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On June 20, 1969 the New England Aquarium opened its doors to the public for the first time. The
New England Aquarium was built with the idea of providing an underwater experience for the visitor and of being a cultural institution that would reconnect Boston to its waterfront. In its
nearly 40 years of existence, the New England Aquarium has grown a lot.
The Aquarium has developed several programs in order to help preserve and bring a better understanding of marine life.
The New England Aquarium exhibits have been under constant expansion and renovation. From the Giant Ocean Tank, opened in 1970 that was, at the time, the largest circular, salt water tank in the world to the new Matthew and Marcia Simons IMAX®, the only 3D theatre in Boston, opened in December 2001. The
New England Aquarium continues its tradition to serve as a leader in research, education and conservation.
Located in the central open atrium of the main building, the principal feature of the Aquarium is the Giant Ocean Tank, a cylindrical 200,000 gallon tank simulating a Caribbean coral reef. This tank houses sharks, turtles, and many smaller reef-living fish. Open at the top, the concrete tank is surrounded by a walkway that spirals down from the top level allowing visitors access to 52 different windows which offer views of the reef from every angle and level.
At the bottom, the tank stands in a large, square 150,000 gallon penguin exhibit, hosting African penguins, rockhopper penguins and little blue penguins. The penguin exhibit can be seen from the spiral walkway of the central tank or from elevated viewing areas that completely surround the perimeter of the exhibit. The penguins live on several artificial rock islands within the exhibit.
Surrounding the atrium are three different levels of smaller exhibits
including. The "Thinking" Gallery features goliath grouper, rare sea dragons, coastal environments and thousands of schooling fish.
The Freshwater Gallery focuses on freshwater habitats in South America compared to New England river systems. This gallery features piranhas, anacondas, electric eels, Atlantic salmon.
At the "Edge of the Sea" tidepool, visitors are allowed to touch New England animals including starfish, sea urchins, snails, hermit crabs and horseshoe crabs.
The Northern Waters of the World Gallery focuses on New England marine habitats compared to Pacific Northwest habitats. The gallery features shorebirds, colored lobsters, goosefish, giant Pacific octopus and countless other invertebrates.
In the Tropical Gallery, visitors will find many colorful tropical fish, cuttlefish, venomous fish including lionfish and scorpionfish, and living corals.
In front of the Aquarium is a harbor seal exhibit, and it can be seen for free without going into the building. Other marine mammals, such as three northern fur seals are on exhibit behind the Aquarium on the
harbor side terrace. The New England Aquarium's marine mammals participate in daily training sessions that are open for public viewing.
Aquarium Medical Center Exhibit
The Aquarium Medical Center is a live working animal hospital, where veterinarians and staff care for Aquarium animals and sick and stranded animals that were rescued from local beaches. It is the first exhibit of its kind to put real staff and medical treatments on public exhibit for all visitors to see.
Summer hours June 30-Sept. 3 (Labor Day):
Mon-Thurs: 9am - 6pm
Fri-Sun: 9am - 7pm
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Official Site and More Information |
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New England Aquarium at the
Boston waterfront
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New
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Boston
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Whale
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Boston
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Freedom
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Paul
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Old State
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Old
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Ferry to
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House of
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Old North
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JFK
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Isabella
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Mapparium |
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USS
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New
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Boston
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Seals are the New England Aquarium's most
popular residents
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Penguin feeding
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See species from all over
the world at the New England Aquarium in
Boston
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