The New York Aquarium is an AZA-accredited aquarium managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), located on the Riegelmann Boardwalk at 602 Surf Avenue, Coney Island, Brooklyn. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport, parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips to help you plan your visit.
It’s advisable to book your New York Aquarium tickets online.
Updated May 2026. As of 3 March 2026, WCS members no longer need to make an advance reservation for regular daytime admission. Free Wednesday afternoon admission remains available — tickets must be reserved online from Monday at 3pm for that week’s visits. See the ticket prices section for full details.
Quick facts: New York Aquarium, Brooklyn
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 602 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224 |
| Phone | (800) 433-4149 (Reservation Centre) |
| Opening hours (Apr 2–May 22 & Sep 8–Oct 31) | 10am–5pm daily (last entry 4pm) |
| Opening hours (May 23–Sep 7) | 10am–6pm daily (last entry 5pm) |
| Opening hours (Nov 1–Mar 2027) | 10am–4:30pm daily (last entry 3:30pm) |
| Closed | Never — open 365 days a year |
| Adult ticket (off-peak) | $29.95 |
| Adult ticket (peak) | $32.95 |
| Child ticket (ages 3–12, off-peak) | $25.95 |
| Children aged 2 and under | Free |
| Free admission | Wednesdays after 3pm (advance booking required) |
| Nearest subway | F or Q to West 8th St–NY Aquarium |
| On-site parking | Yes — $18–$40 depending on duration |
| Typical visit duration | 2–2.5 hours |
New York Aquarium opening hours
The aquarium is open every day of the year and follows seasonal hours with an extended summer period.
2 April – 22 May 2026 and 8 September – 31 October 2026:
- Daily: 10am–5pm (last entry 4pm)
23 May – 7 September 2026 (peak summer):
- Daily: 10am–6pm (last entry 5pm)
1 November 2026 – March 2027:
- Daily: 10am–4:30pm (last entry 3:30pm)
Aquatheater sea lion shows are weather-dependent and may be cancelled.
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- 🕊️ Make sure you get into the 9/11 Memorial Museum by booking tickets in advance.
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New York Aquarium ticket prices
Admission prices vary between off-peak and peak periods, with peak rates applying during busy season dates. All tickets require a date-specific online booking.
| Visitor type | Off-peak price | Peak price |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (ages 13+) | $29.95 | $32.95 |
| Seniors (ages 65+) | $27.95 | $29.95 |
| Children (ages 3–12) | $25.95 | $27.95 |
| Children (aged 2 and under) | Free | Free |
Free Wednesday afternoon admission: Entry is free after 3pm every Wednesday throughout the year. Advance timed tickets are required and must be booked online. Wednesday tickets become available the Monday before at 3pm. Do not arrive at the aquarium without a reserved Wednesday ticket — walk-up entry is not permitted.
4-D Theater: One 4-D admission is included with every standard ticket. It is not included in Wednesday free admission tickets; an additional fee applies.
All sales are final. There are no refunds, cancellations, or rescheduling for any reason, including bad weather.
All guests aged 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.
Discounts and passes:
- US Military and Veterans: Active military receive a complimentary ticket for themselves, plus 50% off for up to three guests. Use promo code MILITARYNYA (active) or VETERANNYA (veterans) at checkout. Military ID required on entry.
- Museum Council passholders: Two complimentary tickets with promo code MUSEUM at checkout.
- NY Sightseeing Pass: The aquarium is accessible with the NY Sightseeing Pass; timed tickets must be reserved in advance by calling 1-800-433-4149.
- WCS Membership: Covers free year-round admission to all five WCS parks in New York. As of 3 March 2026, members no longer need a reservation for regular daytime visits.
- Cool Culture: The NY Aquarium does not accept the Cool Culture Family Pass. Three other WCS parks — Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo — do participate.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in May 2026.
How to get to the New York Aquarium
The aquarium is located at the western end of the Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn. Public transport is recommended, particularly in summer when parking fills rapidly.
By subway: Take the F or Q train to West 8th Street–NY Aquarium station. The aquarium entrance is directly adjacent to the station exit.
By bus: The B36 stops on Surf Avenue at West 8th Street. The B68 stops on Neptune Avenue at West 8th Street.
By car: The aquarium is accessible via the Belt Parkway (Ocean Parkway exit). Note that in summer, cars approaching the parking lot must be travelling westbound on Surf Avenue — a left turn from Ocean Parkway. Right-turn entry is not available. The parking lot opens at 9:30am.
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Parking at the New York Aquarium
The aquarium has an on-site parking lot, though spaces are not guaranteed and the lot frequently fills to capacity on summer weekends. Arrive early or use mass transit.
| Duration | Non-member rate |
|---|---|
| 0–3 hours | $18 |
| 3–4 hours | $25 |
| Over 4 hours | $40 |
WCS members with aquarium parking benefits (Dual Land & Sea Legacy, Family Land & Sea Legacy, and Conservation Supporter levels) pay reduced rates: $0–$10 for under 3 hours, $20 for over 4 hours. Conservation Fellow members and above park free all day. All vehicles must exit by 5pm. Bus parking is not available.
How long to spend at the New York Aquarium
Most visitors spend two to two and a half hours at the aquarium. This is longer than the other WCS New York parks, reflecting the size of the main Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit and the outdoor sea lion and penguin areas. Visitors attending Aquatheater shows should build additional time into their plans.
Accessibility at the New York Aquarium
The aquarium site is fully accessible. A limited number of free wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Strollers are permitted but must be parked in designated stroller areas before entering indoor exhibits and the Aquatheater. Wagons are not permitted inside the aquarium buildings. Take all valuables when parking your stroller.
A lactation room is located indoors between the Spineless and PlayQuarium exhibits. It includes a chair, a small side-table, and an electrical outlet. Ask a member of staff at the Gift Shop or call 718-265-2663 for access.
The aquarium holds KultureCity Sensory Inclusive™ certification. Contact Guest Relations at [email protected] at least seven days before your visit for accessibility support, or call 718-220-5103.
Personal Care Assistants (PCAs): PCA ticket arrangements must be made in advance. Email [email protected] with your reservation order number (subject: PCA admission). PCA tickets cannot be applied retroactively.
Inside the New York Aquarium: what to see
Ocean Wonders: Sharks! is the aquarium’s flagship exhibit. It features over 115 marine species across 18 kinds of sharks and rays, including sand tiger sharks, sandbar sharks, and rough-tail stingrays. A coral reef tunnel allows visitors to observe marine life swimming directly overhead. The rooftop section offers views over Coney Island.
Sea Change is a large outdoor exhibit where visitors can observe sea otters, California sea lions, harbor seals, and African penguins. Underwater viewing windows provide close-up views of the animals swimming. This exhibit focuses on the impacts of climate change on marine habitats.
Aquatheater hosts interactive sea lion training demonstrations throughout the day. Shows are weather-dependent and typically run two to three times daily in winter and three to four times in spring, summer, and autumn. Check the day’s schedule at nyaquarium.com/today or on arrival.
Spineless features a range of marine invertebrates including giant Pacific octopus, moon jellies, and zombie worms, housed in a series of illuminated tanks.
PlayQuarium is a bilingual, child-focused exhibit with a kelp forest, coral reef, and touch pool where children can handle horseshoe crabs, marine snails, and local shore invertebrates.
Wild Encounters (April to October, additional booking required) offer close-up experiences with penguins, sharks, and sea lions. Visit nyaquarium.com/wild-encounters to book.
Practical visitor tips for the New York Aquarium
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book before you arrive | All tickets require an online booking. Do not arrive without a confirmed ticket — walk-up admission is not available. Wednesday free tickets open for booking the Monday before at 3pm and are released in limited numbers. |
| Plan around the Aquatheater | Sea lion shows are the most popular event at the aquarium and are weather-dependent. Check the schedule at nyaquarium.com/today on the morning of your visit to confirm show times. |
| Come in summer but prepare for crowds | Peak hours run May 23–September 7. The parking lot fills early on summer weekends. The F and Q trains to West 8th Street run directly to the entrance and are the most reliable option in all conditions. |
| Leave beach gear outside | Beach equipment, beach attire, bare feet, and open-toed sandals are not permitted inside the aquarium buildings. The aquarium is adjacent to the Coney Island beach, but standard footwear is required throughout. |
| Combine with Coney Island | The aquarium sits on the boardwalk directly beside Coney Island’s rides, food stands, and beach. Luna Park amusement park and Nathan’s Famous hot dogs are within walking distance, and both make natural additions to a visit. |
Frequently asked questions about the New York Aquarium
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the New York Aquarium suitable for young children? | Yes. The PlayQuarium exhibit is designed for children and includes a bilingual touch pool. The sea lion and penguin areas are well suited to all ages. Children under 2 enter free. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the New York Aquarium? | Yes — all tickets require a date-specific online booking. Walk-up tickets are not sold. Wednesday free admission tickets must also be booked in advance from the Monday before at 3pm. |
| Is the New York Aquarium open on Sundays? | Yes. The aquarium is open every day of the year, 365 days. |
| Is parking available at the New York Aquarium? | Yes, there is an on-site car park, but it frequently fills to capacity in summer. Non-member rates range from $18 (under 3 hours) to $40 (over 4 hours). Mass transit is recommended. |
| Is there free admission at the New York Aquarium? | Yes — entry is free after 3pm every Wednesday. Advance timed tickets are required and must be booked online from the Monday before at 3pm. The 4-D Theater is not included in Wednesday free admission. |
Things to do near the New York Aquarium
Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk (immediately adjacent, free) is one of New York City’s most accessible beaches, with the Riegelmann Boardwalk running along 2.7 miles of shoreline. The beach is open for swimming in summer.
Luna Park at Coney Island (1000 Surf Avenue, seasonal, ticketed) is an amusement park directly beside the aquarium with roller coasters including the Cyclone, a National Historic Landmark. Open spring through autumn.
Nathan’s Famous (1310 Surf Avenue) is a Coney Island institution since 1916, well known for its hot dogs and annual 4th July eating competition. A short walk along the boardwalk from the aquarium.
Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park (3059 Denos Vourderis Place, seasonal, ticketed) features the Wonder Wheel, a landmarked observation Ferris wheel that has operated since 1920, with views over the Atlantic Ocean and Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway, ~30 minutes by subway, ticketed) is one of the largest art museums in the United States, with collections ranging from ancient Egyptian art to contemporary work, housed in a Beaux-Arts building in Crown Heights.
What to visit tomorrow: other aquariums and zoos near New York
Central Park Zoo (Manhattan, ~45 minutes by subway) is a compact WCS zoo in Central Park with sea lions, snow leopards, penguins, and a tropical rainforest building. Managed by the same organisation.
Bronx Zoo (Bronx, ~1 hour by subway or ~40 minutes by car) is North America’s largest urban zoo, covering 265 acres. Also managed by WCS; a WCS membership covers both sites.
Queens Zoo (Corona, Queens, ~45 minutes by subway) is an 18-acre WCS zoo focused exclusively on species from the Americas, including Andean bears, bison, and sea lions.
Prospect Park Zoo (Brooklyn, ~40 minutes by subway) is a 12-acre WCS zoo in Prospect Park with sea lions, red pandas, river otters, baboons, and a children’s barnyard.
Adventure Aquarium (Camden, NJ, ~1.5 hours by car or NJ Transit + ferry) is a large independent aquarium across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, housing hippos, sharks, penguins, and a touch-tank area. One of the most visited aquariums in the north-east.
More New York City travel
Other New York City travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- How to pay less for Empire State Building tickets and get cheaper tickets for Summit One Vanderbilt.
- Plan your visit to the Top of the Rock observation deck and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
- Visit the Fraunces Tavern Museum and the Charging Bull Sculpture in Lower Manhattan.
- What to expect at the Intrepid Museum at Pier 86, Manhattan.
- Plan your visit to the National Museum of Mathematics in Manhattan.
