More to see and do than ever before

In addition to the largest jellyfish exhibit in the Midwest, there's more to see and do than ever before. You'll love the Frog Bog - an interactive exhibit where you can explore the world of frogs. You'll be thrilled by thousands of species of aquatic wildlife including hundreds of sharks - and some you can actually pet. You'll be amazed by dive shows, behind-the-scenes-tours and exclusive experiences like a Penguin Encounter where you can get so close to cute little African penguins you can pet them. It all adds up to a fun-filled, family-friendly experience and a million gallons of memories you can create for your kids.

‘Penguin Palooza’ Now Open

The penguin party got even bigger. Newport Aquarium recently announced the addition of 11 new Macaroni penguins to the popular Penguin Palooza exhibit. The new species is the fifth penguin species on display in the exhibit, making Newport Aquarium’s gallery the second most diverse collection of cold-weather penguins in the country.

The Macaroni penguins join the King, Gentoo, Chinstrap and Rockhopper penguins in Penguin Palooza. Only Moody Gardens Aquarium in Galveston, Texas can claim more penguin diversity in a single exhibit with six species. Newport Aquarium ties Sea World San Diego with its five species.

“Penguins have always been one of our star animals,” said Ric Urban, Curator of Birds and Mammals. “With the addition of the Macs, we’ve made a great exhibit even better and we’ve made Newport Aquarium one of the top two places in the country to see penguin diversity.”

Opened in March, Penguin Palooza – sponsored by Kroger – features new species, a new habitat for the birds and new interactive opportunities for guests. Visitors can sit right next to the 8,000-gallon tank in the new seating area and come face-to-face with the penguins as they swim and play. There’s an activity area to learn more about penguin habitats and conservation, and guests can take their picture next to life-size penguin sculptures. Penguin Palooza also features the Aquarium’s newest live show with a presenter who will entertain guests with penguin facts and interact with several animated penguin characters on a new high definition video board, all made exclusively for the new Penguin Palooza Exhibit.

For more details on the brand-new Penguin Palooza exhibit, CLICK HERE to visit the Exhibits page.

Some Exhibits on Display

Frog Bog

Bog features over 20 species of exotic frogs from around the world.  The Frog Bog is filled with fun interactive exhibits kids will love playing with and learning from.  Kids can explore exhibits and learn about frogs while climbing through tunnels, crawling through tubes and sliding down slides.

Kingdom of Penguins

Majestic and elegant King Penguins and energetic Gentoo Penguins inhabit our 8,000-gallon Kingdom of Penguins display.  Watch the penguins splash and play just inches from your face.

Jellfish Gallery

Our brand new Jellyfish Gallery is the largest, coolest jellyfish exhibit in the Midwest.  It boasts a giant, 360-degree tank and three new see-through tanks you can walk around. There's a new interactive tank where you can make jellies change colors and a giant new Jelly Wall where you can play tag with moon jellies.

Surrounded by Sharks

You’ll see history-in-the-making with our two extremely rare Shark Rays – Sweet Pea and Scooter – who are the stars of the only Shark Ray breeding program in the world.  Their grace and beauty co-exist in the tank with powerful Tiger Sharks that are up to 10 feet in length.