You don’t have to travel far to see some of the most amazing sea life on the planet—aquariums in NJ are often considered some of the best in the country. Thanks to dedicated preservation efforts and an emphasis on local and global marine animals, aquariums in NJ feature everything from hammerhead sharks to mellow sea turtles to bottle-nosed dolphins and the Blue Nile hippos. And the best part? You can go any time of year to explore one—scroll down for an aquarium in New Jersey near you and find more to do with our all-season guide to indoor activities. (feature photo credit: istock/PBorowka)

Here Are 10 Aquariums In NJ Where You Can Spend A Day Under The Sea 

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Jenkinson’s Aquarium
Jenkinson’s Aquarium is located on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach. Since 1991, the aquarium has been dedicated to educating the public on marine life and conservation. Exhibits such as sharks, penguins, seals, reptiles, monkeys, and even a sloth allow you to get up close to animals from around the globe. The aquarium also offers special programs, including year-round animal encounters, junior keepers, and summer camps for all future marine biologists! Visit the website for a full calendar of events.
300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742

Adventure Aquarium in Camden
With over 15,000 aquatic animals, including the most extensive collection of sharks and Nile Hippos in the Northeast, many consider Camden the best aquarium in New Jersey. Kids will want to check out the Little Blue Penguins (aka the “cutest penguins ever”) before crossing the largest rope-suspension shark bridge on the planet. Watch for their many special events, including mermaid swims, pumpkin carvings, Santa visits, and more over the year. 
1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ 08103

Atlantic City Aquarium
After a years-long renovation, The Atlantic City Aquarium has reopened, better than ever. Though they are still constructing the second floor, you can be one of the first visitors to see more than 25,000 gallons of water, including “Groman,” a 225-pound Loggerhead Sea Turtle, along with a bunch of unusual species from the Mid-Atlantic. Don’t miss the Unicorn Tang in the Tropical Reef or the Off the Docks exhibit, where you can find Moon Jellies, Lobsters, and Blue Crabs. At the Estuary Exhibit, you’ll get a closer look at Diamondback Turtles. And be on the lookout for six new touch tanks to open soon. 
800 North New Hampshire Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo
While Turtleback Zoo is known mainly for its exotic wildlife (hello giraffes!), there’s a small section dedicated to sea life. Visit the indoor penguin exhibit, which resembles the South African coastline. In the World of Water section, you can observe river otters and interact with a stingray in the 1,600-gallon marine life touch tank with Cow-Nosed Stingrays, which your kids can gently touch with their fingers. You can also learn about sea turtle conservation at the Sea Turtle Recovery building. 
560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052

Jenkinson’s Aquarium
Steps away from the sand, this NJ aquarium is ideal to visit during a beach break or any time you head down to the shore (the aquarium is open year-round). Their marine exhibits educate the public on the importance of wildlife conservation and feature sandbar sharks, nursing sharks, coral reefs, penguins, and seals. Your kids can also check out the hands-on learning experiences with marine professionals—learn about Wally, the two-toed sloth, waddle alongside penguin friends, or take a behind-the-scenes tour and see the inner workings of the aquarium.
300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742

Liberty Science Center
We love Liberty Science Center for its IMAX films, Dino Digs, and Touch Tunnel, but did you know this world-class facility also features a year-round exhibit focused on the local Hudson River habitat? Littles can move water and sediments in an authentic replication of the Hudson River, come face-to-face with adorable turtles at child-height tanks, and even don white laboratory coats while conducting ecology experiments.
222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305

Marine Mammal Stranding Center Sea Life Museum
New Jersey’s only facility for marine mammal rescue has been saving aquatic lives for over 45 years. This haven for marine life has housed and treated many species, from bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles to sea lions and porpoises. Though it’s not an actual aquarium, the Sea Life Museum is open to the public through its educational visitor center, which has many artifacts and life-size replicas of marine mammals, sea turtles, and fish native to the Jersey shoreline. 
3625 Brigantine Boulevard, Brigantine, NJ 08203

NJ SEA LIFE Aquarium
Discover over 3,000 sea creatures at American Dream, including sharks, rays, jellies, and more. Kids will love to walk through an ocean tunnel, explore educational and interactive exhibits, and take a behind-the-scenes aquarium tour. And see how many NYC landmarks you can spot in the cityscape backdrop in their featured “City Under the Sea” exhibit.
1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073

The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Center
Fun fact: The facility houses NJ’s only state-owned and operated trout hatchery. Up to 700,000 trout are produced annually for stocking public waters at this location. You can take a self-guided hatchery tour from the nursery building and get a peek at the egg room and nursery area. There’s also an observation platform that overlooks the raceways and pools filled with trout.
605 Pequest Road, Oxford, NJ 07863