Kiddin' Around: Weeki Wachee Mermaids

The long: Two at a time, water ballerinas in bikini tops and fishtails, upholders of a 67-year-old Tampa, Fla., tradition, spin, shimmy and sip air from hoses alongside stingrays and a hammerhead shark in the theater tank at Adventure Aquarium.

The short: Fulfills G-rated fantasies of would-be mermaids, Swimsuit Edition fans and Parrotheads alike.

The crowd: Kids and oglers, ages 2 to 99.

The timing: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Ends Sunday.

Other creatures: Can't miss lovably stinky hippos Button and Genny at meal times (10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. weekdays; 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. weekends), glowing jellies in the Jules Verne gallery and sleek swimmers in the shark tunnel - all in North building.

Outdoors: Fifteen African penguins hold their own against the cold, right next to stingray touching tanks (indoors).

Refreshments: Self-serve cafe has salads, burgers, Breyers, soft pretzels.

Souvenirs: Mermaid dolls. Mermaid T-shirts. Mermaid purses . . .

The basics: 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Sunday, $25.95 ages 13+, $18.95 ages 2 to 12, under 2 free, 856-365-3300, adventureaquarium.com.

If you NJ Transit: From Walter Rand Transportation Center, take Riverline, No. 452 or No. 453 bus.

If you drive: Parking costs $10.