The attractions of the New Jersey State Aquarium, including the Open Ocean Tank: home to sharks, tuna and other marine life.
The New Jersey State Aquarium, which opened in 1992, is located in Camden, New Jersey, and is one of the many recent additions to the banks of the Delaware River.
Whether you are a budding marine biologist or a simple fish lover, you'll be amazed at the number of interactive attractions found at the Aquarium. The main floor of the Aquarium features a shark tank where you can actually lean in and touch the sharks as they swim by. This is just a small preview, however, of the larger Open Ocean Tank, the third largest tank in the country, which is filled with more than two dozen sharks, sea turtles, stingrays and over 1,400 other fish. Also, if you are a certified diver and a member of the Aquarium, you can actually dive in the Open Ocean Tank.
The New Jersey State Aquarium is also the first and only facility on the East Coast to exhibit the yellowfin tuna, which was caught by the research team of the New Jersey State Aquarium. The yellowfin tunas, along with other variety of tunas, also swim in the Open Ocean Tank.
The second floor of the Aquarium has recently been transformed into a South American jungle. This exhibit not only features a "touch" tank where you can feel sea urchins and horseshoe crabs, but also a South American bird aviary as well as a freestanding coral reef containing a wide variety of tropical fish. The facility is also home to 15 African penguins. You can actually feed the penguins twice a day and learn more about their natural environment and characteristics.
Along with the many aquatic specimens you can view and interact with, there are also many research projects and lectures given by the staff to learn more about ocean life. The Aquarium also offers a "summer camp" for children which is an actual research project of our land and sea environment.
Adjacent to the Aquarium is the Camden Children's Garden, which recently had its grand opening. The Children's Garden, a four acre garden/playground offers a nice balance to the marine life of the Aquarium. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the scenic view of the Garden while the kids explore the grounds.
The New Jersey State Aquarium is easily accessible by car, train and even by ferry, which travels across the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Camden approximately every 45 minutes.
In September of 2000, the Aquarium will debut "Ocean Quest", a virtual reality voyage in a four-part submarine. Visitors to Ocean Quest will first be briefed about the research mission, then "transported" in the elevator shuttle where they will wait in the Prelaunch Chamber and finally they will enter the submarine where you will be taken through the depths of the ocean at submarine speed.
The Aquarium also offers group packages and facility rental. Their rooftop deck patio offers stunning views of the River and the Philadelphia Skyline and an outdoor cafe. Admission to the Aquarium is relatively inexpensive compared to the unusual sea life you will see, the interactive activities you will experience and the knowledge you will gain from your trip to the New Jersey State Aquarium.
The New Jersey Aquarium is a unique entertainment venue featuring the latest in high-technology equipment. It is a place where you will participate in many interactive exhibits and have a whole lot of fun without even realizing how much you are learning!
