Adventure Aquarium

“If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.”

That sentiment, from science writer Loren Eisley, is emblazoned on a wall inside the Adventure Aquarium on the Camden waterfront. And the proof of it is all around.

With 15,000 amazing inhabitants—from tiny tree frogs to hippos as big as zeppelins—the aquarium is a magical place indeed, and an adventure for kids and their grownups, too.

I visited with friends on a weekday afternoon, thinking the place would be quiet. Wrong. The aquarium was wall-to-wall with school groups, couples, and families. But it was fun to be part of the throng because everyone was on the same journey.

Our first stop was Piranha Falls, a replica of the Amazon rainforest with tumbling waterfalls, intermittent showers, bright-colored macaws, and a pool of razor-toothed, red-bellied piranhas.

Then it was on to Little Blue Beach, home of New Zealand blue penguins. The little birds preened their slate-blue plumage, hopped nimbly in and out of the water, and almost seemed to perform for onlookers.

Next, we followed the crowd to Pirate’s Passage, which showcases tropical fish, seahorses, sea urchins, coral species, cute axolotls (those tiny salamanders that look like they’re smiling)—a collective reminder of the diversity of life on earth.

We saw anemones whose wavy fronds resembled Chihuly sculptures. We saw species of jellyfish that seemed to blossom like flowers as they bobbed through the water. In one meaningful exhibit, white ghost jellyfish moved in the current alongside plastic bags, to show why so many plastics end up in the bellies of undersea mammals.

Adventure Aquarium opened in 1992, and my children have been there many times. But this was my first visit, and I enjoyed a first-timer’s sense of discovery. I don’t think I was alone. Wherever I turned, visitors peered intently into blue aquarium tanks, often holding little ones up for a better view. Throughout our visit, I didn’t see anyone staring at a cell phone—and that alone is a testament to the fascination here.

Next, we stopped at the Ocean Realm, a 760,000-gallon saltwater environment and amphitheater with more than 400 aquatic animals, such as undulating stingrays and endangered loggerhead and green sea turtles. A young naturalist named Will regaled us with stories of the residents—his favorite: a great hammerhead shark named Anchor—and fielded questions from eager children. In case you’re interested, the little fish in this tank are in no danger of being lunch, as the big fish are fed well, three times a week, and don’t eat unless hungry.

The aquarium has the largest collection of sharks on the East Coast, so these predators are really the stars of the show. Adventure Aquarium’s 40-foot Shark Tunnel, which passes through the 550,000-gallon shark tank, almost makes you feel you’re swimming with these deep-water dwellers. You’ll also be dared to walk the Shark Bridge, a narrow rope-and-net contraption that hangs over the tank. I’m a well-known scaredy-cat and hesitated a moment before crossing. But it really wasn’t scary, and all the children seemed to love it.

The sharkiness continued at a touch tank full of bamboo sharks. The exhibit’s keeper informed us that these mild-mannered creatures, which grow to about three feet, actually enjoy human contact, and lay along the outer perimeter of the shallow pool, just waiting to be petted. Cuddly sharks! Who knew? At the stingray touch pool, you can hand-feed cownose and southern stingrays, which are also said to enjoy back rubs.

You don’t want to miss feeding time at Hippo Haven, home of two Nile hippos, Genny and Button. It’s hard to believe that these giants, weighing more than a ton each, dine mostly on greens. But for all their heft, the big girls are graceful and almost balletic underwater.

Getting hungry? Take your choice of the Marketplace restaurant, specializing in burgers, wraps, nachos, and Philly cheesesteaks; the Flying Fish Beer Garden, with foot-long hot dogs, barbecued pork or chicken sandwiches and craft beers; and a La Colombe coffee bar. If the weather permits, consider dining on the terrace. You’ll have great views of the Philadelphia skyline.

There’s a very nice gift shop, with plush toys, apparel, collectibles, toys, books, and even original art, “painted” by the venue’s family of African penguins.

Adventure Aquarium offers behind-the-scenes experiences, like snorkeling with sharks and rays and even “Shark in The Dark” overnight stays. It also hosts weddings, parties, corporate events, and concerts, some with fine dining.

Several times a year, mermaids make guest appearances, too. With names like Calliope, Nova, and River, they swim among the sea creatures in the Ocean Realm, pose for pictures on clamshell thrones, and meet guests on dry land. Check the website for upcoming events.

This is a thoughtful touch: to accommodate guests with sensory issues like autism, the aquarium features monthly Sensory Sundays. For an hour in the morning, before opening to the public, the music is muted, the crowds are limited, and the lights are low.

Adventure Aquarium more than lives up to its promise, providing “once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to explore life underwater through up-close animal encounters.” This is the kind of experience that makes learning fun.