This heat wave in NYC has GOT to calm down! Last week we planned on attending the newest attraction at the New York Aquarium at Coney Island but due to the heat we decided to put it off for the next day, which turned out to be even hotter. With temperatures expected to reach 105 by Sunday, getting out is becoming impossible! Hopefully next week will bring more comfortable temperatures so we can finally head out to the Aquarium and check out the A-MAZE-ING Water exhibit.
The exhibit opened on June 8th and will run until September 9, 2012, giving you plenty of time to check it out before back to school season hits. Not only is this exhibit fun and interactive, it also sends a powerful message about why it is important to take care of our Earth and the water. The exhibit teaches visitors about the water cycle, water conservation, environmental threats, and includes hands-on activities. The A-MAZE-ING exhibit includes a 1,500 square foot maze that takes you through “Water’s Extreme Journey.” Along the way you will learn about the threats to the waterways and end in an ocean-themed destination. You can find this maze under the pavilion tent at the aquarium.
My toddler might be a little young to understand the underlying message of the exhibit and the importance of taking care of our Earth’s water, but there are fun activities she can appreciate such as putting together water cycle puzzles, spin the wildlife wheel of facts, and even zipline through pollutants. This is a great educational themed family adventure where kids can learn a lot while having fun, even when they aren’t in school. They can learn all about the New York Seascape which is a conservation program to help restore local marine species and protect New York waters.
Water’s Extreme Journey exhibit will be open daily. A-MAZE-ING Water will also feature special hands-on activities that will take place on weekends only and include:
- Take Action Mailbox Station – Visitors can act immediately on their concerns based upon what they just experienced in the maze and appeal to local legislators to support clean water initiatives. This area gives them the opportunity to voice their concerns by writing a letter, drawing a picture, or making a collage. Letters and art will be delivered to local government officials.
- Giant Community Mosaic –Using imagination, visitors can create more than 600 mosaic tiles that combine to make a large-scale work of art. The Wyland-designed mosaic reinforces the power of community coming together for a common goal.
- Model of Local Watershed – A model of a typical watershed will give visitors a chance to see how pollutants turn into run-off that affects drinking water and impacts the health of our oceans.
- New York Seascape Interactive– Visitors will explore the New York Bight and discover the remarkable diversity of marine life that lives in local waters (330 species of marine fish, 26 species of sharks and four species of sea turtles) through an interactive game.
- Water-themed Art Exhibition: The aquarium’s Ocean View Room will be transformed into The Conservation Gallery and feature multi-media artists who will display their works from a variety of mediums. All works of art will celebrate the importance, vitality, and beauty of water.
Find our more information by visiting New York Aquarium. You can also check out their other events!
Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium opens every day of the year at 10am, and closing times vary seasonally. Admission is $14.95 for adults, $10.95 for children ages 3-12 and $11.95 for senior citizens (65 and older); children under 3 years of age are admitted free. Fridays after 3pm, admission is by suggested donation. The Aquarium is located on Surf Avenue at West 8th Street in Coney Island. For directions, information on public events and programs, and other Aquarium information, call 718-265-FISH or visit our web site at http://www.nyaquarium.com. Now is the perfect time to visit and show support for the New York Aquarium, Brooklyn’s most heavily attended attraction and a beloved part of the City of New York.
Disclosure: I am a participating in a sponsored ambassador program from the Bronx Zoo/NY Aquarium. As a part of this program I have received paid advertising compensation, a premium family membership and merchandise for placement of digital advertisements and specific postings related to programming.
Thomas Murphy says
sounds like lots of fun! I gotta take my kids there