New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium on Boston's waterfront is one of the most renowned marine institutions in the United States, home to nearly 10,000 animals across 70 exhibits. The centerpiece Giant Ocean Tank is a four-story cylindrical reef environment featuring Myrtle the green sea turtle and hundreds of Caribbean reef animals, while the largest shark and ray touch tank on the East Coast invites hands-on discovery. Visitors can observe harbor seals, California sea lions, African and rockhopper penguins, giant Pacific octopuses, and a living Indo-Pacific coral exhibit. The aquarium's Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life is a dedicated marine research arm conducting long-running studies of North Atlantic right whales, and the Quincy Animal Care Center rehabilitates hundreds of sea turtles annually. Seasonal whale watching tours operating from April through November, daily animal presentations, and programs for all ages make the New England Aquarium an exceptional destination at the heart of Boston Harbor.