There are many activities to do and sites to see near the New England Aquarium!
If you are planning a visit to Boston, the Aquarium offers great lodging deals with our partner hotels. Many are located within walking distance to the Aquarium or a short cab ride away.
When you want to stop to eat, you have many choices. In the Aquarium, the Harbor View Cafe offers burgers, pizzas, deli sandwiches, soups, salads, beverages, and snacks in a kid-friendly environment. There are no reservations and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Head out on the water with a seasonal New England Aquarium Whale Watch. These three-hour excursions with our partners at Boston Harbor Cruises leave from the Aquarium’s dock and take you to Stellwagen Bank, a rich feeding ground for marine animals such as whales, seals, sea birds, fish, and others. Buy your tickets online.
You may also enjoy a 80-minute, historically narrated, land and water adventure with the world famous Boston Duck Tours, which departs daily from the New England Aquarium; call 617-450-0068 for current hours.
If you are interested in dining near the Aquarium, there are great choices right near the main building, and additional restaurants just a short walk away in Quincy Market, on the waterfront, and in the North End. Below is a list of some of the options.
There are many Boston attractions within easy walking distance or a short subway ride away. The Freedom Trail is only a couple hundred steps away.
Boston is a also great town for shopping with many districts nearby. Below is a list of shopping destinations a short walk or subway ride away.
Hotel Packages
Boston Harbor Hotel (preferred hotel)
Includes four tickets to the New England Aquarium, seasonal drinks and snacks for four in the Rowes Wharf Sea Grille, breakfast for two adults and two children, and an in-room movie.
Distance: 0.2 miles from Aquarium
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Courtyard by Marriott Copley Square
Includes two adult passes to the Aquarium, accommodations, full breakfast buffet for each morning booked, and exclusive to this property: 10% discount to the Aquarium Gift Shop and a guide to the “Top Must Sees” at the Aquarium.
Distance: 2.3 miles from Aquarium
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Courtyard Marriott Woburn/Boston North
Includes overnight accommodations, two adult and two children admission tickets to the New England Aquarium, two adult and two children breakfast vouchers to The Bistro (hotel restaurant), complimentary overnight parking and Wi-Fi, and shuttle transportation to/from Anderson Commuter Rail (services Woburn to/from North Station).
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DoubleTree by Hilton Boston Logan Airport Chelsea
Package includes overnight accommodations along with two adult admissions to the New England Aquarium, wireless internet access, overnight parking along with shuttle service to and from the local subway station and Boston Logan Airport.
Fairmont Copley Plaza
Includes luxurious overnight accommodations, four tickets to the New England Aquarium (two adult, two child), two children-sized Fairmont bathrobes, and a hot chocolate and cookie amenity.
Distance: 1.8 miles from Aquarium
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Hampton Inn Boston Logan
Includes overnight accommodations, hot breakfast buffet, complimentary parking and shuttle service to and from the local subway station, and two adult tickets to the New England Aquarium.
Distance: 5.7 miles from Aquarium
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Includes 10% discount on overnight accommodations when guest mentions the New England Aquarium when booking a reservation. Offer is based on hotel availability.
Distance: 0.1 mile from Aquarium
Hilton Boston Downtown/Faneuil Hall
Includes overnight accommodations, admission to the New England Aquarium, overnight valet parking, and internet access.
Distance: 0.04 mile from Aquarium
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Holiday Inn Express Saugus
Package includes overnight accommodations and admission for two guests to the New England Aquarium as well as complimentary transportation to the airport train station. Additional tickets can be purchased at the hotel. The package also includes our “Express Start” breakfast every morning.
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Hotel Boston
Includes two adult and two child admissions to the New England Aquarium, spacious hotel accommodations, continental breakfast, high-speed wireless internet, and complimentary guest parking.
Distance: 7.28 miles from Aquarium
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Omni Parker House
Includes two adults and two children New England Aquarium and Simons IMAX® Theatre admission (excludes special presentations), deluxe accommodations, breakfast buffet in Parker’s Restaurant, Omni Kids welcome bag, and more!
Distance: 0.5 mile from Aquarium
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The Colonnade Boston
Includes two adult and two children admission to the New England Aquarium, deluxe accommodations, full American breakfast, overnight parking, and more!
Distance: 2.18 miles from Aquarium
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The Hilton Family
Includes hotel accommodations, breakfast served in the hotel restaurant, and discounted museum tickets. Visit the website for more information.
Distance: 3.7 miles from Aquarium
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The Lenox – Back Bay Boston
Includes two passes to the New England Aquarium and luxury overnight accommodations.
Distance: 2.1 miles from Aquarium
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The Liberty Hotel
Includes two passes to the Aquarium, overnight accommodations in a luxurious guest room, and breakfast for two in CLINK.
Distance: 1.6 miles from Aquarium
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The Midtown Hotel
Includes two adult and one child admission to the Aquarium, one-night stay in a deluxe double-bedded room, free overnight parking, and breakfast at Thornton’s Restaurant.
Distance: 2.2 miles from AquariumShopping Near the Aquarium
When you are in Boston to visit the Aquarium, take some time to visit the many great shopping destinations within walking distance or a short T ride away.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Visit one of Boston’s most famous shopping and dining experiences. Don’t forget to visit their website to print out your visitor coupon pass! faneuilhallmarketplace.comPrudential Center
This shopping and dining destination features over 75 shops and restaurants. Visit the customer service desk in the center court to buy your PRUferred card for only $5.00! www.prudentialcenter.comCopley Place
Located in the historic Back Bay, Copley Place is Boston’s most distinctive shopping destination with 75 fabulous stores! simon.com/mall/?ID=784Newbury Street
Visit one of Boston’s best! Eight blocks filled with salons, boutiques, and fabulous dining. Boston’s Newbury Street has something for everyone. newbury-st.comCambridgeside Galleria
Located in Cambridge, Cambridgeside Galleria offers more than 120 stores and restaurants. There are special coupon brochures available; be sure to visit the website. cambridgesidegalleria.comHarvard Square
Located just steps away from Harvard Yard, Harvard Square is a world-renowned shopping, dining, cultural and historical destination. harvardsquare.comDining Near the Aquarium
When visiting the Aquarium, there are a number of excellent food choices here and nearby. The Harbor View Café, located on the Aquarium’s second floor, offers seating on a first-come, first-served basis. A selection of kid-friendly meals is served cafeteria-style. Additionally, our outdoor cafe, The Reef, is another great dining option during the summer months.
If you would like to eat outside the Aquarium, here is a brief list of dining options only a short walk away, including some that offer discounts to IMAX ticket holders. There are many more restaurants in the surrounding area.
In the Immediate Area
State Street Provisions
255 State Street
617-863-8363
statestreetprovisions.com
Serves: fish, oysters, meatLegal Sea Foods
255 State Street (Atlantic Avenue)
617-742-5300
www.legalseafoods.com/Restaurants/Boston-Long-Wharf
Serves: fish, chowder, meatPanera Bread
200 High Street
617-951-1330
panera-boston.com
Serves: soups, sandwiches, salads, pastriesChart House
60 Long Wharf (Atlantic Avenue)
617-227-1576
chart-house.com
Serves: Steaks, fish, prime rib
Dinner onlyIn Faneuil Hall, a 5-Minute Walk
Cheers
Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Quincy Market
Between Commercial and Congress streets
617-227-0150
cheersboston.comHard Rock Cafe
22-24 Clinton St.
617-424-ROCK
hardrock.com/boston
Simply say, “Myrtle the turtle sent me,” and 15% of your food bill will be donated to our Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation program.McCormick & Schmicks
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
North Market Building (North Street)
617-720-5502
mccormickandschmicks.com
Serves: SeafoodNed Devines
1 Faneuil Hall Market Place
617-248-9900
neddevinesboston.com
Serves: Upscale Irish pubQuincy’s Place
254 Faneuil Hall Market Place
617-723-3635
Serves: Burgers, sandwiches, ice cream
quincysplaceboston.comNearby, On the Boston Waterfront
Boston Sail Loft
80 Atlantic Ave.
between Lewis Wharf and Commercial Wharf
617-227-7280
thebostonsailloft.com
Serves: SeafoodCoogan’s Bluff
171 Milk St.
617-451-7415
irishconnection.com
Serves: Pasta, seafood, beefJoe’s American Bar and Grill
100 Atlantic Ave.
Commercial Wharf
617-367-8700
joesamerican.com
Serves: American food, burgersOdyssey Cruises
60 Rowes Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
odysseycruises.com
Serves: Entertainment, fine dining and spectacular views