New England Aquarium
Tickets, the Giant Ocean Tank & Visitor Guide to Boston's Waterfront Aquarium
⏱ 2-3 hours👤 All ages$$
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Skip the line · mobile tickets accepted at the door
The New England Aquarium has anchored the downtown Boston waterfront at Central Wharf since 1969, a few minutes' walk from Faneuil Hall, the North End, and the Freedom Trail. Its architecture is built around a single dramatic idea: the Giant Ocean Tank, a four-story, 200,000-gallon cylindrical tank recreating a Caribbean coral reef, wrapped by a spiral ramp that carries you up and around it. As you climb, you pass sea turtles (including the aquarium's well-known resident turtle), sharks, rays, moray eels, and schools of tropical fish at every level.
Surrounding the central tank are the aquarium's other highlights: a large and lively penguin colony at the base, a hands-on touch tank with rays and small sharks, exhibits on the Gulf of Maine and the open ocean, and harbor seals in a habitat visible from the plaza outside (free to watch). The aquarium has a strong marine-conservation and rescue mission woven through its exhibits, and an IMAX-style theater is often available as an add-on.
It's one of Boston's best attractions for families, manageable in a couple of hours, and ideally located on the waterfront. The aquarium is also a departure point for whale-watching trips in season. Timed entry is typical, and it gets busy — mornings and weekdays are calmer.
What to Expect
Format
Self-paced. Spiral up around the Giant Ocean Tank, with the penguin colony, touch tank, and ocean exhibits around it. Timed entry typical; theater and some experiences are add-ons.
Best Time
Right at opening on a weekday, before school groups and the waterfront crowds. The Giant Ocean Tank and touch tank fill up fastest.
Duration
2-3 hours for a thorough visit.
Tips
Book a timed slot in peak season. The harbor seals out front are free to watch from the plaza. It's a waterfront attraction, so pair it with a harbor cruise (which departs nearby) or a Faneuil Hall lunch. In season, the aquarium is also a whale-watch departure point.
⚡ Quick Picks
Best For
Families and anyone who loves aquariums — the Giant Ocean Tank is genuinely special.
Families
A top family pick. The spiral tank, penguins, and touch tank span ages, and the pace is easy with strollers.
Couples
Quieter early in the day; an easy, pleasant stop on a waterfront wander.
Pair With
A harbor cruise (departs nearby), Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, and the Freedom Trail's downtown sites are all walking distance.
Time Needed
2-3 hours.
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Get Tickets →Frequently Asked Questions
What's the Giant Ocean Tank?
A four-story, 200,000-gallon cylindrical tank recreating a Caribbean coral reef, with a spiral walkway around it. As you climb, you see sea turtles, sharks, rays, and hundreds of fish at every level — it's the centerpiece of the aquarium.
Is it good for young kids?
Very — it's one of Boston's best family attractions, with the penguin colony, a hands-on touch tank, and the easy spiral layout. Plan around 2-3 hours.
Where is it?
On Central Wharf at the downtown waterfront, a short walk from Faneuil Hall, the North End, and the Freedom Trail's downtown sites.
Can I see anything for free?
The harbor seals in their habitat on the plaza outside are free to watch without admission.
Does it offer whale watching?
In season, the aquarium is a departure point for whale-watching trips. These are typically booked separately from general admission.
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Boston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise
See Boston from the water — a narrated sightseeing cruise around the historic harbor, with skyline views, the waterfront, the Harbor Islands, and the maritime history that built the city.
Boston Whale Watching Cruise
A high-speed catamaran cruise to Stellwagen Bank, a federally protected feeding ground where humpback, finback, and minke whales gather in the warmer months — one of the best whale-watching trips on the East Coast.
Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market
The "Cradle of Liberty," a public meeting hall and marketplace since 1742, beside the bustling Quincy Market food hall — a Freedom Trail landmark that's also the city's liveliest spot to eat and browse.