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A couple of Saturdays ago, I took Trey to the Newport Aquarium with my parents. I’ve been to the aquarium before but it has been a number of years since my last visit. I don’t recall ever seeing the Rainforest exhibit, which appears to have been opened on May 24, 2004. So I’m guessing that my last visit was in 2003. Since then they have also added the Frog Bog along with a 14 foot, 800 pound alligator named Mighty Mike.
Throughout the 70 exhibits and 14 galleries, there are plenty of opportunities for interaction. There was no stopping Trey in the hands on tanks where he could pet horseshoe crabs, starfish, or even small sharks. There is also a play area with tubes and slides in the previously mentioned Frog Bog.
The real stars of the aquarium are the five seamless acrylic tunnels through some of the larger tanks, as well as a huge viewing window in the theater where you can sit and watch sharks for as long as you’d like. Also the penguin exhibit is always a huge hit with both kids and adults.
The aquarium continues to be a great place to spend a few hours, especially during one of those rainy days of spring.