Waco
Nebraska
The Maritime Aquarium
Mission:
The Maritime Aquarium inspires people of all ages to appreciate Long Island Sound and protect it for future generations. A vibrant and entertaining learning environment, the Maritime Aquarium achieves this goal through living exhibits, marine science, and environmental education.
A Brief History of The Maritime Aquarium
In the mid-1970s, the city of Norwalk under the direction of then-Mayor William Collins undertook the South Norwalk Revitalization Project. The goal of this program was to preserve the historic architecture of South Norwalk, affectionately dubbed SoNo, and revitalize the neighborhood. The Washington Street National Historic District was established, and 32 buildings were placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
However, it would take more than old buildings to turn SoNo around. Plans were drawn for a major attraction that would bring people and tourism dollars into SoNo. The City of Norwalk and its Redevelopment Agency, along with The Oceanic Society, the Norwalk Seaport Association, and the Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk made a major commitment to developing the new maritime center, complete with an aquarium featuring live animals from Long Island Sound, an IMAX theatre with an eight stories wide and six stories high screen, and a boat collection.
In 1986, ground-breaking ceremonies took place on the site of a former 1860s iron works factory, an abandoned brick building on the SoNo waterfront. What was then called The Maritime Center at Norwalk opened on July 16, 1988.
In July 1996, The Maritime Center at Norwalk changed its name to The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk to better identify itself to the public and underscore the increasing importance of the live animal exhibits.
According to a March 2003 Economic Impact Study, the Aquarium's annual economic impact on Norwalk is $20.3 million. Statewide, the Aquarium's economic impact is $41.8 million. (The dollar figures include visitor spending, jobs in the Aquarium, jobs created outside the Aquarium by its tourist trade, taxes paid by visitors and employees, and other spending.) And as the Aquarium grows, so does our positive impact on the community.
The Maritime Aquarium has been at the center of a major turnaround in South Norwalk. SoNo now bustles by day with unique shops, boutiques, coffee shops, and delis, and by night with nightclubs, acclaimed restaurants, and cinemas.
Annual attendance now averages over 500,000 visitors, making it one of the largest attractions in Connecticut (and the largest in Connecticut within 100 miles of New York City). Among the Aquarium's visitors are more than 150,000 schoolchildren on field trips, many of whom participate in marine-science programs offered by an active Education Department.
To support the growing number of visitors and educational programs, The Maritime Aquarium completed its first major expansion project. Opened in April 2001, the new $9.5 million Environmental Education Center (funded through corporate, private, and state contributions) boasts new classrooms and high-tech educational equipment, plus a new main entrance, larger gift shop and 180-seat food-service area. The move from the old gift shop also allowed for the addition of loggerhead sea turtles to the Aquarium's growing animal collection.
In 2005 The Maritime Aquarium adopted a new mission statement which rededicated the Aquarium to inspiring its visitors to preserve and protect Long Island Sound and its inhabitants. To that end, the Aquarum is currently engaged in an extensive master planning process which will lead to expansion in its exhibits and programs and an even sharper focus on the conservation of Long Island Sound and all the world's oceans.
Recent News
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk Weekly Update - August 28, 2025
This Labor Day Weekend is Your Last Chance to Meet Lorikeets! Our summer exhibit - Meet Lorikeets - closes this Monday, September 1. Don't miss your chance to observe the birds in our tented aviary or feed them from small cups of nectar. The…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk Weekly Update - August 21, 2025
Don't Miss Out ... Meet Lorikeets is Open Through Labor Day! Time is running out to stop by our special summer exhibit - Meet Lorikeets - to observe the birds in our tented aviary or feed them from small cups of nectar. The lorikeets have free…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk Weekly Update - August 14, 2025
Join Us for a Cruise Before Summer Ends Take in the sights of Long Island Sound aboard our new research vessel - R/V Sound Explorer - to learn about nature, wildlife and conservation. Marine Life Encounter Cruises | Daily, Wednesday - Sunday…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium Weekly News: May 31, 2025
Join Us for a Cruise on Our New Research Vessel This Summer! We are thrilled to officially launch our new research vessel, R/V Sound Explorer, just in time for summer! Beginning on June 25, join us to learn about nature, wildlife and conservation…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk Weekly Update - May 22, 2025
Meet Animals From Around the World This Holiday Weekend Stop by Pinniped Cove to say hello to grey seal Mikey - the first of his species to call the Aquarium home! Experience the salt marshes of Long Island Sound in our bilingual exhibit, Life…
Read More »Girl Scout Day 2025
Girl Scout Day at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk offers admission discounts, educational opportunities, and programs that help fulfill badge requirements! Register online or by calling our Reservations Department at 203.852.0700 ext. 2206,…
Read More »Animal Behavior Lab 2025
Join us at The Maritime Aquarium for an introduction to animal behavior and learn why enrichment is so important to our animals in human care! Guests will have hands-on experience designing and creating enrichment items for our most popular animals…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk News - January 16, 2025
Welcome to the Aquarium, Mikey! We are thrilled to welcome a grey seal named Mikey to the Aquarium! Mikey is the first grey seal to live in the Aquarium and will reside in Pinniped Cove with harbor seals Rasal, Leila, Feisty, Gracie, and Sono.…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk News - January 2, 2025
Have You Met Jeffrey Our New Linné’s Two-Toed Sloth Yet? Linné’s two-toed sloths are native to the forests of Central and South America, spending most of their time up in the trees. Jeffrey can be found on the second…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk News - October 31, 2024
Get Your Tickets for “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D!” Now Playing in Our 4D Theater During this film, Rudolph sets off on a series of adventures, meets new friends Hermey the Elf and Yukon Cornelius along the way, and escapes…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk News - September 19, 2024
Our Special Travel Back in Maritime Exhibit Has Been Extended! Our Travel Back in Maritime exhibit highlights descendants of ancient species that can still be found swimming in Long Island Sound and underwater giants that went extinct with the…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk News - August 22, 2024
Have You Explored Our Summer Exhibit Yet? Our Travel Back in Maritime exhibit highlights descendants of ancient species that can still be found swimming in Long Island Sound and underwater giants that went extinct with the dinosaurs. As you…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk News - May 17, 2024
Get Your Tickets for “Turtle Odyssey 4D” Swim with Bunji, an Australian green sea turtle, as she navigates the dangers of life at sea, growing into a thriving adult along the way. Viewers will feel like they are swimming alongside her…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk News - April 25, 2024
The Whole Family Can Get Involved in The City Nature Challenge This Weekend Take Part in The City Nature Challenge This Weekend April 26 – 29, 2024 Live in Fairfield or Westchester Counties? Join us in making observations of…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk News - April 11, 2024
Unlock Your Superpowers in “DC League of Super-Pets: 4D Experience” Join Krypto and the Super-Pets as they master their powers and save the Justice League from Lex Luthor and his villainous guinea pig, Lulu. Viewers will feel like…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk News - March 21, 2024
Don't Miss Sono's First Birthday Seal-a-bration We are hosting a seal-a-bration you won't want to miss in recognition of our harbor seal pup Sono’s first birthday! Stop by the Aquarium April 5 - 7 to make a birthday hat craft, get…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk News - March 14, 2024
Calling all Scouts! Girl Scout Day Girl Scouts are invited to join us on Saturday, March 23 for admission discounts and programs that help fulfill badge requirements. Click Here to Register B.S.A. Scout Day Boy Scouts can…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium News - January 25, 2024
Register for Summer Camp by February 29 to SAVE BIG! Attention all young scientists and conservationists! Dive in and explore the fantastic ocean of wonder at our summer camp. Our summer program integrates science with art and literature to…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium News - January 18, 2024
Get Up Close to Some of Your Favorite Animals Our Journey with Jellies exhibit pulses with some of the most strangely beautiful animals in the ocean! Trace a path from desert to rain forest – and meet animals from those environments…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium News - January 11, 2024
Calling All Early Birds! Save When You Register for Camp Attention all young scientists and conservationists! Dive in and explore the fantastic ocean of wonder at our summer camp. Our summer program integrates science with art and literature…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium News - January 4, 2024
Introducing An Aquarium Without Walls We’re excited to share that we’re starting the new year with a new strategic plan! Over the next 10 years, An Aquarium Without Walls will put the intrinsic connection between humanity and…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium News - December 22, 2023
Help Support Our Vital Conservation Efforts Sea turtles have been on Earth for more than 100 million years. However, their populations are rapidly declining due to a variety of factors, such as habitat loss and pollution. That’s why we…
Read More »The Maritime Aquarium News - December 1, 2023
An annual membership to The Maritime Aquarium is a gift that your loved ones can enjoy all year long! Members enjoy unlimited admission for one year, discounted 4D Theater tickets, discounted tickets for guests, special members-only events –…
Read More »