Coney Island

The New York Aquarium (official name: Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation) dates back to 1896, but it didn’t move to its present Coney Island location until 1957, when a state–of–the–art complex was built on fourteen acres next to the beach. The aquarium is a voyeur’s paradise, and marine mammals like the sea otters and walruses are particularly fun to watch. Also noteworthy is the Beluga Whale, an extensive collection of colorful seahorses, and a marine petting zoo called “Explore the Shore.” The Aquarium has daily performances in the Aquatheater and visitors can also watch the daily feedings of the animals, including the sharks.