A trip to Southern California can be packed with tons of great activities family travelers can enjoy together, but when there is a member on the autism spectrum, taking time to find the right activities is key to a successful experience for everyone. This month, the award-winning Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach offers an exclusive event March 12 for families with adults or children with autism.
Autism Families Night gives visitors a chance to experience the aquarium in a quieter, less-crowded environment. All of the facility’s exhibits, which include 12,000 marine animals, will be accessible during the event (with the exception of a few areas like the penguin habitat and the Lorikeet Forest, which are currently closed). These nights create the ideal opportunity to experience the serenity and tranquility of life under the sea.
The aquarium, a leader in sustainability and conservation efforts, is known for its educational programming and promotion of science and exploration. The more than 100 exhibits span 19 unique habitats, including the shark lagoon and sea otter habitat. The aquarium’s impressive collection of marine animals ranges from frogs and jellyfish to turtles and sea lions and everything in between.
The event runs after regular aquarium hours, 6–9 p.m., and tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets exclusively reserved for families with either adults or children with autism can be purchased by calling the aquarium at 562 590 3100, ext. 0. While regular aquarium admission costs $36.95 for adults and $26.95 for kids, tickets for this event are only $12 for adults and children 4 and older. Children 3 and under get in for free, as do aquarium members. Parking is available in nearby parking structures for a fee.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedTravel Tips
Sep 8, 2023How Can Disney Vacation Club Work for Your Family?
Can joining Disney Vacation Club help you save on family travel? Well, David’s Vacation Club Rentals, a source for Disney Vacation Club rentals, can provide some insight. Disney travel experts like Melissa Mullett, director of operations, David’s Vacation Club Rentals, provided some tips and insider knowledge on how Disney Vacation Club works.
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
Kids
Sep 6, 2023Bright Stripes Activities for Car Travel with Kids
Does your road trip crew include young kids? We’ve been there, too, and know keeping everyone busy and entertained makes those long stretches of interstate much more peaceful.
Multigenerational
Sep 1, 2023Atlantic and Target Now Offer New Family-Friendly Luggage Line
In the market for new luggage? If you’re outfitting your entire family of travelers, you may want to check out some new offerings available at Target from travel brand Atlantic. Atlantic’s new line focuses on making travel more convenient with kiddos, and includes seven pieces to choose from, all made with durable, lightweight, sustainable materials (each item is made from up to 27 recycled plastic bottles).
Sponsored Content
United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates
As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.
Cruising
Aug 24, 2023Sail Into Family Fun with NCL’s Newest Ship, “Viva”
Norwegian recently launched the newest addition to its fleet, Viva, with a spectacular debut earlier this month. The ship, launched from Trieste, Italy, and finishing its inaugural run in Lisbon, Portugal, is the second in its Prima Class of ships, set to give family travelers the ultimate vacation experience.
ShareThis