Long Island Aquarium's first 'Enchanted Weekend': An overnight stay with mermaid swim
The Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead will let kids swim with mermaids during a new event this winter. Credit: Rick Kopstein
Winter mermaid alert!
The Long Island Aquarium is planning a new event for families in February called "An Enchanted Weekend" that will include a tea party, an aquarium visit, a movie, an overnight stay at the Hyatt Place Riverhead and a swim-with-a-mermaid pool party the next morning.
"I thought it would be fun to do a whole weekend, like a little staycation," says Darlene Puntillo, aquarium marketing director. The timing coincides with February break from school.
The event kicks off on Feb. 15 with two white-glove-service tea party seatings in the aquarium's Sea Star Ballroom, one at 10 a.m. and one at 12:30 p.m. Miniature sandwiches, mini scones, brownies, tea and juice will be served.
"We’ll have everyone’s favorite princesses," Puntillo says. "The little ones usually come dressed in costumes. The kids can get up and dance and sing. The princesses will bop from table to table."
After the tea party, families can spend as much time as they wish at the aquarium before heading to the Hyatt for their overnight.
"There will be a themed movie night," Puntillo says, complete with popcorn. "Bring down pillows, put jammies on and watch."
Some Hyatt loyalty members will have breakfast included in their stay, while other people can purchase breakfast at the hotel for $11 per person, says Tony Cotignola, director of sales for Hyatt Place Riverhead and Atlantis Banquets and Events at the aquarium.
The overnight wraps up with heading to the hotel’s indoor pool for a "Magical Mermaid Swim." At least one mermaid will be in the pool with guests, similar to the event the aquarium usually offers in its outdoor snorkel tank during the summer. "It’s such a popular thing over the summer, and the tank closes on Labor Day," Puntillo says.
Mermaid Hannah Palmer says she will be wearing her mermaid tail and will be singing a song and playing games with the children in the pool. "I'll teach them some mermaid tricks," she says, such as blowing bubble kisses or doing a flip in the water.
The cost for the weekend package including aquarium events and overnight is $307 plus tax for one adult and one child; for two adults and one child the cost is $437 plus tax. Each additional child is $117 plus tax, Cotignola says. The aquarium is at 431 Main St. in Riverhead; 631-208-9200, longislandaquarium.com.
Beth Whitehouse writes about families, parenting and great things to do with the kids on Long Island. She’s been a Newsday editor and shared a 1997 Newsday staff Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the crash of TWA Flight 800.
