Silverton Aquarium is free, open 24/7, and best timed for mermaid swims Thursday through Sunday or daily stingray feedings.
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A free 117,000-gallon reef tank on the south side of Las Vegas is the reason The Aquarium at the Silverton Hotel is worth planning around, not just wandering past. The main draw is simple: tropical fish, stingrays, sharks, live mermaid swims, and daily diver-led feedings without an admission charge.
The aquarium sits inside Silverton Casino Lodge at 3333 Blue Diamond Road, away from the Strip’s heaviest foot traffic. That makes the visit easier than many Las Vegas attractions, but timing matters. Arrive during a mermaid swim or feeding window and the stop feels like a real show; arrive between show blocks and it is a calmer walk-up viewing stop.
If Silverton Aquarium is one stop in a wider Las Vegas attractions day, compare timed activities before locking in the rest of the afternoon:
Silverton Aquarium Visit Basics
Silverton Aquarium is a free indoor attraction at Silverton Casino Lodge, and the aquarium viewing area is open 24 hours a day. The strongest reason to visit is the combination of the large saltwater tank and scheduled in-tank appearances, not a long paid exhibit route.
The official Silverton page lists a 117,000-gallon aquarium with thousands of tropical fish, three species of stingrays, and three species of sharks. Silverton also has smaller water features at the connected Bass Pro Shops area, including an 18,000-gallon Red Rock Canyon-style display with koi.
The visit is best for families, budget travelers, casino guests, road-trippers with a car, and anyone staying south of the Strip. Travelers based around Caesars Palace, Bellagio, or Fremont Street should treat it as a targeted stop rather than something to reach on foot.
What Can You See At Silverton Aquarium?
Silverton Aquarium shows fish, sharks, stingrays, eels, mermaid performers, and diver-led feedings inside a casino-resort setting. The attraction is compact, so the experience depends more on timing than on distance covered.
The main viewing window is the center of the visit. Fish move constantly through the reef tank, and kids tend to stay longer when a diver or mermaid is in the water. The mermaids interact through the glass, pose for photos from inside the tank, and swim in timed blocks.
The nearby Mermaid Lounge adds smaller jellyfish aquariums, while Bass Pro Shops adds a separate indoor wildlife-and-water display. These add-ons are useful if you arrive a little early for a show or need to fill 15–30 minutes.
The Aquarium At The Silverton Hotel Times And Costs
The Aquarium at the Silverton Hotel costs $0 for normal viewing, mermaid swims, and the daily interactive stingray feedings. Paid add-ons exist, but the standard visit does not require an admission ticket.
Silverton’s current official schedule lists the aquarium as open 24/7, stingray feedings daily at 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM, and mermaid swims Thursday through Sunday. The official schedule is the source to check before you drive across town, since casino entertainment schedules can change for private events or holidays.
| Visit Detail | Current Info | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| General aquarium viewing | Open 24/7 | Flexible casino or hotel stops |
| Admission | Free for standard viewing | Budget Las Vegas plans |
| Stingray feedings | Daily at 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM | Seeing the tank at its most active |
| Mermaid swims | Thursday–Saturday, 12 PM–8 PM | Families and first-time visitors |
| Sunday mermaid swims | 10:30 AM–6:30 PM | Earlier family visits |
| Mermaid frequency | Every half hour, except during feedings | Visitors timing photos |
| Mermaid break | 3:45 PM–5 PM | Avoiding the quiet gap |
| Paid dive add-on | $300 for certified divers on select weekends | Certified divers who want tank time |
Silverton Casino Lodge publishes the current aquarium hours, mermaid swim blocks, feeding times, and paid diver information on its official aquarium and mermaid swim schedule.
How Long Do You Need At Silverton Aquarium?
Most visitors need 20–45 minutes at Silverton Aquarium, with the shorter end for casual viewing and the longer end if a mermaid swim or feeding is happening. Add extra time if you plan to eat, browse Bass Pro Shops, or stay for more than one show cycle.
A simple plan works well:
- Arrive 10–15 minutes before a feeding or mermaid block.
- Watch from the main aquarium window first.
- Walk through the Bass Pro Shops aquarium area afterward.
- Use the casino restaurants only if Silverton already fits your route.
The aquarium is not an all-day attraction. Its value is the short, free, air-conditioned stop, especially on a hot afternoon or on a family day that needs a break from paid shows and ticketed museums.
Where Silverton Aquarium Fits In A Las Vegas Day
Silverton Aquarium fits best with south Las Vegas stops, airport-area plans, or a rental-car day. The casino is on Blue Diamond Road, so it is easier by car, rideshare, or taxi than by walking from the Strip.
The attraction pairs naturally with the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, Town Square Las Vegas, South Point, or an airport arrival or departure day. It is less efficient as a stand-alone trip from downtown Las Vegas unless the mermaid schedule is the main reason for going.
Families should aim for a mermaid swim window and avoid the 3:45 PM–5 PM mermaid break. Adults without kids may prefer a quieter late morning or late evening stop, when the tank is still open but the crowd near the glass is thinner.
Planning note: Silverton is a casino resort, so the aquarium is family-friendly, but the surrounding property includes gaming areas. Walk directly to the aquarium zone if visiting with children.
Where To Stay Near Silverton Aquarium
Staying near Silverton Aquarium makes sense for travelers with a car, a south Las Vegas itinerary, or an early flight from Harry Reid International Airport. Strip-first visitors usually get more convenience from a central Strip hotel and visit Silverton by rideshare.
Silverton Casino Lodge is the closest stay, but the wider south Las Vegas area can be more practical if you want easy parking and lower resort traffic. Compare hotels around Silverton, South Point, Town Square, and the south Strip before choosing:
Is Silverton Aquarium Worth It?
Silverton Aquarium is worth it when you time the visit for mermaids or a stingray feeding, since the attraction is free and easy to combine with nearby plans. Silverton Aquarium is less worth a long cross-town detour if you can only see the tank between scheduled appearances.
The strongest use case is a low-cost family stop. Kids get movement, fish, sharks, stingrays, and a short show-like moment without the price of a major Las Vegas attraction. Adults get a quick indoor break, free parking in the wider resort area, and food options nearby.
The weaker use case is a packed Strip itinerary. Travelers with only one day in Las Vegas should not sacrifice Bellagio fountains, a major show, or a timed museum reservation for a quick aquarium stop unless mermaids are a specific priority.
Use This Timing Plan For The Easiest Visit
The easiest Silverton Aquarium visit is built around one scheduled in-tank event, with a small buffer before and after. The aquarium itself is always available, but the scheduled swims and feedings create the moment most visitors came for.
- For families: Go Thursday–Sunday and arrive 15 minutes before a mermaid swim block.
- For the most action in the tank: Go for the 1:30 PM or 4:30 PM stingray feeding.
- For fewer people near the glass: Visit outside the middle of the afternoon and avoid peak family timing.
- For a south Las Vegas day: Pair Silverton with the Las Vegas sign, Town Square, or an airport-area meal.
- For a tight Strip trip: Skip the detour unless the mermaid show is the reason you are going.
If you want more paid Las Vegas attractions after the free aquarium stop, compare those separately so Silverton stays the easy, no-cost part of the day:
References & Sources
- Silverton Casino Lodge.“Aquarium & Mermaid Swims.”Lists the current aquarium hours, feeding times, mermaid swim schedule, tank size, and paid dive program.