The Great Lakes 360 living museum on the newly expanded campus of the Aquarium of Niagara in Niagara Falls State Park is officially open. The project is located in the former Niagara Gorge Discovery Center and features notable wildlife of the Niagara River and larger Great Lakes ecosystem. The project is designed to attract new visitors and development to the city’s downtown, create more year-round attractions, and help reconnect the people of Niagara Falls to the waterfront that defines the city’s identity.
“The new Great Lakes 360 space provides a new and unique opportunity for kids and families in Western New York to put down their phones this summer, go outside, and take advantage of the exhibits and panoramic views of the beautiful Niagara River Gorge,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “By expanding the Aquarium’s footprint with this targeted investment, we are helping forge a brighter future for Niagara Falls by drawing in new visitors, boosting the pride of residents, stimulating the economy, and attracting new development to the city’s downtown.”
The $5.2 million Great Lakes 360 project’s accessible exhibit design transformed the building into a one-stop destination where visitors of all ages and abilities can experience the ecological story of the region all year round. The 16 new interactive exhibits feature turtles, amphibians, insects, and many species of fish, representing the diverse ecosystems of the Great Lakes. One of the highlights is a sturgeon touch pool where visitors can interact with this significant local species. The completed project has increased the number of living exhibits at the aquarium by 40 percent. There are 9 new full-time equivalent positions added to the aquarium staff for Great Lakes 360.
The Great Lakes 360 museum also includes a multipurpose theater space, a gift shop, and a rooftop area with stunning views of the gorge. Visitors are also encouraged to explore the area trails that surround the new building. The expansion enhances the overall Aquarium of Niagara experience and general admission includes entry to both buildings, along with a robust daily schedule of informative and entertaining presentations.
Great Lakes 360 is located in the northern end of Niagara Falls State Park and positioned at the precipice of the Niagara Gorge, just 500 feet southwest of the aquarium’s main building, creating an expanded campus for the popular family attraction. Under the agreement with New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) and the New York Power Authority, the aquarium renovated the vacant building, creating new space for Great Lakes-focused exhibits. The museum is ideally situated along the new greenspace established through the recently completed removal of the former Robert Moses Parkway.
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