Saturday, June 16, 2018

From the Mystic Aquarium

Summertime Visitor Tips

It's safe to say that Mystic Aquarium is swimming with guests during the summer months, and we wouldn't have it any other way! Follow these simple summertime tips to enhance your Aquarium experience:

· Save time (and skip the line!) by purchasing your tickets or new membership online before you visit.

· Consider visiting before 10am or after 3pm during the summer to avoid peak visitation hours.

· With both free-flow activities and timed events like the Foxwoods Marine Theater show, scheduled animal feeds, the 4-D Theater and much more, you'll want to plan your day accordingly.

· Once you're at the Aquarium, capture daily show and feeding times by snapping a photo with your phone - times are located on the screens upon entry.

· Dress for the weather so you can enjoy the indoor and outdoor exhibits and be sure to apply reef-friendly sunblock.

· Stay hydrated - bring a reusable water bottle and visit our refill station inside the Main Gallery.

· Enjoy a light snack or full lunch at our on-site Penguins Cafe.

· On a family or group trip? Be sure to make a meet up plan in the event you get separated during your visit.

· Be sure to get your tickets validated before leaving for the day so you can visit again FREE for the next two days.

· We provide our guests with FREE parking! Please be sure to drive cautiously when searching for your parking spot.

· Beat the heat while enjoying great savings! Consider visiting after the sun goes down during Summer Nights every Monday night starting July 9 through August 27 from 6 to 9pm.

· Keep the Aquarium in your pocket - download the official Mystic Aquarium app and purchase tickets, check out upcoming events, view a map of the Aquarium and more; and remember, Mystic Aquarium has FREE Wi-Fi!

Download Our App

ANIMAL SPOTLIGHT:

Paddlefish

This North American fish is one of the largest of freshwater species; growing to lengths of up to 10 feet and weighing up to 300 pounds! Can you guess how this ancient species (they lived before the dinosuars!) acquired their name? From that long, paddle-like bill which is often up to one-third of their entire body length. Just underneath that is their large, toothless mouth which allows them to essentially strain zoopolankton from the water.

Be sure to check these cool fish in Weird & Wonderful during your next Aquarium visit!

Is your sunscreen ocean friendly? Studies have shown that some sunscreen ingredients can harm marine life – like coral and sea urchins. Some of the ingredients even turn into hydrogen peroxide when they are exposed to ocean water!

Do your part to help reverse this trend. When shopping for sunscreen, look for chemical free alternatives and consider purchasing brands without the ingredients below. While these are not the only chemicals that are believed to have adverse effects on the ocean, they are among the most commonly found in mainstream brands.