New England Aquarium

Name: New England Aquarium
Address: 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110, USA, Boston, MA, US
Telephone: (617) 973-5206
Rating: 4.4

4.4(25,591) Boston, MA

Directions Website

About New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium offers a mesmerizing journey into marine life, highlighted by its multi-level Giant Ocean Tank with a spiral ramp allowing close-up views of sea turtles, sharks, and tropical fish. The interactive penguin exhibit and touch tanks with rays and small sharks provide engaging experiences for all ages, making it a highly educational and family-friendly attraction in a convenient waterfront location.

What parents should know

Summarized from real visitor reviews.

Best for: Families looking for a few hours of educational and entertaining marine life exposure.Visitors to Boston seeking a family-friendly attraction easily integrated into a downtown itinerary.Parents with children of varied ages, as it caters well from toddlers to teens.Anyone interested in interactive exhibits and diverse marine species.Perfect for all ages, from toddlers to seniors, with specific mention that children find the penguins and touch tanks particularly engaging.

Why families love it

Mesmerizing Giant Ocean Tank with a spiral ramp offering views of sea turtles, sharks, moray eels, and diverse tropical fish across multiple levels.
Engaging and 'endlessly entertaining' open penguin enclosure, where you might see them fed near opening or even play a game with them.
Interactive touch tanks where visitors can gently interact with rays and small sharks (though patience may be needed due to crowds).
Clean, well-organized exhibits and facilities suitable for all ages, from toddlers to seniors.
Abundant educational displays and staff who are happy to answer questions.
Convenient location on the waterfront near Long Wharf, easily accessible by public transit, foot, and close to other major Boston attractions like Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall.

Insider tips

Visit earlier in the day, especially on weekends, to avoid larger crowds.
Purchase tickets and any associated parking in advance, as recommended by multiple visitors.
Be prepared for potential crowds at popular exhibits like the touch tank, and approach with patience.
Keep your aquarium tickets if you plan to visit the IMAX theater, as it's a separate building and you'll need them for re-entry.
If you visit near opening, you might catch the penguins being fed.
Consider budgeting for expensive on-site food or planning to eat at nearby restaurants due to limited and costly cafeteria options.

Good to know before you go

Arriving during peak weekend hours without an early start if you wish to minimize crowds, particularly at popular exhibits.
Relying solely on the on-site cafeteria for a full meal, especially for budget-conscious families or those with picky eaters.
The touch tank can get crowded, requiring visitors to be patient or 'a little aggressive' to secure a spot.
Seal show times and entrance location are not always clearly posted or well-marked.
The on-site cafeteria offers a small selection of items, and food can be expensive (e.g., a basket of 3 chicken tenders, fries, and a drink was over $20).

Crowds: Can get crowded, especially on weekends; arriving earlier in the day is advised to avoid peak crowds.
Value: The experience is consistently described as 'worth the price' given the quality and extent of the exhibits. However, on-site food options in the cafeteria are limited and expensive (e.g., over $20 for a basic combo meal). Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended and may offer better value or convenience.
Food: A small cafeteria is available on-site, offering limited, costly items.
Accessibility: The central Giant Ocean Tank features a spiral ramp, which inherently provides good accessibility for strollers and wheelchairs across multiple viewing levels.
Safety: The venue maintains a 'clean and well organized' environment, contributing to overall safety.

What parents say

Barbellz

5.0

"The New England Aquarium is a must-visit attraction when you’re in Boston, especially if you love marine life. Located right on the waterfront near Long Wharf, it’s super easy to reach by public transit or even on foot if you're exploring downtown. The centerpiece of the aquarium is the Giant Ocean Tank, a huge cylindrical tank that spans several floors. You can walk up a spiral ramp around it and see sea turtles, sharks, colorful tropical fish, and even moray eels swimming in a beautiful coral reef environment. It’s absolutely mesmerizing! The penguin exhibit at the base of the tank is also"

a week ago

Christina Ellis

5.0

"We visited today and had a wonderful time, all ages from toddler to senior enjoyed ourselves. Everything was clean and well organized. The exhibits are well done and the touch tank was a big hit. We had tickets for the aquarium and nearby parking purchased in advance, which I highly recommend."

2 weeks ago

Anke Hao

5.0

"Amazing experience, love the open penguin enclosure and the massive tank in the middle. The two sea turtles were cute (and huge) and we even saw a stingray that tried to fly out of the tank X'D. Lots of educational content in the museum too!"

a week ago

Reviews sourced from public Google data.