Mystic Aquarium, Mystic

Spent a great day here. We don't have kids and I was a little concerned it was going to be mostly kid-oriented but it was honestly probably more fun without kids. It's smaller than the Boston aquarium but you can easily spend a whole day here. I'd recommend eating elsewhere but other than that it was perfect. The gift shop is great and has a very cool selection of just about everything and isn't as overpriced as most gift shops tend to be. The staff was all very friendly and knowledgeable. Bring a camera if you have one, I got some very cool shots. We will be going back!

Before you go! Plan to go to the aquarium for at least two days. Each ticket is valid for the day of entry PLUS two more consecutive days. Some people complain that the ticket price isn't worth it, but that's because sometimes they come for half a day then rush to see the aquarium. If you're planning to go with small children, this is a fun place. There are sea lion shows, touch pools, and PENGUINS! My kids grew very fond of Juno, the Beluga whale. I forget the other two that swim with Juno, but you'll know them once your there. I'll say the food and snack prices are fair. Remember, this is an organization that's has to cover its bills, plus put towards animal conservation. As a visitor, you're helping towards the research as to how we can better help these animals continue to survive. As to where to stay, there a few hotels in the area. One well known chain is literally right across the street. If you have small kids, all you have to do is cross the street so you can put them for a nap. Overall, consider making this a weekend getaway type of trip. Rushing to see the entire aquarium in one day isn't going to do justice.

What bothered me most about this place is that they put PLASTIC zip ties and small PLASTIC beads on the arms of the penguins to identify them. This is supposed to be a place to educate and health and care of the animals. Plastic of any kind should not be put on an animal. Where have they been. The biggest thing to protect these animals is to not put plastic in their environment. The staff was rude. There is no sense to the layout of the aquarium. Very confusing and I missed many exhibits. The tanks seem very clean. The frogs were the best part. I think this place is good for small children only. It is very small and too expensive for the size.

The aquarium was nice but I was really disappointed after paying almost $100 to get in plus the hotel to stay overnight and the only touch tank open was the discovery lab which had a few shells (and 1 crab which might have well been a shells since I didn't see it move the whole time we were there). I could've easily scheduled us to come down another time to visit but there was no information about the status of the tanks on the website. Even the staff seemed unaware of what was going on since we were told that the touch tanks were open when I asked where they were. Even the guy at the shark tank told us how to touch the sharks and then right before we reached in suddenly said on no you can't touch them right now! I then asked someone if the sting rays would be open at all that day and she informed me they had to clean the tank and they always do that kind of maintenance in the spring, like I should've known better. I am very understanding that they need to clean the tanks and that the animals need to get used to a new display, but this wasn't made clear before we got there. I also feel the aquarium could've done a better job at scheduling so that at least the shark tank or the sting ray tank was open while the other one was closed. I would not call this a "HANDS ON" aquarium. I felt like they were happy to take my money but no one addressed that we had less of an experience than what was promised. My two kids that are very easy going were so disappointed they didn't even care to get a souvenir when we left.

I always love coming here. The price is a bit much though as you're there for less than an hour and you've already seen and done everything. None the less it's still fun. I loved petting the sting rays.