New England Aquarium, Boston

Name: New England Aquarium
Address: 1 Central Wharf, Boston, 02110, United States
Telephone: +1 617-973-5200

#12 among attractions in Boston

Zoo

Gallery (18)

Map

Gallery

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Facts and practical information

The New England Aquarium is a vibrant marine sanctuary nestled in the heart of Boston, offering an immersive experience into the underwater world. Established in 1969, this aquatic institution has grown to become one of the premier attractions in the city, drawing visitors from around the globe.

Sprawling over a significant waterfront area, the aquarium is home to a diverse collection of marine life, boasting over 20,000 animals representing 600 species. The centerpiece of the facility is the Giant Ocean Tank, a four-story coral reef exhibit that houses hundreds of Caribbean reef animals, including sea turtles, stingrays, eels, and a variety of fish.

Visitors to the New England Aquarium can embark on a journey through a range of aquatic habitats, from the Amazon Rainforest to the Pacific Reef. Interactive exhibits like the Edge of the Sea touch tank allow guests to get up close with sea stars, hermit crabs, and horseshoe crabs, providing an educational and hands-on experience.

The aquarium also operates the Simons IMAX Theatre, where audiences can be transported to some of the most remote and enchanting underwater locations on the planet, all without leaving their seats. In addition, the New England Aquarium is deeply committed to marine conservation and operates numerous research and rescue programs aimed at protecting ocean life.

Alternative names: Visitors per year: 1.3 mil.Animals: 20 thous.Species: 600Coordinates: 42°21'34"N, 71°3'0"W

Address

1 Central WharfNorth EndBoston 02110 United States

Contact

+1 617-973-5200

Website

Social media

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Boston

Day trips

New England Aquarium – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall, Freedom Trail, Haymarket Open-Air Market.

~1330 ftW
Shopping, Market, Flea market
Quincy Market, Boston
7 min walk • Quincy Market is a historic marketplace in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, that has become a beloved landmark and a bustling hub for locals and tourists alike. Located in the city's downtown area, Quincy Market consists of a main building, Faneuil Hall, flanked by...
~1330 ftW
Historic indoor-outdoor shopping center
Faneuil Hall, Boston
7 min walk • Faneuil Hall, located in the heart of Boston, United States, stands not only as a bustling shopping center but also as a site steeped in history. Known as "The Cradle of Liberty," it was built in 1742 and has been an integral part of Boston's social and political life...
0.4 miW
Route with historic sites and museums
Freedom Trail, Boston
10 min walk • The Freedom Trail in Boston is a 2.5-mile-long path through downtown that passes by 16 locations significant to the history of the United States. Marked largely with brick, it winds from Boston Common to the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown.
~1830 ftNW
Shopping, Market, Flea market
Haymarket Open-Air Market, Boston
9 min walk • Nestled in the historic heart of Boston, the Haymarket Open-Air Market is a vibrant and bustling hub of commerce that has been serving the city for centuries. A stone's throw from the Freedom Trail and the iconic Faneuil Hall, Haymarket is a living testament to the...
~630 ftNW
Park
Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, Boston
4 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Boston, the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway is a vibrant urban park that stands as a testament to innovative city planning and a commitment to green spaces. Spanning approximately 1.5 miles through several of the city's neighborhoods, this...
0.5 miW
Historic site of the Boston Tea Party
Old South Meeting House, Boston
12 min walk • The Old South Meeting House is a historic Congregational church building located at the corner of Milk and Washington Streets in the Downtown Crossing area of Boston, Massachusetts, built in 1729.
~970 ftW
Greek Revival architecture, Tower, Architecture
Custom House Tower, Boston
5 min walk • The Custom House Tower is a skyscraper in McKinley Square, in the Financial District neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. The original building was constructed in 1837–47 and was designed by Ammi Burnham Young in the Greek Revival style.
~1020 ftNW
Park
Armenian Heritage Park, Boston
5 min walk • Armenian Heritage Park is a memorial park dedicated to the victims of the Armenian genocide located on Parcel 13 on the Rose Kennedy Greenway between Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Christopher Columbus Park in Boston, Massachusetts.
~1600 ftW
Street
Merchants Row, Boston
8 min walk • Merchants Row in Boston, Massachusetts is a short street extending from State Street to Faneuil Hall Square in the Financial District. Since the 17th century it has been a place of commercial activity. It sits close to Long Wharf and Dock Square, hubs of shipping and trade through the 19th century.
0.4 miW
Historical place, Shopping
Old Corner Bookstore, Boston
12 min walk • The Old Corner Bookstore is a historic commercial building located at 283 Washington Street at the corner of School Street in the historic core of Boston, Massachusetts.
~1050 ftNW
Waterfront, Piers and boardwalks
Long Wharf, Boston
6 min walk • Long Wharf is a historic pier in Boston, Massachusetts, built between 1710 and 1721. It once extended from State Street nearly a half-mile into Boston Harbor; today, the much-shortened wharf functions as a dock for passenger ferries and sightseeing boats.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is New England Aquarium open?

New England Aquarium is open:

Monday 9 am - 5 pm
Tuesday 9 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 9 am - 5 pm
Thursday 9 am - 5 pm
Friday 9 am - 5 pm
Saturday 9 am - 6 pm
Sunday 9 am - 6 pm

Which popular attractions are close to New England Aquarium?

Nearby attractions include Central Wharf, Boston (1 min walk), Custom House Block, Boston (2 min walk), Gardiner Building, Boston (2 min walk), Harbor Towers, Boston (3 min walk).

How to get to New England Aquarium by public transport?

The nearest stations to New England Aquarium:

Metro

Aquarium • Lines: Blue (3 min walk)
State • Lines: Blue, Orange (11 min walk)

Bus

Federal St @ Franklin St • Lines: 504 (12 min walk)
Otis St @ Summer St • Lines: 504, 7 (15 min walk)

Light rail

Haymarket • Lines: C, E (12 min walk)
Government Center • Lines: C, D, E (13 min walk)

Train

Boston South Station (16 min walk)
Boston North Station (21 min walk)