What is the aquarium like in Camden?

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by lkb0714

I am a bit of an aquarium snob (my father designed the exhibits for most of the big aquariums) but I do not like Camden much at all. Low species diversity compared to National, Shedds or Boston, decent "wow" species, touch tank is abysmal and they even had a mantis shrimp in it once!!, shark tank is an antiquated design (aside from the "tube" which has been done better elsewhere), I could go on but won't. On about the same par as the Mystic Aquarium IMO.

Also, it is odd that Camden is the only city I have heard of to not benefit from the aquarium effect. Weird.

Oh my GOD, a mantis shrimp in the touch tank? The hell with it, I'll never go there again! <mq makes note to look up "mantis shrimp">

I liked the Mystic Aquarium. Or my daughter did, anyway. Kids aren't aquarium snobs, hehehe.

Originally Posted by GiantRutgersfan

Is it really such a big deal to drive through the ghetto for a couple of minutes? jeez.

That said, the aquarium is very big and was entertaining when I went. Not sure how the outside is (closed during winter), but it was pretty impressive.

It is pretty much what you would expect in an aquarium, and this is a big one.

Frankly, I remember being a little disappointed at not really driving through the ghetto!

[lkb0714]

Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801

Oh my GOD, a mantis shrimp in the touch tank? The hell with it, I'll never go there again! <mq makes note to look up "mantis shrimp">

I liked the Mystic Aquarium. Or my daughter did, anyway. Kids aren't aquarium snobs, hehehe.



Frankly, I remember being a little disappointed at not really driving through the ghetto!

Mantis shrimp are dangerous. For a little kid their strike can mean stitches or worse.

Mantis shrimp - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yes, for many kids Camden is fine but if you have one of those kids who, like the dinosaur kids, know the names and scientific names of all the sharks, or reef fish or whatever it will be disappointing.

[lkb0714]

Originally Posted by GiantRutgersfan

Is it really such a big deal to drive through the ghetto for a couple of minutes? jeez.

That said, the aquarium is very big and was entertaining when I went. Not sure how the outside is (closed during winter), but it was pretty impressive.

It is pretty much what you would expect in an aquarium, and this is a big one.

Many of the best aquariums are in the "ghetto" or what used to be the ghetto. And for many, like the national, you still have to drive through it to get there.

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by lkb0714

Mantis shrimp are dangerous. For a little kid their strike can mean stitches or worse.

Mantis shrimp - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yes, for many kids Camden is fine but if you have one of those kids who, like the dinosaur kids, know the names and scientific names of all the sharks, or reef fish or whatever it will be disappointing.

Whoa, never heard of that little sucker. Thank you. Now I'm smarter than I was when I woke up this morning.

[gwillyfromphilly]

Originally Posted by lkb0714

Also, it is odd that Camden is the only city I have heard of to not benefit from the aquarium effect. Weird.

By benefit you mean gentrification in the neighborhoods near the aquarium?

[lkb0714]

Originally Posted by gwillyfromphilly

By benefit you mean gentrification in the neighborhoods near the aquarium?

Yes. That is one of the main draws of building an aquarium. Look at Boston, National, etc. Totally changed the areas they were installed in.