New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium, often called the Boston Aquarium, is at 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110, on the downtown waterfront beside Long Wharf. Its centerpiece is the Giant Ocean Tank, a four story coral reef that holds sea turtles, sharks and rays, and the building also has a penguin colony, a shark and ray touch tank and a 3D theater. Most visitors spend about 90 minutes to 2 hours inside. This guide covers the address, hours, tickets, parking, the nearest T stops and what to see, plus how Stop 1 of the Boston Sightseeing hop-on hop-off route links the aquarium to Faneuil Hall, the North End and the Old State House.
Location
The New England Aquarium is at 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110. The aquarium in Boston, MA sits on the downtown waterfront beside Long Wharf, on the harbor side of the Financial District and well north of the Seaport District. Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market are a short walk inland, and the North End and Government Center are close too. The nearest train stop is Aquarium station on the Blue Line, about 100 yards from the entrance, so anyone searching for the "Aquarium T stop" wants that one. The Orange Line stop at State is about an 8 minute walk, Government Center on the Green Line is about 10 minutes and South Station on the Red Line is about 12 minutes. Type "1 Central Wharf" into your map app and it will route you to the front door.
Hours And Tickets
Fall hours are 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 6 PM on weekends. Summer and holiday hours can differ, so check the date you plan to visit. Hours last checked October 27, 2026.
Book ahead. Weekends and holidays often sell out, and the aquarium sells general admission, Simons Theatre films and whale watch cruises as separate options that you can combine. Prices change by age, season and add-ons, so we do not list a number here. The aquarium's own ticket page always has the current rate.
Most visitors need about 90 minutes to 2 hours, and 2 to 3 hours with young children. Add about 45 minutes for a film. Arriving right at opening, especially on a weekday, usually means thinner crowds and more active animals, and the touch tank tends to get busy by midday.
Parking Near The New England Aquarium
The aquarium does not own a parking lot, but five garages sit within about 0.3 miles. Distances here are as the aquarium lists them:
Harbor Garage, about 0.1 mile, the closest option
Rowes Wharf, about 0.2 mile
75 State Street, about 0.2 mile, with its entrance at 5 Broad Street
Post Office Square, about 0.3 mile
International Place, about 0.3 mile
Downtown rates are high and differ between weekdays and weekends. Some garages cut the price with online booking or validation, and the Information Desk on Level 1 handles validation where it applies, so compare before you commit. If you would rather leave the car behind, the Blue Line stops about 100 yards away, and a hop-on hop-off day ticket means you never move the car between attractions.
History
The New England Aquarium opened on June 20, 1969, on Central Wharf. Planning began in 1962 under David B. Stone, and Peter Chermayeff of Cambridge Seven Associates designed the building. The Giant Ocean Tank, a 200,000 gallon coral reef that rises four stories, opened in 1970. Myrtle, a green sea turtle, has lived in it since June 12, 1970. She was estimated to be 20 to 40 years old on arrival, which would make her roughly 76 to 96 today, and she weighs more than 500 pounds.
The building has grown in stages since then. The West Wing was completed in 1998, the Simons Theatre opened in 2001 and the Marine Mammal Center opened in 2009. A long upgrade program that began in 2007 ended with the Giant Ocean Tank reopening in 2013 alongside the Yawkey Coral Reef Center. Before the pandemic the aquarium drew more than 1.3 million visitors a year.
Its long-running slogan is "Protecting the blue planet," and the work behind it goes beyond the exhibits. The Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life studies the North Atlantic right whale, and the Sea Turtle Hospital at the aquarium's Animal Care Center in Quincy, which opened in 2010, admitted 473 turtles in 2025. That raises a practical question: what can you actually see on Central Wharf?
Activities
Plan your visit around five areas, with the Amazon Rainforest, Olympic Coast and Indo-Pacific Coral Reef galleries filling the gaps between them. Exhibits do close for upgrades from time to time, so check the aquarium's exhibit updates page before you go.
The Giant Ocean Tank
The tank is the reason most people come. You can watch sharks, rays, reef fish and Myrtle from several levels, from the bottom of the tank to the top. Presentations take place at the top of the tank, and times change, so ask at the Information Desk when you arrive.
Penguin Colony
African and southern rockhopper penguins live at the base of the Giant Ocean Tank, and feedings happen daily. The penguin habitat went through planned upgrade work in early 2026, and the colony appears on the aquarium's current exhibit list. Closures can still happen, so a quick check on the day is worth it.
Shark And Ray Touch Tank
Here you can touch live rays and small sharks. The nearby Science of Sharks gallery covers the same animals through displays rather than touch.
Sea Lions, Fur Seals And Harbor Seals
The Marine Mammal Center holds California sea lions and a northern fur seal, with presentations through the day. The outdoor Atlantic harbor seal habitat, which can be watched from outside the building, was listed as temporarily off exhibit in mid October 2026 while it is improved, so check before you go.
Simons Theatre And Whale Watch Cruises
The theater shows 3D nature films on a digital system. Older guides still call it an IMAX theater, but it now goes by the Simons Theatre. The aquarium also sells whale watch cruises that leave from the waterfront on a seasonal schedule, so check dates if you want a harbor day on the water.
Nearby Attractions
Central Wharf puts you in the middle of Boston's most walkable waterfront, so it is easy to turn a two hour visit into a full day. Long Wharf and the HarborWalk run along the water, and Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park is next door. The Rose Kennedy Greenway, with its carousel and fountains, is a few minutes inland. Eat at Quincy Market, then walk through Faneuil Hall to the North End and the Paul Revere House. The Old State House sits at the other end of State Street, and the Freedom Trail connects it all.
For a longer list, see our guide to nearby attractions, the things to do on the Boston waterfront, or the best museums to visit in Boston. Families can pair the aquarium with the Boston Children's Museum, which is a stop on one of our tickets. If you are still choosing where to base the rest of your trip, the best neighborhoods in Boston are a good place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the New England Aquarium address?
The address is 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110. It is on the downtown waterfront beside Long Wharf, a short walk from Faneuil Hall.
Where is the Boston Aquarium?
The Boston Aquarium, officially the New England Aquarium, is on Central Wharf at the edge of downtown Boston. It is next to Long Wharf and the Financial District, not in the Seaport District across Fort Point Channel.
What are the New England Aquarium hours?
Fall hours are 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 6 PM on weekends. Hours change by season and on holidays, so check the day you plan to visit before you leave.
Do I need to buy New England Aquarium tickets in advance?
Yes, booking ahead is the safer choice. Weekends and holidays often sell out, and a booked ticket lets you skip the longest part of the line.
How much time do you need at the New England Aquarium?
Most visitors spend about 90 minutes to 2 hours. Plan 2 to 3 hours with young children, and add about 45 minutes if you want to see a film in the Simons Theatre.
Which T stop is closest to the New England Aquarium?
Aquarium station on the Blue Line is the closest, about 100 yards from the entrance. State on the Orange Line is about an 8 minute walk, Government Center on the Green Line about 10 minutes and South Station on the Red Line about 12 minutes.
Where can I park near the New England Aquarium?
The aquarium has no parking of its own. Five garages sit within about 0.3 miles, and Harbor Garage is the closest at about 0.1 mile. Rates are high downtown and change by day, so compare them before you park.
When did the New England Aquarium open?
The New England Aquarium opened on June 20, 1969, on Central Wharf. The Giant Ocean Tank followed in 1970.
Is there an Aquarium After Dark in Boston in 2026?
The aquarium held an adults only Aquarium After Dark evening on November 22, 2025, and it sold out. We did not find a confirmed 2026 date as of October 27, 2026, so check the aquarium's event listings. For other evening plans, see our guide to things to do in Boston at night.
Is the New England Aquarium good for kids?
Yes. The penguin colony, the shark and ray touch tank and the daily animal presentations suit most ages. For more family ideas nearby, see things to do with kids in Boston and the Boston Children's Museum.
What is there to do near the New England Aquarium?
Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, the North End, Long Wharf, Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park and the Rose Kennedy Greenway are all within a short walk. The Freedom Trail passes nearby as well.
Does the Boston Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus stop at the New England Aquarium?
Yes. Stop 1 is at 206 Atlantic Avenue, a short walk from the aquarium entrance, and it is the starting point on every hop-on hop-off ticket. See the tour map for the full route.
Tour Planning with Boston sightseeing
Stop 1 of the Boston Sightseeing double-decker route is at 206 Atlantic Avenue, a short walk from the aquarium entrance. Buses run roughly every 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic, from about 9:30 AM to about 5:00 PM, and the ride is narrated. From here the route reaches the Old State House, Boston Common, Beacon Hill and the Historic North End, and our tour map shows every stop. Check the route and stop notice before you ride, since schedules shift in winter.
Our Tour Packages
Single Ride Pass
$33.25
Explore Boston in 90 Minutes
Ride above the crowd and enjoy the panoramic view of Boston
- Boston City Tour Single Ride Pass
- Stop-1 to Stop-8
- Blue Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- 90 Minutes Tour
- 1 Day Validity
- Hop-on Hop-off Tour
- Charlestown Sightseeing Tour
Hop-On Hop-Off All Day
$41.55
Boston City Sightseeing Tour
Experience historic Boston with unlimited hop-on hop-off at your own pace.
- Stop-1 to Stop-8
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Blue Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- 90 Minutes tour
- 1 Day Validity
- Shuttle Bus Service
- Charlestown Tour
Hop-on Hop-off Boston & Charlestown Tour
$48.65
Boston & Charlestown Tour
Experience the charm of Boston & Charlestown with Boston Sightseeing at your own pace.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop-1 to Stop-11
- Hop-on Hop-off Charlestown Tour
- Blue & Orange Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- Shuttle Bus Tour
- 120 Minutes Tour
- 1 Day Validity
2 Days Boston & Charlestown Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
$70.40
2 Days Boston & Charlestown Tour
Explore Boston & Charlestown with Boston's first double-decker bus at your own pace.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop-1 to Stop-11
- Hop-on Hop-off Charlestown Tour
- Blue & Orange Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- Shuttle Bus Tour
- 120 Minutes Tour
- 2 Days Validity
Cruise Terminal Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
$52.00
200 Minutes Hop-on Hop-off
Get onboard from Boston Cruise terminal and explore the historic beantown with Boston Sightseeing double-decker bus.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop 1-8, 12-15
- Blue & Purple Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- Shuttle Bus Tour
- 200 Minutes Tour
- 1 Day Validity
- Charlestown Tour
Boston & Cambridge City Tour
$63.00
Guided Photo & City Tour
A 3.5-hour guided shuttle tour featuring Boston’s most iconic neighborhoods, Cambridge highlights, waterfront views, and curated photo opportunities.
- Guided Boston & Cambridge sightseeing tour
- Approximately 3.5 hours
- Curated stops and photo opportunities
- Climate-controlled shuttle bus transportation
- Live local tour guide
- 45-minutes Quincy Market lunch break
- Same-day tour experience
- Double-Decker Bus Service
- Hop-on, hop-off service
Attractions To Explore Near This Stop
Best Neighborhoods in Boston to Explore
Boston is a city best understood one neighborhood at a time. Each district carries its own history, architecture, and pace.
13 Best Fun Things To Do In Boston In Winter
Winter in Boston may be chilly, but that doesn't mean the city slows down. It's a popular time of year for tourists and locals alike...
Freedom Trail Boston: Complete Guide to Landmarks, History & Tours
Step into the heartbeat of history, where cobblestone streets echo with the whispers of revolution, hope, and courage. The Freedom Trail in.....