Hoist ale on Saturday evenings in October as the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk offers special Octoberfest Cruises featuring tastings from local craft breweries.
You can also take cruises in September and October that let you examine marine creatures brought up out of the water, see lighthouses or to just enjoy a fun boat ride, maybe at sunset.
Octoberfest Cruises
These adults-only Octoberfest cruises — the latest in the Aquarium’s occasional “Maritime With A Twist” social events — will showcase a different brewery each Saturday. Sample and enjoy the breweries’ flagship and seasonal products, while taking in the gorgeous sights on Long Island Sound.
— This article is adapted from two announcements from the Maritime Aquarium
The Octoberfest cruise schedule is:
Maritime Aquarium: “You say you want something different in a Long Island Sound cruise? Hold my beer.”
• Oct. 7 – No Worries Brewing Co. of Hamden
• Oct. 14 – Charter Oak Brewing Co. of Danbury
• Oct. 21 – Two Roads Brewery Co. in Stratford
• Oct. 28 – The Owl’s Brew of New York and Beer’d Brewing Co. of Stonington
Representatives from the breweries will be along to pour and discuss their beers.
Each 90-minute Octoberfest Cruise departs at 5 p.m. The cruises are timed to include the setting autumn sun and, with luck, a dazzling western sky reflecting on the water. Get back in time to enjoy dinner or an evening out just steps away in the restaurants and nightspots of SoNo.
Photo from the Maritime Aquarium
Happy hour lasts longer on the water.
Cruises occur aboard the Maritime Aquarium’s R/V Spirit of the Sound, a 64-foot catamaran that is the first research vessel in the country with quiet hybrid-electric propulsion. It docks outside the IMAX Theater.
If You’re Going …
- Tickets are $50 ($45 for Aquarium members). Participants must be at least 21 years old. Space is limited on all Maritime Aquarium cruises, so advance reservations are strongly recommended.
- Book your tickets by calling (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206, or on the Maritime Aquarium website.
Variety of Cruises in Sept, Oct
Cruise out onto Long Island Sound with The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk this fall.
“Whether it’s to learn about the biodiversity of Long Island Sound in a very hands-on way, or to get close looks at lighthouses you can barely see from shore, or to just raise a glass on a weekend evening, we’re excited to give folks the chance to get out on the water,” said Dave Sigworth, the Aquarium’s spokesman. “The more that you’re out there, the more motivated you are to act on the Sound’s behalf.”
The following cruises are available this fall aboard The Maritime Aquarium’s R/V Spirit of the Sound™, a 64-foot catamaran that is the country’s first research vessel with quiet “green” hybrid-electric propulsion:
Marine Life Encounter Cruises
They start at 1 p.m. on most Saturdays and Sundays in September, and on Sundays in October.
Examine a variety of fish, crabs, mollusks and other creatures brought up right out of the Sound right before your eyes during these memorable 2.5-hour outings – the Aquarium’s signature cruises.
Photo from the Maritime Aquarium
The inspection begins …
Participants also help find crabs, worms and other animals hidden in the muddy bottom, and view plankton using a videomicroscope linked to the boat’s giant-screen monitor.
Tickets are $29.95 ($24.95 for Aquarium members).
‘TGIF Cruises’ Fridays in September
And ‘Sunset Cruise’ on Saturday, Sept. 30
Enjoy a fun, relaxing tour out toward the Norwalk islands as twilight paints the western sky, dazzlingly reflected on the water. Both cruises depart at 6 p.m. Aquarium educators will point out sights and wildlife, but these 90-minute cruises mainly stress de-stressing.
Tickets for each are $29.95 ($19.95 for members).
Maritime Aquarium Research Vessel Spirit of the Sound
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s R/V Spirit of the Sound
If You’re Going …
- Food and drink are not available for purchase on the boat. You may bring food and beverages in a small bag or soft-sided cooler. Glass bottles are prohibited.
- For all cruises, participants must be at least 42 inches tall to board. Where applies, those under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- R/V Spirit of the Sound has a climate-controlled cabin but participants should dress for time outside on deck, where the best viewing occurs.
- Capacity is limited so advance reservations are strongly suggested for all Aquarium cruises. Reserve your tickets online — and see the full schedule for R/V Spirit of the Sound — at the Maritime Aquarium website. Or call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.