Adventure Aquarium

The Experience

There is nearly 200,000 square feet and more than 2 million gallons of marine and wild life at this world-class aquarium, which opened in 2005 and offers equal measures of entertainment and education.

Hungry Hippos

At the West African River Experience, one of the largest and most popular attractions, you can immerse yourself in the mayhem of the Nile River Valley — walk within chomping distance of crocodiles, marvel at 20 species of African birds in a free-flight aviary and identify similarities between thousands of spectacular fish. Just be sure to give the hippopotamuses (Button and Genny) the distance they need; these relatively tame-looking creatures are the most dangerous animals in Africa, accounting for more human deaths than crocs, lions and tigers. Adventure Aquarium is the only aquarium in the world to feature hippos.

Shark Realm

In the the 550,000-gallon Shark Realm, where a 40-foot, underwater tunnel takes you deep into shark-infested waters, you’ll feel what’s it’s like to have “Jaws” looming just over your shoulder. The bravest among you can even swim with the sharks (with advance reservations).

Other not-to-be-missed highlights at Adventure include the state-of-the-art 4-D Theater (the fourth “D” is for elements like wind and water), the Jules Verne Gallery, which features the exotic and rarely seen giant Pacific octopus, and Penguin Island, which is surrounded by a 17,000 gallon swimming pool for the island’s 20 resident birds — flightless African Penguins.

History

The New Jersey State Aquarium, with its signature white dome, first opened in February 1992. A wave of nearby development followed as the Camden waterfront became a popular riverside destination. In 2004, the New Jersey State Aquarium closed its doors to make way for the new Adventure Aquarium. Adventure Aquarium first opened its doors to the public on Memorial Day Weekend 2005 after a massive, $53 million renovation and expansion project.

Insider Tip

Adventure Aquarium’s 11 seals consume 48.8 million calories a day. The average Philly cheesesteak has 393 calories, meaning each seal could eat the equivalent of an astounding 124,173 cheesesteaks a day.

Great Kids’ Stuff

With five hands-on “TOUCH” exhibits including rays, jellies and even sharks, kids will learn through experience. Every day, the Aquarium offers a diverse line-up of shows and demonstrations that will insure an up-close, personal and highly informative adventure. Experts will have your children so entralled, you should be prepared to deal with animal fanatics for sometime after you leave.

Other Information

Timed-tickets required. Advanced reservations available by phone, 800-616-JAWS, or at adventureaquarium.com. You can buy and print your tickets at home for no additional fees and you’ll skip the lines at ticketing — making your trip smoother and more fun!

Buy Tickets Online In Advance

You can buy admission tickets to the Adventure Aquarium online through our partners at the Independence Visitor Center. Just click the button below.