The New England Aquarium is one of the Boston attractions worth a visit, particularly for adults or families that love seeing animals from around the world in one place. This aquatic zoo features an 187,000 gallon Giant Ocean Tank containing a Caribbean coral reef with sharks, sea turtles, moray eels, and other aquatic life that visitors can view while walking along a ramp that spirals around the tank.
Aquarium Boston
One of the goals of the aquarium is to encourage people to “Live Blue” and protect the planet. By viewing exhibits of different habitats, visitors can get a greater appreciation for the variety of life on the planet. Stop at the jelly fish exhibits; watch the penguins frolic; and use the display information at the Freshwater, Northern Waters, and Tropical galleries to look for the different fish, crustaceans, amphibians, and other animals camouflaging with replicas of their habitats.
Visitors can expand on their visit by sitting in on talks, live animal presentations, and fur seal training sessions. When purchasing tickets pick up a visitor guide and map that outlines the activities going on at the aquarium throughout the day. To get the most from the ticket price, take a moment upon entering to review the schedule and decide on the activities the family would most enjoy.
It is also possible to view through windows scientists and veterinary technicians working on animal patients at the Aquarium Medical Center. Visitors can speak with many of the staff at the Penguin exhibit and at the top of the Giant Ocean Tank.
Boston Attractions
Along with visiting the aquarium displays, visitors can also view the IMAX 3D movies running in the theater for a small additional charge. Different movies (most under an hour) run throughout the day on the hour.
From the New England Aquarium dock, visitors can also take a three-to-four hour whale watch aboard the Voyager III, which heads 30 miles east of Boston to the Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary, a feeding ground for whales, dolphins, sea birds, and other marine life. Visitors can interact with onboard naturalists and educators who help add to the experience by explaining animal behavior. Reservations should be made in advance when first compiling a Boston things to do list. Whale watches run from early April to late November.
The New England Aquarium is located on Central Wharf. For hours, fees, presentations, IMAX movies, whale watch information, etc. go to their website. Tour Boston and when going to see the waterfront, stop in at this aquatic zoo.
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