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The aquarium is inside a building that looks like it could be a large house in the neighborhood. 

What's New at the Reopened Atlantic City Aquarium?

The Atlantic City Aquarium is located at the historic and charming Gardner's Basin, which feels like an entirely different world from the glitz and glam of the Atlantic City Boardwalk and its casinos. The house-like building stands on its own, surrounded by plenty to see before you even step inside. Kids will love the large smiling turtle sculpture that marks the entrance, an interactive "human sundial," and the beautiful underwater murals and artworks that adorn the entrance and planters in the surrounding area. 

\Step inside and you'll find yourself in a large room with themed tanks lining every wall. On one side, visitors can get up close and personal with diamondback turtles, horseshoe crabs, whelks, and other marsh residents. Smaller tanks display tropical reef species, jellyfish, lobsters, and more. The largest tank is a 25,000-gallon mid-Atlantic exhibit, home to a selection of massive fish and the local celebrity Groman, a 225-pound loggerhead sea turtle.

Vibrant marine life lights up the tanks at the Atlantic City Aquarium.

The main attraction is the three long touch pools, which feature all sorts of critters that visitors can interact with—from usual touch-tank fare like horseshoe crabs to the more unusual guitar fish and cat sharks. This is just a sneak preview of what's to come when the second floor opens up. 

At the time of this writing in mid-2025, the entire second floor has no wildlife yet. Six organic-shaped, open-topped shallow pools await their future residents, which will arrive sometime in the fall of 2025. Visitors are allowed to walk around the empty gallery space and look across the first floor. Upstairs is also home to some gorgeous murals depicting the local marine wildlife, created by local artists–as are all the artworks surrounding the building. 

Head even further upstairs to gain access to the rooftop viewing deck, which has incredible views of the surrounding area and across the water. Other interactive attractions of note include a photo booth and a hurricane simulator (both for a fee). When the second floor officially opens to visitors, it will have a drawing station where kids can make rubbing art using textured plates of various sea life. 

It's worth noting that the aquarium is very small and very dark, and will take no more than about 20 minutes to browse (provided you can tear your kids away from all the marine life they can touch). There are also no informational plaques or labels anywhere to be found, so if you want to make this an educational trip, you'll have to talk to one of the staff. Luckily, there are several experts stationed around the aquarium available to share information and answer questions about the aquarium's residents.

That said, this aquarium is also the most interactive one we've ever seen—with even more interactivity to come—and it's sure to leave an impression with younger visitors.

Planning Your Visit to the Atlantic City Aquarium: Tickets, Hours, and Parking

The Atlantic City Aquarium is open seven days a week all year long, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. 

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the site is open late, from 10am to 8pm. Non-summer hours cap off at 5.

Until the aquarium reopens its second floor, it's offering half-price admission for all visitors. The prices are below:

• Adults: $12; half price: $6 
• Seniors: $9; half price: $4.50
• Kids 3-12: $8; half price: $4

There's plenty of free parking behind the aquarium building on New Hampshire Avenue, with easy access to and from the waterside area. Getting there by car is easy, as the official website notes. Simply drive north on Atlantic or Pacific Avenues, turn left at New Hampshire, then continue down and "stop before you hit the water."

FAQs About Visiting the Atlantic City Aquarium

Is the Atlantic City Aquarium Stroller-Friendly?

Yes, the aquarium is very stroller-friendly! A ramp outside allows for easy access to the main entrance, situated on a raised porch. The interior is a large open space with plenty of room to push strollers around, and the second floor and rooftop viewing deck can be reached via elevator. 

What ages is the Atlantic City Aquarium best for?

The aquarium is best for toddlers. There might not be enough to keep older kids entertained, but little kids will love being able to get hands-on and touch many of the aquarium's residents. Just be sure the kiddos know to be gentle and follow the workers' instructions for proper touch etiquette. 

When will the touch tanks reopen?

Aquarium staff have informed us that the marine wildlife that will eventually make its home here requires special prep and care. This means that, unfortunately, there's no fixed date at the moment for the reopening of the touch tanks, though it'll hopefully happen sometime in fall 2025. 

Where to Eat Near the Atlantic City Aquarium

There is no eating or drinking at the aquarium, but there are plenty of great spots to chow down nearby. The Back Bay Ale House and Gilchrist Restaurant are a two-minute walk from the aquarium through a charming garden. Both offer outdoor seating with gorgeous waterside views and a down-home pub fare menu with something for everyone.

If you're heading back out to the main Atlantic City area with the family, we recommend family-owned The Irish Pub for its incredible eclectic decor, or the Showboat buffet for a huge amount of variety for pickier eaters. 

Photos by the author