One Thanksgiving week my family decided to go on a short getaway to the Rhode Island shore. It was a tolerable 7hr drive after work for a late night check-in. One logical place to visit nearby, besides the infamous “Mystic Pizza” eatery, was of course the aquarium in Mystic CT.

We went on a rainy day during a holiday week so it was not very crowded at all. With plenty of free parking and easy access to the thruway visiting is quick and stress free. The aquarium was a pleasant surprise. The size and amounts of displays spanned quite a variety from the simulated local marshland ecosystems to vary large marine mammals and fish.  The Mystic Aquarium is noted for their Beluga Whales exhibit and “Astro” the Stellar sea lion that was made famous in some children’s books.  As an aquarist I naturally tend to critique every display for water quality, cleanliness, and livestock health.  All livestock were observed to be active and healthy and displays very well maintained. Though the Mystic Aquarium is not one of the most known aquariums on the East Coast, it was definitely worth a visit.

Just wanted to provide some of the highlights I have seen on this first time visit.

• North America’s largest Beluga Whale exhibit
• Arctic Coast exhibit with the unique Stellar sea lions
• Large Variety of freshwater and saltwater displays from small touch ponds to massive displays
• Impressive mature reef aquarium with multiple healthy large Tridacna Clams on display (see video below)
• Great mix of hands on activities for kids and entertaining Live Sea Lion show for the entire family