New England Aquarium Review
Located on the waterfront of Boston Harbor, is the first modern aquarium built in 1969; the New England Aquarium. Admission price is typical for an aquarium at around $20 per ticket. They also offer an IMAX Theater which plays a number of different films from coral reefs to ancient sea creatures, as well as a Whale Watch Boat Tour. I did neither of the two, so I will not comment on them.
As being the first modern aquarium, the New England Aquarium once had the world’s largest exhibit; the Giant Ocean Tank which is about 22ft deep and 200,000 gallons of water. Obviously, much has changed since then. An expansion in 2001 brought in the separate IMAX Theater, new Ticket Center, central lobby, café, and gift shop. The newest exhibit is the New Balance Marine Mammal Center located at the back of the aquarium built in 2009. This exhibit houses the Northern Fur Seals. (More of that exhibit later)
http://www.zoochat.com/587/new-england-aquarium-main-entrance-164509/
Harbor Seal Exhibit – Outdoor Exhibit
The first exhibit that guests come to is an outdoor Harbor Seal Exhibit. This exhibit is located behind the ticket center, so it provides guests, especially children, with some fun while waiting in line. Spanning about 100ft. and around 10 ft. deep, this 42,000 gallon exhibit provides rocks and hiding opportunities for the seals, as well as provides an underwater viewing opportunity for the guests. Two families of seals live here, totaling 7 seals in all.
http://www.zoochat.com/587/harbor-seal-exhibit-164517/
Turtle Recovery Center and Amazing Jellies Exhibit - Downstairs
As guests enter the aquarium, a gift shop and café are off to the side. After stamping your hand and getting your picture taken, the first sets of exhibits are downstairs and include the Turtle Recovery Center and Amazing Jellies. The TRC gives a neat behind the scenes look at turtle rescue. While I was there, three Kemp Ridleys turtles and one small Green Sea Turtle were in the recovery basins. Throughout the aquarium, they strive to have the “behind the scenes” open to the public, which is nice to see. The Amazing Jellies exhibit is larger than most jellyfish areas, but they don’t have anything different. Some very good interactive areas for the kids to explain how jellyfish populations are exploding, hurting the aquatic food chain.
Penguin Exhibit – Level I
As you finally enter the main aquarium building, you are greeted with the Penguin Exhibit. By far one of the strongest exhibits, three species of penguins, African Black Footed Penguins, Rock Hopper Penguins, and Little Blue Penguins, live in this huge 150,000 gallon exhibit. A number of large rocks are placed throughout and with 4 ½ feet of water, the penguins enjoy swimming in a group. The exhibit is split up into three sections, one for each species. The African Penguin section is the largest, taking up over 50% of the space for over 50 birds. The Rock Hopper section takes up a little over 25% of the exhibit with about 15-20 birds. Both the African and Rock Hopper sections can be joined by a gate creating an even larger exhibit. The smallest section of the penguin exhibit is for the world’s smallest penguin. With one large rock, this exhibit provides plenty of room for about 10 Little Blue Penguins. In all, the Penguin exhibit is nice simply because it is an open air exhibit. Most penguins are behind glass with little swimming room, but here, penguins have an entire floor to swim.
http://www.zoochat.com/587/little-blue-penguin-exhibit-164578/
http://www.zoochat.com/587/african-penguin-exhibit-164576/
Tropical Gallery – Level I
Adjacent to the penguins is the Tropical Gallery. In these set of exhibits includes a live coral reef display, a venomous display housing lionfish, stonefish, and scorpion fish, a cuttle fish display, and a large 5,100 gallon Pacific reef display. The Pacific reef exhibit does not have live coral, but it takes up half of this section and includes a 70 species tropical fish that would be impossible to keep with live coral. This exhibit area does not have anything different, but the exhibits are well cleaned and the fish are vibrant and full of energy.
http://www.zoochat.com/587/tropcial-gallery-164523/
Aquarium Medical Center – Level I
Adjacent to the penguin exhibit on the other side is the Aquarium Medical Center. This is one of the most interesting sections of the aquarium because guests are able to see what actually goes on in caring for 12,000 animals. While I was there, I was able to see them operating on a fish’s eye and performing a medical examination on an African Penguin. They also have a number of recovery basins and holding tanks for fish, as well as an anaconda nursery. One holding tank was housing a queen triggerfish. Apparently, the New England Aquarium is the only aquarium in the world where the queen triggerfish has successfully bred in captivity. The Aquarium Medical Center is something that not a lot of zoos and aquariums have an actual exhibit for, which provides a very unique opportunity for guests to experience a behind the scenes look.
New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center – Level I Access to Outside
The Marine Mammal Center is an outdoor exhibit housing Northern Fur Seals and possibly California Sea Lions in the future. This exhibit is the newest addition completed in the summer of 2009. This exhibit is completely surrounded by glass, but has no underwater viewing area. The exhibit has a shallow end that is about 3ft deep and a deeper end that is about 10-12ft deep. A number of rocks and a wooden ledge provide the seals with some basking opportunities and trainer areas. A family of 6 seals lives here with two large males.
http://www.zoochat.com/587/new-balance-foundation-marine-mammal-center-164524/
Sea Dragon Exhibit – Level II
This exhibit houses weedy sea dragons and leafy sea dragons as well as 25 other species of small fish and invertebrates, all representatives of Australia’s temperate reefs. The exhibit is 2,000 gallons and is really impressive. The fake plants hide the dragons and the cylindrical tank gives a distorted illusion. Also on this level are a school of sardines and a grouper exhibit.
Freshwater Gallery – Level III
The freshwater section has some good exhibits and some exhibits that could use a makeover. A trout stream and marsh exhibit is the strongest, but the Amazon River exhibit really could use some work. Dimly lit tanks and really scratched acrylic glass make the exhibit look sloppy. This is by far the weakest part of the aquarium.
Edge of the Sea Touch Pool - Level III
This touch pool exhibit lets both children and adults touch horseshoe crabs, whelks, hermit crabs, sea stars, urchins, and clams. The exhibit is nice, but just like other touch pools, it can get really crowded, distracting other visitors from their experience.
Northern Waters Gallery – Level III
This gallery includes the Pacific Northwest and the Gulf of Maine. The Pacific section includes sea anemones, giant pacific octopus, sea urchins, sea bats, and other cold water fish. The Gulf of Maine section includes a large 2,000 gallon tank with native fish, skates, and invertebrates. This is by far the best section of the Northern Waters Gallery. Also here are the Shorebirds of the Boston Harbor. This is a very cool exhibit with shorebirds on the shore and rocks, and fish and crabs in the water.
http://www.zoochat.com/587/shorebirds-boston-harbor-exhibit-164543/
Giant Ocean Tank – Level I to Level IV
As a center piece for the Aquarium, this 200,000 gallon exhibit represents an Atlantic Coral reef. It includes a number of familiar species like sand tiger sharks, a cow nose ray, southern stingray, green sea turtles, permit, barracuda, grunts, and a variety of other fish. Also here is a Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle, which was nice to see. Myrtle, a 500lbs. green sea turtle, has been in the Giant Ocean Tank since the Aquarium opened in 1969 and is the most popular animals in this exhibit. The exhibit has an open top to allow guests to see the fish from the top and a spiral ramp to view the simulated coral reef from every angle. There are little windows at every level giving families their own viewing window. This is one of the best exhibits at the Aquarium.
http://www.zoochat.com/587/giant-ocean-tank-164555/
Overall
The New England Aquarium I found very enjoyable. A number of exhibits such as the Aquarium Medical Center, Sea Turtle Recovery Center, Penguin Exhibit, and Giant Ocean Tank were not the typical aquarium exhibits and were top notch. I found the layout simple and effective in managing the crowds. Overall the New England Aquarium was well worth a visit and a place on the nation’s list of Top 10 Aquariums.
There are pleny of pictures that have been posted in the New England Aquarium Gallery
Located on the waterfront of Boston Harbor, is the first modern aquarium built in 1969; the New England Aquarium. Admission price is typical for an aquarium at around $20 per ticket. They also offer an IMAX Theater which plays a number of different films from coral reefs to ancient sea creatures, as well as a Whale Watch Boat Tour. I did neither of the two, so I will not comment on them.
As being the first modern aquarium, the New England Aquarium once had the world’s largest exhibit; the Giant Ocean Tank which is about 22ft deep and 200,000 gallons of water. Obviously, much has changed since then. An expansion in 2001 brought in the separate IMAX Theater, new Ticket Center, central lobby, café, and gift shop. The newest exhibit is the New Balance Marine Mammal Center located at the back of the aquarium built in 2009. This exhibit houses the Northern Fur Seals. (More of that exhibit later)
http://www.zoochat.com/587/new-england-aquarium-main-entrance-164509/
Harbor Seal Exhibit – Outdoor Exhibit
The first exhibit that guests come to is an outdoor Harbor Seal Exhibit. This exhibit is located behind the ticket center, so it provides guests, especially children, with some fun while waiting in line. Spanning about 100ft. and around 10 ft. deep, this 42,000 gallon exhibit provides rocks and hiding opportunities for the seals, as well as provides an underwater viewing opportunity for the guests. Two families of seals live here, totaling 7 seals in all.
http://www.zoochat.com/587/harbor-seal-exhibit-164517/
Turtle Recovery Center and Amazing Jellies Exhibit - Downstairs
As guests enter the aquarium, a gift shop and café are off to the side. After stamping your hand and getting your picture taken, the first sets of exhibits are downstairs and include the Turtle Recovery Center and Amazing Jellies. The TRC gives a neat behind the scenes look at turtle rescue. While I was there, three Kemp Ridleys turtles and one small Green Sea Turtle were in the recovery basins. Throughout the aquarium, they strive to have the “behind the scenes” open to the public, which is nice to see. The Amazing Jellies exhibit is larger than most jellyfish areas, but they don’t have anything different. Some very good interactive areas for the kids to explain how jellyfish populations are exploding, hurting the aquatic food chain.
Penguin Exhibit – Level I
As you finally enter the main aquarium building, you are greeted with the Penguin Exhibit. By far one of the strongest exhibits, three species of penguins, African Black Footed Penguins, Rock Hopper Penguins, and Little Blue Penguins, live in this huge 150,000 gallon exhibit. A number of large rocks are placed throughout and with 4 ½ feet of water, the penguins enjoy swimming in a group. The exhibit is split up into three sections, one for each species. The African Penguin section is the largest, taking up over 50% of the space for over 50 birds. The Rock Hopper section takes up a little over 25% of the exhibit with about 15-20 birds. Both the African and Rock Hopper sections can be joined by a gate creating an even larger exhibit. The smallest section of the penguin exhibit is for the world’s smallest penguin. With one large rock, this exhibit provides plenty of room for about 10 Little Blue Penguins. In all, the Penguin exhibit is nice simply because it is an open air exhibit. Most penguins are behind glass with little swimming room, but here, penguins have an entire floor to swim.
http://www.zoochat.com/587/little-blue-penguin-exhibit-164578/
http://www.zoochat.com/587/african-penguin-exhibit-164576/
Tropical Gallery – Level I
Adjacent to the penguins is the Tropical Gallery. In these set of exhibits includes a live coral reef display, a venomous display housing lionfish, stonefish, and scorpion fish, a cuttle fish display, and a large 5,100 gallon Pacific reef display. The Pacific reef exhibit does not have live coral, but it takes up half of this section and includes a 70 species tropical fish that would be impossible to keep with live coral. This exhibit area does not have anything different, but the exhibits are well cleaned and the fish are vibrant and full of energy.
http://www.zoochat.com/587/tropcial-gallery-164523/
Aquarium Medical Center – Level I
Adjacent to the penguin exhibit on the other side is the Aquarium Medical Center. This is one of the most interesting sections of the aquarium because guests are able to see what actually goes on in caring for 12,000 animals. While I was there, I was able to see them operating on a fish’s eye and performing a medical examination on an African Penguin. They also have a number of recovery basins and holding tanks for fish, as well as an anaconda nursery. One holding tank was housing a queen triggerfish. Apparently, the New England Aquarium is the only aquarium in the world where the queen triggerfish has successfully bred in captivity. The Aquarium Medical Center is something that not a lot of zoos and aquariums have an actual exhibit for, which provides a very unique opportunity for guests to experience a behind the scenes look.
New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center – Level I Access to Outside
The Marine Mammal Center is an outdoor exhibit housing Northern Fur Seals and possibly California Sea Lions in the future. This exhibit is the newest addition completed in the summer of 2009. This exhibit is completely surrounded by glass, but has no underwater viewing area. The exhibit has a shallow end that is about 3ft deep and a deeper end that is about 10-12ft deep. A number of rocks and a wooden ledge provide the seals with some basking opportunities and trainer areas. A family of 6 seals lives here with two large males.
http://www.zoochat.com/587/new-balance-foundation-marine-mammal-center-164524/
Sea Dragon Exhibit – Level II
This exhibit houses weedy sea dragons and leafy sea dragons as well as 25 other species of small fish and invertebrates, all representatives of Australia’s temperate reefs. The exhibit is 2,000 gallons and is really impressive. The fake plants hide the dragons and the cylindrical tank gives a distorted illusion. Also on this level are a school of sardines and a grouper exhibit.
Freshwater Gallery – Level III
The freshwater section has some good exhibits and some exhibits that could use a makeover. A trout stream and marsh exhibit is the strongest, but the Amazon River exhibit really could use some work. Dimly lit tanks and really scratched acrylic glass make the exhibit look sloppy. This is by far the weakest part of the aquarium.
Edge of the Sea Touch Pool - Level III
This touch pool exhibit lets both children and adults touch horseshoe crabs, whelks, hermit crabs, sea stars, urchins, and clams. The exhibit is nice, but just like other touch pools, it can get really crowded, distracting other visitors from their experience.
Northern Waters Gallery – Level III
This gallery includes the Pacific Northwest and the Gulf of Maine. The Pacific section includes sea anemones, giant pacific octopus, sea urchins, sea bats, and other cold water fish. The Gulf of Maine section includes a large 2,000 gallon tank with native fish, skates, and invertebrates. This is by far the best section of the Northern Waters Gallery. Also here are the Shorebirds of the Boston Harbor. This is a very cool exhibit with shorebirds on the shore and rocks, and fish and crabs in the water.
http://www.zoochat.com/587/shorebirds-boston-harbor-exhibit-164543/
Giant Ocean Tank – Level I to Level IV
As a center piece for the Aquarium, this 200,000 gallon exhibit represents an Atlantic Coral reef. It includes a number of familiar species like sand tiger sharks, a cow nose ray, southern stingray, green sea turtles, permit, barracuda, grunts, and a variety of other fish. Also here is a Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle, which was nice to see. Myrtle, a 500lbs. green sea turtle, has been in the Giant Ocean Tank since the Aquarium opened in 1969 and is the most popular animals in this exhibit. The exhibit has an open top to allow guests to see the fish from the top and a spiral ramp to view the simulated coral reef from every angle. There are little windows at every level giving families their own viewing window. This is one of the best exhibits at the Aquarium.
http://www.zoochat.com/587/giant-ocean-tank-164555/
Overall
The New England Aquarium I found very enjoyable. A number of exhibits such as the Aquarium Medical Center, Sea Turtle Recovery Center, Penguin Exhibit, and Giant Ocean Tank were not the typical aquarium exhibits and were top notch. I found the layout simple and effective in managing the crowds. Overall the New England Aquarium was well worth a visit and a place on the nation’s list of Top 10 Aquariums.
There are pleny of pictures that have been posted in the New England Aquarium Gallery
