Newport Aquarium

Newport Aquarium provides 'million gallons of fun'

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Aug 14, 2009

With 70 exhibits and 14 galleries, Newport Aquarium at Newport on the Levee lives up to its motto, "A million gallons of fun."

Located just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, the Newport Aquarium is probably best known for its sharks exhibit, which provides an up-close view of assorted sea creates from within an 85-foot acrylic tunnel that passes through the 385,000-gallon saltwater tank 

Sharks, rays, Loggerhead Sea Turtles and assorted fish associated with coral reefs swim above, below and alongside you as you walk through the tunnels. But you're not just limited to looking! At the Shark Central exhibit's 5,000-gallon tank, you can actually pet them — safely!

The Jellyfish Gallery, the Newport Aquarium's newest exhibit, allows visitors to view nearly 100 jellyfish gracefully gliding in a giant, 360-degree tank. Lit in such a way as to glow, these marvels of the sea will entrance you. A new Jelly Wall even lets you play tag with moon jellies! Another interactive tank allows you to coax jellyfish to change color.

Not all of the sea creatures at the Newport Aquarium are fish. King and Gentoo penguins grace the 8,000-gallon Kroger Kingdom of Penguins. The exhibit remains at a brisk 34 degrees winter and summer so as to provide the penguins icy waters. Watch as these playful penguins frolic over their rocky cliffs and splash into the water.

In the Hidden Treasures of the Rainforest Islands exhibit, visitors can delight in the endangered but entertaining Asian otters and thrill to the two majestic Burmese pythons. But the stars of the humid rainforest are surely the lorikeets. These colorful free-flying birds flit about their home and will land on visitors who purchase tiny cups of nectar for them to sip.

Admission is free for children younger than 2, $13 for those 2–13 and $20 for everyone else. You can buy tickets in advance online or by calling (859) 261–7444. Annual passes cost $38 for adults and $24 for children. Groups of 10 or more who register in advance receive discounts. 

The Newport Aquarium is a great place for birthday parties for children 12 and younger. Prices begin at $220 for Newport Aquarium members and $250 for non-members. Check out details here.

Teachers can bring their students for field trips Monday through Friday, with a minimum of 20 students, at a cost of $7 per child. For an extra $1, each student can experience one of nine 30- to 40-minute special sessions. Click here for details. Teachers can download a registration form here.

- by Ivonne Rovira, Cincinnati Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)