Across the river from Philadelphia is a perfect place to spend the day with the family. The Adventure Aquarium in New Jersey offers an enjoyable way to spend time with the kids, while learning about sharks, turtles, hippos, and other aquatic animals.
Adventure Aquarium has some fun and unique exhibits, like the Shark Tunnel and Shark Bridge. And kids will love the touch tanks, where they can touch sharks, rays, starfish, and other aquatic creatures.
Even if you’ve been to some of the bigger aquariums, like the Georgia Aquarium, or the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the Adventure Aquarium is still worth a visit. The guide below shares what to expect during your visit, as well as a few tips to make it even better.
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Adventure Aquarium Location and Parking
Located on the banks of the Delaware River at 1 Riverside Drive in Camden, New Jersey, the Adventure Aquarium is easily accessible from Philadelphia, New York, and of course, New Jersey.
On-site parking is available for those arriving by car. The parking lot is gated and monitored by an attendant. The fee for parking is $10. However, members of the aquarium receive a reduced rate.
If you are visiting Philadelphia and would like to take the scenic route to the aquarium, you can take the RiverLink Ferry! The ferry operates seasonally, so check its hours before you plan your trip.
Admission to the Adventure Aquarium in New Jersey
Admission to the Adventure Aquarium varies based date and visitor’s age. Tickets are often the best price the further ahead you purchase them. So if you know what day you’ll want to visit, buy the tickets sooner than later, as the price can go up based on demand.
Kids under two years old are always FREE and Adventure Aquarium offers discounts for seniors. Guests can visit on their birthday for FREE admission as well.
If you plan on visiting the aquarium more than once in a 12-month period, your best money-saving option is to purchase a membership. It’ll pay for itself within two visits, plus you’ll receive a discount on parking.
Lastly, look for the Pre-K Kid’s Adventure Pass sign-up at the end of summer/beginning of fall, Kids 5 years old and under can qualify for FREE unlimited membership for a year.
Fun Exhibits and Animal Encounters at the Adventure Aquarium
Of course, the reason to visit any aquarium is to see all of the beautiful and unique animals! Adventure Aquarium has its share of sea life, but also land animals. These are a few of most popular exhibits.
The Hippos
The Adventure Aquarium recently refurbished their “Hippo Haven”. Guests can view Button and Genny during mealtimes on land. If the hippos are in the water, they are easy to see through the tank glass. It’s fun to watch these large females dance around underwater!
The Shark Tunnel
One of the best areas in the aquarium is the shark tunnel! Watching sharks and other fish swim above and all around you gives you a unique perspective. The tunnel is a popular area, so visiting first-thing in the morning will provide you with a less-crowded experience.
Walk On the Shark Bridge
Another favorite area of ours is the Shark Bridge! Guests can walk through nets above the shark tank in the aquarium. The experience gives you a birds-eye view of the sharks swimming below!
Touch a Shark and Touch a Ray
There are many hands-on exhibits throughout Adventure Aquarium. On the main floor, visitors have the opportunity to touch both sharks and stingrays.
The stingray room has a large pool with numerous rays swimming and splashing around. Kids may even get a little when a ray “waves” at them, splashing water with their fin!
The touch-a-shark area is smaller than the ray area, and there may be a line to enter the area. However, it still offers a unique experience for kids to feel a shark’s scales.
The Interactive Kid’s Area
On the top floor of the aquarium is the Kid Zone. This section has a fun play area, as well as an interactive aquarium. Kids can pop their heads up into the tanks and watch the fish swim around their heads. There is another “touch tank” that features various crustaceans like sea stars horseshoe crabs. The Kids Zone is definitely an area you’ll spend a lot of time while the kids explore and play!
Things to Know Before Your Visit!
Before you visit the Adventure Aquarium, here are a few things to know!
- Arrive at Opening: The aquarium is very popular, especially on weekends and holidays. Arriving when the aquarium opens gives you at least an hour before the crowds start to appear.
- Food: You can bring your own food into the aquarium, or you can purchase snacks or lunch from the cafe or snack stands on the premises. Seating becomes limited during lunchtime, so plan your meals to be a little earlier or later.
- Strollers: The aquarium is stroller accessible, however during busier times, you may find it challenging to navigate through the crowds.
- Lockers: Lockers are located to the right of the information desk on the first floor. Both cash and credit cards are accepted to pay for the locker rental.
- Timing: To see everything at the aquarium, plan to stay at least two-three hours. There is a lot for kids to do and see!
More Fun Things to Do in Camden, New Jersey
While you are on the Camden waterfront, you might as well make a day of it! Adjacent to the Adventure Aquarium are two other attractions kids will love.
First, the Camden Children’s Garden is a whimsical place for kids to explore! With areas like the Dinosaur Garden, the Storybook Garden, and the Treehouse, your children will enjoy time outside on a beautiful day. During the warmer months, bring a bathing suit and towel for the Sprayground! There is a fee to enter, and the Garden is not open during the winter months, so keep that in mind when making plans.
Another attraction nearby that kids will enjoy is the Battleship New Jersey. This ship will give kids an idea of what life was like at sea during war times. Kids will be amazed at the tight spaces that grown men and women had to endure for months on end. The Battleship New Jersey is open year-round.
Don’t forget to take a picture of the Philadelphia skyline while you are at the Adventure Aquarium! The aquarium’s location along the river offers a beautiful view of my favorite city. While you’re in the neighborhood, you should explore all of the family-friendly things to do in Philadelphia.
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