Aquarium of Niagara — Attraction in City of Niagara Falls

We visited here last weekend from nearly 3 hours away and it was a blast! The sea lion show was awesome, and the penguin feeding session was neat to witness. Their jellyfish tanks were insanely cool, and they have this really neat virtual reality area that cost $7/ person but it allowed for a "deep sea dive into shark territory" and was a unique experience. My family and I were so excited about the stingray touch tank, HOWEVER, you can't really touch them. The way the tank is set up it isn't functional as a touch tank as the stingray stay BELOW the lip of the tank and you can't reach them at all. That was a real let down. Especially because if you lean over the tank at all, they scold you. The staff at the touch tank were NOT friendly at all. I also was surprised with how small the aquarium was. We got through the entire thing in about an hour and a half, however the penguin exhibit, the VR session, and the Sea Lion Show allowed for some additional time added to that. I was SO EXCITED FOR THE SEA TURTLES, THEY ARE MY FAVORITE, and I actually got to see it swimming!! What I did like about this Aquarium was that they are AZA Accredited and because we were members of another zoo we got 50% off entry. But, what made this entire trip worth it was the "Great Lakes 360" area which honestly I liked more than the aquarium. The scenery was INCREDIBLE and the exhibits here were so clean, and interactive. Their view to the rainbow bridge to Canada was breathtaking, and they have rooftop access to the building allowing for insane viewing of the entire area surrounding the building. They had walking trails, gardens, and just amazing outdoor areas to explore. What made this even better was that entry was free for those with proof of purchase from the Aquarium. I believe all together we spent about 4 hours here, and we didnt even get to explore everything outside. It was definitely worth out trip, and we definitely do have plans to come back again. Great Lakes 360 also had it's own gift shop apart from the Aquarium and prices here were significantly cheaper than those at the Aquarium which is really nice because not everyone can afford a $30 stuffed animal. So I genuinely liked that aspect. They also had different kinds of toys and trinkets that we honestly cooler than the Aquarium. I 100% recommend giving Great Lakes 360 a visit when coming to the Aquarium at it COMPLETELY adds to the...

The Aquarium of Niagara, situated in Niagara Falls, New York, has a rich history. It first opened its doors on June 12, 1965, initially founded by a group of chemists and other scientists. This privately owned establishment was later transferred to the Sea Research Foundation in September 1977 and subsequently to the Niagara Aquarium Foundation on February 18, 1994. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Aquarium of Niagara is a non-profit public aquarium focused on the education and conservation of aquatic life.

Home to over 120 aquatic species and more than 1,500 animals, the aquarium features a diverse range of ecosystems. Its major inhabitants include California sea lions, harbor seals, gray seals, Humboldt penguins, jellyfish, and an array of freshwater and marine fish and invertebrates. Visitors can enjoy a variety of experiences like sea lion shows, seal presentations, and penguin feedings, along with educational talks. Additional activities such as seal and penguin encounters, and various programs like 'Trainer for a Day', are also offered.

Gary K. Siddall has been leading the Aquarium of Niagara as the executive director since June 2016. The aquarium, while smaller and older compared to other national counterparts, has made significant strides in improving its facilities and exhibits over the years.

On a personal note, the Aquarium of Niagara holds a special place in my heart. It was the venue for one of the first dates I had with my wife back in 2009 on Valentine's Day, where we had a delightful encounter with a sea lion. Since then, we have visited the aquarium numerous times, bringing our children as they grew older. Though my kids, now aged 11, 10, and 8, have somewhat outgrown it, the aquarium has been a cherished spot for us, especially as a retreat on rainy days. While it may not compete with the grandeur of other aquariums we've visited across the country, it's a place imbued with fond memories and a sense of nostalgia for our family.

For those planning a visit, the aquarium is located at 701 Whirlpool Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14301. Admission prices are $14.95 for adults, $12.95 for seniors over 60, $10.95 for children aged 3-12, and free for infants aged 2 and under. Military members and veterans receive...

It's not the Shed Aquarium in Chicago, it's not the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, nor the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga... if that is your expectation, this is not the place for you.

What it is however, is a small aquarium in a tourist area that boast something a little different!

They actually have a sea lion show, much like a smaller version of SeaWorld. I thought this was pretty neat. Yes, the round shape of the building houses the LARGE aquarium that sits right in the center of the building. There are two floors. On the main floor you can watch the show through the glass and see both above and below the water. If you go up the stairs, you can watch the show from above, looking down at the stage and the water. Both offer good views.

It smells a bit... like salty fish. I just assumed it was the water or the bait they feed to the seals/sea lions.

There is a fee to park and also a fee to enter.

It is within walking distance (a walkway is provided) to the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center).

It would be a bit if a walk from the Canadian side of the falls, if you were thinking about making the hike across the Rainbow bridge and visiting this place. Also, there is some nearby road construction going on around the area and the aquarium (July 2019).

Personally, I would have liked to see more fish aquariums. But the fact that they do a show and have something scheduled almost every hour, along with the seals/sea lions says a lot about this little place. I should mention that the aquariums they do have are pretty awesome, especially the ones with the enormous live corals.... Wow!

Good job marine biologists and trainers!

PS: They also have a small outdoor Seal exhibit that is actually free to visit if you dont want to pay to go inside. Just thought I would point that out. It's the last picture in this group.

Enjoy your visit!

For more info, visit "Gebo's Garage"...