New England Aquarium
A large aquarium on Central Wharf by the waterfront, where the four-story ocean tank and penguin pool are the crowd favorites. Whale-watching boats depart from here.
Located on Central Wharf, the centerpiece is a cylindrical ocean tank holding about 750,000 liters and rising four stories. Visitors can follow a spiral ramp from the surface down to the bottom to see sea turtles, sharks and coral reef fish. On the ground floor, African penguins and rockhopper penguins swim in their own pools. Outdoors there is a seal exhibit, and the aquarium also has an IMAX theater. Adult admission is about $38, and booking on the official website in advance is recommended. From April to October, whale-watching boats run in partnership with the aquarium and depart from the nearby wharf for Stellwagen Bank to see humpback whales. The trip takes about 3 to 4 hours. Take the Blue Line to Aquarium station. The aquarium can be combined with Quincy Market and the Rose Kennedy Greenway.
Opening hours
09:00–17:00 (extended on weekends and in summer)
Nearby sights
- Quincy Market / Faneuil Hall
- Old State House
- Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
- North End
- Old North Church
- Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston
- Massachusetts State House
- Freedom Trail