Philadelphia Aquarium

The Philadelphia Aquarium (now adventure aquarium), one of the first aquariums in the U.S., was located on the shore of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia's decommissioned Farmount Water Works buildings from 1911 to 1962 as part of Fairmount Park. By 1909, Philadelphia’s once renowned Water Works had been replaced by a series of filtration plants in other parts of the city. The Aquarium opened Thanksgiving Day 1911, with nineteen small tanks and a series of regular lectures on marine life . Initially, the forebay housed seals and sea lions. When the animals became ill, though, the area was filled in. When untreated water from the Schuylkill River proved to be too polluted for the fish, city water was used in its place

EXHIBITS

Irazu Falls-Walk into Adventure Aquarium and guests will hear it: the unmistakable rumble of a massive rain forest waterfall. Rising up two full stories, the Irazu Falls pours over 400 gallons of water into a deep, freshwater pool filled with Amazon river fish, including Pacu, Freshwater Stingrays, and more.

Caribbean Currents- Walk through Caribbean Currents and you’ll realize you’re no longer in your own element. Because each of our fifteen different exhibits is filled with exotic and amazing creatures.

Guests will see hundreds of brightly colored tropical fish, Lined seahorses, Pipefish, Barracudas, and exotic ducks on the beach exhibit.

Ocean Realm- Come see these incredible creatures, also known as bowmouth guitarfish. There are less than 10 locations in the world with Shark rays on exhibit. Inlucding the Newport Aquarium containing the only Shark rays in the breeding program in the world.

Penguin island-a 17,000-gallon, 70' x35' pool. These African Penguins have plenty of room to swim, frolic and dive — and since that’s when they’re at their most entertaining, the Aquarium even has a 20-foot underwater viewing area

Secrets of Africa- Meet Button and Genny, two Nile hippopotamuses(3000 lbs each). Arguably the most dangerous animal in Africa. With mouths capable of opening up to 4 feet — only whales can go bigger. As guests venture through the West African River Experience, guests can see them on land, but most amazingly, they will view them underwater as they frolic, jump out of the water and press their snouts against the glass, going eye-to-eye with the visitors. Plus, guests will be surrounded by free-flying birds and get up close to an AfricanCrested porcupine.

Feather Ridge-Here guests can come face to face with birds from around the world, including Cattle Egrets, Abdim Storks, Violet Turacos and more with a new, second-story Ridge platform

Shark Realm- The moment guests enter the new 40-foot shark tunnel, they will feel it. Dozens of hungry eyes following their every move.

Over 20 sharks and 850 animals live in the 550,000-gallon shark realm. So guests can find themselves completely surrounded by some of the fiercest creatures in the ocean. Like Sandbar and Sand tiger sharks, Green sawfish, and more.

Jules Verne Gallery- Hidden deep within the ocean, you’ll find some of the strangest and most fascinating creatures imaginable. And you’ll be able to get up close to many of them right here.

There are Moon Jellyfish , Japanese Spider Crabs, and even a Giant Pacific Octopus and much more

Seal Shores-This 170,000-gallon salt water exhibit is a veritable Harbour seal heaven. No sharks. Plenty of food. And a guaranteed audience for six die hard performers. Every day, all year round, they're outside swimming, playing and generally putting on a good show for anyone who stops by. The special exhibit offers views both on top of the water and under it.

Creature Feature- On the second floor of Adventure Aquarium, next to Irazu Falls, guests will have the chance to see and touch Invertebrates from the rocky shores of the Pacific Northwest. Get ready to get wet and feel several species of exotic and colorful Seastars including the Purple ochre star, Anemones, Crabs, Snails and so much more.

Interactive Inlet- Guests visiting will get to see and touch many of the world's exotic and seldom-experienced sea creatures including curious and hungry Grass shrimp, creepy Giant isopods, Lobsters, Hermit & Horseshoe crabs and much more.

Rainforest Rendezvous- Welcome to this magical place inspired by Mayan culture. From time to time you'll get the chance to get "up-close" to one or more of the wonderful creatures. See a Chinchilla, Blue & Gold Macaws, a Short-tailed Opossum, Diamondback terrapins and a Degu.

Touch-a-Shark: Guests will be thrilled to actually touch and feel some of the most exotic sharks in the world in the Touch-a-Shark exhibit, presented by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. In its newly renovated home on the aquarium’s second-floor, TOUCH-A-SHARK makes it easier to touch beautiful indo Pacific Brown-banded and White-Spotted Bamboo Sharks as well as Smooth Dogfish.

GALLERY

Penguin Island

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Philadelphia Aquarium

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