When Clemenza utters the classic line: “Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes” in the 1972 classic “The Godfather,” it’s not exactly a good thing for Mr. Brasi.
We assure you, however, that you can sleep with the sharks at the Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center this summer and feel very good about it.
In a unique family-friendly experience, the aquarium will shut its doors to the general public at 6 p.m. on Tuesday July 9, and remain open until 7 a.m. for those who have purchased a ticket to sleep with the sharks.
Plans for the overnight event include hands-on activities in the aquarium’s Shark Discovery Lab, a guided tour through the aquarium’s animal care area, a visit to the food prep area to see how the sharks and rays are fed, and arts and crafts. The film “Shark Tale” will also be screened during the evening.
Then, when your eyes get heavy and you’re ready to fall asleep, you can drop your sleeping bad down on the floor and get a quiet night’s rest next to the shark tank.
“A sleepover at the aquarium provides our guests with a unique view of the facility,” said aquarium spokesperson Johanna Zucaro. “The tank lights go off, the music goes off, the crowds are gone and certain animals are only first waking up—so it’s a unique and intimate view.”
The shark event is similar to penguin- and butterfly-themed sleepover nights the aquarium hosts occasionally.
Tickets for the sleepover event are $65 ($50 for members).
Call the aquarium at 631-208-9200 for more information.
