ENJOY A
‘SEAHORSE’ SUMMER AT
THE MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In its silver
anniversary year the aquarium unveils a big
secret
A brand new special exhibition, “The Secret Lives of
Seahorses,” awaits summer visitors to the Monterey Bay
Aquarium. In addition, extended weekend hours, the return of
the popular “Aquarium Adventures” programs, a World Ocean Day
Celebration and a last chance to visit the captivating “Wild
About Otters” special exhibition makes the nation’s No. 1
family aquarium a hot spot this summer. One such program, Aquarium Adventures, takes visitors
deeper into Monterey Bay this summer. Visitors can go
behind-the-scenes with aquarium experts, take part in a
sailing excursion aboard a 65-foot research vessel, put their
kids in SCUBA gear for a diver’s-eye view of marine life, feed
an abalone or a sea urchin, scoop plankton from the bay using
the same tools as scientists, and discover where “Doc”
Ricketts set up his laboratory on Cannery Row. For a full
lineup of Aquarium Adventures program details and previews
visit www.montereybayaquarium.org/adventures. The new Aquarium Adventure in
2009 lets guests attend a “Family Seashore Sleepover” on four
summer nights: Friday, June 12, Saturday, July 11, Saturday,
Aug 29 and Friday, September 18. Aquarium fans
can sleep under their favorite exhibits and experience the
aquarium after hours. Special presentations, feeding
opportunities, a midnight snack and continental breakfast are
all part of this exclusive evening. Space is limited, so
interested visitors will need to book early. While at the aquarium, don’t miss the opportunity to get up
close and personal with one of the most spectacular oceanic
seabirds, a Laysan albatross. Visitors can meet Makana, the
only Laysan albatross in any zoo or aquarium in the world,
during her 15- minute program in front of the Kelp Forest
exhibit. The daily program highlights the global threats
albatross face from plastics pollution and what each of us can
do to make a difference. Elsewhere, the award-winning “Splash Zone: Ocean Homes”
family exhibit continues to enchant visitors and to build
magical and lasting connections with the ocean for children of
all ages. The expanded Enchanted Kelp Forest, Coral Reef
Kingdom and Rugged Rocky Shore galleries that opened in 2008
are home to visitor favorites like a colony of blackfooted
penguins, a den of moray eels and water play areas. With
double the space for families, visitors can now journey
through an enchanting underwater forest, stroll beneath a
sunlit kelp canopy, delight in the wonders of pot-bellied
seahorses and pharaoh cuttlefish, pop up next to penguins and
much more. New behind-the-scenes tours also continue in 2009, giving
visitors the opportunity to learn other secrets about the
aquarium. Find out what it takes to care for animals and
exhibits at the aquarium on a dynamic, guided 50- minute tour,
which are offered several times a day for $12 per person for
the general public and $10 per person for members. An expert
guide, state-of-the-art headset technology and explorations
that take you to where the day’s action is most intriguing,
make this a must-see addition for repeat as well as first-time
aquarium visitors. General admission tickets, as well as behind-the-scenes
tickets, are now available online at www.montereybayaquarium.org.
There’s no service charge to print tickets at home or pick
them up upon arrival, and just a small fee to receive tickets
by mail. Either way, advance tickets are a great way to avoid
ticket lines on busy days. This summer is the last chance to see the aquarium’s
first-ever freshwater special exhibition, Wild About Otters,
which closes on September 13. The popular exhibition
highlights two feisty species of freshwater otters and more
than 30 species of tropical freshwater fishes and reptiles. In addition to special exhibitions, the aquarium’s
acclaimed permanent exhibits include playful sea otters; a
towering three-story kelp forest; an interactive “Mission to
the Deep” exhibit; touch pools and other hands-on exhibits;
and a million-gallon Outer Bay exhibit, home to sharks, tuna,
ocean sunfish and other open-ocean animals. There are daily
feeding shows in the Kelp Forest , sea otter and penguin
exhibits, as well as daily auditorium programs featuring
high-definition video clips that take visitors into the deep
sea and waters around the world to learn about sharks, jellies
and otters. All exhibits and programs except Aquarium Adventures are
included with 2009 aquarium admission of $29.95 adult; $27.95
senior (65+) and student (full-time college, with I.D.); and
$17.95 children 3-12 and the disabled. (2009 prices). Children
under 3 are admitted free of charge. Discounted tickets for
members of the military and their families can be purchased in
advance at many California and Nevada
installations. |
