Free Kids Admission to Aquarium
During Summer Family Hours
May 31 - September 3
4 to 7 p.m., Sunday through Friday
Two kids (ages 12 and under) get in FREE
with every adult paying full price
Try a Penguin Encounter - click here for more details.
Specialty Events for October and November
Deaf Awareness Day
Saturday, September 25, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Visit the Newport Aquarium for Deaf Awareness Day when admission is only $12 per person
Faith Weekend
Saturday, October 9 and Sunday, October 10, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Visit the Newport Aquarium for Fall Faith Weekend when admission is only $12 per person
Home School Days
Wednesday, October 13 and Friday, October 15, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Visit the Newport Aquarium for Fall Home School Days when admission is only $11 per person
Scout's Weekend
Saturday, November 6 and Sunday, November 7, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Join hundreds of local girl and boy scouts as they explore the Newport Aquarium. Special presentations and animal encounters throughout the weekend. Purchase tickets for just $11 each
Newport Aquarium showcases thousands of animals from around the world in one million gallons of fresh and salt water. Named the No. 1 aquarium in the Midwest in the Zagat Survey’s U.S. Family Travel Guide in 2004, this state-of-the-art facility is open to the public 365 days a year. Like its sister aquarium, Adventure Aquarium, on the Camden Waterfront, Camden, NJ, Newport Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a leader in global wildlife conservation. Located only two minutes from downtown Cincinnati at Newport on the Levee. For more information, go to www.newportaquarium.com or call (859) 261-7444.
Shark Central
The Newport Aquarium’s exhibit, Shark Central, brings the experience of “touching a shark” to every one of its visitors without any of the fuss of an oxygen tank or even a wet suit. Guests can roll up their sleeves and put their hand into a touch pool filled with various species of sharks and rays.
The new permanent interactive exhibit, one of only a handful of similar exhibits in the country, opened in May 2006. Guests can learn the official "two-finger touch" technique and how to properly “pet” a shark or ray. Shark Central replicates a biologist field research facility; it’s kid friendly and handicap accessible.
Although the experience of touching sharks seems dangerous, and it is certainly exciting, the goal is to educate visitors about the important roles that sharks have in the oceans. The Aquarium also hopes to clear up much of the misinformation from the entertainment media. By providing guests with an up-close and personal interaction with sharks, the Aquarium hopes guests will leave with a memorable experience and a new understanding of sharks.
Other Exhibits
Newport Aquarium’s Surrounded by Sharks exhibit features 385,000-gallons of salt water and 85 feet of clear acrylic tunnels. This exhibit’s most impressive resident is the rare shark ray, named Sweet Pea. She shares her home with sand tiger sharks, sandbar sharks, nurse sharks and zebra sharks, along with various fish, stingrays, a loggerhead sea turtle and a moray eel. Sweet Pea is a permanent addition that has made Newport Aquarium one of only a few institutions in the world with this animal on display.
Newport Aquarium recently announced that it will be displaying the first Shark Ray pup, affectionately named Sunshine. Sunshine is less than a year old, weighs about 25 pounds and comes from PenghuIsland, off the coast of Taiwan. It’s believed to be the same place from where Sweet Pea, the Aquarium’s female Shark Ray and the first to be displayed in this hemisphere, came.
Newport Aquarium continues to lead the scientific community in the study of Shark Rays. The Aquarium also initiated the first-ever Shark Ray breeding program in the world. By closely monitoring the growth of Sunshine, Newport Aquarium biologists believe they will be better prepared for any future Shark Ray pups that might be born at the aquarium.
Sunshine will be on display in the Coral Reef display, a 60-thousand gallon “tunnel” exhibit through which visitors walk and are surrounded by aquatic life.
Other family favorites include the Jellyfish Gallery, the Kingdom of Penguins and Gator Bayou. The Aquarium has also recently added Kids Central, a fun play area with toys sponsored by Johnny’s Toys.
Website
www.newportaquarium.com
Location
Riverwalk Level on the Exterior Plaza
Main Phone
(859) 491-FINS
Mailing Address
One Aquarium Way
Newport, KY 41071
Hours
Open 365 days a year.
Daily: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended summer and holiday hours.
General Admission
• $22 Adults
• $15 Children (ages 2 - 12)
• Children under 2 are admitted free
*Conventioneers can receive $2.00 off adult general admission tickets for up to 4 people when you show your convention ID badge at the Newport Aquarium's ticket window.
Credit Cards Accepted - Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover
Annual Passes
Since you’ll want to visit again and again, the Newport Aquarium will apply your one-day admission ticket to the purchase of a yearlong Aquarium Pass. Just present your dated ticket stub at the Information Desk. It's easy -- and it's your ticket to a full year of watery fun.
Educational Programs
The Newport Aquarium is dedicated to igniting the imaginations of students and educators. Educational programs offered weekdays during the school year and for classroom field trips. To receive a trip registration form, leave your name and address with the Reservations Department at (859) 815-1425. Confirmation packets include a teacher's guide and curriculum materials.
Volunteers
The Newport Aquarium works with hundreds of volunteers who aid in staffing exhibits and with a core of volunteer certified divers who aid in feeding select animals and cleaning some of the Aquarium’s exhibits. Call Jenny Greber at (859) 815-1441 for more information.
Employment
For more information about joining the Newport Aquarium team, visit us online.
Mission Statement
Captivate, Educate, and Advocate Conservation.
Riverside Room
The Riverside Room, is a 6,000-square-foot meeting, conference and special event venue.
With capacity for a 240-person sit-down dinner or a reception for 350, the Riverside Room features a flexible event space including spectacular river views of the Cincinnati skyline.
The Riverside Room boasts state-of-the-art audio and video capabilities as well as impeccable service with exquisite cuisine.
