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Frequently mentioned in reviews: experience (28) tour (12) nice (10) worth (10) kids (8) Great (8) children (8) amazing (7) interactive (7) great (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Deepa P. 4 years ago on Google • 144 reviews
    One word: amazing!!! I didn't really know what to expect, so was pleasantly surprised with this guided interactive experience. What a great way to see the world under the sea! I loved that there was not one live animal behind glass here but you still felt like you were really interacting with the ocean life. I especially enjoyed the bioluminescent experience. Also, the restrooms here are gender inclusive and very clean!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Jolene S. 3 years ago on Google • 692 reviews
    This is a great family activity to do so close to Times Square. It was about 45 minutes for us. We felt like it was a bit under whelming compared to what the trailer and advertisements portrayed as well as more expensive. But we did learn something so that was good, much more fun for kids. I appreciated their focus on promoting environmental aspects and issues.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jenny P. 6 years ago on Google • 117 reviews
    Beautiful exhibits. My kids loved it. It felt real and was very nice and educational. Although I went with a school trip glad we didn't pay because I would have been very upset to spend all that money for a short experience like that. Definitely not worth more than 20 dollars but that's just my opinion. The tour guide was knowledgeable and great. Overall great and very beautiful experience. I recommend to all.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 carl t. 6 years ago on Google • 917 reviews
    Got a free pass to this through my environment-friendly job. Usually costs $40. Felt like an Epcot center ride. High-quality. Fun, journey-type feel to it. Enjoyed the variable rooms. When rooms were something like: 1) screen-to-floor ocean-drifting projection, 2) under water glowing coral reef, 3) dark room with whale noises, 4) 3D whale sharks, 5) 360 projection of a squid cannibal attack, 6) kelp mirror maze, 7) video seal, 8) end room conservation games. I really enjoyed the whale noises and 3D room. Takes anywhere between 50 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on how long you want to play with video seals, play the games and interactive stuff. I think it’s totally worth about $25. Great for kids and families. Guy fierri’s American Kitchen is right next door. 1/2 block from Times Square.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jennie G. 5 years ago on Google • 82 reviews
    Had an amazing time at The Encounter. Our tour guide was very friendly from beginning to the end. It’s worth the trip to visit not only we learned about sea life and how we can help preserve it. We will definitely re visit again with a couple of more friends to enjoy especially the Kelp Maze Lml hope you make it out. Kudos very enjoyable experience even for the children. My Girls were so happy we came. 👍🏽👍🏽
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lisa S. 5 years ago on Google • 495 reviews
    A very fun experience. Wasn't crowded for a Sunday, which made it better. Our tour guide was nice and had great enthusiasm. I really enjoyed the Kelp Maze and the 3D show. I recommend checking this out...but be forewarned. The Humbolt Squid might frighten some children.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mustakima K. 5 years ago on Google • 40 reviews
    It’s a perfect place to go with family or anyone or even alone. Just don’t bring anyone under 4 years old- some exhibitions might be a bit scary for children at that age. It’s a great place to learn about deep ocean creatures. Ticket price is reasonable- will not regret after visiting this place.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tiffany W. 5 years ago on Google • 28 reviews
    A must See. You get to experience the ocean in its truest form. I learned so much, had fun& was amazed. My 2y.o. autistic daughter had an amazing time, she loved it. she was not scared which was a bonus. We really had a blast.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Robin W. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) We were there late in January and didn't have to queue. Is very interesting to look at and something else. I have never seen such a projection before. We would not have done it without the New York Pass, because the normal entry is quite high. All in all it was a nice experience. (Original) Wir waren im Januar recht spät dort und mussten nicht anstehen. Ist ganz interessant anzusehen und mal was anderes. So eine projizierung hab ich vorher noch nie gesehen. Ohne New York Pass hätten wir es aber nicht gemacht, da der normale Eintritt doch recht hoch ist. Alles in allem war es aber eine schöne Erfahrung.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 D A. 4 years ago on Google
    I just asked a group of 9 to 11 year olds and the average rating was four stars. The lowest was three stars. It was an educational experience and a nice way to spend a couple of hours on a rainy or cold day.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Glide g. 4 years ago on Google
    Went here twice and loved it favorite part was mirror maze but there is a wait
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Avi P. 3 years ago on Google
    This place is ok but definitely not worth your money. I got here as a student for $20 and I had only a decent time. Aside from being boring it's extremely over priced. There are some fun moments though but not alot
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sathish K. 4 years ago on Google
    This place is very different. !! There are no real Fishes but the way its presented in digital is awesome. They have guided tour for the whole encounter.!!. It's a different experience and the 3D at last was truly amazing.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 yayo6667 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A fascinating experience for the senses. At times you feel under the sea. To see with the family. Wonderful (Original) Una fascinante experiencia para los sentidos. Por momentos te sientes debajo del mar. Para ver en familia. Maravilloso
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jesus P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Impressive, somewhat expensive but like almost everything in NYC. It is very worth going to meet him especially if you go with children. (Photos 20018) (Original) Impresionante, algo caro pero como casi todo en NYC. Merece muchísimo la pena asistir a conocerlo especialmente si vas con niños. (Fotos 20018)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Family Fun (Family F. 5 years ago on Google • 13 reviews
    What a cool experience! We had fun. There is 1 little 3D moment that my youngest who is 8 (she is a big chicken) was afraid of despite me telling her it was not real. Since we knew it was coming I just made her close her eyes for it. You can just ask your guide to warn you of anything scary for your kid. My other girls age 9 & 10 weren't scared at all and loved the 1scary part. It's a real cool experience. There are no live animals but it's interactive and you are literally thrown into the world of the sea. It was still worth every penny.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lizett C. 5 years ago on Google • 57 reviews
    Absolutely stunning sea life animations throughout your tour that is not only educational but truly fun experience for both grown ups and kiddos in the family. A must see experience if you are in the area. Please do keep in mind there will be a wait time (about 30-45 mins) despite your assigned timing given tours broken up in groups of 20-25.

  • 5/5 Kendra G. 4 years ago on Google
    Great interactive 3D experience for the family!

  • 5/5 Maristella G. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing experience

  • 5/5 Genesis L. 4 years ago on Google
    Lots of fun. Keep in mind it is a guided tour

  • 5/5 Ana E. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Magnificent, I loved it, 😍 (Original) Magnífico, me encantó, 😍

  • 4/5 Lukas J. 4 years ago on Google
    It is nice. But expensive for what it offers.

  • 5/5 Trikaldarshi P. 4 years ago on Google
    Very interactive. Great for kids. The tour is really amazing!

  • 2/5 Brian S. 4 years ago on Google
    Very short took only 30 minutes and was not worth the price.

  • 4/5 Aquarelle 4 years ago on Google
    It is a nice place to explore with your children, however the cost of entry for adults is disproportionate to the kids'. To be reviewed..

  • 5/5 Cristóbal Contreras M. 4 years ago on Google
    The best museum of new york

  • 4/5 Chuck F. 4 years ago on Google
    Went into the museum. Enjoyed the exhibits. Would go back again

  • 5/5 John G. 4 years ago on Google
    Really nice must experience

  • 4/5 Amy W. 4 years ago on Google
    A sensory immersion experience to delight most. As you walk through the experience, each room is a different depth and habitant of the Pacific ocean. In some rooms there are things to touch, or see, or listen to. This provides an exceptional education on our oceans and delivers an important message about the fragility of it's ecosystem/food webs. The only reason I didn't give it 5 is because the experience may exclude certain people. If you get motion sickness I throw a word of caution, some rooms may have you spinning. If you or your child have sensory sensitivities, such as individuals with Autism, you may not be able to handle the extreme changes in light and occasional, very loud noises.

  • 5/5 Denise W. 4 years ago on Google
    Loved it. Learned a lot & the tour is amazing.

  • 2/5 Pablo M. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The attention was good, but the experience was very bad. Really bored. Pure videos on screens. I do not recommend it, is wasting time. (Original) La atención fue buena, pero la experiencia malisima. Super aburrida. Puros videos en pantallas. No lo recomiendo, es perder el tiempo.

  • 2/5 源泉掛け流し 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Interesting but maybe a little too expensive (laughs) (Original) 面白いけど少し高過ぎるかな😅(笑)

  • 5/5 Brownie 4 years ago on Google
    Literally one of the best experiences. Not only am I more aware of what is happening on Earth, but I enjoyed myself. You get to witness all the acts of being underwater without getting wet. Fun for all ages and worth EVERY PENNY! Pay for the ocean odyssey admission. ITS WORTH IT!

  • 4/5 C R. 4 years ago on Google
    We really didnt know what to expect when we went through but it ended up being very informative and cool to see. It's an interactive experience that takes about an hour to walk through. We did have a hard time hearing out guide but other than that it was worth seeing.

  • 5/5 Tamunoibim A. 4 years ago on Google
    Educational and inspirational.

  • 5/5 Elena E. 4 years ago on Google
    What an awesome outing for children and adults alike. A wonderful visual experience of ocean life!

  • 4/5 Jessica K. 4 years ago on Google
    We were excited to check this out based on the website’s pictures and some reviews. The admission is definitely overpriced for the experience you get. Much of what is shown are video projections. At some points during the tour, the pace could have been quickened as it was just the same noise and image on repeat-a little annoying considering the cost. I think the interactive stations were interesting, but BEWARE of the “take the pledge” kiosk as they sell your e-mail address to spam. We never even received our pictures. I love what they stand for and the awareness they are trying to spread. The videos at the end were informative and impactful. This isn’t a place you visit over and over again for sure.

  • 4/5 Caleb P. 4 years ago on Google
    This place was really nice. I don't know if it is worth 40 dollars though. It's really great for kids. There is a number of interesting things kids can interact with.

  • 4/5 Paule P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Had it not been for the New York Pass, I would probably not have gone in. It's done nicely, but somehow you just expect more ... (Original) Wäre es im New York Pass nicht dabei gewesen wäre ich vermutlich nicht reingegangen. Es ist schön gemacht, aber irgendwie erwartet man einfach mehr...

  • 5/5 Chloe I. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice photos

  • 5/5 Steve C. 3 years ago on Google
    Really cool place and very educational

  • 3/5 Adalis R. 4 years ago on Google
    Great walk through digital and educational tour. A little expensive for how long it took and more geared towards children. The tour guide was amazing though.

  • 5/5 Bernardo Fernández C. 3 years ago on Google
    Great!

  • 5/5 Miško B. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Great place (Original) Super miesto

  • 5/5 The Hodge F. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful experience for the entire family.

  • 5/5 Cathy E. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Spectacular!!!! (Original) Espectacular!!!!

  • 5/5 Poetically M. 4 years ago on Google
    Can be a little scary for small children who are scared of the dark

  • 2/5 Chian-Tilung A. 4 years ago on Google
    Do not go rhere .it is not as advertise. It is just a video tour and you are walking around . My kids were bired to death.

  • 3/5 Zhongyi T. 4 years ago on Google
    Good for family groups. It's overpriced in my mind. Kinda boring.

  • 5/5 Katelyn S. 4 years ago on Google
    Very informational and a lot of fun for people of all ages!

  • 3/5 Johny T. 4 years ago on Google
    Was nice, learning but overpriced and too loud

  • 5/5 Jai H. 4 years ago on Google
    Great experience!! Everyone should try

  • 5/5 cassieetta s. 4 years ago on Google
    Great place for kids and adults

  • 4/5 Marcelo B. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Good experience. (Original) Buena experiencia.

  • 4/5 Abizar N. 4 years ago on Google
    Very nice museum to know the kind of life that exists under the ocean. Although everything was digital, but looked real.

  • 5/5 Jesus A. 4 years ago on Google
    this is a museum


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