Aquarium of the Pacific
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Long Beach, Ca
If you haven’t been to the Aquarium in a while, it’s time to go back. And if you’ve never been, what are you waiting for?! Founded in 1998, the Aquarium of the Pacific is one of the most visited aquariums in all the U.S. The aquarium has more than 50 exhibits with over 11,000 animals represented from all over the world.
This year they expanded and added nearly 29,000 square feet of interactive and innovative space with the new Pacific Visions Wing. The new wing features hands on exhibits, an art gallery that transports visitors under the sea, live animals, and my personal favorite a state of the art, multi-sensory theater. The show engages the audience through the use of fog, wind, scent, strobe lights and seat vibration. It is a great addition which teaches how we as individuals can help solve our world’s biggest environmental issues.
The building itself is a work of art. The new Pacific Visions building features a biomorphic structure that evokes the size, depth, variability, luminosity, and moods of the Pacific Ocean. Complementing the Aquarium’s existing
building it has a façade with more than 800 individually shaped panels that respond to changing light and weather conditions throughout the day with varying colors to mirror the effect of sunlight rippling on the ocean’s surface. I mean, amazing right?!
You can also meet and take photos of the Aquarium’s animal ambassadors, including Cleo the Megellanic penguin, outside the Pacific Visions entrance during daily appearances between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. You also have the chance to get a “marine manicure” from cleaner shrimp inside the Pacific Visions art gallery. The Honda Pacific Visions Theater show, which is 8 minutes long, is included with Aquarium admission and plays every 15 minutes. During an Aquarium visit, guests can also catch other shows throughout the day, including dive shows, animal meet and greets, and live Pacific Pals puppet shows.
The Aquarium features opportunities to touch animals, including sharks, sea jellies, rays, and tidepool animals like sea stars. There are also opportunities to feed animals. Feed colorful birds in the Lorikeet Forest by purchasing a cup of nectar for $4 or feed a ray at the Ray Touch Pool for $5. These ray feedings are held at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. during the summer. Visitors can purchase food for the rays at the start of the feeding. ***I cannot recommend feeding the rays enough! It was the favorite thing my family did all day! Please note that this experience is first-come, first served and has limited capacity.
You can also enhance your day at the Aquarium with a whale watching cruise to spot blue whales and other ocean life. Cruises are offered daily at 12:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. aboard Harbor Breeze Cruises and feature an Aquarium naturalist on board to help spot wildlife and share biology and conservation information about local whales. A whale watching combo ticket includes Aquarium admission for a discounted price. Other available combo tickets include an Aquarium visit plus a 45-minute harbor cruises or admission to the Queen Mary, Los Angeles Zoo, Natural History Museum, or Battleship IOWA.
Beyond its animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages. One of my favorite ways to visit the aquarium is by planning a field trips for schoolchildren. These are offered at a heavily discounted rate, from $7 to $8.50 per student.
In 2019 the Aquarium of the Pacific still has some great events coming up. Check them out below:
Friday evenings, September 6 through December 27, 2019 (excluding Sept. 27, Oct. 25 and November 1) Shark Lagoon Nights 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
The public is invited to get up close with the ocean’s ultimate predators for free during Shark Lagoon Nights at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Guests will have the opportunity to touch smaller sharks and see large sharks at the Shark Lagoon exhibit on select Friday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Guests can touch and learn about sharks, purchase drinks and snacks, and enjoy live music during select Shark Lagoon Nights.
Saturday, September 7, 2019 Autism Families Morning 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.
Join us for a special morning at the Aquarium exclusively for families with children or adults with autism. The entire Aquarium, except Lorikeet Forest, will open at 7:00 a.m. This will be a morning when guests can enjoy the tranquility of our exhibits and meet 11,000 animals from the world’s largest ocean.
Cost: $7 per person, exclusively for families with adults or children with autism, and free for Aquarium members and children under age three
Wednesday, September 11, 2019 First Responders Day 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
The Aquarium celebrates our nation’s first responders on September 11.
Police, fire, and paramedic personnel with valid ID receive free admission.
Cost: FREE for
police, fire, and paramedic personnel with valid ID. General Admission–$34.95 adult (12+),
$31.95 senior (62+), $24.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and
Aquarium members, prices subject to change
Saturday and Sunday, September 21-22, 2019 Moompetam: Native American Festival 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
In celebration of local Native American cultures, the Aquarium of the Pacific will host its fifteenth annual Moompetam Festival. This weekend celebration will feature traditional cultural crafts, storytelling, educational programs, live demonstrations, music, and dance celebrating California’s indigenous maritime cultures, including Tongva, Chumash, Acjachemen, Costanoan, Luiseno, and Kumeyaay.
Cost: General Admission–$34.95 adult (12+), $31.95 senior (62+), $24.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members, prices subject to change
$10 off coupon here.
Saturday and Sunday, September 28-29, 2019 Baja Splash Cultural Festival 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Aquarium of the Pacific will host its eighteenth annual Baja Splash Cultural Festival featuring live entertainment, crafts, educational programs, and special activities. This Aquarium weekend festival celebrates the beauty and diversity of Latino cultures through song, dance, art, and cultural displays.
Cost: General Admission–$34.95 adult (12+), $31.95 senior (62+), $24.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members, prices subject to change.
$10 off coupon here.
Saturday, October 5, 2019 Southeast Asia Day 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
The Aquarium of the Pacific will celebrate its fifteenth annual Southeast Asia Day. The festival’s program will highlight the beauty and diversity of the cultures of Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, and Indonesia. Guests will enjoy live performances, including music, dance, and cultural craft demonstrations. Children will have the opportunity to partake in arts and crafts.
Cost: General Admission–$34.95 adult (12+), $31.95 senior (62+), $24.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members, prices subject to change.
$10 off coupon here.
Sunday, October 6, 2019 Photographers Night 5:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Professional and amateur photographers are invited to capture the Aquarium of the Pacific’s wildlife in photos during exclusive photographers-only hours. Meet vendors, test new equipment, attend workshops, and meet other wildlife photo enthusiasts.
Cost: $34.95 per person
Monday, October 7, 2019 Seniors Day 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
The Aquarium of the Pacific will open its doors for free to people ages fifty and above on Seniors Day. Special exhibits and presentations for seniors will be featured.
Cost: FREE to ages 50 and over with a valid photo ID.General admission–$34.95 adult (12+), $31.95 senior (62+), $24.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age three and Aquarium members, prices subject to change.
Saturday October 12, 2019 Aquarium 5K Run/Walk 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.
The Aquarium of the Pacific will partner with the Long Beach Marathon events team to host their 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, October 12, at 7:00 a.m. The scenic course will loop through Rainbow Harbor, Queensway Bridge, Catalina Landing, and the Aquarium itself. Participants will receive a race t-shirt, finisher’s medal, and a voucher for $5 Aquarium admission.
Cost: $41
Saturday, October 12, 2019 Aquarium Kids Fun Run 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Up to 2,000 kids ages five to twelve can race in the Aquarium of the Pacific Kids Fun Run. Participants will receive a commemorative marine animal medal, a finisher certificate, and free Aquarium admission (applicable to child runners only; must be accompanied by a paying adult inside the Aquarium). As part of a major emphasis on improving youth health and fitness and helping to counter the childhood obesity epidemic, the nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific has joined forces with Motiv Sports and the Jet Blue Marathon & Half Marathon to host this one-mile Kids Fun Run.
Cost: FREE: open to the first 2,000 to register starting August 8 (kids participating receive free Aquarium admission – accompanied by paying adult)
Location: Rainbow Harbor, adjacent to the Aquarium
Info/Registration: 562-427-4606
Saturday, October 19, 2019 Sea Fare: Dine with the fish, and bid on auction items 7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
At the Aquarium of the Pacific’s sixteenth annual Sea Fare celebration, guests can enjoy an evening of gourmet cuisine with food and drink samples from dozens of food and beverage providers, along with open bars, music, a live and silent auction, and the popular “Go Fish” opportunity game. All proceeds will benefit the Aquarium’s education, conservation, and animal care programs.
Cost: $150 per person
Info/RSVP: 562-590-3100 or aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/seafare/
Saturday and Sunday, October 26-27, 2019 Scarium of the Pacific 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Discover the creatures lurking in the depths at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s twentieth annual Scarium of the Pacific—a spooktacular, educational Halloween event for the whole family. Enjoy special Halloween programs, including the annual children’s costume contest, creepy coloring contest, magic shows, underwater pumpkin carving, spooky storytelling, and kooky crafts, and meet eerie animals in the Great Hall.
Cost: General Admission–$34.95 adult (12+), $31.95 senior (62+), $24.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members, prices subject to change.
Info/Tickets: 562-590-3100 or aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/scarium_of_the_pacific/
Friday, November 1, 2019 Night Dive 7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
The Aquarium of the Pacific presents Night Dive, an adults-only event featuring live performances, hands-on science activities, lectures, and other special programming, and food and drink for an 18-and-over crowd. Discover the Aquarium at night, and explore its galleries in a new way, with DJs and local artists creating an eclectic ambiance. Live bands take the stage in front of the Honda Blue Cavern turning the Great Hall into Long Beach’s unique music venue.
Cost: $17.95 per person, and free for Aquarium members
Info/Tickets: 562-590-3100 or aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/night_dive/
Saturday, November 2, 2019 NOAA and Our Planet Day 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Find out what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) does for you, our nation, and our world at this annual event. The event will feature interactive booths where you can learn more about a variety of NOAA programs, the ocean, and weather. Learn how NOAA, a government agency, works to understand and predict changes in Earth’s environment to help protect people and property and to conserve and manage coastal and marine resources.
Cost: General Admission–$34.95 adult (12+), $31.95 senior (62+), $24.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members, prices subject to change.
Info/Tickets: 562-590-3100 or aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/noaa_and_our_planet_day/
Sunday, November 10, 2019 Autism Families Night 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Spend a special evening at the Aquarium exclusively for families with adults or children with autism. The entire Aquarium, except Lorikeet Forest, will be open until 9:00 p.m. On this evening, guests can enjoy the tranquility of the Aquarium’s exhibits and meet 11,000 animals from the world’s largest ocean.
Cost: $7 per person, exclusively for families with adults or children with autism, and free for Aquarium members and children under age three
Monday, November 11, 2019 Veterans Day 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
In celebration of Veterans Day, the Aquarium of the Pacific honors veterans and military personnel. These men and women are invited to enjoy the Aquarium with free admission on Veterans Day.
Cost: FREE for veterans and military personnel service I.D. General admission–$34.95 adult (12+), $31.95 senior (62+), $24.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age three and Aquarium members, prices subject to change.
Saturday and Sunday, November 16-17, 2019 Autumn Festival 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Delve into the arts, cuisines, cultures, and marine environments of Asia during the Aquarium of the Pacific’s eighteenth annual Autumn Festival. Autumn Festival highlights the traditions and cultures of Japan, China, Korea, and the Philippines through a weekend of learning opportunities and family entertainment celebrating the rich diversity of Asian and Asian-American cultures.
Cost: General Admission–$34.95 adult (12+), $31.95 senior (62+), $24.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age three and Aquarium members
Saturday, December 7, through Monday, December 23, 2019 Aquarium Holidays 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Aquarium Holidays features special holiday décor, a display of gingerbread houses, daily Penguin Parades at 10 a.m., holiday shopping, snowfall in the Great Hall, a special holiday menu in Café Scuba, and daily appearances by Santa Diver and the Aquarium characters in their holiday outfits. On weekends the Aquarium will have a snow play area and photo opportunities with Santa. Hanukkah storytelling with opportunities to play dreidel will be presented on select dates.
Cost: General Admission–$34.95 adult (12+), $31.95 senior (62+), $24.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members, prices subject to change.
Info: 562-590-3100 or aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/aquarium_holidays/
Saturday and Sunday, December 7-8, 2019 Holiday Treats for the Animals 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
In celebration of the holiday season, Santa Diver will be delivering an ocean of gifts to the Aquarium of the Pacific for its animals, including penguins, sea otters, seals, sea lions, lorikeets, and fish. The Holiday Treats for the Animals festival kicks off Aquarium Holidays, which runs December 7 through 23, featuring festive décor, a display of gingerbread houses, daily Penguin Parades at 10 a.m., holiday shopping, snowfall in the Great Hall, a special holiday menu in Café Scuba, and daily appearances by Santa Diver and Aquarium characters in their holiday outfits. A toy drive runs daily December 7 through 23, and supports the Long Beach Fire Department Spark of Love Toy Drive. On weekends December 7 through 23, including Holiday Treats for the Animals festival, the Aquarium will have a snow play area, children’s crafts, and photo opportunities with Santa. Hanukkah storytelling with opportunities to play dreidel will be presented on select dates.
Cost: General Admission–$34.95 adult (12+), $31.95 senior (62+), $24.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members, prices subject to change.
Tuesday, December 31, 2019 Night Dive presents New Year’s Eve 8:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
Ring in 2020 at the New Year’s Eve Night Dive at the Aquarium of the Pacific. It will be a night to remember, with live bands playing in the Great Hall and DJs spinning in the galleries—all curated by the team that brings you Night Dive. This event will include dancing, a cash bar, small-bite appetizers for sale throughout the Aquarium, and a midnight countdown.
Cost: $34.95 per person, $29.95 per Aquarium member
Age: Open to ages 18+ only
Info/Tickets: 562-590-3100 or aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/newyearseve/
The nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and where important challenges facing our planet are explored in search of sustainable solutions.
The Aquarium offers memberships with unlimited FREE admission for 12 months, VIP Entrance, and other special benefits. Convenient parking is available for $8 with Aquarium validation. The Aquarium of the Pacific’s address is 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802. For more information, you can visit aquariumofpacific.org or call (562) 590-3100.
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