Construction and Exhibit Updates
The New England Aquarium is making exciting updates to enhance the visitor experience!
We will be installing new exhibit signage as well as making improvements to some of our exhibits. Check below to see how this project will impact our exhibits and your visit.
Temporary Closures in January and February
To ensure the safety of our guests and animals, access to some exhibits will be limited on a rolling basis as we complete this work. If you have a favorite exhibit, please schedule your visit accordingly.
Anticipated Dates for Closures*
- Penguin Colony (African and Southern Rockhopper penguins off exhibit):
- January 3–February 13, 2026
- Shark and Ray Touch Tank, Science of Sharks:
- January 5–7
- Blue Planet Action Center:
- January 7–8
- Tropical Waters Gallery (includes Healthy Corals, Healthy Reefs and Indo-Pacific Coral Reef):
- January 9–12
- Temperate Waters Gallery (includes Blue Hole, Ancestral Fishes, and Sea Jellies):
- January 15–19
- Fresh Waters Gallery (includes animals of the Amazon):
- January 20-22
- Northern Waters Gallery (includes Gulf of Maine and Olympic Coast exhibits):
- January 23–27
- Top of the Giant Ocean Tank:
- January 28–29
- Yawkey Coral Reef Center:
- January 30
Download and review a PDF version of our visitor map »
*Please note: Due to the nature of this project, some dates may shift slightly. We will do our best to keep this page as accurate as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
To ensure the safety of our guests and animals, access to some exhibits will be limited on a rolling basis as we complete this work in January and February. Some exhibits (see above) will be temporarily closed. The penguins will be off exhibit for the duration of the construction.
We are making improvements to their habitat! The African penguins will be temporarily relocated to our Animal Care Center in Quincy, Massachusetts, and the southern rockhopper penguins will live safely behind the scenes at the Aquarium where they will receive the same level of exceptional care and engagement they receive while on exhibit.
Yes! As some exhibits will be temporarily closed, Aquarium admission will be discounted $5 during the construction.
While admission tickets are nonrefundable, we are happy to reschedule your visit. To reschedule, contact Reservations at reservations@neaq.org or call 617-973-5206.