About
Tucked inside the Marketplace at Steamtown — a repurposed mall in downtown Scranton — Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den has transformed vacant retail space into something genuinely surprising. This isn't a fish store in the traditional sense; it's a public aquarium and reptile exhibit that packs a remarkable amount of life into a compact footprint. Visitors routinely express shock at just how much is here: saltwater tanks teeming with colorful marine life, freshwater habitats, a rainforest section complete with nocturnal animals, and an extensive reptile collection headlined by a king cobra that draws audible gasps.
The interactive elements set it apart. Touch tanks let guests handle horseshoe crabs, sea urchins, and starfish, while stingray feeding sessions consistently rank as visitor favorites — kids and grandparents alike line up for the chance. Educational presentations run throughout the day, with zookeepers bringing out live animals (including snakes for the brave) and delivering genuinely informative talks that keep young audiences rapt.
One repeat visitor noted her three-year-old great-granddaughter retained facts between visits. Staff members like Kari at the front desk earn frequent shoutouts for warmth and knowledge. Reviewers consistently note that the animals look healthy and well cared for, and the exhibits — though modest in scale — are thoughtfully designed to reflect real habitats, from amphibian terrariums to a large marine fish display.
The facility is fully accessible on one floor, accommodating wheelchairs and scooters with ease, and validated parking in the adjacent garage removes any hassle. Is it the National Aquarium? No, and it doesn't pretend to be.
Plan for about two hours, and you'll leave satisfied. Memberships make repeat visits painless, and many Scranton-area families treat it as a regular outing. For a rainy afternoon or a birthday trip with kids, Electric City Aquarium delivers an experience that punches well above its square footage.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- InvertebratesReef
- Services
- Consultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Interactive touch tanks with horseshoe crabs, sea urchins, starfish, and stingrays
- Live stingray feeding sessions open to visitors
- King cobra exhibit and extensive reptile collection
- Regularly scheduled educational presentations with live animal encounters
- Rainforest section with nocturnal animal exhibits
From keepers
Customer reviews
“This place is Awesome!! Love it! The owner is so down to earth and you can tell he really put alot of love into the place!!”
— Paradise Soulfood & Sweets LLC5.06 days ago“Great place, easy parking.”
— Tj Burnett5.0a week ago“Perfect place to take the kids for an entertaining educational experience. Just the right size to stop by and not take all afternoon. Get the membership and take them all the time.”
— Stan Shaffer5.0Edited a week ago“It was great ,just really small. But the animals were well cared for and beautiful.”
— Colleen Magie4.02 weeks ago“I visited the aquarium today for the first time and I was greeted by an incredibly delightful lady named Kari! She greeted me with a nice big smile and answered every question I asked!! Great experience thanks to Kari👍”
— Kevin Carvalho5.02 weeks ago“was a fantastic, fun place to spend a few hours at. was a little on the expensive side but very clean. friendly stash and a good place for about 2 hours with my little one. we missed out on the octopus but everything else was fantastic including the cute little touch tank they have a variety of everything including reptiles, fish, eating some monkeys, and an alligator. it is pretty much a two-in-1 little zoo and aquarium they also education center they have inside will definitely return”
— jason dessereau5.02 weeks ago“The best hidden gem! We had a blast with our 2 & 4 year old!”
— Brooke Newhart5.02 weeks ago“We just went there yesterday and had the best day ever! They had so many shows explaining the animals in detail. They have a hands on feeding with the sting rays. You can also feel sea urchins and star fish. They have a really cool area outside the Aquarium for pictures. I took pictures that look like my kids were at the beach.”
— Lynn Troup5.02 weeks ago“It was nice experience and the staff is really friendly.”
— Mayeo Javi5.02 weeks ago“Really cool kids and adults alike all fascinating”
— Chris G4.02 weeks ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (570) 909-9631 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den.