New England Aquarium — Zoo & Aquarium in Boston

3rd most complete listing in Massachusetts AZA

New England Aquarium and its collection

New England Aquarium, opened in 1969, is an aquarium in Boston, United States.

Before the pandemic more than 1.3 million people visited each year. California sea lions, harbor and northern fur seals, penguins, giant Pacific octopuses and loggerhead and green sea turtles are among the species on show. The Simons Theatre and a whale watch operation share Central Wharf with it.

History

The city had aquariums from the 1880s, and the preceding South Boston Aquarium at Marine Park closed in the 1950s. The present building was planned from 1962 as part of waterfront renewal and designed by Peter Chermayeff of Cambridge Seven Associates.

Animals and collection

Animals on show include African Penguin, California Sea Lion, Green Sea Turtle and Giant Pacific Octopus.

Exhibits

The Giant Ocean Tank dominates the atrium of the main building, ringed by four storeys of smaller galleries reached by a spiral ramp or by separate ones. A 150,000-gallon saltwater tray at its foot is home to African and southern rockhopper penguins. Five harbor seals occupy an exhibit at the front, visible free of charge at any hour without going in, and a 25,000-gallon touch tank of sharks and rays was made permanent in the West Wing in 2011.

Things to do

Things to do include Shark & Ray Touch Tank and Simons Theatre.

Conservation and approach

Marine mammal rescue along the regional coast has long been part of the aquarium's work, and a marine animal hospital once occupied the rear of the main building. The present harbor seals descend from rescued animals, while the sea lions and the fur seal were judged non-releasable after rescues on the West Coast and in Alaska.

What the venue says

Simons Theatre
**Harbor View Café:** Located on Level 2 inside the aquarium, this casual counter-service spot serves sandwiches, pizza, grilled items, soups, salads, and snacks.
Though the Aquarium doesn't own any parking facilities, there are five parking garages within .3 miles of the Aquarium.
Guests using wheelchairs and visitors with visual impairments are welcome at the Aquarium free of charge