The Aquarium of Niagara has set a date for the grand opening of its highly anticipated "Great Lakes 360" project. This first-ever expansion, according to aquarium officials, will showcase fifteen new exhibits featuring turtles, amphibians, insects, and various species of fish native to the Great Lakes.
After a year and a half of planning and renovations, the public will finally have the opportunity to explore the new exhibits on July 13th. The project was initiated after Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the aquarium would take over the former Niagara Gorge Discovery Center to reimagine the space.
"Great Lakes 360 will bring exciting new developments to the city's downtown, attracting new visitors, stimulating the local economy, and making the community an even better place to live," said Governor Hochul during a press conference in December 2022.
The former Discovery Center, also known as the Schoellkopf Geological Museum, underwent extensive renovations to accommodate the new exhibits and regional aquatic life. Located just 500 feet from the main aquarium, the revamped center now offers a diverse range of exhibits, including accessible designs for visitors of all ages and abilities to learn about the regional ecology.
With the addition of Great Lakes 360, the Aquarium of Niagara has increased its number of living exhibits by 40 percent. Visitors can also enjoy behind-the-scenes tours, shark, ray, and fish feedings, as well as seal and penguin encounters.
The aquarium is open year-round, from Sunday to Thursday, 9:00am to 6:00pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00am to 7:00pm, excluding Christmas and Thanksgiving.
For more information about the Aquarium of Niagara and its offerings, please visit their website [here](https://www.aquariumofniagara.org/).