Aquariums

The region's marquee aquarium — 15,000+ animals, the world's longest Shark Bridge, a shark tunnel, and Nile hippos. Across the river from Philadelphia.

Smaller, recently renovated aquarium at Historic Gardner's Basin on the AC waterfront.

On the boardwalk — sharks, penguins, seals, reptiles; pairs with a day at the shore.

Sharks, sea lions and a large coral reef tank on Long Island's East End (longer drive).

One of the country's most famous aquariums, in Baltimore's Inner Harbor — a multi-level rainforest, a huge shark tank, and dolphins. A longer (~3 hr) day trip but a marquee destination.

On the Coney Island boardwalk — the "Ocean Wonders: Shark!" exhibit with a 500,000-gallon tank.

Family-friendly aquarium inside the American Dream mall — closest to Edison, easy to pair with the mall's other attractions.

Long Island Sound marine life plus an IMAX theater; a farther but rewarding day trip.