The cynic in me used to think that if you've seen one aquarium, you've seen them all. However, after visiting the Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration in Mystic, Connecticut, this is clearly not the case. True, there are plenty of standard glass cases filled with fish, but it's the unique exhibits and the focus on education that sets Mystic Aquarium apart from the rest.
When my family and I passed through the turnstile after buying our tickets, I was immediately drawn to the clear-sided blue tank to our right. This enormous outdoor pool is home to New England's only Beluga whales. They gracefully swam back and forth across the tank in a repeated figure-eight pattern. Every few minutes a huge cream-colored whale passes the glass tank wall to the delight of the gathered crowd. At regularly scheduled feeding times the keeper gives an informational presentation while feeding the whales.
My kids were impressed with the interactive touch pools. First we visited the sting ray pool. Here we put a hand into the water and touched the backs of sting rays as they swam past. Don't worry, these cownose rays are harmless. Next, we went inside the main building to The Discovery Lab which holds an assortment of sea creatures. In this touch pool, you can feel a sea star and touch a sea urchin. The aquarium's staff member manning this exhibit is knowledgeable, and eagerly answers any questions.
At the African Penguin exhibit, penguins play on the outcropping rocks and in the water. A staff member is stationed at this exhibit as well, and provides answers to questions about the animals. There are regular feeding times where you can watch the keeper feed these intelligent birds. Follow the path to the underwater viewing area for an in-depth look at how penguins live above and below the water.
There's a Stellar Sea Lion exhibit and a choreographed show called Lions of the Sea, that has several presentations daily at the Marine Theater. Coco, Tabor, Rider and Surfer, along with their trainer, are the stars of this show. These endangered Stellar sea lions perform tricks and stunts in a fun show that's geared for all ages.
We found a number of exhibits to be memorable. Large sharks troll through their tank, leering at visitors as they slink by. Dozens of jellyfish float in a free standing cylindrical tank of their own, which is illuminated from below with black light. The anemone garden is expertly created to form a beautiful living collage. To the kids' amusement, a built-in tank holds a clown fish that resembles Nemo. The electric eels, octopus, and piranhas all drew us in to study them more closely.
Appropriately, the Institute for Exploration (IFE) is located at the Mystic Aquarium, which supports the aquarium's mission to be an oceanic research leader. World-renowned deep-sea archeologist Dr. Robert Ballard makes the IFE his home base. Dr. Ballard uses his state-of-the-art equipment in the archeological and scientific exploration of the Earth's final frontier - the deep sea. He is famous for discovering the Titanic and excavating the wreck. The only exhibit of its kind in the world, Return to Titanic highlights Dr. Ballard's work, and provides a comprehensive look at the Titanic, including replicas of the ship's bow and a boiler. Another exhibit, Noah's Flood and Ancient Shipwrecks, details Dr. Ballard's experience exploring the ancient shipwrecks of the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Mystic Aquarium also has the new XD Motion Theater, which is part ride and part movie. Wearing 3-D glasses and your seatbelt, you feel like you are part of the action. The theater is currently playing "Ocean Jungle", an adventurous film about the ocean's wonders.
The Mystic Aquarium has a cafeteria and store to keep you comfortable. Enjoy the Waterfront Café which offers an a la carte lunch menu and has seating in the air conditioned dining area or outside at tables in the courtyard. Before you leave, check out the gift shop which sells unique ocean-inspired souvenirs and gifts.
Mystic Aquarium packs a lot of punch for its modest size. Allow ¾ of a day to fully enjoy the aquarium and all it has to offer. To learn more about the exciting sea life and new exhibits at the Mystic Aquarium, visit their website at www.mysticaquarium.org
I am an aquarium junky! Every city I visit, if they have an aquarium, I have to visit! One of these days I will have to visit here. I am such a nerd, I even go to those penny machines, where it smashes it and you can roll it and get a souvenier....my collection is rapidly growing :-P