Boston's New England Aquarium with Kids: Must-See Attractions, Special Programs, and More

Give the little ones a big experience at Boston's Aquarium! Indo-Pacific tank photo courtesy of the New England Aquarium

Insider Tips for Visiting Boston's Aquarium with Kids

Situated on the Boston Central Wharf, which is also home to several restaurants and boating charters (see our picks for whale watching cruises from the Boston area), the New England Aquarium can be a busy place, especially on weekends. If you have little ones to keep in tow, try to plan your trip during the week, and you’ll be rewarded with super-clear views of all the amazing exhibits. As an added bonus, you'll find thinner crowds in the Boston Harbor area in general, which is a guaranteed stress reducer. But no matter when you go, a visit is worth it: The structure of the building, with its big central ramp, means there’s always room to see what’s in the Giant Ocean Tank and it allows you to easily duck off to each floor for the smaller exhibits.

Must-See Attractions at the New England Aquarium

When you walk from the ticketing area into the multi-story, open-format Aquarium, it's tempting to wander toward the first exhibit of colorful, aquatic eye candy you see. But it's smart to go with a game plan to make sure you hit all the hot spots. Here are the exhibits kids seem to love most.

Marine Mammals (outdoors)

The live animal fun starts before you even get inside the doors of the Aquarium. There’s a harbor seal tank outside that's open year-round, and it's truly fascinating to watch these sleek creatures glide through the water just a few feet from your face. 

New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center (indoors)

Inside the Aquarium, you can check out more seals and sea lions—performing amazing tricks, no less!—in the sunlit, enclosed pavilion that's just beyond the main exhibits. Our hearts were stolen by frisky Ron, the toddler of the sea lion pups, born in 2017, and Luna, the youngest of the fur seals, who arrived to the Aquarium in 2016.

 
The New England Aquarium's penguins are beloved by visitors. Pip and Hout penguin photo courtesy of the New England Aquarium 

Penguins

Because the penguins are situated on the ground floor in the center of the Aquarium, they are among the first things you encounter after entry. The Aquarium is home to more than 80 penguins. It's fun to watch them waddle about the rocks and dive into the water. And, yes, they don't smell like roses. Expect your kids to giggle at the olfactory effects of peering over the railing and into the penguins' habitat. Still, any fans of Happy Feet will love getting up close with these sweet creatures. 

Giant Ocean Tank

This is, quite literally, the centerpiece of the Aquarium. A spiral ramp hugs the tank, and kids seem to love walking up it. It's actually an ingenious way to keep active kids moving while looking at amazing creatures. The four-story tank contains coral reefs and hundreds of Caribbean reef animals, including sharks, sea turtles and many varieties of fish. Of course, the most most exciting moments are when a giant shark skims the glass nearby, emitting squeals from kids (and grown-ups).

Sea Jellies

Take in the other worldly sea jellies exhibit. These intriguing creatures look almost likes works of art suspended in water.

 
Anemones and more brighten the tanks in Boston's aquarium. Olympic Coast Exhibit photo courtesy of the New England Aquarium

Marine Ecosystems

Learn about our local marine ecosystem in the Gulf of Maine tanks. Then learn about a marine ecosystem on the West Coast at the Olympic Coast Exhibit.

Science of Sharks Exhibit

Expand your knowledge of one of the ocean’s most feared creatures with hands-on activities in the Science of Sharks exhibit.

 
Reach out and touch a gentle ray or skate in the touch-tank. Photo courtesy of the New England Aquarium

Shark and Ray Touch Tank

The Aquarium's touch tank may be the most exciting feature of the Aquarium for kids. We find it's a great finale to a visit. Children can literally lean over a protective barrier and stroke gentle sharks and rays that glide by.

Special Programming at the New England Aquarium

With so much to see with a basic ticket, special programs are by no means a must at the Aquarium. But if you have extra time, consider setting aside time for the following:

Animal Encounters

Do your kids want to get really up-close-and-personal with the creatures at the Aquarium? You can book a special session with them.

Simons Giant SCreen 3D Theater

Get a glimpse of our planet in a totally unique way with a movie at the adjacent giant screen 3D theater. There are always special films playing that you can’t see anywhere else.

Whale Watch

Book a whale watch when you go to the Aquarium to see the ocean’s biggest animals in person. These whales won’t fit in any tanks and the only way to see them is in the wild!

Classes and Summer Camps

Starting as young as 12 months and going up through the teen years, the Aquarium offers classes and summer camps specially designed to get each age group excited and educated about marine life. 

Where To Eat Near the New England Aquarium

If it's a nice day, you can save money by packing a lunch or snack. Enjoy it just outside the Aquarium at the waterfront tables that dot the harbor. Inside, the Harbor View Cafe is the New England Aquarium’s own dining area. It features floor-to-ceiling windows so you can take in scenic views of the city while you eat. The cafeteria options are very family-friendly and there are lots of high chairs available for the littlest diners. In the warmer months, there’s also an outdoor cafe at the Aquarium.

But this being the most tourist-friendly part of town, there are plenty of other kid-friendly dining options in walking distance. If you've found an appetite for seafood, look no further than the Legal Sea Foods directly across the plaza. You’ll find reliably good meals for parents and kids alike. There’s even an aquarium and lobster tank in the restaurant to keep kids entertained. Panera Bread is just a few blocks away from the Aquarium at 200 High Street. Finally, the Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market area is bursting with kid-friendly dining options that will please any palate. It'ss only about a five-minute walk from the Aquarium. For more places to eat in Boston, see our Boston Restaurant Guide.

The New England Aquarium combines fun, education, and excitement under one "roof".

What To Know Before Visiting the New England Aquarium with Kids

How to buy tickets to the Boston's aquarium

We found that getting tickets in advance so we didn't have to stand in line with eager kids was key. You can always buy in person, but the lines do tend to get long.

Discounted tickets for the New England Aquarium

Getting into the Aquarium isn’t cheap, but there are ways to make it less expensive. Kids under 3 are always free and members get in free (plus get other perks). Online ticketing is easy to do here, but if you’re looking to save some dough, check to see whether your local library offers discounted tickets to the Aquarium (mine in Somerville does) first. And if you’re visiting Boston for more than a day, consider buying the Boston CityPASS or the Go Boston Card: Both offer admission to the Aquarium as well as other local attractions for a bundled price.

How to save on special exhibits 

If you also plan on checking out an IMAX movie or doing a Whale Watch while you're at the Aquarium, you can buy combination tickets that are less expensive than buying each separately.

Where to park near the New England Aquarium

There are a variety of parking garages near the Aquarium, some of which offer discounted rates. You can also take the T and get off at the Aquarium stop, which is on the Blue Line. You can even take a boat from Hull, Hingham, Logan Airport, Salem and Winthrop.

Strollers at the New England Aquarium

If you bring your stroller but don’t want it inside the Aquarium, there is even a stroller check right inside the entrance.

New England Aquarium Gift Shop

Like most museums, the gift shop is situated between the exhibits and the exit. It's quite a large store with plenty of cute and interesting gifts, from beautiful plush sea creatures to marine science kits. We find it's a good idea to set expectations before heading into the Aquarium to avoid haggling on the heels of a wonderful visit.

Things to do near the New England Aquarium

If you still have energy in the tank after a day at the Aquarium and it's decent weather, consider a short walk to the Rose Kennedy Greenway and the Greenway Carousel. This charming merry-go-round is populated not by horses, but by a variety of animals native to the region, including some of the sea creatures seen at the Aquarium.