Aquarium of Niagara

By Martine Mackenzie with the Aquarium of Niagara

From inspiring marine mammals to colorful clownfish, the Aquarium of Niagara is home to more than 120 species of animals including rescued/non-releasable marine mammals, penguins, and more than 1200 fish and invertebrates. A visit to this attraction will have you getting to know its aquatic ambassadors as well as being immersed in their incredible stories.

Located in downtown Niagara Falls, NY, the Aquarium of Niagara is a short distance from the famous waterfall and just a quick trip over the Rainbow Bridge from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Through its living collection and educational programming, the Aquarium serves the community as a nexus for learning through exploration, a cultural destination, and a tourist attraction.

Founded by a small group of chemists and scientists in 1965 as a privately-owned organization, the Aquarium served as an important test site for a new, artificial seawater formula. This technology would become crucial to the success of inland aquariums, which had traditionally transported seawater directly from the nearest ocean. That practice was expensive and inefficient, and the new formula, known as Instant Ocean, would prove to be revolutionary. It is now used at most inland aquariums around the world.

After more than a decade of operating as a for-profit institution, ownership of the Aquarium was transferred to the Sea Research Foundation, a nonprofit, in 1977, and again then to the Niagara Aquarium Foundation in 1994. The Aquarium currently operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and revenue generated from admission and paid programming goes directly back into the care of the animal collection.

In recent years, the Aquarium has made significant improvements to both the facility and its operations. By implementing stringent industry standards and best practices, the Aquarium earned accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2018. This recognition is considered the gold standard of the industry, and accredited institutions are known for providing the highest quality of animal care among zoological facilities.

The Aquarium has also made important strides in its efforts to improve the guest experience, adding exhibits that support the organization’s mission while keeping visitors engaged and intrigued. Since 2018, the Aquarium has invested more than $10 million in capital improvements that can be seen at Penguin Coast, the Aliens of the Sea jellyfish exhibit, and the shark and stingray touch pool, M&T Bank Shark & Ray Bay.

To complement the exhibits, the Aquarium offers a variety of daily scheduled programming. These presentations create opportunities for inspiration through discovery and deliver important conservation messages to more than 200,000 visitors annually.

The Aquarium also serves as the only provider of interactive educational programs and experiences that feature marine life and aquatic ecosystems in the region. Through the Aquarium’s field trip and outreach programs, the education team delivers hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, English, Math) related experiences to more than 200 groups every year.

Some of the amazing exhibits you can visit are:

Penguin Coast

Penguin Coast is home to a colony of 16 Humboldt Penguins. These little creatures are highly socialized animals and watching them interact is like watching a sitcom play out in front of you!

Seals and Sea Lions Steal the

Show

The Aquarium is home to nine non-releasable and rescued marine mammals and is proud to provide a second chance at life for these individuals who would not be able to survive on their own out in the ocean. There are three different species of pinnipeds, and the group of flipper-footed marine mammals that includes seals, sea lions, and walruses.

From Scales to Shells

At the Aquarium, you will find more than 100 species of fish and invertebrates. Whether you are interested in beautiful, sunny reefs or cold, dark waters, you’ll find these animals thriving in all types of aquatic ecosystems.

At Home on Land and In Water

The aquatic world doesn’t just apply to what’s below the surface. The Aquarium is home to several reptiles and amphibians who depend on the water around them to survive.

Also available are the following programs:

1. Aquarium Tours

2. Sea Lion Snapshot

3. Lead the Feed: Sharks and Rays

4. Lead the Feed: Arowana and River Ray

5. Lead the Feed: Clownfish and Coral

6. Trainer for a Day

7. Seal Encounter

Photos courtesy of Aquarium of Niagara.

8. Penguin Encounter