The Hudson has been called “America’s River”, for it helped to define our national identity, characterized by enormous freedom, natural wealth and personal opportunity. To the immigrants coming through New York, the Hudson symbolized the -gift of land- and served as a gateway into a vast American wilderness.

The Aquarium Experience:

The Hudson River Aquarium concept has been developed as a single linear experience consisting of two primary exhibit sequences:

A. Navigating the River (A Trip Up River)

The experience of the aquarium begins at the Hudson River Harbor- a recognizable locale for many potential visitors. This journey unfolds as a trip up river, taking place primarily along the river’s edge and provides an overview of the Hudson Valley’s natural and cultural diversity.

B. Discovering the River’s Depths (A Journey Down River)

This linear experience consists of a journey at and below the water’s surface. Beginning at the upper Hudson’s mountain streams, near its source and concluding with the diverse oceanic environments of the Atlantic Ocean. This more expansive experience shows the richness of the river’s natural history and ecology.