1 / 2Mystic Aquarium
📍 Stonington, NY
Nonprofit aquarium in Mystic, CT featuring beluga whales, California sea lions, African penguins, and thousands of marine species. Sea lion shows run regularly and animal encounter programs are bookable in advance.
My visit to Mystic Aquarium was an amazing and memorable experience from start to finish. The exhibits are well organized, clean, and thoughtfully designed, making it easy to enjoy at a relaxed pace. One of the highlights was the sea lion show, which lasted about 30 minutes and was incredibly fun and engaging. The trainers were knowledgeable and entertaining, and the sea lions were energetic, smart, and a joy to watch. It felt educational without being boring, and both kids and adults around me were fully absorbed the entire time. Another unforgettable part of the visit was seeing the beluga whales. They are absolutely beautiful and mesmerizing, and watching them swim so gracefully was truly special. You can really tell the aquarium cares about the animals and their well-being. The staff throughout the aquarium were friendly, helpful, and passionate, which made the experience even better. Overall, Mystic Aquarium is a perfect place for families, couples, or anyone who loves marine life. I would happily visit again and highly recommend it to anyone coming to the Mystic area.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
A strong pick for families with kids of any age who want varied marine life and live animal performances in one visit. The beluga whale habitat and sea lion show are the standout draws — both are accessible to toddlers. Budget 90 minutes for a comfortable full visit.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →17,502 Google reviews
M M
2 months ago
“My visit to Mystic Aquarium was an amazing and memorable experience from start to finish. The exhibits are well organized, clean, and thoughtfully designed, making it easy to enjoy at a relaxed pace. One of the highlights was the sea lion show, which lasted about 30 minutes and was incredibly fun and engaging. The trainers were knowledgeable and entertaining, and the sea lions were energetic, smart, and a joy to watch. It felt educational without being boring, and both kids and adults around me were fully absorbed the entire time. Another unforgettable part of the visit was seeing the beluga whales. They are absolutely beautiful and mesmerizing, and watching them swim so gracefully was truly special. You can really tell the aquarium cares about the animals and their well-being. The staff throughout the aquarium were friendly, helpful, and passionate, which made the experience even better. Overall, Mystic Aquarium is a perfect place for families, couples, or anyone who loves marine life. I would happily visit again and highly recommend it to anyone coming to the Mystic area.”
Logan Allen
a month ago
“It is always a great experience when you visit Mystic Aquarium! From watching penguins, to catch a sea lion show, or watching the beluga whales play, there is always something fun to watch 😄 The price is very inexpensive for the experience. There are additional costs to do some activities (the Dino Seas exhibit, sea lion show, play with penguins) but there is plenty to keep you busy for the price of general admission.”
julie mae
a month ago
“We had so much fun here ! The beluga whales were super entertaining to watch when they were interacting with the staff. We learned a lot of new things at this aquarium ! The staff were so friendly and this one worker in particular was so beyond kind and so sweet (she took our picture and was later at the photo desk, dark hair a few blonde streaks with glasses). We will totally be back !”
Jeremy Klein
a month ago
“One of the more impressive aquariums I’ve been to. The Beluga whales were awesome! Also, the Sea Lion show was fun. Great for kids! You can do the whole thing in about an hour and a half.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Mystic Aquarium houses beluga whales, African penguins, California sea lions, and a wide range of fish and invertebrate exhibits across indoor and outdoor sections. The sea lion show runs roughly 30 minutes and draws strong crowds. The facility operates conservation and rescue programs as a nonprofit. Outdoor exhibits include amphibian and reptile habitats best visited in warmer months.