The Woods Hole Science Aquarium in Falmouth, Massachusetts, holds the distinction of being the oldest public marine aquarium in the United States, having opened in 1875. Operated by NOAA Fisheries, it is home to approximately 100 species of marine animals native to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with interactive touch tanks featuring crabs and sea stars, and educational exhibits focused on fisheries science and marine mammal research. The aquarium also serves as a permanent refuge for stranded seals that cannot be returned to the wild, and plays a role in rehabilitating cold-stunned sea turtles. Welcoming around 80,000 visitors a year, including school groups, the facility offers behind-the-scenes access and reflects a deep commitment to marine science education and conservation in the Cape Cod region.
