At the Newport Aquarium more than 7,000 aquatic creatures from every continent live in more than one million gallons (nearly four million litres) of water. Experience the sensation of being surrounded by deep-sea creatures and river fish as you wander through the long tunnels of one of the most visited aquariums in the Midwest. Go to Shark Central to touch ocean predators. Learn about other dangerous and deadly fish, or gaze at bizarre and beautiful species.
The Newport Aquarium has been a favourite for locals and visitors since it opened in 1999. The displays are great for families with small children as they are somewhat limited. You can easily browse the entire aquarium in about two hours.
Immerse yourself in a world of water and encounter creatures from all over the globe. Walk through tunnels where you may find yourself surrounded by sharks. See-through floors show shoals of colourful reef fish under your feet. Meet Sweet Pea and Scooter, the local stars of the worlds’ first endangered shark ray breeding programme.
Embrace your fear and touch the perfectly safe sharks in Shark Central. Visit the mesmerizing Jellyfish Gallery, where you’ll see the poisonous lionfish and stonefish. Gator Alley has more dangerous creatures, including many types of crocodiles. Far less frightening are the tiny seahorses and turtles in the ocean displays.
Every day, 15 minutes after opening, one lucky child is chosen to be the Grand Marshall and lead the daily Penguin Parade. Anyone can go backstage at the Coral Reef Tank, Giant Shark Tank and Amazon River Tank for an extra fee.
The Newport Aquarium is part of Newport on the Levee entertainment centre, a 10-minute drive from downtown Cincinnati, crossing the Dan C. Beard Bridge over the Ohio River. The TANK shuttle bus from downtown Cincinnati stops near the complex. If you are driving here on a weekend, consider visiting in the afternoon or at night as the paid car park fills up quickly in the mornings.
The aquarium, café and gift shop are open daily. Opening hours are seasonal, so check the website for exact times.
The aquarium can get very crowded. During peak hours, there’s sometimes a “timed-ticket policy,” with entry times booked in advance online. If you haven’t booked a set entry time, you may be asked to come back later.
