During its annual “Salute Norwalk Days,” the popular family attraction thanks Norwalkers for their support by offering free admission to city residents. Proof of residency is required.
Admission – which includes one of four spectacular 40-minute IMAX movies – regularly is $22.95 for adults, $20.95 for youths (13-17) and seniors (65+), and $15.95 for children (3-12). Thus, free admission for a family of four is a $77.80 value.
In addition to free admission on Dec. 2, Norwalk residents will receive 10 percent discounts in the Aquarium Gift Shop.
Visits to The Maritime Aquarium bring families closer as they get close to some 300 species of marine animals, including sand tiger sharks, harbor seals, river otters, sea turtles, octopuses and sea horses – all native to Long Island Sound, its watershed and the oceans beyond. New to The Maritime Aquarium this fall is “Journey With Jellies,” an expanded display of local and exotic jellyfish, and the “Sea Turtle Nursery” featuring an adorable 2-month- old loggerhead sea turtle.
“Salute Norwalk Day” also helps Norwalk’s citizenry take pride in their hometown IMAX movie theater, whose six-story screen is the largest in Connecticut. On Dec. 2, choose between “Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Secret Ocean” at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., “Dream Big” at noon and 4 p.m., “Beavers" at 1 p.m. and “Amazon Adventure” at 3 p.m.
In addition to welcoming Norwalk residents on Dec. 2, the Aquarium also will be hosting Santa Claus. Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Santa will be aboard a festive fishing boat to greet children, accept wish lists and pose for photos. From noon to 12:45 p.m., Santa will take a break from the Fishing Village to become “Shark-Diving Santa,” joining the Aquarium scuba team to swim among the sharks in the “Ocean Beyond the Sound” exhibit at 12:15 p.m.
“Santa in the Fishing Village” also will be offered, with paid admission, Dec. 3, 9-10 and 16-17. “Shark-Diving Santa” is offered, with paid admission, on most Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays in December at 12:15 and 2:15 p.m.
“Salute Norwalk Day” is just one of many contributions The Maritime Aquarium makes to Norwalk and its citizens. The Aquarium offers dozens of educational programs and other marine- science opportunities that supplement the education of Norwalk's students, sometimes at no cost to the schools. And the Aquarium and its 475,000 visitors inject more than $20 million annually into Norwalk's economy.
For more information about Maritime Aquarium offerings this holiday season, call (203) 852-0700 or go online to www.maritimeaquarium.org.
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