Woods Hole Science Aquarium
Woods Hole Science Aquarium and its collection
Woods Hole Science Aquarium is an aquarium in Woods Hole, United States.
History
It claims the title of oldest aquarium in the United States, dating from the point when the fisheries commissioner Spencer Fullerton Baird opened his laboratory to visitors. The government put up the first marine research building on the site in 1885, and Baird had its ground floor made into a public aquarium of fish, invertebrates and birds.
Exhibits
The displays are drawn from Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic waters of the United States, with about 140 fish and invertebrate species in indoor tanks and one touch tank. An outdoor enclosure permanently houses injured seals, two harbor seals living there as of 2007.
Conservation and approach
It runs a rehabilitation scheme for turtles stranded on Cape Cod beaches, hurt or cold-stunned in late autumn. Those turtles are kept off display and returned to the wild once fit.
What the venue says
- Visitors can explore the indoor tanks across two levels
- interactive touch tanks where certain marine creatures can be safely handled
- attend popular daily Q&A sessions with trainers regarding seal behavior and conservation
- There are no food or drink concessions sold directly inside the aquarium, but its location right in the village of Woods Hole places it within a short walking distance of local cafes, bakeries, and restaurants.
- Parking directly at the facility is extremely limited. Visitors typically rely on metered street parking along Water Street and nearby areas.
- Wheelchairs can access the first floor and the outdoor seal habitat. A ramp connects to the second floor. However, due to narrow corridors inside, strollers are generally not permitted inside the building.
Images of Woods Hole Science Aquarium
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EgorovaSvetlana, CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
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EgorovaSvetlana, CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
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Vejlenser, CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
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Vejlenser, CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
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Vejlenser, CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
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Vejlenser, CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
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Vejlenser, CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
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Vejlenser, CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Opening hours
| Days | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday – Saturday | 11:00 | 16:00 |
Hours can change on public holidays. Check with the venue before travelling.
The aquarium currently lists its status as temporarily closed on certain directories, so checking ahead before a visit is advised.
Facilities
We hold no categorised facilities for Woods Hole Science Aquarium. What the venue itself says is under “What the venue says” above.
Exhibitions & events
No upcoming events
No temporary exhibitions or scheduled public events are published for Woods Hole Science Aquarium at this time.
Location & map
166 Water StWoods Hole
United States
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Frequently asked questions
No frequently asked questions yet
We have not published any questions and answers for Woods Hole Science Aquarium.
Animals
Photographs show each species in general. They were not taken at Woods Hole Science Aquarium.
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harbor seals
Exhibits
- outdoor 17,000-gallon seal habitat