‘Jenkinson’s Aquarium’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Visit: Adventure Aquarium {Camden, New Jersey}

December 27, 2012 · Narrative

With the kids off from school this week, I used the last bit of my vacation time to plan a few different activities. Today, as a surprise to them, we set off to visit Adventure Aquarium, otherwise known as New Jersey’s State Aquarium. Given the kids’ unabashed love for all things animal, and the fact that we had never been before, I knew they’d be happy with the choice.

The only drawback to visiting this particular aquarium is that it’s about two hours away. These are those special moments when I sorely miss having another driver in the car with me.

And I don’t mean the backseat kind.

The Aquarium is very easy to find, and super close to CocoKey. I had originally wanted to add the aquarium to our weekend when we were down that way back in October, but since we also went to the Philadelphia Zoo, there was a limit to how much I could feasibly squeeze into an overnight.

There is a dedicated parking lot for this aquarium, and it’s $10 (cash and credit cards accepted as payment when you exit). There are some other lots nearby, but I’m not sure if they are designated for other uses. And, to be quite honest, Camden is not necessarily a town where you want to be wandering around unnecessarily.

You can buy tickets online, and I would suggest it. It saves you waiting in line (outside) to buy your tickets. By having them in hand, you can head straight inside, get your tickets scanned, and get started right away.

The aquarium is divided into four different zones (A, B, C, and D), which, in theory, is good. Especially if you start with Zone A. We somehow started with Zone D, which conveniently leads you to the gift shop, restaurant, and exit once you’re finished with it, so we had to do a bit of backtracking.

Because we have sort of been making the rounds of aquariums and zoos this year, we tend to look for what sets this one apart from the others we have seen.

The Adventure Aquarium had two hippopotamuses, which was really cool. They were surrounded by tons of little fish pecking at them, and one of the other aquarium guests said that the fish were cleaning the hippos by eating off the outer layer of skin and dirt.

Ick.

But equally fascinating to watch.

But mostly ick.

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Visit: Philadelphia Zoo

November 12, 2012 · Narrative

When we were planning our recent trip to CoCo Key for belated birthday celebrations for Nick, I found out that the Philadelphia Zoo was less than fifteen minutes away. So with two kids that are crazy about animals, all of them, it was a given that we had to squeeze a visit in.

I mean, really.

The zoo was pretty simple to find. Much easier than finding that Liberty Bell. But the parking situation? Like whoa. The lots are quite a ways down the street from the zoo, and the later you arrive, the further away you park. We probably walked a good three-quarters of a mile from our car to the entrance. And it’s a fairly busy street that you’re walking along, and have to cross.

So my tip for you? Get there early. ‘Nuff said. But the happy footnote on the parking situation is that they’re in the process of building a parking garage right next to the zoo, which is due to be completed in the Spring of 2013. Which is all sorts of awesome.

Whether you visit the zoo then, or before, don’t let the parking deter you from going.

Because the zoo is seriously one of the most beautiful zoos we’ve been to. Such gorgeous habitats for the animals around every corner.

The next few pictures are actually murals located outside the zoo grounds, on the walk from the parking lot. So that just tells you how pretty it is inside…

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Visit: Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Point Pleasant {Things to Do in New Jersey}

August 3, 2012 · Narrative

When I was planning our Spring Break adventures, I focused on fun. Some things were spontaneous, like the Cape May Zoo (free!), and some were planned (Ripley’s Believe It Or Not museum). Our visit to Jenkinson’s Aquarium was a no-brainer. With two kids that are crazy about animals, and Madeline especially loving anything in the water, I knew they would be tickled with whatever was inside those walls.

If you’re lucky enough to find on-street parking with a meter, grab it. If you get there early enough, there is a very inexpensive parking lot right behind the aquarium for $5. With it being summertime, and the aquarium being located right on the boardwalk, it’s definitely going to be busy though, so plan your visit accordingly.

Although the aquarium itself it a bit small, it is packed with two floors of animal life to discover. The downstairs features a pirate ship and sharks, alligators, penguins, and more. Upstairs, there are the seals, stingrays that you can touch, moon jelly fish (love those!), and more.

The aquarium does feedings of five different animals that were fun to watch, and we were there for all five. Mostly because there was no way the kids were going to let me leave without seeing them all. The seal feeding was our favorite, followed by the little itty bitty penguins. The alligator feeding? Scared me just a little. Because you are super close to where the alligators are, and when we saw how nastily they snapped at the food, well, the sharks were looking better and better every minute.

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