Here’s the thing about summer in New Jersey—some days, it’s blazing hot, some days it rains just when you planned to hit the beach, and some days… the kids (and let’s be honest, the adults) just need a break from the backyard. That’s when we say: grab your crew and head under the sea!
We’re not talking about hopping on a flight or making a trek down the shore. We’re talking about three incredible aquariums—right here in our Garden State—that are packed with ocean adventures, playful penguins, and even a few surprising land animals (hello, hippos!). Whether you’ve got a curious toddler, an animal-obsessed teen, or you’re just looking for a fun indoor day that’ll wow the whole family, these aquariums deliver big on wonder and fun.
Here are three of our favorites that we visit all the time—and trust us, they never disappoint.
Adventure Aquarium – Camden
The one with hippos, sharks... and a bridge of pure bravery.
If you’ve never been to Adventure Aquarium, make this the summer you go. It’s got over 15,000 aquatic animals and some seriously jaw-dropping exhibits. You can literally walk over a tank full of sharks (on the world’s longest shark bridge!) and then pop over to say hello to their famous Nile hippos who like to nap, swim, and generally steal the show.
Our favorite part? The Little Blue Penguins! These tiny waddlers are adorable, curious, and incredibly entertaining to watch. There’s also a stingray touch tank (yes, you can actually touch them!), a whole realm dedicated to sharks, and a tunnel that surrounds you with sea life. Plus, they go all-out for seasonal events—think Shark Summer the summer, Fintastic Pumpkin Glow in the fall, and Christmas Underwater featuring Scuba Santa swimming with sharks in the winter. https://www.adventureaquarium.com/
Liberty Science Center – Jersey City
Where science meets splashy, hands-on fun.
Okay, so Liberty Science Center isn’t technically just an aquarium—but their Hudson River exhibit is one of the coolest things for curious kids who love water and wildlife. It's designed to be super interactive, with tanks built at kid-level so they can get up close with turtles, river fish, and more. There’s even a water table where kids can direct the flow of the river, build up sediment, and see how it all moves.
Kids love pretending to be scientists in mini lab coats, and if you're lucky, you’ll catch a hands-on ecology experiment in progress. Bonus: you’re right across from NYC, so you get skyline views, too. This one’s great for younger kids who love a good splash and a good science moment. https://lsc.org/
SEA LIFE Aquarium – East Rutherford
Inside American Dream, but feels like another world.
If you haven’t explored the American Dream Mall yet, this is the perfect excuse. SEA LIFE Aquarium is completely indoors (translation: perfect for rainy days or when it’s just too hot to function), and it’s like walking through a living, glowing ocean.
They’ve got over 3,000 sea creatures, including sharks, rays, and jellyfish, all swimming through exhibits themed like NYC. That’s right—sea turtles cruising past a miniature Empire State Building? Only here! The Ocean Tunnel is a total showstopper: you walk through a glass tunnel while sea life swims all around you. Kids love spotting the jellyfish and touching sea stars in the interactive tide pools, and the behind-the-scenes tour gives a fun peek at how the magic happens.
It’s a smaller aquarium than the others, but it’s super stroller-friendly and easy to explore with younger kids. Plus, you can pair it with a ride on the indoor roller coasters or a stop at the ice cream shop next door. Win-win. https://www.adventureaquarium.com/
So whether your crew is into science, sharks, penguins, or just needs a cool break from the summer sun, these NJ aquariums are a guaranteed hit. This summer, skip the screen time and dive into a day that’s totally splash-worthy.