We're Open!

The Maritime Aquarium is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• The hours of 10 – 11 a.m. on Mon - Thurs. are reserved for Aquarium members and their paid guests only (excluding holidays.)

The Aquarium is only closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. (Also please note that we close at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Eve.) 

Aquarium members are no longer required to reserve tickets in advance of their visit, although it is recommended. Click here to reserve your spot.

In order to manage our capacity in adherence with state guidelines, all other guests will be required to reserve a specific date and arrival time ahead of their visit here on our website. Walk-ups are no longer allowed. 

• Arrival times are listed in 30-minute increments, however, there is no time limit to your visit.
• Re-entry will only be allowed within the timed ticket period.

• All guests will enter and exit through designated doors at our temporary Main Entrance across from the parking garage.
  • Our IMAX and group entrances will remain closed until further notice.
• The queue to enter the Aquarium will be outdoors.
• Touchless entry will be in place when you arrive for your visit.
• A staff member will check the time slot listed on your reservation receipt. You may provide your receipt on your mobile device or a printed hard copy. There will be no exchange of items (i.e. tickets, maps membership cards).
• A hand sanitizing station will be available upon entry to the Aquarium, guests are encouraged to use this station prior to starting their visit.
• Building capacity will be set below the CDC, State of Connecticut, and City of Norwalk recommended guidelines.

All guests, members, employees, volunteers, and vendors must adhere to State of Connecticut regulations regarding social distancing and cloth face coverings.

• Anyone who enters the building, 2 years old and over, is required to wear a protective face covering upon entry and maintain coverage throughout their entire visit.
  • If you are wearing a face sheid, you must wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose underneath. 
  • People who are unable to wear masks due to medical reasons are exempt with proper documentation required by the State of Connecticut.
• All guests, members, employees, volunteers, and vendors are expected to monitor their own health and should stay home if they do not feel well, have come in contact with an individual who is positive for COVID-19 or simply have an elevated temperature.

The Maritime Aquarium reserves the right to deny access to our facility if a guest, member, employee or volunteer refuses to participate in these regulations at any time during their visit.

Signage will help assist guests throughout the Aquarium to recognize safe social distancing from other visitors in gathering areas such as lines for entry, as well as, viewing stations at popular exhibits.

• Guests are asked to travel through the Aquarium in a one-way pattern to maintain constant one-directional flow throughout the facility.
• Guests are encouraged to be cognizant of other visitors by maintaining a safe social distance and allow others to experience exhibit areas in a timely fashion.
• Outside of touch tanks and experiences, guests are asked to touch as little as possible during their visit for their own safety.

Similar procedures are in place at the restrooms, Gift Shop and Cascade Cafe.

Touch tanks are open at this time.

• Space for touch experiences is limited in order to maintain social distancing in these areas. There are dedicated spaces for guests to enjoy these exhibits on a rotating basis.
• All guests are expected to utilize our hand washing stations before and after any touch experience.
• Volunteer or staff members assigned to a touch tank will maintain a 6-foot distance between themselves and any guest.

All touchscreen experiences, including the Sketch and Release digital wall, are unavailable until further notice.

Restrooms and the nursing area are open to the public.

• Soap dispensers and faucets are equipped with a touchless sensor start.
  • Hand dryers are disabled due to recommendations from the C.D.C.
• Only every other sink is open and the number of stalls/urinals open is being monitored to allow for appropriate social distancing.
• Restrooms are cleaned frequently using the recommended guidelines from the C.D.C.

Although an elevator is not required during your visit, they are available to guests and employees.

• Only one individual or one family/group at a time.
• Elevators are considered a high touch area that are cleaned frequently.

Our remodeled Gift Shop is open daily from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Following all State of Connecticut regulations for retail shops.
• Social distancing measures are enforced throughout the Gift Shop guidelines.
• Contactless payment options are available.

The Cascade Café is open for grab and go only from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday & Sunday.

• Prepackaged and made to order food is available.
• Self-serve drink stations are closed until further notice. Bottled and canned beverages are available for sale. Coffee will be made to order by the café attendant.
• Condiments and cutlery will be provided on request by the café attendant

Until further notice, only high value lost items will be held for reclaim. If you have lost one of these items during your visit please notify a team member.

These items include the following:

• Jewelry
• Cell Phones
• Cameras
• iPad
• Wallets