Sea Life® Aquarium and LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Opens Tomorrow in NJ

June 14, 2021 newjerseyisntboring

June is National Aquarium Month, so it’s the perfect time to open a new aquarium in New Jersey! The Sea Life® Aquarium located at the American Dream Mall opens tomorrow, June 15, 2021. I got a chance to preview the aquarium before it opens to the public.

New Jersey’s SEA LIFE® Aquarium is home to more than 3,000 creatures with approximately 100 different species. These include sharks, an octopus, stingrays, eels, seahorses, jellyfish, piranhas, and more.

The aquarium stands out by being a family aquarium that delivers a fun and entertaining day out to all guests through “wow” displays and hands-on, interactive experiences. I personally enjoyed their touch screens that gave me insight into all the creatures featured in each tank.

The aquarium’s leading exhibit is the 186,000-gallon ocean tank. The ocean tank features an underwater tunnel with panoramic views of ‘fishified’ Manhattan landmarks.

Landmarks you’ll find include the ‘Coralizer Building’ (Chrysler Building) and Times Square, set amidst schools of tropical fish, sharks, rays, and more.

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You begin your adventure in the ‘Rush Hour of the Ocean’ platform with subway-style adverts and local freshwater species of fish. ‘Freshwater’ is where visitors can engage with the indigenous fish from the Hudson River.

In addition to being fun and entertaining with displays and safe, hands-on interactive experiences, New Jersey SEA LIFE also aims to educate guests about the ocean, its inhabitants, and future preservation; offers best in class care and treatment for all fish and creatures; and is committed to local and global conservation projects.

If you’re looking for something interactive be sure to visit the aquarium’s touch pool, staffed by a SEA LIFE expert, which allows guests to safely interact with the creatures typically found in rock pools amidst a backdrop inspired by local sports.

In addition to being involved with local conservation projects through their registered charity SEA LIFE Trust, they have the Junior Rangers. SEA LIFE aquarium’s Junior Rangers program gives eight – 12 children who have an interest in the world’s oceans, rivers, and lakes an opportunity to expand their understanding of marine biology and environmental science in a fun and engaging way. Junior Rangers will work with SEA LIFE aquarium’s Curator (Rich) and his team of specialists on fun events at the aquarium as well as off-site events contributing to local conservation efforts.

While visiting Sea Life, be sure to visit their neighbors at the LEGOLAND® Discovery Center which also opens on June 15th. This 30,000 square-foot indoor attraction offering a fun, highly interactive, and educational three-hour play experience perfect for families with children ages 3–10.

The attraction offers a range of exciting LEGO play areas, an interactive ride, masterclasses from a LEGOLAND Master Model Builder, special party rooms for birthdays and other celebrations, a 4D cinema, and the popular MINILAND area found in every LEGOLAND Discovery Center.

The details in the miniland area are amazing!!

For the littles, the LDC has the DUPLO Park is where you can play on oversized bricks.

Other features include their LEGO NINJAGO-themed jungle gym soft play area:

Coffee Shop & Café:

and of course, a gift shop:

Important Facts: LEGOLAND Discovery Centers are designed specifically for young children and their families and in order to ensure the best experience for all of our guests, so they limit visitors to those with children. For adults who love legos, they have regularly scheduled “Adult Night” that takes place every three months.