On our recent visit to Adventure Aquarium in Camden, my family and I were greeted by a huge replica of a shark jaw in the lobby, where a cheery employee asked if we wanted to peek through the teeth for a photo op. (We did.) After we headed upstairs to let our toddler run around in the KidZone section (dotted with play structures and pint-sized tanks for ages 5 and under), we followed the signs to:

Great Hammerhead Sharks
A little known fact about the aquarium is that it's home to not one, but two Great Hammerhead Sharks - the only ones living in captivity in the U.S. Both Hammerheads enjoy plenty of room to swim and roam in the 750,000 gallon Ocean Realm tank and can be viewed from different levels and observation areas. It's pretty amazing to only be separated from these quirky-looking creatures by a sheet of glass. Interesting facts about hammerheads are posted around the huge tank - get the kids' attention by mentioning that scientists liken their wide heads to the wings of an airplane, providing them with lift and ease to swim.
 
Shark Realm & Tunnel
After you've taken in the Hammerheads, stingrays and sea turtles in the Ocean Realm, it's time to move onto the aquarium's other tank - 550,000 gallons filled with nothing but sharks. Sandbar sharks, green sawfish and more swim together in this eerie but awesome exhibit. Don't miss the chance to walk underneath the water in the shark tunnel - stop halfway through and look up, right and then left to see sharks lurking all around you. If you're lucky, you'll also get to see divers swimming with the sharks as they do daily maintenance to the tank. And if your little ones need to get out some jitters afterwards, let them crawl and climb the cartoon-like Great White at the other side of the tunnel and snap a cheeky picture as they pose through his teeth.

Touch a Shark
After a whole day of watching sea creatures through glass, it’s time for everyone to roll up their sleeves and get up close and personal at the aquarium’s Touch a Shark tank. Marine specialists offer fun facts about each shark in the exhibit and guide families as they bravely stick their hands into the cold water. You’ll have the chance to touch Bamboo sharks, Coral Cat sharks and Zebra Bullhead sharks. If younger tots are intimated by the sharks or by the crowds, take them upstairs to KidZone, where smaller touch tanks let them stroke starfish, shrimp and stingrays. The aquarium closes all of the touch tank exhibits to give the animals a short break throughout the day, so don’t be surprised to see a sign up that says “We’re resting!”

Please visit Adventure Aquarium’s website or call (856) 365-3300 more information on Shark Fest and other great exhibits you can explore this summer. You can also purchase tickets and annual passes online.  

Originally published 2012