The Newport Aquarium in Newport, Kentucky: Review

Planning a trip to the Cincinnati, Ohio or northern Kentucky area? Be sure to add the Newport aquarium to the itinerary!

The Newport aquarium is a fun 2-3 hour activity to share with children, just try to go when it's not super busy. It can be so crowded that it ends up not being as enjoyable, between the crowds making it hard to see everything and the noise. Of course the ideal would be to go on a school day when there will be no field trips. Try calling ahead and asking. If that isn't doable try going in the afternoon. From experience, that seems to be a better time on peek days.

The Newport aquarium has plenty of highlights.

For starters, at 10:15 every morning the aquarium has a free penguin parade in their front lobby. They even pick a guest to help lead the parade!

For the penguin lovers, the aquarium also has, not only a penguin exhibit, but a 20 minute penguin encounter activity. The cost for this encounter is $20 a person and brings guests up close and personal with the penguins. The aquarium also currently has brand new baby penguins!

Guests can also take a behind the scenes tour for $15. This tour teaches guests what it takes to maintain the aquarium and take care of the animals. It includes a trip to the aquariums vet lab.

If either or even both the penguin encounter and behind the scenes tour sound like fun, be sure to call the aquarium and make a reservation to participate, before going.

Inside the aquarium there is still more fun to be had. From the tunnels where guests can walk under the animals, to the glass bottom floors where guests can walk over alligators and turtles. It's amazing looking up to see a shark passing over head. There is a section where guests can watch otters playing and feed nectar to the birds. Though the birds aren't always hungry. During certain times of the day, guests can even watch the other animals being fed. Kids really enjoy watching the fish and sharks dart around grabbing up the little shrimps. The aquarium has a nice variety of animals as well. From an octopus, to jellyfish at all stages of the life cycle, snakes to tortoises, sharks and rays to turtles and alligators! And more!

The aquarium even has 2 touch tanks where guests can feel the animals from tidal pools or try to touch small sharks. Make sure to only use two fingers when touching the animals and only attempt touching the sharks as they are passing by. Also be sure not to splash the water in the shark tank. It scares the sharks away making it hard to touch them.

The aquarium also has a little theater where they put on different shows. During December they even have a show with Santa in the tank with the animals. If visting then, guests can even get a picture with Santa by sitting infront of the tank. A fun new twist on the picture with Santa. Currently the show is a short virtual experience where guests can get an idea of what it's like to be in a diving cage surrounded by sharks. Kids seem to love it. So much so that some don't want to leave it.

The aquarium does have a food court where guests can order food, or eat a packed lunch, as well as purchase photos taken by the staff at the front of the aquarium if guests chose to have them taken.

The end of the trip brings guests to the gift shop where there is a good variety of items to choose from to remember the trip by.

Want to enjoy the aquarium in a different way? Guests can also book private events at the aquarium. From weddings, to parties, to private dinners!

When planning a trip to the aquarium be sure to check out the aquarium's website at http://www.newportaquarium.com/

There guests can find information on current events, aquarium guest policies, possible discounts and other helpful information. If visiting sometime in February, 2 children can get in free with each adult guest.

Enjoy!