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 City 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. Save 47% off admission to Boston’s top 4 attractions with Boston CityPASS. Visit the attractions at your own pace, in any order, over a nine-day period. Also, 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.

  1. Hotel Packages

    Boston Harbor Hotel logo
    Boston Harbor Hotel (preferred hotel)
    The Kidventures Package includes four tickets to the New England Aquarium, four tickets to the Greenway Carousel, and a DIY cupcake amenity for the children, delivered to your room on your day of arrival.
    Distance: 0.2 miles from Aquarium
    Learn more.

    Battery Wharf Hotel logo
    Battery Wharf Hotel
    Includes accommodations and admission to the New England Aquarium for each registered guest.
    Distance: 0.7 mile from Aquarium
    Learn more.

    Courtyard Marriott logo
    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
    Learn more.

    1_5_1_fairmontcopleyblack
    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
    Learn more.

    Harborside Inn
    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

    Learn more

    Hilton Downtown logo
    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
    Learn more.

    1_5_1_omni_parker
    Omni Parker House
    Includes two adults and two children New England Aquarium and Simons 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
    Learn more.

  2. Shopping 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.com

    Prudential 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.com

    Copley Place
    Located in the historic Back Bay, Copley Place is Boston’s most distinctive shopping destination with 75 fabulous stores! simon.com/mall/?ID=784

    Newbury Street
    Visit one of Boston’s best! Eight blocks filled with salons, boutiques, and fabulous dining. Boston’s Newbury Street has something for everyone. newburystboston.com

    Cambridgeside 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.com

    Harvard Square
    Located just steps away from Harvard Yard, Harvard Square is a world-renowned shopping, dining, cultural and historical destination. harvardsquare.com

  3. Dining 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 Level 2, offers seating on a first-come, first-served basis. A selection of kid-friendly meals is served cafeteria-style. Additionally, our outdoor cafe, Reef Bar, 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 Simons Theatre 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, meat

    Legal Sea Foods
    255 State Street (Atlantic Avenue)
    617-742-5300
    www.legalseafoods.com/Restaurants/Boston-Long-Wharf
    Serves: fish, chowder, meat

    Panera Bread
    200 High Street
    617-951-1330
    panera-boston.com
    Serves: soups, sandwiches, salads, pastries

    Chart House
    60 Long Wharf (Atlantic Avenue)
    617-227-1576
    chart-house.com
    Serves: Steaks, fish, prime rib
    Dinner only

    In Faneuil Hall, a 5-Minute Walk

    Cheers
    Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Quincy Market
    Between Commercial and Congress streets
    617-227-0150
    cheersboston.com

    Hard 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: Seafood

    Ned Devines
    1 Faneuil Hall Market Place
    617-248-9900
    neddevinesboston.com
    Serves: Upscale Irish pub

    Quincy’s Place
    254 Faneuil Hall Market Place
    617-723-3635
    Serves: Burgers, sandwiches, ice cream
    quincysplaceboston.com

     

    Nearby, On the Boston Waterfront

    Boston Sail Loft
    80 Atlantic Ave.
    between Lewis Wharf and Commercial Wharf
    617-227-7280
    thebostonsailloft.com
    Serves: Seafood

    Coogan’s Bluff
    171 Milk St.
    617-451-7415
    irishconnection.com
    Serves: Pasta, seafood, beef

    Joe’s American Bar and Grill
    100 Atlantic Ave.
    Commercial Wharf
    617-367-8700
    joesamerican.com
    Serves: American food, burgers

    Odyssey Cruises
    60 Rowes Wharf
    Boston, MA 02110
    odysseycruises.com
    Serves: Entertainment, fine dining and spectacular views