Buy Tickets

Your guests will have a wild time celebrating your child's birthday at the New York Aquarium! The Sea Lion party includes VIP seating to the Sea Lion Show, animal encounter, ocean activities and a party host to lead you through the fun! 

A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a birthday party at the New York Aquarium. If you have questions, contact the Birthday Party Coordinator prior to booking online at nyabirthdayparties@wcs.org.

Submitting this form reserves your birthday party date & time & requires a non-refundable deposit. The Birthday Party Coordinator will reach out to you within 3 business days, at which time you will have the option to add on additional participants or party time for an additional cost. The price listed above is for up to 25 people, including the birthday family.

Your guests will have a wild time celebrating your child's birthday at the New York Aquarium! The Shark Party includes VIP shark touch pool experience, shark activities and a party host to lead you through the fun!

A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a birthday party at the New York Aquarium. If you have questions, contact the Birthday Party Coordinator prior to booking online at nyabirthdayparties@wcs.org.

Submitting this form reserves your birthday party date & time & requires a non-refundable deposit. The Birthday Party Coordinator will reach out to you within 3 business days, at which time you will have the option to add on additional participants or party time for an additional cost. The price listed above is for up to 25 people, including the birthday family.

Celebrate your inner child! Make your birthday or special occasion an unforgettable experience with a party at the New York Aquarium! You and your friends will have a fin-tastic time celebrating birthdays, special occasions, or just a day off from work with our Adult Party package which includes VIP seating to our Sea Lion Show AND a shark touch pool experience!

A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a birthday party at the New York Aquarium. If you have questions, contact the Birthday Party Coordinator prior to booking online at nyabirthdayparties@wcs.org.

Submitting this form reserves your birthday party date & time & requires a non-refundable deposit. The Birthday Party Coordinator will reach out to you within 3 business days, at which time you will have the option to add on additional participants or party time for an additional cost. The price listed above is for up to 25 people, including the birthday family.

Bring your little fish for a big adventure at the NY Aquarium! Explore, play, and move through the Aquarium before it opens. Enjoy this unique experience with your toddler including sensory activities, crafts, songs and movements! In this toddler takeover of the aquarium, you'll engage in hands-on activities, play with other mini-marine explorers, and meet animals up close.

Smells and Shells- November 8, 2026
Discover the sea through tiny noses and curious hands! In “Sea Squirts: Smells and Shells,” young learners will explore ocean scents, touch fascinating shells, and enjoy playful sensory activities inspired by marine life. Perfect for little explorers and their caregivers to splash into learning together.

Jingles and Jellies- February 7, 2027
Jingles and Jellies” invites little learners to explore the ocean through sound and movement. Toddlers and caregivers will listen to playful ocean-inspired music, mimic jellyfish motion, and discover how sea life ‘sings’ and drifts. A joyful, sensory-rich introduction to marine rhythms and underwater wonder.

Scales, Furs, and Feathers- March 9, 2027
Scales, Furs and Feathers” invites young children and caregivers to explore how different animals feel and look. Through hands-on encounters, they’ll discover the textures of fish scales, soft marine mammals, and seabirds. A playful, sensory adventure that sparks curiosity about the diversity of ocean life.

Eye Spy the Ocean!- May 9, 2027
Eye Spy the Ocean” invites little explorers and their caregivers to look closely at the underwater world. Through playful games, guided observation, and hands-on discovery, children will spot colors, shapes, and sea creatures while building early science and observation skills in a fun aquarium adventure.

This program includes walking in areas that may be dimly lit. All walkways are wheelchair accessible and stroller parking will be provided anywhere strollers cannot go.

This ticket is for one child ages 0-5 and a caregiver. If you would like to add on one additional adult, you may do so during check out. (Add-on tickets are limited.)

Dive into our Sensory Friendly programs where families can explore the aquarium in a calm, quiet environment before it opens to the public! This 90-minute experience offers a supportive space for guests with sensory sensitivities to discover the wonders of marine life at their own pace.

Jellyfish & Friends  - November 21, 2026
Step into the mesmerizing world of jellyfish during this Sensory Friendly experience before the aquarium opens! Enjoy a calm, guided tour of our Spineless exhibits with sensory supports, time for self-paced exploration, and relaxed access to the touch pool for hands-on discovery in a quiet, welcoming environment designed for comfort and exploration.

Sharks & Friends  - January 30, 2027
Dive into a Sensory Friendly shark experience before the aquarium opens! Enjoy a calm, guided tour of Ocean Wonder Sharks! exhibits with sensory supports, time for self-paced exploration, and relaxed access to the touch pool for hands-on discovery in a quiet, welcoming environment designed for comfort and exploration.

Sea Lion & Friends  - March 6, 2027
Meet the playful world of sea lions during this Sensory Friendly experience before the aquarium opens! Enjoy a calm, guided tour of sea lion exhibits with sensory supports, time for self-paced exploration, and relaxed access to the touch pool for hands-on discovery in a quiet, welcoming environment designed for comfort and exploration.

Fish &  Friends  - May 22, 2027
Explore the colorful world of fish during this Sensory Friendly aquarium morning. Families will enjoy a guided sensory-focused tour of fish exhibits, independent exploration time, and relaxed access to the touch pool for hands-on discovery in a quiet, welcoming environment designed for comfort and connection with marine life

This program is for all ages, reccommended 3+. Tickets are per person, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Are you a future zookeeper? This program is a perfect fit! You will learn what it takes to care for wild animals in this fun and educational drop-off experience. 

This program includes walking in areas that may be dimly lit. All pathways are wheelchair accessible.

This drop-off program is for children ages 8-11 years.

Shell-ebrate wellness at the New York Aquarium with “Krillin' it Yoga”—a fintastic yoga flow among the fishes. Stretch your mussels, find your inner sea-renity, and breathe like a blowfish. It’s the perfect blend of health, harmony, and a splash of fun under the sea!

For ages 18 and up. 

Bring your sleeping bag and join us after hours to explore the New York Aquarium. Discover the marine life in Ocean Wonders: Sharks! with behind the scenes tours, a movie with the sharks, and a live animal encounter at this unforgettable sleep "under" event.

This program involves walking in areas that may be dimly lit. Please contact us if you have any questions about accessibility or accommodations.

This program is for children ages 5 and up. Tickets are per person and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Pack your sleeping bag for a spooky night beneath the waves at the New York Aquarium! Explore eerie ocean creatures in Ocean Wonders: Sharks!, enjoy behind-the-scenes tours, a Halloween-themed movie, and meet a live animal during this unforgettable Not So Scary Halloween Party!

This program involves walking in areas that may be dimly lit. Please contact us if you have any questions about accessibility or accommodations.

This program is for children ages 5 and up. Tickets are per person and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Bundle up for a festive night beneath the waves at the New York Aquarium! Explore amazing marine life in Ocean Wonders: Sharks!, enjoy behind-the-scenes tours, a cozy holiday movie, and meet a live animal during this unforgettable holiday sleep “under” adventure.

This program involves walking in areas that may be dimly lit. Please contact us if you have any questions about accessibility or accommodations.

This program is for children ages 5 and up. Tickets are per person and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Celebrate Earth Day with an unforgettable night beneath the waves at the New York Aquarium! Explore Ocean Wonders: Sharks!, enjoy behind-the-scenes tours, hands-on conservation activities, and meet a live animal during this eco-themed sleep “under” adventure.

This program involves walking in areas that may be dimly lit. Please contact us if you have any questions about accessibility or accommodations.

This program is for children ages 5 and up. Tickets are per person and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Want to host a private overnight for your group? School, Scout & Youth Groups can experience a unforgettable sleepover in the New York Aquarium's Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit. Bring your sleeping bag and join us after hours to explore the New York Aquarium with behind the scenes tours, fun activities in the PlayQuarium and a live animal encounter at this unforgettable sleep "under" event.

Minimum of 50 guests. $110 per person.

Group Overnight Dates (6:00 pm - 9:00 am): 9/26/26, 11/7/26, 11/21/26, 12/5/26, 1/30/27, 2/13/27, 3/6/27, 3/13/27, 3/20/27

For more information, please visit our FAQ page and fill out our Sharks After Dark Group Inquiry form. A member of the WCS Education team will be in touch within 3 - 5 business days.