NEWSLETTER
New VR experience, student art, and accreditation highlight a legacy of connection and conservation.
Niagara Falls, N.Y. (June 12, 2025) – The Aquarium of Niagara is diving into its 60th anniversary with bold new offerings and accomplishments including a 60-foot mural, VR shark dive, and recent accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The nonprofit institution, founded in 1965, commemorated six decades of facilitating connections to the aquatic world at a public event this morning.
Local officials, community members, and supporters gathered in the Aquarium's event room for a brief ceremony recognizing the Aquarium’s unique role in connecting inland communities to the wonders of the ocean. The event underscored the organization’s ongoing commitment to innovation, conservation, and world-class animal care.
As part of the festivities, fourth-grade students from nearby Harry F. Abate Elementary School helped install a 60-foot mural on the fence surrounding Rescue Harbor, the Aquarium’s outdoor seal exhibit. Made of more than 11,000 recyclable plastic cups, the mural depicts a vibrant underwater scene and is expected to remain on display for several years. The Rescue Harbor exhibit is free and open to the public during Aquarium operating hours, and this mural symbolizes the Aquarium’s enduring commitment to the local community.
“Sixty years ago, a small group of scientists chose Niagara Falls for an experimental inland aquarium to bring the wonders of the ocean to as many people as possible,” said Chad Fifer, president and CEO, Aquarium of Niagara. “Since then, we’ve learned our greatest impact is right here in Western New York. Looking ahead, we’re focused on reconnecting with our neighbors and serving as an educational hub and community resource—through programs that inspire students, advance conservation, and welcome all.”
The City of Niagara Falls honorarily renamed Walnut Avenue as “Aquarium Way” to mark the occasion, and Mayor Robert Restaino unveiled the honorary street sign with Aquarium leadership.
“The Aquarium of Niagara has been an integral part of the fabric of our city, with generations of families enjoying its shows and exhibits,” said Mayor Robert Restaino. “The city along with Aquarium leadership and staff celebrate all the Aquarium has been, currently is, and are excited about its future.”
In recognition of the anniversary, Niagara Falls will be illuminated in Aquarium of Niagara brand colors at 9:30 p.m. Thursday evening.
The Aquarium opened on July 12, 1965, as "The Aquarium of Niagara Falls," the first inland aquarium in the world to use a then-groundbreaking formula for artificial seawater to sustain marine exhibits. Since then, it has grown significantly in both size and impact, establishing itself as a leader in animal husbandry, community partnership, and guest engagement.
The 60th anniversary coincides with more than $17 million in recent and ongoing capital improvement projects and new offerings, including upgraded habitats for seals and sea lions and the July 2024 opening of Great Lakes 360, the Aquarium’s first-ever campus expansion.
Earlier this year, the Aquarium once again earned accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)—a rigorous process that evaluates everything from animal welfare and veterinary care to guest experience and governance. AZA accreditation is widely recognized as the gold standard for zoos and aquariums, and with this distinction, the Aquarium affirms its commitment to meeting the ever-rising standards for animal well-being.
Looking ahead to a busy summer season, the Aquarium is also launching a new guest experience: four virtual reality pods that offer an immersive “Shark Dive” encounter. For a small additional fee, guests can participate in a 360-degree underwater adventure featuring tiger and hammerhead sharks.
As a nonprofit organization, the Aquarium relies on admission revenue and public support to fund operations and advance its mission. Members of the public are invited to celebrate this milestone by visiting the Aquarium, purchasing commemorative merchandise, symbolically adopting an animal, or making a donation. Guests can also download the Aquarium’s “60 Conservation Actions” list of simple, impactful steps individuals can take to help protect the planet.
For more information on the Aquarium’s 60th anniversary, visit aquariumofniagara.org/60thanniversary.
Rep. Timothy Kennedy said, “For 60 years, the Aquarium of Niagara has been an anchor in our community, sparking curiosity and fostering a deeper connection to our natural world for people of all ages. It has shown children and adults alike the wonders of marine life while highlighting the importance and beauty of conservation. I am proud to support the Aquarium of Niagara’s work as it continues to grow, and I am excited to see the students of Harry F. Abate Elementary leave their mark through the installation of a new mural. Their artwork honoring this incredible milestone will serve as a symbol of how education, creativity, and stewardship go hand in hand, for generations to come.”
New York state Sen. Robert Ortt said, “Congratulations to the Aquarium of Niagara on celebrating 60 amazing years of educating and entertaining local students, residents, and international visitors. Turning 60 has not slowed the growth of this wonderful facility and I have to thank the team at the Aquarium of Niagara for their continued efforts in keeping it a top tourist destination, an educational center, and a fun place to visit for people from across the globe. Their investments continue to benefit Niagara Falls and all of Western New York, and I am confident they will continue to do so for years to come.”
New York state Assemblyman Angelo Morinello said, “I’m proud to congratulate the Aquarium of Niagara on 60 years of excellence in education, conservation, and community engagement. For six decades, the aquarium has inspired wonder and curiosity in visitors of all ages, while playing a vital role in marine wildlife preservation and environmental awareness. It truly has been a heartbeat of Downtown Niagara Falls. Thank you to the dedicated team, past and present, whose passion has made the Aquarium of Niagara a cornerstone of our region. Congratulations, and here’s to another 60 years!”
Andrea Czopp, COO, Destination Niagara USA said, "The Aquarium of Niagara has been a cornerstone of our destination for 60 years, inspiring curiosity and conservation for generations of visitors. Its continued innovation and community engagement make it a vital part of the Niagara Falls USA experience. At Destination Niagara USA, we’re proud to promote the Aquarium as a must-see attraction that offers meaningful, family-friendly experiences and drives tourism to our region."
About The Aquarium of Niagara
The Aquarium of Niagara is a nonprofit organization and public aquarium located in Niagara Falls, NY. As the only aquatic museum in the region, the Aquarium of Niagara serves the community as a nexus for explorative learning by celebrating natural wonders and inspiring people to make a difference for aquatic life. Its campus is comprised of two distinct buildings housing 180 different species, including several that were rescued and deemed unable to return to the wild. The Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and the International Marine Mammal Trainer’s Association. For more information visit aquariumofniagara.org.
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Click here to download photos from the anniversary event.
Media Contact:
Christine Stephans, cstephans@aquariumofniagara.org, (716) 390-9020