New England Aquarium
INFO
Contact Information:
Description:
Founded in 1969, the New England Aquarium is a global leader in ocean exploration and marine conservation. The Aquarium is one of the premier visitor attractions in Boston, with over 1.3 million visitors a year, and a major public education resource. The Aquarium is redefining what it means to be an aquarium: combining education, entertainment and action to address the most challenging problems facing the ocean. Through a wide variety of educational programs and conservation initiatives, we make a lasting impact globally.
GETTING THERE
Driving and Parking:
The Aquarium is located at 1 Central Wharf, near the Marriott Hotel and close to Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market.
From the south
Take I-93 Northbound.
Take Exit 23, marked "Gov't Center. North End, Aquarium, Quincy Market."
Turn left at Surface Rd. and continue for three blocks.
Take Exit 23, marked "Gov't Center. North End, Aquarium, Quincy Market."
Turn left at Surface Rd. and continue for three blocks.
Turn left at Milk St. and the Aquarium will be straight ahead.
From the west
Take the Mass Turnpike to I-93 North.
Take Exit 23 off I-93, marked "Gov't Center. North End, Aquarium, Quincy Market"
Turn left at Surface Rd. and continue for three blocks.
Take Exit 23 off I-93, marked "Gov't Center. North End, Aquarium, Quincy Market"
Turn left at Surface Rd. and continue for three blocks.
Turn left at Milk St. and the Aquarium will be straight ahead.
From the north
Take I-93 Southbound.
Take exit 24 A-B (Callahan Tunnel/Government Center), which is the first exit after you enter the Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. Tunnel.
Take the right or "A" side of the divided exit (Government Center).
Stay left to turn onto Surface Road at the light.
Go 2 blocks to Milk Street and turn left and the Aquarium will be straight ahead.
From Cambridge
Take Memorial Drive North to the intersection of 28 (McGrath-O'Brien Hwy) and go right, past the Museum of Science.
When you come to the intersection of Storrow Drive, go straight across the intersection into the tunnel for 93 South.
When you come to the intersection of Storrow Drive, go straight across the intersection into the tunnel for 93 South.
Take exit 24 A-B (Callahan Tunnel/Government Center), which is the first exit after you enter the Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. Tunnel.
Take the right or "A" side of the divided exit (Government Center).
Stay left to turn onto Surface Road at the light.
Go 2 blocks to Milk Street and turn left and the Aquarium will be straight ahead.
Parking
The Aquarium does not own or operate any parking lots or garages. They have prepared a list of nearby parking facilities that can be located at:
http://www.neaq.org/visit_planning/maps_directions_and_parking/parking/index.php
Public Transportation:
The closest subway stop is just 100 yards from the Aquarium. It is the Aquarium stop on the MBTA's Blue Line. All other subway lines connect to the Blue Line, and stops off all of the lines are only a short walk from the Aquarium, including the State stop on the Orange Line (8-minute walk), the Government Center stop on the Green Line (10-minute walk), and the South Station stop on the Red Line (10-15-minute walk).
GETTING AROUND
Features for People with Children:
There are many daily entertaining events including penguin feedings, seal trainings, dives in the Giant Ocean Tank and live animal presentations. The daily schedule is available at the information desk and will tell you when to catch your favorite presentations.
Kids are invited to get wet, get dirty and get excited at the hands-on exhibits. The Edge of the Sea touch tank allows visitors to pick up Sea Stars and other small ocean creatures. The Curious George Discovery Corner lets young children explore shapes, colors and textures. It is even possible to sign up to Play with the Seals or be a Trainer for a Morning with the trainers at our seal exhibit. Find out more about these behind the scenes programs on the Aquarium website or at the information desk.
Strollers are allowed everywhere in Aquarium, with the exception of the Jellies exhibit. Stroller parking and storage lockers are available in the lobby.
Features for People with Mobility Impairments:
Virtually every part of the Aquarium is open to visitors with wheelchairs or strollers. One exception is the 16 steps to the very top of the Giant Ocean Tank exhibit. Wheelchairs are available for rent at the information desk. Benches are located throughout the Aquarium. There is wheelchair seating available in the IMAX theater. In addition to the ramp that winds its way around the Giant Ocean Tank connecting all of the levels, there are elevators. There are accessible restrooms, as well.
Features for People with Hearing Impairments:
An American Sign Language interpreter is available from 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of every month. (In the month of July the interpreter will be available on the second Sunday, July 11, 2010.) Groups of 15 or more can arrange a special guided tour by calling (617) 973-5206. You can also download a closed-caption Aquarium tour for your iPod video or other hand-held media device. Download it here:
http://www.neaq.org/visit_planning/tours_and_programs/tours/neaq_insider/hearing_impaired/.
Visitors with hearing impairments also benefit from description panels throughout the Aquarium. These panels include exhibit descriptions, species identification, discussions of conservation issues and much more. Many of the descriptive panels include photographs or diagrams as well as text.
Features for People with Visual Impairments:
Many Aquarium exhibits incorporate elements that are helpful to visitors with visual impairments, such as oversized typefaces, bold illustrations and colorful graphics.
Several Aquarium exhibits also have tactile elements, including:
At the Edge of the Sea exhibit on the Third Level, visitors are encouraged to gently pick up and examine sea stars, periwinkles, horseshoe crabs and other animals in this exhibit.
The Thinking Gallery on the second level has a textured handrail to help visitors understand evolution, survival in harsh habitats and the function of fish shape.
Bathrooms:
Accessible restrooms are located in the lobby of the West Wing on the 1st level and to the left of the elevator just outside of the Harbor View Café on the 2nd level.
OTHER
Multimedia Access:
The New England Aquarium is actively involved in new media and multimedia. There are a number of blogs, webcams, and videos available on the New England Aquarium Website.
A video tour of the Aquarium is also available for download. It is closed captioned for people with hearing impairments. It is available in a number of formats for portable devices.
The Aquarium is also active on Facebook and Twitter.
Amenities:
Harbor View Café is on the 2nd floor of the main building
The Reef offers food on the Aquarium Plaza
A gift shop is located in the main building
Many more dining and shopping options are located near the Aquarium
An IMAX theater is adjacent to the main building
Whale Watches that run from April to November