The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk in Connecticut continues with a full program as we enter spring and the Connecticut school vacation week.

The Aquarium that focuses on Long Island Sound supplements the special exhibits we discussed in our last post – see February 2009 Events at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk post here.

Here’s a quick rundown of what you can see when you visit in April 2009:

BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR:

On Saturday April 4^th the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk opens its backstage spaces for a rare behind-the-scenes tour. Scheduled before the Aquarium opens, from 8:30 to 10 a.m., the guided tour offers unique opportunities to walk through workings most visitors can only glimpse through windows.

First, an aquarist helps a few lucky patrons hand-feed the rays. The unusual underwater slurping sound and strong suction felt as a ray takes its breakfast from your hand is a truly special experience. Next, visit the “fish kitchen” where 18 tons of fish a year is prepared for the Aquarium’s 2,000 animals. Then get a bird’s-eye view of the 110,000-gallon Open Ocean tank, just above where the dorsal fins of 8-foot sand tiger sharks cut through the water.

Participants must be at least 10 years old; anyone under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Price is $30 ($20 for Aquarium members) and includes Aquarium admission. Walk-ups are welcome, but the tour is limited to 25 people, so reservations are strongly recommended. Call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.

MARITIME LIFE STUDY CRUISES:

Cruise out for close encounters with crabs, fish, lobsters and always a few surprises when you come aboard the research vessel Oceanic for The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s new season of Marine Life Study Cruises.

These exciting outings reveal what is, to many, a surprising and amazing diversity of marine life just off our shores in Long Island Sound.  Aquarium educators onboard put participants to work in collecting and examining animals from all levels of the water column:  tiny wriggly plankton gathered at the surface (and viewed with a video microscope), little crabs and worms grabbed from the muddy bottom, and an always-unique variety of fish, crabs, lobsters and surprises brought up in the Oceanic’s trawl net.

Starting April 25, Marine Life Study Cruises will occur at 1 p.m. on weekends through June 28.  They’ll run daily in July & August.  (For the full schedule, go online to the aquarium cruise schedule)

Weekday chartered cruises are available for school groups. Tickets for a Marine Life Study Cruise are $20.50 or $18 for Aquarium members. Maritime Aquarium Study Cruises are good for ages 8 and older.  Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Space on the research vessel Oceanic is limited so advance reservations are strongly recommended.  Walk-up tickets will be sold, space permitting. The cruises depart from the dock outside the Aquarium’s IMAX movie theater.

SPRING VACATION ADVENTURES FOR GRADES 1-4:

Sign up for April 13-17 special spring vacation adventures for grades 1-4 at the Maritime Aquarium. Children can make quick acquaintances with The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s adorable new African penguins, as well as the river otters, crabs and other live marine creatures, in special programs during the upcoming school vacation April 13-17.

The Maritime Aquarium’s “Spring Vacation Adventures” invite young students to explore a different topic involving our watery world each day of the school break.  Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Taking into account parents’ busy schedules, the Aquarium is offering pre-care from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and extended care from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. each day as well.

Sign up for one, some or all five days.  Each will be full of animal encounters, age-appropriate crafts and hands-on activities and experiments that make learning fun.

The daily schedule and topics are:

Monday, April 13 – “Sounds Fishy!” Focus on the differences and similarities between species of fish, including sharks and rays.

Tuesday, April 14 – “Creepy Crawlies!” Go buggy as you meet live crabs and insects, with special guests brought by Animal Embassy.

Wednesday, April 15 – “Land & Water Wildlife!” Learn all about the Aquarium’s newest special residents: the stars of the “Frogs!” and “African Penguins” exhibits.

Thursday, April 16 – “Otterly Awesome!” Meet the Aquarium’s river otters, as you learn all about otters (as well as seals) and their care.

Friday, April 17 – “Celebrate Earth Day!” Examine the importance of water on Earth and how it sustains all life. Plus, experiment with solar- and hydrogen-powered model cars.

Cost of the “Spring Vacation Adventures” program is $80 per day or $380 for the full week. Pre-care is $15 additional per day or $65 per week. Extended-care is $30 per day or $130 per week. The children should bring a bag lunch and an appetite for adventure. Space is limited and advance registration is required.  For reservations or more details, call (203) 852-0700 ext. 2206.

IN THE IMAX MOVIE THEATER:

The IMAX theatre has a full program planned as well and includes movies about the Grand Canyon, the South African ocean, and basketball great Michael Jordan. Admission price is separate from aquarium admission to exhibits.

“Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk” with Shows at 11 a.m. and 1 & 3 p.m. daily with a bonus 4 p.m. show Sat. & Sun. takes viewers on an exhilarating river journey that calls attention to global freshwater issues.

“Wild Ocean: Where Africa Meets the Sea” with shows at noon daily, captures what may be the world’s largest feeding frenzy for the world’s largest screens in this new IMAX^® documentary film.

In “Michael Jordan to the MAX” basketball legend Michael Jordan is seen as a player who was distinguished by more than his gravity-defying magnificence. It was also his work ethic, an indomitable will to win and, most importantly, class and dignity both on and off the court – shows at 2:00pm daily.

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

Visitors to the aquarium this month can also take the 3-D simulator film-ride “Secrets of the Lost Temple” – a roller coaster-like rode through caverns, underwater rivers and ancient passages. Ride tickets are $5.50 and you have to be 36 inches tall to board.

Visit the Toy Boat-making Workshop every Saturday and Sunday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for a fun 20-minute boat-building project.  Build and decorate a toy sailboat to take home as a special keepsake of your visit.  Cost: $5 per child (plus Aquarium admission).

Further information on any of these exhibits and activities can be found at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk official web site at http://www.MaritimeAquarium.org

For lots more ideas on things to see and do, and places to stay in Norwalk region check out my special Southwest Connecticut vacation guide here.

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS Feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below:

Related posts:

1. August 2009 at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Connecticut
2. February 2009 Events at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Connecticut
3. Jack-O’Lantern Spectacular moves to Norwalk, Connecticut for 2008
4. New England Aquarium – Big Fish and Big Film
5. Mystic Aquarium – An Underwater Adventure