreciation of the marine world. Considering that this principle must be applied to conserve all wildlife.
What to do at the Aquarium of Niagara?
For starters, you can walk through the more than 40 different exhibits where you can see sea lions, penguins, seahorses and many, many more species. Throughout the day there are both educational and recreational activities to educate about each species.
As soon as we enter we will find the famous Whaling Wall which is a huge glass wall where all the species of the aquarium are displayed. It was created by the environmental marine life artist Wyland, giving us a taste of what we can see.
Likewise, through the aquarium’s website you can sign up yourself or your children for special classes on specific species. It is an incredible and special way to learn about marine life, creating awareness in its preservation and care of its aquatic ecosystem.
Classes and Experiences for Children at the Aquarium
As we have mentioned, the Niagara Falls Aquarium puts a lot of emphasis on education and marine experiences for children, so if you are traveling to New York with children, we highly recommend that you make this visit to the Aquarium
- Veterinarians for Penguins: Discover with your children how the Aquarium veterinarians take care of our feathered friends.
- Veterinarian for Sharks: Discover together with your children, how one of the fiercest creatures require careful attention from our veterinarians.
- Marine Mammal Veterinarians: Want to take care of marine mammals? Visit the aquarium with your kids and learn what it takes to be a veterinarian.
- Marine Biologists in Action: Program to spend a whole day at the Aquarium, Do you like the ocean? Would you like to dedicate a part of your life to it? Discover this program for children from 12 to 16 years old.
- Play with a penguin: Enjoy an exclusive enrichment session with Humboldt penguins!
- Pose with a Pinniped: Enhance your visit to the Aquarium of Niagara by registering for the Pose with a Pinniped program.
- Seal Encounter: Get a behind-the-scenes look at the care and training of marine mammals and join the trainers on the beach to meet a seal.
Click on the titles to find out what each specific program offers, their prices and duration. Tours are in English and at the Aquarium of Niagara’s own facilities.