Last Updated on November 2, 2025
Coney Island is a seaside neighborhood located on a peninsula in southwestern Brooklyn, the playground for generations of thrill seekers and an escape from the sweltering heat of New York City summers. The island is also home to the famous funfairs of Luna Park and Steeplechase Park.
You can still ride the famous wooden roller coaster called the Cyclone or sway back and forth on the swinging cages of Deno’s Wonder Wheel offering a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean from either of these rides. Nearby, the 250-foot-high parachute jump from the 1939 New York World’s Fair is a nostalgic reminder of Coney Island’s past.
There are also the distinctive aromas of Nathan’s famous frankfurters and sweet cotton candy adding to the carnival experience.
Of course, no seaside visit would be complete without a stroll on the boardwalk. The Riegelmann’s Coney Island boardwalk, named for a Brooklyn borough president from the early 1900s stretches 2.7 miles along the coastline with amusements, snack bars, and novelty gift shops.
The sight of a modern concrete building with a mural of ocean life will also catch your attention – a place to discover one of New York City’s treasures: the New York Aquarium. Its location next to the ocean is no coincidence. The aquarium serves an important mission to protect and conserve marine life as well as educate the public about caring for marine ecosystems throughout the world.
History of the New York City Aquarium
The New York City Aquarium’s history demonstrates that despite obstacles and setbacks, its commitment to education and conservation remains at the forefront. This longest continuously operating aquarium in the country opened in 1896 with fanfare at Castle Clinton, a former fort and immigrant processing center located at the Battery in lower Manhattan.
When the aquarium opened, it housed 150 species of ocean life, including local bass, sturgeons, and shellfish such as lobsters, crabs, and seahorses. A seal named Nelly amused guests as they circled the exhibits. In 1906, the management of the aquarium was turned over to the New York Zoological Society, now known as the Wildlife Conservation Society. There were plans for expansion, but an ambitious urban planner, Robert Moses, had other ideas.
Demolition of the Aquarium
In 1941, the aquarium was demolished to build the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. Most marine residents moved to the Bronx Zoo and other aquariums while others were released into the sea. It would be another 15 years before the New York Aquarium would have a new home.
In 1953, New York City officials approved the construction of a new aquarium, allocating five acres of park land in Coney Island as the new site. The location was chosen, not only for its prominent location to the ocean, but also to attract families to Coney Island.
Like the ebb and flow of the tides, New York City faced certain social and financial problems, particularly in the late 1950s. 1957 was an especially trying time for the city. Less people were visiting Coney Island as the automobile made travel more accessible to the suburbs. The urbanization of the neighborhood and the loss of several amusement parks also contributed to its decline.
However, this all paled in comparison to the exodus of New York City’s beloved baseball teams – the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants moving to California. Could anything lift the spirits of New Yorkers?
A black-footed penguin, perhaps?
New Age for the New York Aquarium
On June 6, 1957, a penguin named Anne cut the ribbon for the opening of the New York Aquarium. Anne, along with a pair of Ridley turtles, seals, sea lions, a walrus named Olaf, and schools of fish welcomed visitors to their new home. This was the beginning of a new age for the New York Aquarium that continues today.
In 2025, I paid a visit to this special place that captured my imagination as a child and helped me as a teacher enlighten my inquisitive students.
Conservation Hall
As I walked under the wave-like entrance, I could feel the ocean breeze along with an excited anticipation of this memorable visit. The cavernous entrance leads to the Conservation Hall; an enclosed area lined with endless glass windows inviting visitors into various marine environments. As you meander through the winding halls, you can explore the great lakes of Africa, the flooded forest of the Amazon River, and the Coral Triangle.
Schools of glistening fish come in all shapes and sizes and offer an opportunity for up-close views of piranhas, clownfish (think Nemo), polka dotted stingrays, and the ripsaw catfish. Neon colored sea life, like the Blueface angelfish shimmer as they swim about the coral reef.
Placards along the walk tell both the story of these unique fish within each exhibit as well as the conservation efforts to save these fragile environments.
Anyone could easily get lost in Conservation Hall; there’s so much to absorb you feel like you’re swimming along with each new fish you meet. As you leave the hall and readjust your eyes to the light, the sounds of playful sea lions is a huge draw.
Black Footed Penguins
Along with sea lions, seals, and sea otters, the aquarium features endangered African black-footed penguins. An ever-popular attraction, the penguins continue fascinating visitors.
I’ve always been amazed at how they display such politeness as the waddlers follow each other one by one moving up and down the rocks and then plunging into the water. The endearing marine dwellers live in colonies, which is why their behavior appears so unusual to humans.
However, one should not be fooled as the penguins can become aggressive when protecting their nests or territory. The New York Aquarium is part of a cooperative breeding program with other aquariums and zoos to promote the survival of endangered species.
The aquarium also participates in the “Wild Encounters” programs providing guests the opportunity to spend time up close with the penguins and their keepers.
Sharks Exhibit
Sharks are one of the most feared creatures of the deep. With their cold-blooded, purposeful stare and sharp teeth, they have frightened swimmers for years. However, in 2018, the New York Aquarium opened ‘Ocean Wonders: Sharks!,’ a three-story building with nine galleries demonstrating the importance of sharks to a fragile, marine environment.
Guests are amazed by a 40-foot coral tunnel where sharks swim on all sides of you including Captain Spaulding, a zebra shark along with bluenose stingrays floating nearby. Youngsters appreciate the crawl spaces with windows to enjoy the experience.
Shipwreck Research and Washed Ashore
In keeping with understanding the waterways of New York City, there is a gallery devoted to shipwrecks and their contribution to ocean life. A replica of the USS San Diego is located off the coast of Long Island and known as the ‘Lobster Hotel’ due to the abundance of lobsters surrounding the vessel.
The New York City area has had thousands of shipwrecks consisting mostly of freighters, tankers, and barges that were part of the shipping commerce of New York City. Today, these wrecks help researchers understand both the history and marine life of this important coastal city.
As you make your way through the grounds, you come across a most peculiar sculpture. Bill, a Coho salmon, was created by an organization called ‘Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea.’The sculpture is made entirely from plastics removed from the ocean bringing awareness about pollution of its waters. It’s also a reminder to recycle plastics because of the harm it causes to waterways.
Invertebrates Exhibit
Another must-see exhibit, ‘Spineless-Weird and Wonderful Invertebrates’ offers a place to get acquainted with a giant Pacific octopus named Chuck along with other amazing cephalopods such as bat sea stars, moon jellies, dwarf cuttlefish, and shrimp.
Certain ‘spineless’ travelers, like the dwarf cuttlefish can change their color and texture to blend in with the environment. They are often misunderstood, yet serve as an important function to the life of the sea.
Other Activities
If you’ve worked up an appetite by now, Seaside Café features a full selection of food items to satisfy any palate along with hot and cold drinks and snacks.
The PlayQuarium is a bilingual, interactive space designed for younger children. Youngsters move around and explore sea environments, like the kelp forest or coral reef in a playful setting. Touch tanks offer children an opportunity to touch and feel aquatic dwellers, such as horseshoe crabs or snails.
Families will enjoy the Aqua Theater where several times daily, sea lions and their trainers share their special relationship, entertaining guests with humorous and fun-filled acts. Included in the admission is the 4D theater located just outside the entrance showing 3D films with sensory effects like wind, mist, and vibrations.
Special family events are held at the aquarium throughout the year. In celebration of Halloween, ‘Ascarium’ is a lively get-together taking place each weekend in October. There are games, arts and crafts, costumes, magic shows, and even a mermaid for a spooky sea experience. Other family-centric events include Shark Party and World Oceans Day.
Ongoing Research and Conservation
Saving oceans and marine life along with ongoing research are essential to the life of the New York Aquarium. Exploration, conservation, and education are necessary for preserving the sea and its inhabitants for future generations.
In May 2025, United States Fish and Wildlife Inspectors seized coral at the local airport which was immediately transferred to the aquarium as part of their coral propagation program. Eventually, it will be added to the coral reefs exhibit.
Also in 2024, two sea otter pups were rescued from the California coast and deemed unable to return to the ocean. The pups, members of an endangered species with only 3,000 currently in the wild, now live on the sea cliffs at the aquarium.
The Hudson Canyon, located off the coast of New York and New Jersey, is the largest submarine canyon on the Atlantic coast and home to wildlife that includes whales, sharks, dolphins and turtles. Conservation efforts relentlessly seek to protect this area from oil and mineral exploration. Currently, they are working to have it designated as a National Marine Sanctuary.
The New York Aquarium is part of the Wildlife Conservation Society that also includes the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn. Its mission today is as important as it was 100 years ago. A visit to the aquarium reminds us of our responsibility to care for the oceans, so in turn the oceans will take care of us.
Jacques Yves Cousteau said, “The sea, once it cast its spell, holds one in the net of wonder forever.” Nothing feels truer than getting up close and personal with the incredible creatures of the ocean in such a magnificent setting.
