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New England Aquarium On Boston Harbor

See giant sea turtles, octopuses, rays, sea lions, whales, and jellyfish at the New England Aquarium in Boston. A global leader in ocean exploration and marine conservation, this top Boston attraction is home to thousands of aquatic animals, from sharks to penguins. The New England Aquarium is an ideal rainy day activity in Boston and offers a wide range of sea life exhibits, including a giant shark and ray touch tank, a coral reef with Caribbean turtles and fish, and the Simons IMAX Theater. Located on the Boston waterfront, the aquarium offers education programs and whale watching excursions through the New England Aquarium Whale Watch from April through November.  Current exhibits include the Penguin Colony, Marine Mammal Center, Science of Sharks and the Amazon Rainforest.  Please note, the Shark & Ray Touch Tank is currently closed for renovation.  
New England Aquarium at Boston city

New England Aquarium

1 Central Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts
Distance from hotel: 1.13 miles

Plan Your Visit

Hours

  • Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm; Weekends, 9 am - 6 pm

Prices

  • Adults: $39
  • Child (3-11): $30
  • Child <3: free
  • Seniors (60+): $37
  • Students:  $37
  • Aquarium Members: free

Events

  • Meet and Greets
  • IMAX Movies
  • Summer Camps

Activities

  • Animal Exhibits
  • Animal Encounters
  • Whale Watching
  • Behind the Scenes Tours
  • Dining
  • Shopping
  • Is there dining at the New England Aquarium?
    The New England Aquarium feature three restaurants and bars - the seasonal Central Snack Bar, which offers a variety of salads, sandwiches, snacks & beverages; Harbor View Cafe, which offers pizza, sandwiches, soups, grilled items and features casual counter-service; the Dockside Beer Garden (also open to the public seasonally) features Cisco and Kona beer alongside BBQ favorites.
  • How much time should I plan for visiting the Aquarium?
    Visitors should plan to spend two hours at the New England Aquarium. This will give you enough time to explore the animal exhibits and touch tanks. You should plan for more time if you want to take the whale watch tours, which last three to four hours, or the IMAX films, which last between 35 and 45 minutes.
  • When is the best time to see the whales in Boston?
    The best time to see the whales in Boston is between April and November. Take the New England Aquarium Whale cruise from Boston to the Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary, one of the world's most active marine sanctuaries and visiting home to a variety of whales, dolphins and abundant marine life.