The Newport Aquarium has unveiled “Jellies: Go with the Flow.”
Captivating and enigmatic, jellyfish are one of the earliest multi-organ species to have evolved. While perhaps most interactions with jellyfish involve bad memories of being stung, the Newport Aquarium invites visitors to take a deep dive into “the graceful, ethereal world of these ancient marine wonders.”
Opening on March 21, “Jellies: Go with the Flow” is a 1,700-square-foot expansion to the aquarium costing $1.5 million. The exhibit will be home to roughly 100 jellyfish belonging to six different species, including the South American sea nettle, blue blubber fish and upside down jellyfish. Housed in six different habitats filled with over 1,500 gallons of saltwater, guests will get a chance to see “glowing bioluminescence and stunning, trailing tentacles” as they learn about how jellyfish live in and shape the ocean.
“Every part of Jellies: Go with the Flow is designed to spark a sense of curiosity and also appreciation for each species of jelly,” says Rebecca Foster, Executive Director of the exhibit. “We want them to leave the aquarium with a renewed sense of respect for the ocean.”
“Jellies: Go with the Flow” is included with admission to the museum. Tickets to the Newport Aquarium start at $25.99 and allow guests a chance to see and— in some cases— touch marine life including sharks, octopuses and penguins in addition to the new jellies.
The Newport Aquarium is open seven days a week. More information and tickets are available on the aquarium’s website.
