Mystic Aquarium
Mystic, Connecticut · Aquarium · Accessibility score 5/5
Address: 55 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT 06355
Phone: (860) 572-5955
About
Mystic Aquarium is a marine life aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut, where you can see beluga whales, African penguins, Steller sea lions, California sea lions, northern fur seals, harbor seals, spotted seals and several kinds of sharks and rays. The aquarium's galleries and outdoor habitats mix indoor exhibits with open-air viewing, and encounter programs with animals are available for an extra fee.
Because some of the largest habitats are outdoors, weather affects the visit more than at an indoor-only aquarium, so dress for the season. Outside food is not allowed inside, but there is a picnic area near the east end of the parking lot, and the Saltwater Cafe serves meals.
The aquarium is at 55 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT 06355, and parking is always free. Hours vary by season, so check mysticaquarium.org before you go. Mystic Seaport Museum and downtown Mystic are a short drive away, which makes it easy to plan a full day in the area.
Accessibility
Mystic Aquarium says it is continually working to make its facility fully accessible for guests with mobility disabilities, and that its buildings and grounds are designed to give guests with disabilities access and a quality experience. It does not publish details about accessible parking, elevators or door widths, so call the admissions office at (860) 572-5955 x2 if those matter for your visit.
Wheelchairs are lent free of charge at the front gate on a first-come, first-served basis, and staff hold a credit card or driver's license until the chair is returned. A private family and companion care restroom is beside the Saltwater Cafe. The Yale New Haven Health Family Lounge and First Aid Center in the Main Gallery can be used as a sensory-friendly quiet room.
Mystic Aquarium is a certified KultureCity location, and its staff have received KultureCity training. You can borrow a free KultureCity sensory bag at the Information Booth, and signs around campus mark Quiet Areas and Headphone Zones, where noise levels are higher.
Many habitats and exhibits have QR codes that play audio information on your phone, through a partnership with CRISAccess, and sensory touch bags are available for visitors with low vision, first come, first served.
Sign language interpretation and assisted listening are available if you ask at least three weeks ahead, at (860) 572-5955 or [email protected]. Service animals as defined by the ADA, which are dogs and miniature horses trained to perform a task, are welcome; pets and emotional support animals are not.
Checked by Accessible America, September 2026. Report a change
How we checked this
We checked these details against official information from the venue and public agencies:
- mysticaquarium.org (10 details, checked 2026-09-28)
More accessible places in Connecticut
- Mystic Country (Mystic)
- Mystic Seaport & Aquarium (Mystic)
- New Britain Museum of American Art (New Britain)
- Yale Peabody Museum (New Haven)
- Connecticut Post Mall (Milford)
- Harkness Memorial State Park (Eolia Mansion)
Photo credits
- A child reaches to touch a beluga whale through the glass at Mystic Aquarium.: Bob from Allentown, Pennsylvania, United Staes of America, CC BY 2.0 (source)
- A zookeeper feeds African penguins at the Roger Tory Peterson Penguin exhibit.: –Grondemar, CC BY-SA 3.0 (source)
