Adventure Aquarium
Walk over the sharks, then meet the hippos
⏱ 3 hours👤 All ages$$
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Skip the line · mobile tickets accepted at the door
What separates Adventure Aquarium from a generic city aquarium is the way it stages the sharks. The Shark Bridge is a genuine thrill for kids and a mild test of nerve for adults — the planks flex, the water is right below, and the sharks pass underneath. The tunnel then flips the perspective. Together they make this the strongest shark experience in the Northeast corridor, which is why it earns a place on a sharks-focused itinerary.
The hippos are the second reason to come. Watching an animal that heavy move lightly underwater is unforgettable, and the hippo pool's underwater window is one of the most photographed spots in the building. Penguin Park and the touch pools round out the day for younger visitors, and the aquarium runs seasonal events and encounters that are worth checking before you buy.
Practicals: buy general admission online ahead of time and check the hours calendar, which varies by season. The aquarium is a short drive or rideshare across the Ben Franklin Bridge from Center City, and a seasonal river ferry links Penn's Landing with the Camden waterfront. Plan three hours. The Battleship New Jersey museum ship is moored a short walk along the Camden waterfront, a natural second stop for older kids. Pair it with Philadelphia's historic district, or with the New York Aquarium and Baltimore's National Aquarium for an I-95 run.
What to Expect
Format
A large, family-focused aquarium on the Camden waterfront — the V-shaped Shark Bridge over the main shark tank, a walk-through shark tunnel, Nile hippos with underwater viewing, penguins, ray and invertebrate touch pools.
Best Time
Weekday afternoons once school groups thin out, or opening time on weekends. Check the hours calendar, which changes by season.
Duration
About three hours with feedings and the touch pools.
Tips
Do the Shark Bridge early before lines form. Time a visit to Hippo Haven for activity. Buy tickets online and look at combo offers before you go.
⚡ Quick Picks
Best For
The best shark experience between Boston and Baltimore.
Families
Ideal — bridge, tunnel, hippos, penguins and three touch areas.
Couples
Fun rather than romantic; pair it with dinner across the river in Old City.
Pair With
New York Aquarium and National Aquarium for a Northeast aquarium road trip.
Time Needed
Half a day.
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Get Tickets →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Adventure Aquarium?
On the Camden, New Jersey, waterfront, directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia's Penn's Landing — a short drive over the Ben Franklin Bridge or a seasonal ferry ride on the RiverLink ferry. Parking is in paid lots and garages around the waterfront, so the ferry is the relaxed option in summer.
What is the Shark Bridge?
A V-shaped rope bridge suspended just above the main shark tank, which the aquarium describes as the longest of its kind in the world. You walk across while sharks swim below.
Are there really hippos?
Yes — Hippo Haven houses Nile hippos with an underwater viewing window, an unusual exhibit for an aquarium.
How long does a visit take?
Around three hours for most families, longer if you add encounters or linger at the touch pools.
Should I buy tickets in advance?
Yes — online purchase is the norm, and weekends, school breaks and holidays are busy.
More Aquarium Attractions
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New York Aquarium
The city's aquarium on the Coney Island boardwalk — founded in 1896, rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy around Ocean Wonders: Sharks!, with sea otters, sea lions and penguins on the open-air Sea Cliffs and the Atlantic a few steps away.
National Aquarium
Baltimore's glass-pyramid icon — the Inner Harbor landmark that ascends through a dripping tropical rainforest to ring-shaped shark and ray tanks, with an Australian river gorge, dolphins, and the best one-way flow design in the field.
Newport Aquarium
Cincinnati's aquarium across the Ohio River — walk the 75-foot Shark Bridge over a 385,000-gallon shark tank, touch a shark, and finish with Penguin Palooza on the Newport levee.