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The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk: An Underwater Journey

Discover Long Island Sound's marine life at The Maritime Aquarium: sharks, seals, turtles, IMAX movies, and interactive exhibits await!

4.5

Explore the wonders of Long Island Sound and beyond at The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT. With over 75 exhibits featuring 7,500+ animals, including sharks, seals, and sea turtles, the aquarium offers an immersive and educational experience for all ages. Touch tanks, an IMAX theater, and a hybrid-electric research vessel add to the adventure.

A brief summary to The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

  • Monday 10 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-5 pm
  • Friday 10 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Check the aquarium's website for special events, programs, and seasonal offerings like the annual Shark-Diving Santa.
  • Consider visiting during off-peak hours or weekdays to avoid crowds.
  • Take advantage of the reciprocal museum admission perk if you have a membership to another science center.
  • Enhance your visit with a 4D film experience for thrilling sensory effects.
  • Pay for parking at the Maritime Garage before returning to your car to avoid delays.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the South Norwalk Metro-North station, the aquarium is approximately a 10-minute walk. Head north on Washington Street, then turn right onto North Water Street. The aquarium will be on your right.

  • Public Transport

    The Maritime Aquarium is easily accessible by Metro-North Railroad to the South Norwalk station. From the station, it's a short walk to the aquarium. Check local bus schedules for additional options. A single Metro-North fare from Grand Central Terminal to South Norwalk costs approximately $12-$18 during peak hours and $9-$13 during off-peak hours.

  • Driving

    The Maritime Aquarium is located near I-95. Take Exit 14 or 15 and follow signs to South Norwalk. Parking is available in the Maritime Garage across the street from the aquarium. Parking costs approximately $2 per hour. Prepaying online may offer a 20% discount.

Unlock the Best of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

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Discover more about The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is more than just an aquarium; it's a journey into the depths of Long Island Sound and the world's oceans. Located at the mouth of the Norwalk River in the South Norwalk (SoNo) section, the aquarium is a key attraction in the area's revitalization. Founded as the Maritime Center in 1988 and renamed in 1996, the aquarium occupies a renovated 1860s iron works factory. Today, visitors can explore over 75 live exhibits housing more than 7,500 animals from over 300 species. Highlights include harbor seals, river otters, sharks, jellyfish, and sea turtles, all in recreations of their natural habitats. Interactive exhibits like touch tanks allow visitors to get up close with marine life, while the IMAX theater offers a thrilling cinematic experience. The aquarium's research vessel, the Spirit of the Sound, provides unique opportunities to study marine life and lighthouses on Long Island Sound. Educational programs for school groups and the public further enhance the aquarium's mission to inspire appreciation for and protection of Long Island Sound. Don't miss the new bi-lingual "Life Among the Grasses" exhibit, and the huge harbor seal exhibit, "Pinniped Cove". A recent summer exhibit, “Travel Back in Maritime,” showcased sea creatures hidden in the ocean for over 800 million years and highlighted modern-day descendants of ancient species found in Long Island Sound.

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