The Newport Aquarium in Northern Kentucky, USA
Serves up Kid-Friendly Fun Near Cincinnati, Ohio
Aug 5, 2009
Located on the banks of the Ohio River and just a two minute drive from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, The Newport Aquarium is known for featuring thousands of exotic animals from around the world. The aquarium's most recent addition is a Jellyfish Gallery said to be the largest in the Midwest, featuring nearly a hundred species of Jellyfish in a 360- degree tank and three new see-through tanks you can walk around.
However, on a recent visit, families with children populated the newly renovated jellyfish gallery, but only children seemed mesmerized by the gallery as adults seemed to head the direction of the sharks.
Children of all ages seemed captivated by all three see-through tanks filled with blue water holding the clear, colored or partially white jellies inside. While some watched in amazement as jellies changed colors in one tank, others played tag at the interactive tank for almost an hour, cleverly touching the tank wherever a jellyfish appeared, and racing with their friends and relatives in an effort to tag more fish. The dimly lit , yet cozy 2,000-square foot Jellyfish Gallery, which can hold 100 people or more at one time, is very kid-friendly but offers less to adults.
Jellyfish vs. Sharks
Both adults and children seem to form large crowds in the aquarium's Surrounded by Sharks Gallery. It is here where families can get the feeling they are walking underwater when they go through tunnels that follow a 385,000 gallon tank. The fascination in this gallery begins by walking over a see-through floor and watching as the extremely rare Shark Rays or a Loggerhead Sea Turtle swims past.
The Surrounded by Sharks Gallery also features an area to pet sharks. The only trick to petting these sea creatures is to not let them see your hand go into the water. By waiting until the shark is directly underneath your hand, this prevents them from scurrying away too fast and gives you the opportunity to touch their cold, smooth, and sometimes slimy skin.
When folks enter the Jellyfish Gallery, of course they cannot expect to be greeted by often giant, wondrous sea creatures the way they are in the gallery of sharks. But they do get the opportunity to feast their eyes on everything from colored jellies, spotted jellies, and west coast sea nettle to upside down jellies, and watch as their children's faces light up from playing with the interactive tanks and marvelling at the exotic species.
If you and your family are in search of an educational experience that's both interactive and fun and won't break the bank this summer, the Newport Aquarium delivers.
For more information, daily activities and the cost to visit the Aquarium, visit The Newport Aquarium.
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