Dive Into Family Fun at the Long Island Aquarium: Highlights & Tips for Visiting
- kidsdayoutli
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
If you're looking for a day trip on Long Island that’s equal parts fun, educational, and adventurous, the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead is a must-visit. This indoor-outdoor aquarium is packed with immersive exhibits, hands-on encounters, and incredible marine life that will wow kids and adults alike. Whether you’re heading there with toddlers or tweens, here’s a rundown of the best things the aquarium has to offer — plus 5 helpful tips to make your visit smooth and stress-free.
One of the aquarium’s most iconic spots is the Lost City of Atlantis, home to a massive 120,000-gallon shark tank. It’s a breathtaking centerpiece filled with sand tiger sharks, rays, and other marine predators. If you’ve got a thrill-seeker in the family, guests age 12 and up can even dive into the tank — safely enclosed in a cage — for an up-close view like no other.
The fun continues outside at the Sea Lion Coliseum, where highly trained sea lions entertain guests with flips, tricks, and tons of personality. These shows are full of laughs and splashes, so make sure to check the schedule when you arrive to catch a performance.
Over at the Penguin Pavilion, African penguins waddle, dive, and play while visitors watch through glass. For a truly memorable experience, the aquarium offers penguin encounters — where you can meet one up close, snap a photo, and learn how they’re cared for.
Families love visiting the butterfly and bug exhibits, which offer a change of pace from the aquatic zones. Step inside the butterfly garden and you’re suddenly surrounded by hundreds of fluttering wings in a tropical setting. Right next door, the bugs and bees exhibit features everything from beetles to tarantulas — creepy, crawly, and totally cool.
Interactive zones like the touch tanks are a huge hit with younger visitors. Kids can gently touch stingrays, horseshoe crabs, and sea stars — it’s a hands-on learning experience that they’ll want to do again and again.
If you’re visiting during the warmer months, don’t miss the Atlantis Explorer Boat Tour. This seasonal river cruise takes you down the Peconic River into Flanders Bay, where kids can try hands-on estuary science activities while enjoying the ride and fresh air.
For those looking to make the day extra special, the aquarium offers add-on adventures like shark cage dives, seal or penguin selfies, mermaid swim sessions, and more. These experiences do require advance booking — but they make fantastic birthday surprises or unforgettable memories for animal lovers.
Here are 5 tips for visiting with kids:
1. Go early or late for fewer crowds. Weekdays after 1 PM are usually quietest. Mornings can get busy, especially on weekends or rainy days.
2. Check the show schedule when you arrive. Map out your visit around feedings, shows, and encounters so you don’t miss your favorites.
3. Bring quarters for the fish food machines. Feeding koi, turtles, and rays is a kid favorite — and only a few bucks per snack.
4. Dress in layers. Indoor exhibits are climate-controlled and cooler than outdoor ones. Comfortable shoes are a must.
5. Book extras in advance. Encounters, boat tours, and special programs can fill up fast. Booking online ahead of time guarantees your spot.
And our most important BONUS TIP: See if your local library offers discounted tickets that you can purchase through them in advance of visiting. Visiting on your birthday also gives you free entrance! Just have your I.D. on hand to show as proof!
Keep in mind:
Parking is free and the lot is down the block across main street (there are signs to follow).
Strollers are welcome and there’s plenty of space to maneuver through most exhibits, as well as an elevator inside.
Dining: There’s an on-site café with kid-friendly food and snacks, plus plenty of nearby restaurants in downtown Riverhead (we love Jerry & the Mermaid which is a 1 minute walk down the block).
Hotel: If you're looking to spend the night, the Hyatt East End is literally next door and very kid-friendly.
Gift shop: Don’t skip the gift shop on your way out — it has tons of adorable aquatic-themed souvenirs. There is also a second gift shop in the butterfly exhibit.
From exciting shows to interactive exhibits and breathtaking sea life, the Long Island Aquarium is the kind of place that leaves you inspired and eager to return. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, there’s always something new to discover. For video reviews, make sure to check out our Instagram page Kids Day Out LI!