Kid Tips

Babies: Dim lights, strange swimming things ... babies love this aquarium. Check out the Curious George Discovery Center, which has programming for the youngest set.

Toddlers & Pre-K: Don't be surprised if your toddlers are more intrigued by the stone penguin sculptures they can climb on than by the actual penguins themselves. This aquarium is so big your toddler might get a bit overwhelmed. Start your visit at the touch tank, where they can handle horseshoe crabs, sea stars, sea urchins, snails, and hermit crabs.

School-Age Kids: A permanent seahorse exhibit, the octopodi, and the giant ocean tank, as well as the seal training presentations, will wow your school-aged kid.

Pre-Teens & Teens: Theme programs (about killer sea animals and the like) and the IMAX films, as well as the amazing array of sea life, will keep your teen entertained.

Planning Notes

• Avoid the lines. They're L-O-N-G. Buy your tickets online.
• Take the T. The Aquarium stop on the Blue Line is -- you guessed it -- right next to the aquarium, or you can even walk from Fanueil Hall. If not, expect to spend time looking for and paying a lot for parking.
• Use City Pass or Go Boston cards. You save a lot of money if you use one of these discount cards.
• Go in the morning when it opens. It's really cool to see the penguin feedings or the diver in the tank, which happen throughout the day, but are less crowded in the morning. You can download a schedule of daily events from the website.
• No strollers in the jellyfish exhibit. You can check your stroller at the lockers, though the rest of the museum is stroller accessible.

Just the Facts

Hours: Winter hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Summer hours (July 1- Labor Day): Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends and holidays

Fees: $10 - $20

Recommended Time: 2 to 4 hours

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