What to Do at the Newport Aquarium

The Newport Aquarium in Cincinnati, Ohio offers a celebration and exploration of aquatic life. If you are in the Cincinnati area and you are looking for an entertaining and educational way to spend the day, this is one of your best options. With about 70 exhibits, the Newport Aquarium is perfect for cold or inclement afternoons when outdoor activities aren't possible.

Surrounded by Sharks

They say that the only way to understand something is to immerse yourself in it, but swimming with sharks isn't exactly a safe adventure for the whole family. At the Newport Aquarium, however, you get the next best thing with their Surrounded By Sharks exhibit.

Underwater tunnels provide an up-close-and-personal view of several shark species, including Nurse, Tiger, Sand, and Zebra sharks. The Newport Aquarium also boasts the "only shark ray breeding program in the world." Fans of the Discovery Channel's Shark Week will have a blast with this exhibit.

'Gator Bayou

Forget flying to the Florida Everglades. You can experience alligators at the Newport Aquarium with their Gator Bayou exhibit. There are several alligators in this exhibit, but the aquarium currently has custody of Mighty Mike, an 800-pound behemoth who was rescued from the wild.

Jellyfish Gallery

You can find jellyfish at most aquariums and zoos throughout the United States, but the Newport Aquarium has an especially large collection. There are also games and interactive activities for children, so this is the perfect family-friendly exhibit.

Bizarre and Beautiful

Singles and adult couples will get a kick out of the Bizarre and Beautiful exhibit, which offers an experience much different from what you normally find at aquariums. View and learn about aquatic animals you don't see every day, including the Japanese spider crabs and spotted garden eels. It might be a little scary for kids, though.

The Theater

In addition to traditional aquatic exhibits, the Newport Aquarium also features a theater in which live shows are performed for visitors. Dive shows are particularly enthralling because viewers can talk with the divers while they are still in the water. This is a great activity for large families and single visitors alike.

Penguin Encounters

There are very few places in the U.S. where people can interact with penguins, but the Newport Aquarium is one of them. Kids will be especially attracted to this exhibit (which costs extra), and involves a twenty-minute experience with the penguins.

Dangerous and Deadly

Looking for a unique first-date destination? The Newport Aquarium's Dangerous and Deadly exhibit is just as exciting as a horror movie, but much more original. Watch the piranha feeding or learn why electric eels are such lethal creatures.

Frog Bog

Kids and their families will have fun at the Frog Bog at the Newport Aquarium, where video games and frog exhibits both teach and entertain. This is also the perfect place to learn about the plight of endangered frogs and how humans can help their populations thrive in the wild.

Shore Gallery

In addition to animals who live only in the water, the Newport Aquarium also features animals that occasionally venture onto land. The Shore Gallery is a great experience for children and families, as visitors can touch some of the animals. Like the Frog Bog, the Shore Gallery also features an emphasis on conservation, focused on the sea turtles whose lives are so tenuous.

The Newport Aquarium is one of Cincinnati's most entertaining activities. Learn more at NewportAquarium.com.