Madison Brady, public relations manager at Newport Aquarium said there are three different areas for guests to see and interact with the mermaids.
โYouโll get to meet mermaids, see them swim underwater, and you get to hear all about the adventures theyโve had while swimming the worldโs waterways to get to Newport Aquarium, she said. โItโs the closest youโre going to get to the ocean, and a fairytale, without really going that far. The interaction itself is also special. Itโs so immersive and interesting. Itโs something that people might talk about for years.โ
The mermaid experience will begin in Shark Ray Bay Theater where visitors will be welcomed by a mermaid on her throne. This is a photo opportunity while rare shark rays and a curious sea turtle swim nearby. Itโs also a chance to become a part of their world while learning about the mermaidsโ journey to Newport Aquarium.
Coming from all around the globe, the mermaids share a mission to protect our oceans and waterways from single-use plastics and they engage visitors to help.
โWhatโs really amazing about the mermaids is you see this special connection with kids of all ages. We have adults who are in awe, and they canโt believe what they are seeing,โโ Brady said. โWhen you see a child watching the mermaids do a flip, or they blow a bubble kiss at them, their entire face lights up. Itโs so cool to be a part of that and make that connection possible.โ
Guests will also explore Mermaid Cove, where the mermaids have turned a corner of the aquarium into their own tropical hideaway. This allows mermaids to swim right up to meet their human friends for a photo, song or a story. Mermaids may even let guests touch their tails as they flip playfully in the water.
The mermaids will be diving underwater in the 60,000-gallon Coral Reef Tunnel surrounded by hundreds of tropical fish. There, visitors will take in their underwater acrobatics with flips and beautiful flowing tails.
โMermaids is the kind of experience that goes beyond the normal to something that is truly extraordinary,โ said Rebecca Foster, executive director at Newport Aquarium. โWhen you see the look on a childโs face when they see a real mermaid swimming underwater, it is nothing short of magic.โ
โMermaidsโ is included with general admission and Newport Aquarium memberships. The experience will run on select days with the mermaids not on exhibit on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. With the aquariumโs Plan-Ahead-Pricing program, visitors can find discounted ticket prices when purchased early at NewportAquarium.com.
โThere are also some fun extras online as well, like the chance to have breakfast with the mermaids. We havenโt announced dates yet, but thatโs something to keep an eye on,โ Brady said.
How to go
What: โMermaidsโ at Newport Aquarium
When: Sept. 23-Oct. 22, select days
Where: Newport Aquarium, 1 Levee Way, Newport, Ky.
Online (tickets): newportaquarium.com
About the Author