Rivaling the New England Aquarium in Boston, the aquatic wonderland of the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk (10 North Water St., Norwalk, 203/852-0700, www.maritimeaquarium.org, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily July–Aug.; 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily Sept.–June, $12–24 adults, $11–21 seniors, $10–19 children 2–12) also happens to be a model of how to do redevelopment right.

When the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk opened inside a dramatic 19th-century brick iron works factory in 1986, it spurred the revitalization of the entire SoNo area. Now half a million visitors annually pass through its doors to commune with sharks, river otters, sea turtles, and 1,000 other animals in two sprawling floors of exhibits.

Of course there are plenty of interactive areas where kids can get nice and wet while handling ocean rays and fishing around for crabs and starfish in mock tidal pools (parents, pack a change of clothes).

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk isn’t just about the natural history of the harbor—a two-story Boat Hall pays homage to the region’s maritime history with hands-on demonstrations in boatbuilding.

In 2006, the aquarium bowed to commercialism with a new Spongebob Squarepants “4-D Adventure Ride,” in which riders follow Bob and Patrick on an educational trip through Bikini Bottom. (If you’re wondering what the fourth dimension is, the aquarium somewhat strangely claims it’s “bubbles.”)

Other draws include an IMAX theater and nature cruises in the harbor.