New England Aquarium, Boston Massachusetts

New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium is an aquarium located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Besides the main aquarium facility, several attractions in the New England Aquarium comprise the New England Aquarium Whale Watch and the Simons IMAX Theater, which run from mid-May through mid-November. The New England Aquarium was built in 2021 with a grant from the National Science Foundation. A total of fourteen species of warm-water fish are featured on the aquarium’s website, and more may be added as the aquarium gains popularity. The warm-water fish come from all around the world, including such countries as Canada, Russia, England, Ireland, Bermuda, and Mexico. In addition, the warm-water fish come with other exotic pets, such as turtles, sharks, and horses.

On a hot summer day in New England, the New England Aquarium offers an exciting program for visitors. Visitors can watch a broad array of sea birds, including rare blue herons, red eagles, pelicans, rare gray seals, and a large variety of penguins, as the aquarium transforms into an outdoor habitat for these colorful sea animals. During the day, visitors can also take a walking tour through the zoo and learn about the animals that call the New England Aquarium home. The aquarium will open late during the winter months so that fishery animals such as trout and salmon can be viewed. In the meantime, no feeding is permitted except when food is dropped or picked up from the shore.

Experience the Wonder

An interactive aquarium experience is available on a daily basis, and during certain times of the year, the New England Aquarium will host a penguin touch tank. The touch tank is the only one of its kind in the entire New England Aquarium and allows penguins to mingle with visitors while they swim and interact with the glass aquarium. There are several activities available, including feeding the penguins, removing their waste, and playing with them. In between these activities, visitors can visit the seal display and view a wide array of seals basking in the sunlight.

Other activities include: enjoying the wildlife encounter; watching the seals play; playing volleyball with the seals, and taking pictures of seals and other sea creatures. The aquarium also features a special display of aquatic invertebrates that were named to honor the memory of Thomas Linus, the famous naturalist, explorer, and cartographer who lived and died at sea. A gift shop sells souvenirs and gifts, including New England aquarium themed blankets, jewelry, and stationery. There are also a variety of New England aquariums to view during whale tours, including different species of whales and dolphins.

Learn About Aquarium Animals

Another highlight of the New England Aquarium’s seasonal changes is the presence of two huge Bengal tigers that reside in the Shark Tank. These incredible cats feed on the smaller fish, and squid in the Shark Tank, as well as other crustaceans, starfish, crabs, and shrimp. They take particular pleasure in nipping and chewing any small animals they can find. Unfortunately, the Boston Aquarium has been unable to breed these Bengal cats, so they are on loan from the Tiger Rescue in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

Other sea creatures in the New England Aquarium’s Shark and Dolphin Encounter include, black, gray, and white boaters, gray seals, several varieties of killer whales, northern fur seals, and a variety of marine mammals such as beaked whales, sperm whales, and grey-headed whales. The Shark and Dolphin Encounter run daily through the month of May through September, at the South Boston Marine Science Center on Commonwealth Avenue. Admission is included in the price of admission, or guests may purchase an additional adult or child ticket.

Other activities available in the New England Aquarium’s Underwater Zoo are opportunities for swimming and water-skiing, a petting zoo, dolphins and sea turtles, a touch tank, and educational exhibits, lectures, and hands-on activities for children. For families, the Aquarium’s interactive Sea Lion Splash Show is held nightly from the second week of June through the fourth week of August. For those interested in seeing a colony of bottlenose dolphins, make sure to visit the Dolphin Encounter at the Pease Point State Park in Dedham, Massachusetts during the months of June through August. During this show, you will see the pods of bottlenose dolphins performing tricks like acrobatic stunts and feeding on fish. Children will have the opportunity to interact with the dolphins, play with the fish, and feed the fish.

Experience the Wonder-Bring the Aquarium to Your Home or Classroom

To get more information about all the different marine animals and plants that are featured at the New England Aquarium, visit their website. This website offers information not only about the marine animals in the New England Aquarium, but about sea turtles and all types of sea creatures that live in and around the New England area. For anyone who is interested in learning more about how they can help our oceans, the New England Aquarium has some great information on their website as well. There are also volunteer opportunities listed on the website for people who would like to help the animals in the New England Aquarium, or any other local animal shelter. If you are looking for ways to get outside and enjoy nature in your area, consider a trip to the New England Aquarium and what it has to offer you.