A Day at the Newport Aquarium with Kids

Long on our list of must see things around the Cincinnati area is the Newport Aquarium, located on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River/downtown Cincinnati area. So when we had some extra time on our hand this past visit, we were excited to finally get to plan a visit.

It is quite amazing to me how far aquariums have come today compared to those constructed within the past couple of decades. The Newport Aquarium presented beautiful, modern aquariums presenting a glorified reality of where the fish are from in their natural environment.

We were pleasantly surprised to see the tank representing Hanauma Bay, Hawaii. On a side note, you want to know one of the biggest rewards I have experienced from taking my family to Hawaii this past summer? I have been most impressed with just how much of an impact Hawaii had on Mrs. InACents. She really, REALLY loved it, so much so that she is already talking about not if, but when we live there someday. My heart smiles!

The Newport Aquarium helps rescue loggerhead sea turtles and then releases them back into the wild. The picture of the little one above is in her last weeks at the aquarium before being sent back out into the ocean.

Scheduled throughout the day were talks with the tank divers. A spokesperson/handler, as well as a couple of safety personal, were in the water of the main shark tank talking about the several species of sharks and other animals on display.

The Newport Aquarium is the only facility in the Western Hemisphere to house the Shark Rays seen swimming in the photo.

Want to feel like bait? Walk through the alligator exhibit, and over the glass bridge, as the cute little reptiles glide through the water below you. Just don’t slip, as you will be leaving like Captain Hook. Mighty Mike did not get 800 pounds on caviar and chicken dreams.

One of my favorite aspects of the Newport Aquarium was how well they directed the audience through the exhibits, constantly drawing you forward. Everything was very well organized, all by design.

There were several tunnels throughout the entire aquarium where guests were surrounded by the tanks. Even more impressive was in the shark tank, not only being surrounded by the tank on the sides and top, but also because you walked over clear bottom tanks, capable of seeing the sharks and fish swim beneath you.

The Newport Aquarium did an excellent job of immersing guests not only visual, but also with several touch tanks throughout. Getting to touch sharks in the “Shark Central” tank was a cool experience; however, Bug kind of freaked out when I tried getting his hand close enough to touch.

Perhaps one of the more surprising aspects of the aquarium was seeing the abundance of other animals they had on exhibit. In addition to sections dedicated to reptiles and amphibians, there was a special rainforest area, where guests could feed the lorikeets. There was also a substantial penguin exhibit, where 4 different species were on display.

The difference between what makes a good attraction and one that is only mediocre is always in the details. While some of them may be “cheesy” and probably overlooked by the masses, how could one not be impressed with the gorgeous jellyfish lighting, or the giant, breaching whale in the lobby?

The final stop was getting to view the main tank from above. It was moments like this that really give you an appreciation for just how large the loggerhead sea turtle and sharks really are compared to the distorted underwater view.

I had no qualms about dropping $55 to visit the Newport Aquarium because I knew the facility was more than worth the money. On the other hand, our family has still never been to the Cleveland Aquarium, and we really have no interest in visiting due in part to the poor planning, design, and high cost.

Why would I possibly want to drop almost $60 to visit the Cleveland Aquarium that only takes about an hour to visit, when I can spend less money and take 2.5+ hours to visit the Newport Aquarium? I understand aquariums cost a lot of money to construct and maintain, thus the higher price to attend than some other attractions. However, you need to give the customer some value for their money. Newport Aquarium does that, I presume Cleveland does not by the lack of stellar reviews.

The Newport Aquarium was “named the No. 1 aquarium in the 2012 Readers’ Choice Travel Awards from 10Best.com; the Best Rainy Day Outing in 2006 in Cincinnati Family Magazine; and the Best Aquarium in the Midwest in the Zagat Survey’s U.S. Family Travel Guide in 2004.” Sadly, the Cleveland Aquarium has not won any honorable mentions.

I also like that the Newport Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums; something, again the Cleveland Aquarium is not a part of, which I believe is a major flaw.

Spend your money where the value is people; there are lessons here to be learned.

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