GULFPORT, Miss. – This New Year, Mississippi Aquarium is celebrating animals that are all about out with the old and in with the new. Mississippi Aquarium guests will be able to get close up to some of the most interesting animals around, ask the animal care crew questions, snap photos, and dive into all the facts about these species as they kick off the new year.
The ever-popular Mississippi Aquarium penguins are joining in on the fun on January 17 and 18 with campus meet and greets to help guests understand molting and to celebrate Penguin Awareness weekend. A variety of ambassador animals, ranging from millipedes to geckos and everything in between, will also be visiting on the alternative weekends in January during exclusive meet and greets as part of the New Year, New You program.
Meet and greets are included in general admission and photos are available for purchase.
"We're really looking forward to a FINtastic New Year here at Mississippi Aquarium," says Nicole Martz, Director of Sales and Marketing at Mississippi Aquarium. "During the new year, people are always in the midset of new year, new me, and this campaign was a great way to spotlight that the animals also do a refresh of their own in the form of molts and sheds. We love being able to tie in educational elements and unique experiences with relevant topics and events. It helps encourage learning and gives families an opportunity for some lifelong memories! This is just the start of a tremendous amount of exciting things planned for the year."
Visitors are also encouraged to stop by Pelican Pointe Cafe and Treetop Treats to enjoy one of many food specials during the program including: Caesar and cobb salads, New Year New Me Classic Ruben sandwich, and MSAQ crew favorites - the club and Italian wraps.
For the best possible price, purchase your General Admission tickets online in advance at least 24-hours prior to your visit. To learn more details about meet and greet schedules or to purchase your plan ahead tickets, visit www.msaquarium.org
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About Mississippi Aquarium
The Mississippi Aquarium is one of the newest aquariums in the country, having opened in August of 2020. The six-acre complex incorporates both indoor and outdoor habitats with more than 200 species of animals and 50 species of native plants. Notable features at the state’s aquarium include a 360-degree tunnel through an Oceans Habitat exhibit where sharks, sea turtles, stingrays and other aquatic animals surround visitors on all sides.
The most recent expansion to Mississippi Aquarium, Changing Tides, boasts another 7,000 square feet of indoor exhibition space housing more than 130 new species throughout three biomes. Kelp Forest, Amazon and Coral Reef showcase a diverse group of residents including a two-toed sloth, seahorses, and clownfish. Immersive yourself in wild experiences with Wild Explorer Virtual Reality, a thrilling experience that takes riders up close and personal with the wild worlds including a Shark Dive, Gorilla Trek, and The Great Migration.
The Mississippi Aquarium is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance on the website for the best possible admission price. Annual passes are also available for those who want to support the non-profit’s mission and visit the aquarium throughout the year.
