A Beloved Treasure Returns: The Atlantic City Aquarium Reopens at Historic Gardner’s Basin

After five years behind closed doors, the Atlantic City Aquarium at Historic Gardner’s Basin has officially reopened—welcoming residents and visitors back to one of the city’s most treasured attractions.

Following an extensive renovation project that touched nearly every part of the building—inside and out—the Aquarium once again opened its doors this past week with a celebratory ribbon-cutting led by Mayor Marty Small Sr., alongside city officials, Aquarium staff, and local stakeholders. Guests were among the first to experience the refreshed space, which hadn’t been open since March 2020.

Originally opened in May 1999, the Aquarium had been closed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While plans for renovation were already underway before the closure, pandemic-related supply chain delays and the discovery of greater repair needs extended the timeline. But the results are well worth the wait.

A Fresh Look and New Experiences

Today, the Aquarium features a new roof, windows, flooring, ceiling decking, renovated bathrooms, updated HVAC systems, lighting, and more. The entire building has been painted, with fresh murals inside and out, and the facility now feels like a brand-new experience.

New exhibits include:

• The “Under the Sea” coloring area
• A hurricane simulator
• A photo booth
• And coming early summer: six interactive touch tanks with daily feeding shows featuring bamboo sharks, guitar sharks, mummichogs, grass shrimps, clearnose skates, and cownose rays.

The Aquarium remains home to more than 100 fascinating species, including the star of the show—Groman, a 225-pound Loggerhead Sea Turtle—as well as diamondback terrapins, rays, seahorses, pipefish, lionfish, and horseshoe crabs.

A True Community Effort

The reopening is the result of coordination and commitment across many teams and partners.

The City of Atlantic City’s Public Works Department manages the Aquarium, with Gardner’s Basin Nautical Park Manager Lisa Schall and Aquarist Sarita DuCote-Stroud maintaining the exhibits and property during the closure. Shore Aquarium Services cared for the animals throughout.

The project was led by City Engineer Uzo Ahiarakwe, with Arthur Ponzio Co & Associates serving as project manager. Additional contributions came from:

• SOSH Architects & Remington and Vernick Engineers (consultants)
• Weatherby Construction Corporation (interior renovations)
• Shore Building Contractors (exterior work)
• Falasca Mechanical (HVAC repairs)

The exterior beautification was a true community collaboration. Local artist Kelly Prevard painted new murals on the building’s walls, while youth murals on the second floor were created through a partnership with the City’s Youth Services Division and funded by the Community Development Block Grant.

The Atlantic City Arts Foundation, with sponsorship from the Inlet CDC, installed painted planters featuring artwork by Tabitha Brown, and volunteers from the Atlantic City Hydrangea Trail helped beautify the grounds.

Open Year-Round for All to Enjoy

The Atlantic City Aquarium is open seven days a week, from 10 AM to 5 PM, offering fun and educational experiences for families, school groups, and marine life lovers alike.

Admission information and details about exhibits can be found at www.acnj.gov/pages/acaquarium or by calling 609-348-2880.

As Mayor Small shared during the reopening: the Aquarium is more than an attraction—it’s a point of pride. Its return marks another milestone in Atlantic City’s continued growth and commitment to creating experiences that enrich, inspire, and bring joy to all who visit.

‍

Guest at the grand opening of the Atlantic City Aquarium (Photo credit: Edward Lea)

Visitors enjoyed a modernized look and interactive experiences designed for all ages, the Atlantic City Aquarium’s reopening marked an exciting moment for the community and visitors alike. Photo Credit: Edward Lea

‍

‍