New York Aquarium Guide - Tickets, Hours, Map, Best Time to Visit

Welcome to the New York Aquarium — a Coney Island classic on the edge of the Atlantic. From the immersive Ocean Wonders: Sharks! pavilion to kid-favorite touch spaces and sea lion shows, it packs a full day’s worth of marine discovery into Brooklyn’s boardwalk.

The aquarium sits steps from the Coney Island Boardwalk.

At-a-Glance

• Where: Surf Ave & Boardwalk, Coney Island, Brooklyn
• Average visit: 2.5–4 hours (longer if you catch shows)
• Best for: Families, ocean lovers, and anyone pairing with the beach
• Top highlights: Sharks pavilion, Sea Cliffs, jellies, sea lion show

Note: Timed-entry tickets smooth arrivals and help crowd flow. See Ticketing for details.

Why Go (In 30 Seconds)

• Ocean-scale exhibits without leaving NYC.
• Signature pavilion — Ocean Wonders: Sharks! — with wraparound views and tunnels.
• Outdoor Sea Cliffs deliver open-air energy and close encounters.
• Easy pairings with the boardwalk, beach, and Coney Island treats.

Tickets and Entry

Tip: Popular midday slots go fast on weekends and holidays. Book earlier windows for a calmer start.

• Buy timed tickets online to lock your entry window and reduce wait times.
• Consider flexible entry add-ons if your plans might shift.
• Watch for occasional discounts (NYC residents, off-peak, or seasonal promos).

Hours and Best Time to Visit

• Weekdays outside school holidays are the quietest.
• Mornings offer the best crowd-to-exhibit ratio; arrive at opening if possible.
• On hot summer afternoons, indoor pavilions become a cool retreat.

Crowd hack: If you arrive late, invert the route — start indoors (jellies/spineless), then circle back to Sharks during the last hour.

Map and Orientation

Get your bearings: main entrance, Sharks pavilion, Sea Cliffs, and the Aquatheater.

Suggested flow:

1. Ocean Wonders: Sharks! (beat the later rush)
2. Sea Cliffs (outdoor marine mammals)
3. Spineless and jellies
4. Sea lion show (Aquatheater)
5. Kid time at hands-on areas and photo stops on the boardwalk

Pro move: Each loop ends near restrooms/snacks to reset energy.

What to See — Highlights

• Ocean Wonders: Sharks! — Massive tanks, reef walk-throughs, and predator spotlights.
• Sea Cliffs — Otters, seals, and sea lions with Atlantic breezes.
• Jellies — Hypnotic displays that are a photographer’s dream.
• Touch zones and interpretive exhibits — Great for curious kids.

Photographer’s corner: Wear dark tops to reduce glass reflections and stand slightly off-axis.

Family Itineraries

Half-Day (3 Hours)

• 0:00–0:45 — Sharks pavilion
• 0:45–1:15 — Snack and rest
• 1:15–2:00 — Sea Cliffs
• 2:00–2:30 — Sea lion show
• 2:30–3:00 — Jellies + gift shop wrap-up

Full Day (5–6 Hours)

• Add PlayQuarium or extra Sharks pass, boardwalk break, and bonus Sea Cliffs stop.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair-friendly routes and indoor seating are available in many areas.
• Ask staff for the most accessible paths to the Aquatheater and outdoor zones.
• Sensory tips: quieter mornings, bring headphones if sensitive to show audio.

Calm zones: Dim jellies galleries and smaller side windows often provide quieter moments.

Nearby Pairings

• Boardwalk strolls, Coney Island amusements, and beach time round out the day.
• Off-season: enjoy wide boardwalk views and fewer crowds.

Rain plan: Start indoors, then watch weather windows for Sea Cliffs.

What to Pack

• Light layers (coastal breeze)
• Water + compact snacks
• Lens cloth and power bank
• Small towel for post-splash camera care

Bottom Line

Book ahead, arrive early, and anchor your day around Sharks, Sea Cliffs, and the sea lion show. The boardwalk location makes it a uniquely Brooklyn ocean day.