New England Aquarium

Located on the Central Wharf within walking distance of the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the New England Aquarium showcases numerous exhibits of sea life, from exotic jellyfish and stingrays to playful seals and penguins. Opened in 1969, the aquarium’s standout feature is a 200,000-gallon Giant Ocean Tank situated in the main building’s atrium that replicates a coral reef environment. A spiral walkway around the tank gives onlookers a close-up view of sharks, barracuda, sea turtles and schools of small fish. The facility is also home to an IMAX theater that shows movies with aquatic themes. Whale-watching tours are available too, and visitors can combine a cruise ticket with the aquarium’s price of admission.