Albuquerque Aquarium Overnight

What if the sharks, eels and glowing jelly fish next to you while you sleep are not all in your dreams? How would you like to wake up and see the shark peering through the glass at you? Well, now you can at the sleepover events at the Albuquerque Aquarium.

Visitors at one of the upcoming Aquarium Overnight events on August 20, Sept. 24, Oct. 22 or Nov. 19, 2010 can choose to be daring and sleep next to the sharks, or in the eel tunnel. If that is too much of a thrill for you, then spread out your sleeping bag next to the jelly fish and let their luminous glow light up the night for you. The overnights are open to all ages, but minors must be accompanied by an adult and kids must bring at least one adult for every five kids. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and ends at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday. The cost is $30 per person.

Due to the popularity of the program, reservations are required. Only 60 people can attend per event.

"It is a really intimate size," said Allyson Zahm, zoo education coordinator and acting BioPark education curator.  "It feels like you have the aquarium all to yourself."
 
The aquarium features a 285,000 gallon ocean tank with sharks, large sea turtles and brilliantly-colored reef fish. Other exhibits include the eel tunnel, the petting pool with stingrays and the jellyfish and seahorse exhibits.

The fish act differently at night than during the day, Zahm said.

 "The nurse sharks are quiet during the day," Zahm said, "but they swim more at night. They will come right up to the glass. It is a huge treat that people who come during the day don't get to see. It is really cool from a biological point of view."

HelloAlbuquerque Tip: The aquarium also will have scavenger hunts, games, arts and crafts and a film fest to help pass the time.

- by Julie Medina, Albuquerque Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Julie Medina

Julie Medina has experience as a reporter at the Albuquerque Journal and has written freelance articles for the Albuquerque Tribune, Albuquerque the Magazine, New Mexico Magazine and New Mexico Kids Magazine. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in print journalism from the University of New Mexico in 2008. She has lived in Albuquerque since 1984 and believes it is best to remember to play like a tourist in your own hometown so you don't forget the vast culture around you.