Aquarium to have new temporary entrance starting January 26

The main entrance and upper level of the Aquarium, including the North American river otter habitat, will be temporarily closed starting January 26 for a GRT-funded maintenance project designed to improve guest flow and the overall experience. 

During this time, we will also be taking the opportunity to refresh graphics and signage throughout the whole Aquarium to bring guests a refreshed and modern experience that helps tell the story of Albuquerque’s connection to the ocean. Some animals will also relocate to new coastal or freshwater habitats.

Many guest-favorite habitats will remain open throughout the project, including the Atlantic and Pacific coral reef, including the new living reef, moon jellies, and the charming new juvenile lined seahorses! The large open ocean habitats, which feature daily feeding dives at 2 pm, will also remain open for guests to enjoy. 

This operational change is estimated to last about five months. During this time, the Aquarium ticket booth will be unavailable, so a temporary entrance and ticket booth will be established at the Aquarium exit near the Shark Reef Café. 

Through this, guests can expect to make a loop and exit the Aquarium the same way they entered. Clear signage will be posted throughout the area to help guide guests and ensure they enjoy their visit with minimal disruption.

_{The empty habitat in this central area will be removed to eliminate a current guest bottleneck area. Adjacent underground utility work will also be performed.}

It is strongly recommended that guests purchase tickets online in advance for the easiest and fastest entry during this time. Tickets may also be purchased at the temporary Aquarium entrance or at the Botanic Garden ticket booth.

All underwater ocean habitat areas of the Aquarium will remain open throughout the project. These exhibits span from the temporary entrance area to the large tunnel that leads to the aquarium’s upper level, so guests can still enjoy many of the aquarium’s most immersive experiences.

As a reminder, admission to the Botanic Garden is included with every Aquarium ticket. The Garden has recently opened some exciting new exhibits and remodeled areas, like Lebanon & Beyond and Heritage Farm, making it a perfect addition to your visit while the Aquarium entrance improvements are underway.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to enhance the Aquarium experience for all guests.

FAQ:

What is changing at the Aquarium?

The main project is the removal of an old habitat at the mid-point of the Aquarium. This area created a bottleneck for guests and was a visual barrier to the main traffic flow inside the Aquarium.

How will removing this habitat help?

Guests will have an easier experience of knowing where to explore. Also, the additional room will make it easier for more guests, particularly guests with strollers or wheelchairs, to move through what has historically been a tight space.

How will my visit to the Aquarium change during this time?

The main difference will be that guests will enter through what is normally the exit. Signs will guide you. All of the underwater habitats that guests love will still be accessible.

What can I expect to see during a visit during this period?

All underwater viewing habitats remain open. The main ocean habitat will be open. So your favorite sharks, rays, and sea turtles will all still be visible. The moon jelly area and our recently opened live coral tank are still explorable. The tunnel and Atlantic reef will remain open as well. Our new seahorses and cuttlefish will also be accessible.

What will not be open during this period?

The above-water habitats will all be inaccessible. This is the area that was traditionally the entrance area to the Aquarium. This includes the river otter habitat, freshwater, and coastal habitat areas.

Why does the entire upper area of the Aquarium need to be closed? 

The habitat being removed is located in an area where there is no option to route guests around it during construction. This area separates the above water habitats from the underwater habitats. Using the current exit as a temporary entrance allows the majority of the most popular areas of the Aquarium to stay open to guests while this work is completed.

Are any other changes happening during construction?

Yes, we are taking advantage of this partial closure to update many of the graphics and aquatic animal information. Some of this information dates back to the opening of the Aquarium in 1996. This will allow guests to explore and learn based on much more recent scientific information.