I’ve lived in Schenectady for more than ten years, and although I’d heard of the aquarium, I’d never been. It was my day off, so I roped a friend into going with me. I wasn’t sure what to expect. The only detail I remembered hearing was that you could pet the stingrays. How cool would that be?

Pulling in, it seemed like a typical mall. But as we rounded the corner, I felt a ping of excitement: one side of the building was covered in a bright blue mural depicting larger-than-life ocean themes. We were greeted with a smile at the front desk, and getting tickets was a breeze. The woman let us know to look for the giant shark jaws; if we needed the restrooms, we couldn’t miss it.

One of the first exhibits that caught my eye made me laugh. Before today, I’d only seen baby axolotls. (Do you know what they are?) These three were at least six inches long and were black, brown, and white. According to the sign, they were female and named after the Powerpuff Girls based on their personalities.

It turns out you really can pet stingrays! We were shown how to gently hold our hands flat while they glide by. Stingrays feel both soft and a little slimy, definitely unforgettable. We had fun watching them zip around the pool and hearing kids squeal with delight. They seemed to lift a fin near the corner of the tank, either to slow down or maybe splash the crowd. Most were about the size of a soft gray-white dinner plate. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a huge brown stingray cruised through like royalty. A nearby visitor who seemed like a regular called out, “Priscilla!”

Just before exiting, we found a small but surprising frog display. The tank was a clear cylinder in the center of the room. Three green tree frogs clung to the glass with their bellies and toes smushed flat for easy viewing. I watched a little girl beside me gasp when one leapt from a leaf to the tank wall.

The whole walk-through took about an hour and a half. If you’re bringing kids – and you should - play areas are located throughout the exhibits, and fun facts are tucked into portholes on the walls. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon!