The big aquarium in Long Beach, certified by KultureCity, with free sensory bags at Member Services, Quiet Zones marked on the visitor guide map, Headphone Zones marked with signs, and a social story you can read together first.
Sensory supports. Free sensory bags, Quiet Zones on the map.
Hours
Open daily, 9 am to 6 pm, except Christmas Day. Thanksgiving (Thu Nov 26 2026): 9 am to 5 pm. Open until 8 pm on Nov 14 2026, Nov 15 2026, Nov 22 2026, Nov 27 2026, Nov 28 2026, Nov 29 2026, Dec 13 2026, Dec 20 2026 and Dec 26 2026 to Dec 30 2026. Lorikeet Forest is open 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and closes daily 12 to 1 pm. Guest Support answers (562) 590-3100 from 9 am to 4:30 pm.
“Sensory bags containing special KCVIP badges, fidget tools, noise canceling headphones, and other resources are available for check out (at no cost) from Member Services.”
“The Quiet Zones are marked on our visitor guide map, and Headphone Zones are marked with signs throughout the Aquarium.”
“It can be loud at the aquarium, especially in The Great Hall.” venue.kulturecity.org
“I can borrow a Kulture City® Sensory Bag at Member Services, just to the right of the main entrance.” venue.kulturecity.org
The social story is on the aquarium's KultureCity page, linked from its Accessibility page. It walks through tickets, the scanners, the sensory bag, shows, staff, the loud Great Hall, smells and the touch pools.
The aquarium has held Autism Families Nights and an Autism Families Morning, special low-cost hours in a quiet, autism-friendly setting. It sells them one at a time, closer to each date, so watch the events calendar or call (562) 590-3100, ext. 0.
The Great Hall (the space with the blue whale hanging from the ceiling) (it can be loud, with a lot of people and films that play on the walls; the space gets dark when a film is about to start)not stated
The Honda Pacific Visions Theater (the film has strobe light effects and rumbling seats)not stated
Animal shows (staff may talk on a microphone, and some shows include a SCUBA diver talking)not stated
Quieter, in the aquarium's words
Quiet Zones, marked on the visitor guide mapquiet zone
General admission: adults $49.95, children (3 to 11) $34.95, seniors (62 and up) $46.95; children under 3 are free. Reservations are required on weekends and holidays. Package and member prices are on the Prices and Hours page. The aquarium takes Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and UnionPay.
Discounts: up to 10% off at Southern California Auto Club branches or the AAA website, and for a limited time up to 30% off online for Wednesday visits (every guest needs a reservation); the Aquarium and Los Angeles Zoo combo, $70 for adults and $53 for children; a conventioneer badge from Long Beach, Los Angeles County or Orange County, shown at the ticket window after 12 pm, from one week before to one week after the convention (one per badge, free reservation required); military tickets in advance at any MWR/ITT office on base; and college, union, professional organization, corporate and credit union programs; and a NORMS restaurant coupon for $10 off adult and $4 off child admission, valid through Wed Dec 23 2026 for coupons already picked up, reservations required. The full list, with any new offers, is on the aquarium's discounts page.
No refunds and no exchanges. Unused general admission tickets are good for one year from the date of purchase with a free reservation; this doesn't apply to boat programs or tours.
Re-entry: you can come back in the same day. Get your hand stamped at the exit door; you need the stamp to get back in.
Entry: all guests cross over a low-frequency magnetic scanner (not an X-ray), and all bags are subject to search. Not allowed include weapons, outside alcohol, animals other than service animals, and coolers or ice chests, with exceptions for infants and people with special medical needs. Smoking, vaping, gum and balloons aren't allowed inside.
Food: no outside food inside the aquarium; picnic tables on the plaza are first come, first served.
Parking: the parking structure is $8 for the day with aquarium validation at a scanner inside; pay at the exit with Visa, MasterCard or Discover, or at a kiosk near the elevators. Two of the three elevators in the structure are out of order, so there's a drop-off area in front of the aquarium; for accessibility needs, call (562) 590-3100.
Strollers: bring your own (there are stroller parking areas on very busy days); baby backpacks are free to borrow at the information desk with a credit card. There are no lockers. Wheelchairs are free, first come, first served; the FAQ says a credit card is required at check out. The accessibility page and FAQ say to check one out at the Information Desk, and the visitor guide says Member Services.
First aid, emergencies and lost and found: go to Member Services near the main entrance, or tell the nearest staff member. Staff wear navy-blue polo shirts with the aquarium logo, khaki pants and name tags. A baby care room is off the first-floor women's restroom.
In Lorikeet Forest, birds may land on your arm, shoulder or head; it may close in rain if the ground gets slick, and service animals can't go in. Jelly Dreamscapes has meditative lighting and dream-like soundscapes, and some areas smell stronger than others. WiFi: AquariumWiFi, no password needed.
