Atlantic City Aquarium to Reopen After Extensive Renovations

ATLANTIC CITY – After five years of closure for renovations during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Atlantic City Aquarium will officially reopen to the public on Monday, March 24, 2025, with a fresh look inside and out. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 11:45 a.m. for the media, followed by the public opening at 12:30 p.m., according to a city news release. Starting Tuesday, the aquarium will operate with regular hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, closing only on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The reopening follows multiple postponed dates as additional work was required to complete the renovations. Mayor Marty Small Sr. emphasized that the city could have reopened the aquarium earlier but wanted to ensure all updates were fully finished before welcoming the public. “We are working to make it the best aquarium it can be,” Small said. The aquarium, a long-time favorite for residents and visitors, especially families, had been a central feature of the Gardner’s Basin bayfront park, which also includes restaurants and boat rides. During the renovation, officials also secured a $1.4 million grant to demolish the old public bathroom next to the aquarium and replace it with a new facility, expected to open in the fall. Renovations included updates to the HVAC system, plumbing, electrical work, new roofing, windows, flooring, and remodeled exhibit areas, including expanded touch tanks with new species such as small sharks. The improvements were funded through grants from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and the New Jersey Green Acres program.