"Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea/Joy to you and me." Don't be surprised if you get that kind of giddy feeling at New England Aquarium, where you can witness more than 8,000 of Neptune's children in recreated habitats.
Five times daily, divers enter the four-story Giant Ocean Tank, with its saltwater fish, sharks, sea turtles, rays, and a coral reef and its tiny inhabitants. Entertaining sea-lion shows teach about environmental issues that face marine mammals. Other exhibited creatures include penguins, moray eels, jellyfish, sea otters, shore birds, and colorful fish.
The NEAq, as the aquarium is called, revolutionized aquatic parks at its 1969 debut when it grouped creatures together by species in more natural settings. Today, its environmental compassion continues with the rescue and rehabilitation of whales, dolphins, and other sea creatures stranded on the New England coast. Yet it also stays commercially viable, offering multi-hour whale-watching excursions, a youth-centered Science at Sea tour, and such film showings as Star
Wars and In the Deep on a 65-foot-tall IMAX screen.
Location
NEAq is located at Boston's Central Wharf, just three blocks from Faneuil Hall. Driving directions can be found at the NEAq Web site.
Hours of operation
NEAq is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m.–6 p.m. on weekends
and most holidays. It's open noon–6 p.m. on New Year's Day, but closed
on Thanksgiving and Christmas. IMAX hours vary. Check the NEAq
Web site for exact hours of operation for IMAX.
Admission
General
$13.50
Children (ages 3-11)
$ 7.50
Senior citizens (age 60+)
$ 11.50
Children under age 3
Free
Museum members
Free
Group admission (15 or more)
General
$12.00
Children (ages 3-11)
$6.75
Senior citizens (age 60+)
$10.00
IMAX theater prices (separate from admission to the aquarium)
range from $6 to $8 for a single feature; $10 to $12.50 for a
double feature.
Whale Watch prices range from $17 to $27 for singles;
$16-$20.50 for group members.
Science at Sea prices range from $8.50 to $13 for singles;
$8-$10 for group members.
An aquarium and whale-watch combo price also is offered.
This attraction participates in the CityPass discount program, which provides access to six popular Boston attractions for $30.25 (adults) and $18.50 (children, ages 3-17). CityPass booklets can be purchased at participating attraction locations or at the CityPass Web site.
Contact information and reservations
Call (617) 973-5200 for general information or (617) 973-5206 for reservations. The TTY line is (617) 973-0223.
Visitors using wheelchairs and visitors with visual impairments are admitted free. Several exhibits and children's activities have tactile elements. NEAq is wheelchair accessible, and guide and service dogs are welcome.
An American Sign Language interpreter is available on the first Sunday of every month. And a tape-recorded guide to the main building's exhibits is available for visually impaired visitors at no charge.
Additional information
For groups of 15 or more, make reservations at least two weeks in advance.
Free admission is offered to tour escorts and chaperones
of children's groups (1:5 ratios).
Please note
Cost, hours of operation, or other information about this attraction is subject to change without notice. We suggest you confirm with the attraction prior to your visit.
