Recently, we took a quick ride out of NYC up to Norwalk, CT to visit the Maritime Aquarium. With tons of interactive areas for kids, this was one of the best aquariums I’ve ever been to. Day Trips From NYC Idea: Visiting the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT
Check out my video highlights:
We’ve read all about Megalodons (my little guy was really into pre-historic sea creatures), so I was excited to see this Megalodon, which was an ancient shark.
There was a toy boat craft for $5 (my two older kids shared one boat).
I really liked the Go Fish Exhibit, which taught about commercial fishing and what fish is safe/not safe to buy.
My kids loved the Dragons exhibit.
And the Meerkats were a big hit. There’s pop up glass window so kids can see the Meerkats up close. 
The Eel was also a big hit (there was secure glass between them).
Plan your visit:
The Maritime Aquarium is located at
10 North Water Street
Norwalk, CT 06854
http://www.maritimeaquarium.org/
Admission:
Adults: $22.95
Child (age 3-12): $15.95
Youth (age 13-17): $20.95
Senior (age 65+): $20.95
Aquarium admission includes one standard IMAX® movie.
Children under 3 free.
Active Military (with ID) are free.
(Offer good to active military individuals only; not to family members or others in their party.)
Veterans (with ID) receive $10 off Aquarium admission only (available at the door only. Not in advance online).
Directions:
Click here for directions – it took us about a little over an hour of driving time. There was a giant rest stop, so we stopped for lunch right on 95. There are plenty of places to eat in Norwalk, plus a cafe right in the aquarium if you are hungry.
Parking:
There is a parking structure directly next to the Maritime Aquarium in the Maritime Garage. You cannot miss it as you pull up to the aquarium. We paid around $8 to park for several hours. Compared to NYC prices, we considered it a good deal.
Make sure to bring your parking ticket down with you because payments are made in the garage’s elevator lobby before you return to your vehicle. You can also pay with your MasterCard or Visa when exiting the garage. Simply, insert your ticket into the receptacle and follow the directions on the screen.
Find a printable map here.
We were hosted for our visit, thank you to the Maritime Aquarium.
That looks like it’d be a fun, interesting, and educational visit.