The Maritime Museum at Norwalk inspires people of all ages to appreciate and protect the Long Island Sound ecosystem and the global environment through living exhibits, marine science and environmental education. The aquarium is home to over 7,000 animals of hundreds of species including seals, sharks, rays, jellies, turtles and meerkats. Additionally, it offers sensory-enhanced 4D movies, in-person and virtual education programs for schools and families, and public cruises aboard its hybrid-electric research vessel.
THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
Love birds? Get involved in the Great Backyard Bird Count, an annual community science initiative! From Friday, Feb. 17, through Monday, Feb. 20, scientists need your help to make observations about birds so that they can better understand global populations and migration patterns.
The Maritime Aquarium is celebrating the count with engaging activities including making a bird feeder out of an ice cream cone, a bird-themed scavenger hunt throughout the aquarium, and games to test your knowledge! For more information, visit www.maritimeaquarium.org.
SEAL-SPOTTING AND BIRDING CRUISES
Grab your binoculars! The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is holding a Seal-Spotting and Birding Cruise on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. Aquarium educators will identify species including harbor seals, gray seals, buffleheads, mergansers, long-tailed ducks, and red-throated loons, for guests on these two hour cruises and discuss their natural histories.
Seal-Spotting and Birding Cruises will run through April 2 – dates and departure times vary by low tide. Reservations are strongly recommended as space is limited to 40 guests. Tickets are $36 per person, or $32 per person for aquarium members. Passengers must be at least 42 inches tall, and those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
To reserve tickets, see the full cruise schedule or learn more, call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206 or visit www.maritimeaquarium.org.
4D THEATER MOVIES
Two multisensory film experiences each hour. A visit to The Maritime Aquarium goes to another dimension – literally – in the 4D movie theater. These cinematic experiences send the action visually spilling off the two-story screen and over the audience, combined such thrill-enhancing sensory special effects including bubbles, snow, wind, mists, scents and more.
HAPPY FEET 4D EXPERIENCE
Put on your dancing shoes and boogie with Mumble in Happy Feet 4D Experience. Journey to Antarctica to meet a lively colony of Emperor Penguins faced with a diminishing food supply.
Mumble sets out on an adventure to appeal to the better nature of humans and tries to reason with them to stop stealing the fish. Using courage and bravery, the banished Mumble soon realizes that his toe-tapping talent isn’t a burden, but a gift to be treasured—and his dancing feet may ultimately save his endangered colony! Featured in digital 3D and brought to life with 4D multi- sensory effects, this is a 13 minute immersive experience for the whole family to enjoy.
BBC EARTH’S OCTOPUS: BLUE PLANET II 4D EXPERIENCE
Inspired by the critically-acclaimed BBC series, Blue Planet II, this special effects experience takes you beneath the surface to explore dynamic oceanic landscapes and one of the most captivating creatures that dwells there: the octopus. Discover how this eight-tentacle wonder masters physical and mental strengths to outwit and escape its underwater rivals in this 12 minute film.
AQUARIUM HOURS:
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.
ADMISSION PRICES:
Aquarium only: $29.95 adults; $25.95 seniors (65+); $20.95 children (3-12). Add a 4D movie:
$7 per person ($6 for members).
For more information, visit www.maritimeaquarium.org.
