Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut

If you’re looking for aquariums to visit in Connecticut, there are only two Connecticut aquariums to choose from, but don’t worry, both have plenty to offer. The Mystic Aquarium and Seaport Institution, located in Mystic, Connecticut, is an aquarium and oceanography institution. The other aquarium is the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, situated in Norwalk, Connecticut.

The Mystic Seaport Aquarium is one of the finest aquariums in the country. It is famous for being only one of four aquariums in the world to have a male stellar sea lion. There is so much to do at the Mystic Aquarium Connecticut that you should plan to spend an entire day there. The Mystic Aquarium offers a large collection of exhibits that could take hours to see alone. You can do things from checking out New England’s only Beluga whale, to touching live rays in a pool. There are many exhibits to see and many things to learn for the entire family. If you have children, the Mystic Seaport Aquarium also offers exhibits and activities for kids of any age range - from infants to teens.


Besides the exhibits at Mystic Aquarium Connecticut, you can also plan to attend an event or catch a show. There are frequent special events and seasonal shows happening at the Mystic Seaport Aquarium. You can even plan an entire trip around an event. The Mystic Seaport Aquarium frequently performs special projects on Long Island Sound.

If you enjoy learning about marine life, do not limit yourself to only one of the Connecticut aquariums. The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has its own uniqueness to offer as well. It is home to over a thousand different Long Island Sound marine animals such as jellyfish, sea turtles, seals, and many more living in re-created habitats. Like the Mystic Seaport Aquarium, the Maritime Aquarium has numerous exhibits to choose from. Spend time becoming familiarized with the Long Island Sound maritime culture.

When you’re tired of walking around observing and learning about different marine life, you can take a break and watch one of several IMAX movies showing in Connecticut’s only IMAX theatre located in the Maritime Aquarium. This six story tall IMAX Theater runs multiple shows daily so you can choose a show and time that suits you, whether it’s a beautiful film about the rainforest, or even the latest blockbuster movie showing at your local theater.

Both Connecticut aquariums have much to offer, and both are open year round except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Whether you choose the Mystic Aquarium Connecticut or the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk or both, you’ll surely have a great time. If you do end up going to the Mystic Aquarium, take a chance to check out the Mystic Seaport Museum, also located in Mystic, Connecticut. The Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime museum that offers a family friendly environment to spend a day at. Mystic Seaport has a large collection of tall historic sailing ships and boats and is famous for their recreation of an entire 19th century seaport.