New York Aquarium, Public aquarium in Coney Island, Brooklyn, United States.
The New York Aquarium stretches along the Riegelmann Boardwalk and presents several hundred species in themed tanks and zones. The facility divides into outdoor and indoor exhibits, including a large shark area and a sea lion pool with seating for demonstrations.
The facility opened in 1896 at Battery Park in Manhattan and became the oldest of its kind in the United States. The move to Coney Island in 1957 brought operations to the shore and allowed for larger outdoor enclosures.
The location on the Boardwalk ties the visit to the broader beach culture and century-old amusement traditions of Coney Island. Families often pair the aquarium with rides or the shore, making it part of a typical Brooklyn day out.
Crowds gather near the tanks on summer weekends, so early morning or weekdays offer quieter walks. The grounds are mostly accessible by stroller or wheelchair, and most zones can be reached without steps.
The facility runs an on-site marine research lab that works to restore native species such as oysters and rays in the waters off New York. These programs operate behind the scenes, but results sometimes appear in the exhibits.
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