The New England Aquarium is a public aquarium on the Boston waterfront, in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking options, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
To skip the explanation and just book tickets, head here. If planning to visit several Boston attractions, the Boston CityPass may save you money.
Updated February 2026. Note: weekday closing time is now 5:00 p.m. (not 6:00 p.m. as shown on some older guides), while weekend hours remain 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110 |
| Opening hours | Mon–Fri: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. / Sat–Sun: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. |
| Standard adult ticket | $39.95 (aquarium admission only) |
| Standard child ticket (3–11) | $30.95 |
| Children under 2 | Free |
| Nearest public transport | Aquarium station, MBTA Blue Line (100 yards) |
| Nearest parking | Harbor Garage, 0.1 mile away (~$42/day) |
| Typical visit duration | Approximately 2 hours |
| Closed | Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day |
New England Aquarium opening hours
The New England Aquarium is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Weekday hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday to Friday), and weekend hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday).
Opening hours were checked on the official website and last updated February 2026.
New England Aquarium ticket prices
Standard aquarium admission (online, all visitors):
| Visitor type | Aquarium only | Aquarium + Simons Theatre film |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $39.95 | $44.95 |
| Child (3–11) | $30.95 | $35.95 |
| Senior (60+) | $37.95 | $42.95 |
| Child under 2 | Free | Free |
Residents of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont are eligible for a New England resident discount: adult admission is $34.95, child admission is $25.95, and senior admission is $32.95. Blackout dates apply.
Visitors using wheelchairs and visitors with visual impairments are admitted free of charge. The New England Aquarium is included in the Boston CityPASS, which covers admission to four top Boston attractions for $79 per adult and $69 per child (ages 3–11) over nine days. Other attractions included in CityPASS are the Museum of Science, Boston Harbor Cruises, Franklin Park Zoo, Harvard Museum of Natural History, and View Boston (two of the last four are selectable). Tickets are also bookable through the Go Boston card.
Ticket prices were checked on the official website (neaq.org) and last updated February 2026.
Why book the Boston CityPASS?
- Saves on key attractions: Visit top Boston sights with bundled entry at a reduced price compared with buying individual tickets.
- Flexible sightseeing: CityPASS offers timed entry at major options, helping you plan your itinerary over multiple days.
- Must-see included spots: Explore favourites such as the New England Aquarium, Museum of Science and more, depending on the pass you choose.
- Ideal for first-time visitors: Great way to check off a range of iconic Boston museums and experiences without worrying about separate bookings.
- Mobile ticket convenience: Your pass is delivered digitally for easy scanning at each attraction, with no need to print vouchers.
How to get to the New England Aquarium
The closest public transport option is the Aquarium station on the MBTA Blue Line, which is approximately 100 yards from the entrance. All other MBTA lines connect to the Blue Line. The Orange Line State Street stop is an 8-minute walk; the Green Line Government Center stop is a 10-minute walk; the Red Line South Station stop is a 12-minute walk.
Three commuter boat services also land directly at Central Wharf: MBTA commuter boats from Hull, Hingham, and Logan Airport; the Salem Ferry (five daily sailings from Salem); and the Winthrop Ferry. The aquarium is also a short walk from Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, the North End, and the Financial District.
5 great Boston experiences to book
- ⚾ See why Boston has America’s most beloved baseball ground on a Fenway Park tour.
- 🚶 Get a history crash course on a small group walking tour along the Freedom Trail.
- 🌅 See the skyline from the water on a sunset harbour cruise.
- 🎓 Hear the stories behind America’s oldest university on a campus walking tour of Harvard University.
- 🍩 Indulge in Boston’s best donuts on a sweet treats walking tour.
Parking at the New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium does not own any parking facilities. There are five paid parking garages within 0.3 miles of the building. The closest is Harbor Garage (0.1 mile), which charges approximately $42 per day without validation. Parking validation for Harbor Garage is available only to Aquarium members and Whale Watch guests, reducing the rate to $32 for up to 8 hours.
For most visitors, the cheapest weekend options are the Garage at Post Office Square (0.3 miles, $9–10 per day with or without validation at weekends) and 75 State Street (0.2 miles, $15–18 at weekends). Public transport is the more cost-effective choice for most visitors, given central Boston parking rates.
How long to spend at the New England Aquarium
A standard visit to the New England Aquarium takes approximately two hours. Visitors who plan to attend a film at the Simons Theatre should add around an hour. Those adding a whale watch cruise (available mid-May to November) should allow an additional three to four hours for that experience.
Accessibility at the New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium is fully wheelchair accessible, with accessible elevators, restrooms, and ramps throughout the building. Dedicated seating for wheelchair users is available in the Simons Theatre. Hearing and visually impaired services are also available on site. Visitors using wheelchairs and visitors with visual impairments are admitted free of charge. Accessible parking spaces are available in nearby garages, including Harbor Garage; the aquarium provides an accessible parking information sheet on its website.
Inside the New England Aquarium: what to see
The building’s centrepiece is the Giant Ocean Tank, a four-storey, 200,000-gallon cylindrical tank designed to recreate a Caribbean coral reef. It houses over 1,000 animals including sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, eels, and tropical fish. Myrtle, a green sea turtle who has lived at the aquarium for over 40 years, is a resident of the tank.
The Penguin Colony on the ground floor is home to both African penguins and Southern rockhopper penguins. Daily feeding and care presentations take place here, led by aquarists.
The New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center, located in an open-air area, houses California sea lions. Daily presentations are held at the enclosure and cover animal care and behaviour.
The Trust Family Foundation Shark and Ray Touch Tank allows visitors to touch epaulette sharks, cownose rays, and other species. The Science of Sharks gallery provides additional context on shark biology and conservation.
The Simons Theatre is located within the aquarium complex and screens 3D nature documentaries on a screen nearly five storeys high. A combined aquarium-and-theatre ticket is available at a reduced rate versus purchasing separately.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book tickets in advance | The aquarium frequently sells out on weekends and public holidays. Timed-entry tickets must be purchased online in advance to guarantee entry. A limited number of walk-up tickets are available at the door each day, but these cannot be relied upon at peak times. |
| Arrive at opening time to avoid queues | The building is busiest from mid-morning onwards on weekends. Arriving at 9:00 a.m. reduces wait times at the Giant Ocean Tank and touch tank. |
| Check the daily presentation schedule on arrival | Feeding times and presentations at the Giant Ocean Tank, Marine Mammal Center, and Penguin Colony are scheduled throughout the day but subject to change. Confirm the day’s times at the Information Desk on Level 1. |
| Weekday visits are quieter | The aquarium is significantly less crowded Monday to Friday, and weekday tickets are the same price as weekend tickets. |
| The Simons Theatre requires a separate or combo ticket | Aquarium admission alone does not include entry to the Simons Theatre. A combo ticket (aquarium + film) is available at $44.95 for adults, saving $5 versus buying separately. |
| Whale Watch cruises operate mid-May to November only | The whale watch is a separate booking through Boston Harbor City Cruises and departs from Central Wharf. Booking an aquarium ticket alongside a whale watch cruise saves 10% on aquarium admission. |
Frequently asked questions about the New England Aquarium
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the New England Aquarium suitable for children? | Yes. The aquarium is designed to be accessible for all ages. Children under 2 enter free. The Penguin Colony, touch tank, and Giant Ocean Tank are particularly popular with younger visitors. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the New England Aquarium? | Yes. The aquarium recommends booking timed-entry tickets online in advance, especially for weekends and school holidays when the attraction frequently sells out. |
| Is the New England Aquarium open on Sundays? | Yes. Sunday hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Is the New England Aquarium open on public holidays? | Generally yes, but it is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Hours may vary on other public holidays. |
| Are bags allowed at the New England Aquarium? | Yes. There are no published restrictions on bags. Large pushchairs and prams are also permitted inside the building. |
| Is the New England Aquarium included in Boston CityPASS? | Yes. CityPASS covers the aquarium plus the Museum of Science and two further attractions of the holder’s choice from a shortlist. |
| Is there food available at the New England Aquarium? | Yes. There is a café on site, and several restaurants and food options are available in the surrounding Central Wharf and Faneuil Hall area. |
Things to do near the New England Aquarium
The following paid attractions are within easy walking distance and can realistically be combined in the same day trip:
- Boston Harbor City Cruises — Whale watch cruises and harbour tours depart from Central Wharf, directly adjacent to the aquarium. The whale watch runs mid-May to November.
- Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Quincy Market — A short walk from the aquarium, these historic market buildings include paid food vendors, shops, and ticketed tours of Faneuil Hall.
- Museum of Science — Located approximately 1.5 miles away on the Charles River Dam, this is a full-day attraction in its own right and is included alongside the aquarium in the Boston CityPASS.
- Harvard Museum of Natural History — Approximately 3 miles from the aquarium in Cambridge; also included as an optional CityPASS attraction.
- View Boston — An observation deck on the 52nd floor of 800 Boylston Street, offering views across the city. Included as an optional CityPASS attraction.
- Franklin Park Zoo — Located approximately 4 miles from the aquarium in the Franklin Park area of Boston. Also included in CityPASS.
More Boston travel articles
Other Boston travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- A first time visitor’s guide to Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Why visit the Back Bay neighbourhood in Boston?
- 5 really good reasons to visit Boston.
- Review of the JFK Presidential Library and Museum.
- Tackle the key sites on the Freedom Trail: The Old South Meeting House, the Old State House, Paul Revere House and the Old North Church.
