Via Aquarium has opened its doors to the public on Saturday, November 12, 2016, at 1pm and we were among the thousands of people who excitedly came to support it. I'm delighted that we have a new and unique attraction, that could be enjoyed by the whole family, and it's just 10 minutes away from our house! It's a welcome addition to all the fun and educational places to take the kids in Schenectady County, and the Capital Region of New York.
Via Aquarium is a wonderful place to engage our little learners. It's designed as a fun introduction to aquatic life. As you enter you will notice a seaplane, which will take you on a journey to see the different species of marine animals around the world. Bits of information are posted on signs which serve as a guide to guests as they explore. My curious child seems interested to hear the names of the species inside the tank, so we read the signs out loud together, looked at the image, and then played a game of 'I Spy' as we explored. Keep your eyes open for Seahorses, Moon Jelly, Clownfish or 'Nemo', Blue tang fish or 'Dory', Lionfish, Longhorn Cowfish, Octopus, and Bonnethead sharks!
Apart from the tanks, we also liked the light projection on the floor that showed a body of water with plastic bottles and some garbage mixed in with the fish. Here's a short clip of my child identifying and stepping on the ones that don't belong in the water. I thought this is a pretty cool way to engage the kids actively, and a perfect time to teach them about water pollution, how it impacts the lives of aquatic animals, and what we can do to help.
https://youtu.be/kS_NRKFpMQI
The Discovery Cove is another favorite and its where you can find hands-on interactive activities. There are several supervised touch pools which allow guests to touch and feel crabs, starfish, and stingray! Another popular station was the visual sandbox, with digital projections that kids are able to see earth formations, as they dig and pile up sand. I loved this spot and hoped that the sand station was bigger to accommodate more children at one time. Also at the Discovery Cove, there's a wall which I thought was not only an awesome spot for taking photos, but it also teaches a valuable lesson in measurement and perspective. Don't miss it!
Another Via Aquarium highlight is the walk-through tunnel tank, which gives you an amazing view of the various species of fish as they swim above your head. My family spent about 2 hours inside the aquarium and overall we all had a great time and we look forward to coming back!
Plan Your Visit
Location
Via Aquarium is located at Viaport Rotterdam. It is across Via Entertainment which is a 30,000 square foot family entertainment complex which features an Arcade with 55 games, Bowling Lanes with lights and sounds, Comedy Club, Restaurant, and Bar.
Open Hours
Mondays - Saturdays: 10AM to 9PM. Sunday: 11AM to 6PM. Closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Tickets
Tickets
Pay for admission plus appropriate taxes. Online ticketing will open soon. Children 3 & under are FREE. No tickets will be sold after 7:30 pm Monday- Saturday and after 4:30pm Sunday.
- Weekday rates: $16 Adults, $10 Children (4-17), $14 Seniors (62+), First Responders, and College Students (with Valid ID)
- Weekend rates: $19 Adults , $10 Children (4-17), $17 Seniors (62+), Firs Responders and College Students (With Valid College ID)
Macaroni Tips:
1. Set your budget before you go. It exits into the Gift Shop so decide beforehand your gift shop strategy and be sure to set expectations with your child.
2. Consider an annual pass especially if you're local. If you go to the aquarium and think you'll be returning, consider the annual pass option, which gives you unlimited visits during the course of the year.
3. Buy your tickets in advance. Online ticketing is still in the works but when it becomes available, it makes sense to buy tickets in advance.
4. Schedule your visit smartly. Via Aquarium is new so expect it to be crowded. Consider weekday or midweek visit, or early in the day and late nights.
5. Temper your expectations. If you're an aquarium enthusiast and have visited National and other more established aquariums, Via Aquarium may feel small. Since Via Aquarium is new, most of the aquatic animals are young and small. Encourage your child to bring a journal and take note of the sizes so they could compare the next time you visit.
6. Prepare your child what to expect. If your child is scared of the dark, make sure you tell him that the aquarium is dark and cool because it helps keep the fish healthy.
7. Supervise your child at all times. Have a conversation at home and be clear about instructions on how to behave in the Aquarium. No banging on tanks. At the Discovery Cove, remind them to touch gently and keep the creatures in the water.
8. Talk to the educators. Encourage your child to ask questions and interact with educators and aquarium staff to learn more.
9. Bring an extra set of clothing. This will come in handy in case your child gets wet from exploring the touch pools.
10. Enjoy and be ready to retreat if you feel that your child is overstimulated. Sometimes tanks over, under or all around might be overwhelming to a child.
Disclosure: Macaroni Kid Schenectady was provided with complimentary tickets for the purpose of this review. All opinions are solely that of the author.
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ENTER this week's subscriber Giveaway to WIN a pair of tickets to the must-see holiday show, Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents The Ghosts of Christmas Eve on November 27, 2016!
ENTER this week's subscriber Giveaway to WIN a pair of tickets to the must-see holiday show, Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents The Ghosts of Christmas Eve on November 27, 2016!
