Opened+in+July+1988%2c+The+Maritime+Aquarium+at+Norwalk+offers+visitors+of+all+ages+the+opportunity+to+have+a+good+time+while+learning+about+the+vital+natural+resource+just+off+our+shore%3a+Long+Island+Sound%2e+Set+in+a+refurbished+1860s+factory+at+the+mouth+of+the+Norwalk+River%2c+the+Aquarium+building+and+its+location+reflect+the+region%92s+industrial+past+and+human+uses+of+Long+Island+Sound+for+recreation+and+commerce%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aVisitors+explore+at+their+own+pace%2c+observing+34+exhibits+featuring+more+than+1%2c200+marine+animals+of+259+species%2e+The+Long+Island+Sound+journey+begins+along+a+freshwater+river+and+the+shallow+waters+of+the+salt+marsh%2c+then+moves+into+deeper+and+deeper+habitats+out+to+the+open+ocean%2e+These+close+encounters+with+animals%2c+enhanced+by+friendly+volunteer+interpreters+and+informative+display+panels%2c+educate+visitors+about+the+aquatic+life+of+Long+Island+Sound+and+its+watershed%2e%0d%0a%0d%0a