NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — The Aquarium of Niagara has set a date for the grand opening of its "Great Lakes 360" project.
The long-awaited and first-ever expansion according to aquarium officials will welcome the public for the first time on July 13.
It comes about a year and a half 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," Governor Hochul said during a press conference in December 2022.
The former Discovery Center, also known as the Schoellkopf Geological Museum, was heavily renovated but now features new exhibits and regional aquatic life, just 500 feet from the main aquarium.
Fifteen new exhibits will feature turtles, amphibians, insects, and many species of fish native to the Great Lakes.
According to the Governor's Office, Great Lakes 360 also increases the number of living exhibits at the aquarium by 40 percent and includes accessible exhibit designs so visitors of all ages and abilities can learn about the regional ecology.
The Aquarium of Niagara offers many different experiences like behind-the-scenes tours, shark, ray and fish feedings, and seal and penguin encounters.
The aquarium is open year-round Sunday to Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. excluding Christmas and Thanksgiving.
For more information, visit the aquarium's website here.