About
School Break Camps gives kids time to explore the aquarium’s exhibits, see behind the scenes, and meet some of the ocean invertebrates up close. Camp days can also include catching a show with the California sea lions and getting hands-on with animals at the Touch Tank, which has access included with admission. On select dates, Out of Offish programs run at the same time as School Break Camp.
• Schedule: The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Price: WCS Members who enter their membership ID number unlock access to exclusive membership pricing.
The New York Aquarium was founded in 1896 in Castle Clinton in Battery Park, and the New York Zoological Society (now Wildlife Conservation Society) assumed ownership in 1902. The aquarium moved to its current home on Coney Island in 1957 and now occupies 14 acres. It is NYC’s only aquarium and is home to over 500 species of marine wildlife, including 18 different kinds of sharks and ray species in the Donald Zucker and Barbara Hrbek Zucker Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit. The aquarium states that it strives to make a connection between visitors and oceans, focusing on field research its scientists are doing in the waters of New York. It notes a history of saving animals from whales to coral.
Touch Tank access is described as free with admission. Families are directed to the New York Aquarium Know Before You Go page to review park policies. One visitor review from Yelp describes the shark exhibit as “EXCELLENT” and mentions a focus on recycling at the end of the exhibit. Another Yelp review calls the aquarium superb, with great exhibits, an entertaining show, and friendly, knowledgeable staff. A Google review highlights the shark tunnel as beautiful and full of different shark species, and also mentions enjoying the sea lion show.
Last updated April 17, 2026.
• Schedule: The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Price: WCS Members who enter their membership ID number unlock access to exclusive membership pricing.
The New York Aquarium was founded in 1896 in Castle Clinton in Battery Park, and the New York Zoological Society (now Wildlife Conservation Society) assumed ownership in 1902. The aquarium moved to its current home on Coney Island in 1957 and now occupies 14 acres. It is NYC’s only aquarium and is home to over 500 species of marine wildlife, including 18 different kinds of sharks and ray species in the Donald Zucker and Barbara Hrbek Zucker Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit. The aquarium states that it strives to make a connection between visitors and oceans, focusing on field research its scientists are doing in the waters of New York. It notes a history of saving animals from whales to coral.
Touch Tank access is described as free with admission. Families are directed to the New York Aquarium Know Before You Go page to review park policies. One visitor review from Yelp describes the shark exhibit as “EXCELLENT” and mentions a focus on recycling at the end of the exhibit. Another Yelp review calls the aquarium superb, with great exhibits, an entertaining show, and friendly, knowledgeable staff. A Google review highlights the shark tunnel as beautiful and full of different shark species, and also mentions enjoying the sea lion show.
Last updated April 17, 2026.
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