Summer tourism season kicks off at Aquarium with expanded hours, food, and new film showing at the Simons Theatre

Aquarium offering special weekend programming for World Ocean Day

BOSTON, MASS. (June 2, 2021) – The New England Aquarium is kicking off the summer tourism season on Central Wharf with expanded hours, food offerings on the plaza, and a new film showing at the Simons Theatre.

The Aquarium’s summer hours, which began May 31, are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Starting Saturday, June 5, Central Snack Bar will open on Central Wharf Plaza with menu items including salads, sandwiches, and hot dogs. The kiosk will be open weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and beginning July 1 will operate seven days a week. Those enjoying a bite to eat will have access to a special seating area beneath a tent adjacent to the Snack Bar.

Visitors can also see a new film at the recently renovated Simons Theatre. The popular Ocean Odyssey follows a pod of humpback whales as they embark on an underwater journey, migrating 2,000 miles from the Great Barrier Reef to their feeding grounds off Antarctica. The films Great White Shark and Turtle Odyssey are also showing.

The Aquarium will be offering special in-person programming leading up to World Ocean Day (June 8). On Saturday, June 5, and Sunday, June 6, visitors to Central Wharf can stop by the Harborwalk—between the main Aquarium building and Simons Theatre—for an educational activity on invasive species in Boston Harbor. The programming, led by the Aquarium’s ClimaTeens, live blue™ Ambassadors, and education staff, will run from 1 to 3 p.m. and is free and open to the public. This is part of the Aquarium’s work to make the downtown waterfront accessible to all, as well as part of the annual Party for the Planet celebration that began on Earth Day (April 22), continued through Endangered Species Day (May 21), and ends with World Ocean Day. A full calendar of events for Party for the Planet can be found here.

Since reopening to the public in February, the Aquarium has been offering a safe, educational, and fun visitor experience for people of all ages. In accordance with CDC recommendations, masks are no longer required for fully vaccinated visitors and staff. There will also be a steady ramp up of attendance in the coming weeks to accommodate more visitors through the doors. Timed ticketing is still in effect, with visitors encouraged to choose the day and entry time of their visit by reserving tickets online. Once inside, there is no time limit on enjoying all the Aquarium has to offer. For the time being, the touch tanks and Science of Sharks exhibit will remain closed, with plans to reopen this summer. For ticket information, visit neaq.org or call 617-973-5206.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Pam Bechtold Snyder – psnyder@neaq.org, 617-686-5068