Adventure Aquarium | Camden

Adventure Aquarium, located in Camden, New Jersey, along the scenic Delaware River waterfront, is one of the region’s premier aquatic institutions and family attractions. Opened originally in 1992 and rebranded as Adventure Aquarium in 2005, it has grown to become a vibrant and immersive destination that showcases a vast diversity of aquatic life and offers educational, interactive, and entertaining experiences for visitors of all ages.

Location and Setting

The aquarium is situated at 1 Riverside Drive, right on the Camden waterfront, directly across from downtown Philadelphia. This prime waterfront location provides stunning views of the Philadelphia skyline and convenient access via several modes of transportation, including nearby public transit options and ample parking facilities. The setting blends urban accessibility with a natural riverfront ambiance, making it a popular destination for families, tourists, school groups, and locals.

Size and Scope

Adventure Aquarium houses over 15,000 aquatic animals representing hundreds of species, spread across 2 million gallons of water. Its collection includes fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and invertebrates from diverse aquatic habitats around the world, ranging from freshwater rivers and tropical reefs to the deep ocean and unique ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest.

Signature Exhibits and Animals

Shark Realm: This is one of the aquarium’s most famous exhibits and features the largest collection of sharks in the Northeastern United States. It includes an innovative 40-foot-long tunnel that allows visitors to walk beneath the sharks and other large predators swimming overhead. Adding to the thrill is the world’s longest V-shaped rope suspension bridge spanning the shark tank, letting guests experience the sensation of walking just inches above sharks. Species include sand tiger sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and the impressive great hammerhead shark.

Hippo Haven: Unique to Adventure Aquarium is the rare exhibit of Nile hippos—Button and Genny—which makes this aquarium the only one in the world to showcase hippos in an aquatic environment. The hippos live in a large 60,000-gallon pool designed to replicate their natural habitat, and the exhibit offers underwater viewing, providing a fascinating glimpse of these massive creatures as they swim and interact.

Little Blue Beach: This habitat is home to the smallest species of penguin, the Little Blue Penguin, alongside a Laughing Kookaburra bird. The exhibit simulates a coastal environment with a saltwater pool, allowing visitors to observe the penguins’ unique behaviors and playful movements up close.

Ocean Realm: This is the aquarium’s largest tank, holding approximately 760,000 gallons of water. It hosts a wide variety of sea creatures, including sea turtles, stingrays, and a great hammerhead shark. The tank’s expansive size allows for dynamic displays of marine biodiversity and creates an immersive underwater experience for visitors.

Piranha Falls: An Amazon-themed exhibit featuring about 100 piranhas, this attraction highlights the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest's waterways. The exhibit educates visitors about the ecology and myths surrounding these famously aggressive fish.

Interactive and Family-Friendly Features

Adventure Aquarium is designed to be accessible and engaging for all ages, with a special focus on young children and families:

KidZone: This indoor area is tailored for children under six years old and offers hands-on activities such as touch tanks where kids can gently handle marine invertebrates like sea stars and sea cucumbers. It also includes playful musical instruments and child-friendly structures like a tugboat and sea anemone crawl to stimulate creativity and exploration.

Explorer’s Cove: An outdoor, nautical-themed playground where children can climb on octopus sculptures, ride dolphin-themed equipment, and crawl through sand mounds. This space provides a safe and imaginative environment for active play.

Creature Feature: A touch pool featuring marine creatures from the Pacific Northwest, allowing visitors to feel the texture and movements of animals like sea stars and sea cucumbers, enhancing tactile learning.

Educational and Conservation Efforts

Adventure Aquarium emphasizes education and conservation through interpretive displays, live demonstrations, and outreach programs. It works to raise awareness about marine ecosystems, endangered species, and environmental stewardship. The aquarium partners with conservation organizations to promote sustainable practices and protect aquatic habitats worldwide.

Visitor Amenities and Services

Operating Hours: The aquarium is open 364 days a year, closing only on Thanksgiving Day. This extensive availability makes it a flexible option for visitors throughout the year.

Admission and Memberships: General admission prices start at around $30, with options for annual memberships that provide unlimited visits and special discounts, making it accessible for repeat visitors and families.

Accessibility: Adventure Aquarium is committed to inclusivity and offers sensory-friendly accommodations such as sensory bags, a designated quiet space, and weighted lap pads for visitors with sensory sensitivities.

Parking and Transportation: Visitors have access to several parking lots nearby, including the Hippo and Penguin parking lots, facilitating easy arrival by car. The location is also well-served by public transit options.

Special Events and Experiences

Adventure Aquarium hosts a variety of special events throughout the year that add to the visitor experience:

Mermaid Performances: Live underwater mermaid shows take place in the Ocean Realm exhibit during select times, enchanting visitors with graceful underwater displays and storytelling.

Holiday Celebrations: Seasonal events like the Christmas Celebration bring themed decorations and appearances by characters such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and SCUBA Santa, creating festive and memorable experiences for families.

Impact and Role in the Community

Adventure Aquarium is more than just an attraction; it serves as an important educational and cultural resource for the Camden area and the greater Delaware Valley region. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, contributing to local tourism and economic development. The aquarium also collaborates with schools, nonprofit organizations, and community groups to support STEM education and environmental awareness.

Summary

Adventure Aquarium in Camden is a dynamic, educational, and entertaining destination that offers an extensive variety of aquatic life exhibits, interactive experiences, and family-friendly attractions. Its unique features, such as the shark tunnel and hippo exhibit, combined with its commitment to conservation and education, make it a standout aquarium in the region. Positioned on the waterfront with stunning views and easy access, it provides a comprehensive and immersive experience that appeals to visitors of all ages and backgrounds.