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15 Fascinating Aquarium Virtual Field Trips

Jellies, otters, and more!

Did you know that you can take aquarium virtual field trips … across the globe … for free? Depending on the site, you may also access supplemental programs and resources designed for students, teachers, and families. Whether you’re trying to supplement your lesson plans, or just give kids something interesting to look at, these aquarium virtual tours have a lot to offer.

Seattle Aquarium

For a complete field trip experience, head over to Seattle Aquarium’s YouTube channel. There, you’ll find a Dive Buddy in full scuba gear guiding the learning experience from underwater. It doesn’t get more immersive than that! And kids can learn all about the animals and food web found in the Puget Sound waters.

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Maritime Aquarium

The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut has put some of their most popular programs online for kids to enjoy from anywhere! With specific content based on grade level—from Kindergarten through 12th Grade—this is a fantastic resource, especially for distance learning. Unlike some of the virtual aquariums on this list, this one requires advance reservations, so be sure to plan ahead!

Georgia Aquarium

You’ll be absolutely captivated by the Georgia Aquarium which is based in Atlanta. This vibrant virtual aquarium offers a variety of live views including the Indo-Pacific Barrier Reef Webcam, Ocean Voyager Webcam, Jelly Webcam, and more!

Monterey Bay Aquarium

You might not live in California, but you can still enjoy much of what the Monterey Bay Aquarium has to offer. There are many views to enjoy including the Open Sea Cam, Monterey Bay Cam, and even a Shark Cam. And, be sure to check out the virtual aquarium’s narrated feedings (check the website for details)!

National Aquarium

Take a virtual field trip over to the nation’s capital for this adventure! Located in Washington, D.C., you can navigate the National Aquarium online through a View Map and explore scenes such as Alligators, Sea Turtles, Channel Islands, American Samoa, and even the Amazon River!

Shedd Aquarium

The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago goes above and beyond to give kids a behind-the-scenes look at aquatic life. This YouTube channel is filled with fun lessons in biology (don’t miss the beluga sonogram!), environmental facts, and adorable videos. This is a fantastic resource for learning more about animals, their habitats, and our beautiful planet.

South Carolina Aquarium

Looking for some STEM-based activities to enhance learning (and beat boredom)? The award-winning education team at the South Carolina Aquarium offers virtual visits and nature challenges that are fun for the whole family! Become a digital explorer. Discover all of the complex habitats South Carolina has to offer and the fascinating animals that call it home.

Ripley’s Aquariums

Explore Ripley’s Aquariums at home and learn all about the amazing animals of our world waters! Staff educators will guide you through live feedings, educational encounters, storytime, and much more. The site offers downloadable animal activities, crafts, and educational materials for Pre-K, Elementary, and Middle School students.

Aquarium of the Pacific Online Academy

For more of a structured learning experience, head over to the Aquarium of the Pacific. They’ve created an Online Academy that offers educational activities through on-demand videos and scheduled interactive live programs with their educators. Plus, their live online courses for K-12 kids and printable certificates is a great way to engage and reward students.

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Catch a glimpse of the unique (and luxurious) offerings at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. Choose from three different views: The Main Tank, Underwater Zoo, and Shark Week Exhibit. It’s not as extensive as some of the other virtual aquariums on this list. But, it’s a great way to see something new for a few minutes!

New England Aquarium

Boston’s New England Aquarium has created a virtual portal for sharing live presentations, new videos, and even activities you can try from home! Interested in checking out the daily presentations? The aquarium posts them on their Facebook page every day at 11 a.m. Eastern Time.

OdySea Aquarium

Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, the OdySea Aquarium has developed several online portals to promote learning. Kids will be fascinated by the Shark Live Cam and sink into the Virtual OdySea Classroom where they can learn more about penguins, jellies, and more!

Texas State Aquarium

They say that everything’s bigger in Texas, which would explain why this aquarium’s virtual tours section is so extensive! You won’t grow bored with all of the views they offer. Find a tunnel view of the Caribbean Sea, up-close look at the coral reef in the Gulf of Mexico, and a cam that lets viewers mingle with flamingos!

Tennessee Aquarium

Don’t live in the Chattanooga area? No problem. You can visit the Tennessee Aquarium anytime with their wonderful live cams! Check in on their gentoo and macaroni penguins, witness courtship, nest building, rearing young, and even molting. Watch river otters scampering up and down a multi-tiered landscape. Lastly, venture into the saltwater exhibit, home to thousands of colorful reef fish, toothy sharks, and a rescued green sea turtle!

Virtual Aquarium

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q9O1YIt3oo

Perfect for winding down at the end of the day, Virtual Aquarium shares the best freshwater and marine aquariums all in one place! Plus, with relaxing sounds of the ocean, waterfalls, and rainforests, you could leave this on as a screensaver on your television for a calming backdrop throughout your day.

Did we miss one of your favorite aquarium virtual field trips? Share them with us, and we might just add it to this list!

Also, check out the best field trip ideas for every age and interest (virtual options too).

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The Coolest Ways to Experience Boston Museums Virtually Right Now

Simple slideshows? No way. Check out these interactive, multi-sensory, and downright fun online resources.

Get a compelling long read and must-have lifestyle tips in your inbox every Sunday morning — great with coffee!

This untitled work by the artist Futura is part of the Museum of Fine Arts’ Writing the Future exhibit. Online resources about the graffiti and hip hop- show include a video conversation with Futura, a digital music playlist, and more. / Untitled, 1982 Futura (American, born in 1955) Spray paint and marker on paper *Private Collection *© Futura 2000 / Wave 5 Communications LLC / Courtesy, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Even as art galleries sit empty and museum doors stay shut, cultural institutions everywhere are still coming up with creative ways to connect with the public during the pandemic. Beyond virtual museum tours available for free via Google Arts & Culture , Boston’s best museums are rolling out plenty of innovative new ideas and activities this spring . From a digital music playlist that animates an urban art exhibit, to an interactive game that lets history buffs play sailor, check out these exciting ways to engage online with Boston’s museums right now.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Writing the Future: Basquiat and the Hip-Hop Generation

We were looking forward to checking out the MFA’s game-changing graffiti art exhibit this spring, which explores the influential New York graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and his connection to the rise of hip-hop culture, with works from 12 of his contemporary artists. Fortunately, the online resources that support “Writing the Future” bring the vibe home. Start with the soundtrack, available to stream via Spotify: It’s a mix of jazz, punk, rap, funk, and more to inspire and set the scene, all assembled by exhibit co-curator and music expert Greg Tate . Then check out conversations with featured artist Futura and Grammy Award-winning musician Lupe Fiasco , moderated by exhibition curator Liz Munsell. And keep an eye out for bonus features on social media , including messages from contributing artists. Beyond the exhibit on New York’s post-graffiti era, the MFA’s robust online resources also include new Art for This Moment reflections from MFA staff, highlighting objects from across the museum’s collections; and a new virtual screening room with film releases every Friday.

New England Aquarium photo by Christine A. on Flickr / Creative Commons

New England Aquarium Giant Ocean Tank webcam

This iconic Boston institution was built around the 200,000-gallon saltwater tank that’s home to Myrtle the green sea turtle and 1,000 other animals. Check up on Myrtle and friends any time you want with a look at the 24-hour live webcam . Tune in at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. to see daily feeding and maintenance dives, or just leave the video going to add some serene science to your day. Plus: Overflowing online are educational resources for teachers and parents, virtual visit videos , and live presentations most mornings from marine experts like National Geographic photographer Brian Skerry.

Institute for Contemporary Art Sunday Brunch Jams

Make Sundays fun again with the ICA. The Seaport museum is on Instagram Live every Sunday brunch-time (11:30 a.m.) with local DJs, who are live-spinning funky sets to pair with special brunch recipes that you can make at home. First Fridays have also gone virtual: On May 1, tune in via YouTube Live for performances from local DJs and dancers, plus cocktail-making and choreography lessons. Other cool ways to explore the ICA from isolation: Catch up on Friday Art Note blog posts, close your eyes and listen to a mobile tour , and explore the online archive of past exhibitions .

The Gropius House photo courtesy of Historic New England

Historic New England: The Gropius House Walter Gropius home movies

Hidden among rolling hills and country roads in Lincoln is a seminal example of Bauhaus design, the Walter Gropius House . While the aesthetically pleasing marvel of form and function is currently closed for public tours, you can still get a look inside—and see what mid-century life was like for the modernist pioneer who built it. The house’s caretakers at Historic New England have uploaded three Gropius family home videos from the 1960s, filmed on an 8-millimeter home-movie camera during special days. (Hello, kitschy Christmas trees!) Has this virtual visit to the Gropius house piqued your interest in the Bauhaus movement? Thanks to the time Gropius spent at Harvard—his career there is the reason he built his iconic home—the Harvard Art Museums have one of the largest collections of artifacts relating to this influential school of art and design, with tons of resources available online.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s famous nasturtiums remain where they grew in Hingham this year, but visitors can get a virtual look. / Courtesy of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Nasturtium nursery tour

The iconic courtyard at Isabella Stewart Gardner’s Fenway mansion is typically draped in hanging nasturtiums each spring to celebrate her April 14 birthday. While that portal into the eccentric Boston luminary’s world is closed right now, museum staff opted to keep the flowers in the nursery —and give visitors a rare look at the Hingham greenhouse where all of the museum’s brilliant blooms are born. Check out this YouTube tour of the closed-to-the-public nursery with horticulture director Erika Rumbley, who describes how the iconic blooming ribbons are grown each year.

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum Teaching and Learning Tuesdays

Students are undoubtedly getting some life lessons in presidential behavior while they’re learning at home right now. But any educators, parents, caretakers, or history buffs who are looking for real leadership lessons should take advantage of the weekly resource guides from this Columbia Point institution. Released each week, “learning Tuesday” lesson plans —built for different age groups around themes like “the Power of Words” and “ Civil Rights & Civic Action ”—are loaded with primary sources, videos, activities, and other reading material to support educators right now.

Screenshot from the USS Constitution’s interactive game, A Sailor’s Life for Me

USS Constitution Museum Play A Sailor’s Life for Me

There’s a sea of information online from the crew of this Boston-built battleship. Along with tours of the Charlestown-docked vessel every morning live on Facebook , virtual visitors can dive into history , explore artifacts , and navigate educational activities . Wannabe pirates will particularly enjoy the interactive game A Sailor’s Life for Me , which gives players the chance to scrub the ship’s deck, eradicate rats in the cargo hold, and steer the vessel on the open seas.

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Take the kids on a virtual "field trip" to the new england aquarium.

Many Massachusetts parents suddenly find themselves scrambling to entertain their kids for an indefinite period of time. Making the COVID-19 school closures even more challenging is the fact that we must spend most of our time at home.

Luckily many of Boston's finest establishments are offering virtual tours the whole family can enjoy from the safety of their sofas.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Walter F. Timilty (@walterftimilty) on Feb 4, 2020 at 2:13pm PST

Perhaps the most exciting option for the little ones are the virtual presentations from the staff at The New England Aquarium .

So far they have invited viewers to join them as they feed Myrtle the sea turtle, explore the living creatures at the "edge of the sea," and perform a veterinary exam on a real live Green Moray Eel!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by New England Aquarium (@newenglandaquarium) on Mar 16, 2020 at 10:33am PDT

You can view a list of the upcoming presentations here , but don't worry if you miss the live broadcasts. The latest videos are available for viewing on   Facebook   everyday at 11   am.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by New England Aquarium (@newenglandaquarium) on Mar 17, 2020 at 8:09am PDT

For even more culture and learning through your iPad ,  take advantage of virtual museum tours from  Google Arts & Culture .  

They currently offer online tours of hundreds of the world's finest museums, including several in Boston.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by TravelEdge Group (@traveledgers) on Mar 19, 2020 at 5:59pm PDT

A visit to the   Boston Children’s Museum  website lets you virtually navigate their exciting exhibits including the three-story New Balance Foundation Climb.

You can also take a family "stroll" through the famous courtyard of the   Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum   and check out priceless paintings and sculptures at the   Museum of Fine Arts .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Isabella Stewart Gardner (@gardnermuseum) on Mar 12, 2020 at 12:23pm PDT

Turn the afternoon into an educational lesson on Boston's founding fathers with a "visit" to the   Massachusetts Historical Society  or a virtual tour of the   Massachusetts State House . 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @barheinen on Aug 6, 2019 at 11:47am PDT

According to the State House website, the tour describes nine historic spaces and “highlights paintings, sculpture, artifacts, and decorative arts commemorating the people and events that helped to shape the Commonwealth and nation.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Benoit Belanger (@benitofoto) on Aug 4, 2018 at 6:43am PDT

It may not be quite as fun as the real thing, but these virtual tours can help your children get excited about real-life visits to these facilities when the COVID-19 threat has passed.

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16 Amazing Free Virtual Aquarium Tours

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My family loves to go on field trips, but sometimes it isn’t always practical. I’m finding that it is harder to make field trips work with our schedule as my kids get older. Thankfully there are quite a few virtual aquarium tour ideas available online.

A Virtual field trip offers a few benefits:

• No sitting in traffic or searching for a parking lot
• You are not limited to only going at certain times
• There are no lunches, snacks, and water bottles to pack
• Go on a virtual visit to multiple aquariums in one day – regardless of location
• Quick and easy
• Watch the live streams from the comfort of your own home
• You don’t need to worry about trying to see around larger groups
• Great for any age group

I searched aquarium websites all over the United States so that I could compile a list of all of the free virtual aquarium tours. Technically, these ideas are live cams. Many of the aquariums offer their own versions of virtual field trips, but those options are not free.

I recommend watching the free webcams and saving your field trip dollars for a day when you can go in person and get the full field trip experience. If you want to take advantage of one of the paid virtual aquarium programs, try to get a small group to join you so you can share the cost (and the fun).

These virtual aquarium tour suggestions are all hosted on official aquarium websites, not the YouTube site. YouTube isn’t always the best place for young children and I wanted this list to be full of safe online places. Hopefully, keeping the webcams on the official aquarium sites will prevent kids from clicking away to something not intended for little eyes.

There are a few ways to use these virtual aquarium tour ideas for almost any grade level:

• Watch animals as part of a school lesson
• Take breaks during the day to check out the amazing animals
• Check out their favorite animals as a reward for finishing schoolwork

Virtual Aquarium Tour Ideas

Some virtual aquariums charge an access fee or restrict viewing to members only. This list is only for free virtual tours.

Updated: 2/22

1. Georgia Aquarium

• Underwater Puffin
• Beluga Whales
• African Penguin
• Southern Sea Otter
• California Sea Lions
• Indo-Pacific Barrier Reef
• Ocean Voyager

The Georgia Aquarium has fantastic educational resources. The education team has put together videos to teach kids about the animals in the aquarium. There are also fun activities such as a word search, maze, and bingo.

2. Tennessee Aquarium

• Sharks Exhibit (includes a green sea turtle)
• North American River Otter
• Macaroni Penguin
• Island life

3. Maui Ocean Center

• Underwater Camera

Related: Tips for a Great Maui Ocean Center Field Trip

4. Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium has an online program called Stay Home. You can watch the entire series, or choose a specific animal to learn about.

5. National Aquarium

• Blacktip Reef Shark
• Pacific Coral Reefs

6. Oregon Coast Aquarium

The Oregon Coast Aquarium offers lesson plans for grades 3 – 8 under the teacher resources tab.

7. Seattle Aquarium

• Harbor Seal

Related: Seattle Area Field Trips

8. Aquarium of the Pacific

• Penguin Habitat
• Underwater Penguin Habitat
• Shark Lagoon
• Sea Nettles
• Tropical Reef
• Honda Blue Cavern
• Coral Predators

Make the most of your Aquarium of the Pacific virtual aquarium tour with the free resource kits . These kits contain multiple lesson plan ideas about things like ocean habitats, animal adaptations, and conservation of the world.

9. California Academy of Sciences

• Reef Lagoon
• Philippine Coral Reef
• Farallon Island Live Cam

10. Birch Aquarium

• Kelp Forest

The Birch Aquarium offers a printable food webs activity.

11. Mystic Aquarium

12. the dallas world aquarium, 13. clearwater marine aquarium.

• Sea Turtle Rescue

14. Ripley’s Aquarium

• Rainbow Reef with Tropical Fish

15. Odysea Aquarium

The OdySea Aquarium offers free lesson plans for preschool – high school. These would be a great addition to a marine biology curriculum!

16. Monterey Bay Aquarium

• Kelp Forests
• Monterey Bay

Bonus: Virtual Zoology: The Animal Kingdom Branch of Biology

A teacher reached out to me to let me know about this awesome resource that his students found. Thanks for sharing it with me Harry, Kelly, and the rest of the student volunteers!

The virtual zoology site has links to a ton of animal webcams. There are both marine animals you would find in an aquarium and animals that you might find in a zoo. Of course, there is some overlap between these categories.

• Farrallon Islands live webcam
• Humboldt Penguins
• Siamang Monkey
• Mountain Lions
• Puppies (My family fosters puppies, so this is definitely one of my favorites!)

Need ideas on how to incorporate these awesome virtual aquarium tours into homeschool lessons? Here are a few ideas:

• Geography – Check out different animals and aquatic life that live in a part of the world you are studying.
• Language arts – See real examples of aquatic animals found in books. For example, if there is a jellyfish in a story, hop online and view some of the real jellyfish at Ripley’s Aquarium.
• Science – Take a virtual aquarium tour while studying biology or marine biology
• Documentaries – After watching a documentary about an animal, see if you can watch the animal online.

Online tours can be a great way to have a unique educational experience. You can see so many animals that you would never be able to see otherwise!

Do you know of any other virtual aquarium tour opportunities or an amazing live webcam? Leave the suggestions in the comments so everyone can check them out!

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Welcome! My name is Jennifer. I am a teacher at heart. Before my children were born I was a public school teacher. Now, I am a homeschooling mom of two.

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Livestreams

There's nothing like experiencing the National Aquarium firsthand—but our live cams are the next best thing!

* Please note our cameras are only livestreaming during business hours. After hours, please enjoy a previously recorded livestream segment.

Blacktip Reef

Welcome to Blacktip Reef , where you'll find blacktip reef sharks darting at the water's surface while brilliantly colored fish weave throughout intricate corals and graceful rays skim the sandy floor in a recreation of a delicately balanced Indo-Pacific reef.

Jellies Invasion

From the graceful Pacific sea nettle to the short and stout blue blubber , Jellies Invasion highlights the stunning diversity of these brainless invertebrates, which are found in every ocean on Earth.

Pacific Coral Reef

Coral reefs support an estimated 25% of all marine species, despite only occupying 1% of the ocean floor. Pacific Coral Reef —located in our North Atlantic to the Pacific exhibit —reflects the incredible diversity of life found in these unique habitats and features a variety of reef fishes, from spotfin butterflyfish to the yellow tang .

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Virtual Tours Allow You to Visit Your Favorite Boston Area Museums

We know the importance of social distancing to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus/COVID-19, but we still want to connect and experience the art found in local cultural institutions. As you spend your days working from home and staying put, we’ve compiled a helpful list of all the museums, cultural centers, and libraries that are offering virtual tours, online exhibitions, and other resources to keep you entertained and culturally satisfied. 

Take a tour of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and learn about the famous art heist.

Art Museums & Galleries

Davis museum at wellesley college.

On the Davis Museum’s website, visitors can explore three exhibitions via the museum’s virtual platform. One virtual show looks at artists’ interpretations of Mary Magdalene’s identity, revealing their perspectives on women, devotion, and the divine, and their artistic choices have, in turn, influenced the lives of women. Additionally, the Davis Museum offers an exhibition of the work of artist Yu-Wen Wu , and a look Portraits of Women in its collection.

The Ethelbert Cooper Gallery of African and African American Art at the Hutchins Center at Harvard University

 The Ethelbert Cooper Gallery features contemporary and historical exhibitions and installations of African and African American art. You can take a virtual tour of the gallery’s current exhibition Zanele Muhol: Somnyama Ngonyama/Hail, the Dark Lioness .

Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston

While the ICA remains closed to the general public, you can still explore contemporary art with videos and audio recordings, including exhibition previews, artist interviews, studio visits, and talks between artists and curators on the ICA website . Some of the ICA’s digital offerings include studio visits with artists like Tschabalala Self , Helga Roht Poznanski , and Lavaughan Jenkins , along with recordings of past talks and other exhibition materials. 

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

The Isabella Stewart Gardner is one of Boston’s most unique museums and is a must-see for any visitor to the City. However, even with its magnificent courtyard is closed, you can still explore its collections and current exhibitions. ISGM partnered with Google Arts & Culture to offer to online shows exploring the thirteen works of art stolen from the museum’s collection. You can also learn about the museum’s current exhibition Boston’s Apollo on its website, plus enjoy concerts, talks, and more on its YouTube page .

Harvard Art Museums

Harvard Art Museums offers a host of options on its website. You can dive into the museums’ extensive collection , tag along on a virtual tour , learn more about the revolutionary Bauhaus movement and school, and more.

Mills Gallery at the Boston Center for the Arts

You can take advantage of the pause in the BCA’s Mills Gallery programming to check out its current show FeministFuturist . This exhibition adds to the cultural conversation about the future from a feminist point of view, inserting female-centered narratives into future worlds. On the BCA’s website, you can find films featured in the show and see a feminist reading list.

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world, and you can still enjoy its outstanding collection from your couch. Through its partnership with Google Arts & Culture , you can access eight different exhibitions ranging from Fashion Photography to Art By African American Artists . You’re also able to browse the MFA’s vast archive of images on its website , and don’t forget to check out its YouTube page for even more.

Peabody Essex Museum

The Peabody Essex Museum has one of the unique collections in Massachusetts, and it has pulled together all sorts of engaging digital content for you to explore while it’s closed. You can explore its collections , find art projects for kids , and learn about the stories behind exhibitions and artists. Don’t forget to check out their podcast too!

Rose Art Museum at Brandies University

The Rose Art Museum is offering a way to enjoy its collection remotely. You can view the Rose’s collection online, plus you can enjoy an artist talk by Dora García and watch Mary Reid Kelley with Patrick Kelley’s film The Syphilis of Sisyphus , which is in the Rose’s collection online.

Worcester Art Museum

You may not be able to walk through Worcester Art Museum’s galleries right now. However, you can still experience their transformative power of art by staying connected and engaged with the museum’s collection online. You can view past Master Series conversations about art in its collections or dive into its online collection database .

Boston Children’s Museum

Children’s museums & other institutions.

Take a virtual tour of the Boston Children’s Museum and check out their social media for other fun videos and activities.

The Ecotarium in Worcester is a “hands-on” place to learn about science and the natural world. However, you can still learn about its animals with free educational content on its website.

Discovery Museum

The Discovery Museum is ready to help keep your kids busy while they are at home with  Discovery At Home . This guide provides favorite at-home fun-and-learning activities.

Museum of Science, Boston

The Museum of Science may be closed, but science never stops! The Museum of Science has put together a suite of tools to keep your kids learning at home, including daily live streams , and STEM resources all on its website.

New England Aquarium

Go on a virtual visit to the Aquarium to learn about all of the aquatic life there. You can watch videos of shark feeding and octopi. New videos are added every week! 

Senate Camber, Mass State House, Boston

History and Cultural Museums

John f. kennedy library and museum.

Dedicated to the memory of our 35th president, the JFK Library and Museum provides insights into the life of John F. Kennedy. Through Google Arts & Culture, you can explore the institution’s exhibitions and or visit the JFK Library and Museum’s website to explore its online archive .

Commonwealth Museum

The Commonwealth Museum brings the story of Massachusetts to life with state of the art interactive exhibits. You can visit their website for online exhibitions on The Acadian Exile in Massachusetts , Black People in Massachusetts during the Civil War , Irish Immigration , and more.

Massachusetts Historical Society

The Massachusetts Historical Society is an invaluable resource for American history, life, and culture. You can view its wealth of archives online, including the papers of Thomas Jefferson or learn about John and Abigail Adams .

Massachusetts State House

The Massachusetts State House isn’t just the seat of political power in the Commonwealth; it also serves as a museum that reflects the history and development of Massachusetts from colonial times to today. This virtual tour describes nine historic spaces and highlights paintings, sculptures, artifacts, and decorative arts commemorating the people and events that helped to shape the Commonwealth and nation.

Museum of African American History, Boston & Nantucket

The Museum of African American History in Boston and Nantucket is the largest institution of its kind in New England. MAAHM is dedicated to sharing the rich legacy of African American accomplishments. Through Google Arts & Culture, you can learn about the abolitionist movement in Boston or take a virtual tour of the Black Heritage Trail .

USS Constitution Museum  

While the USS Constitution Museum is closed, it’s still working to bring the museum to you! Visit the historic ship’s website to learn about the history of “ Old Ironsides .” You can also explore the museum’s online collections , extraordinary voyages , and find activities for kids and families or take a virtual tour via Facebook!

ArtsBoston is a leading force behind Greater Boston's arts and cultural sector. In support of our 175 member organizations, we provide vital research and audience building programs that encourage participation in arts and culture, stimulate demand and raise attendance.

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PO Box 171376 Boston, MA 02117 [email protected] Phone: 617.262.8632 Fax: 617.262.8633

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Boston Harbor Whale Watch Cruise & New England Aquarium | City Experiences™

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1 Central Wharf Boston, MA 02110

HOURS OF OPERATION

Mon.–Fri.: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Weekends: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Please note: We strongly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance to guarantee entry, as we do sell out on weekends and during school vacation week (April 15–19). A limited number of tickets will be available onsite for walk-up purchases when we open at 9:00.

Field Trip Guide

You’ll need to make many decisions as you set up your Aquarium field trip. Use this step-by-step field trip planning guide to make sure that you have covered everything, from reservations to check-in and parking to planning your choice of activities, lunch, and more. We also have  a printable Field Trip Checklist (PDF).

Make a Case for Your Field Trip

We understand it isn’t always easy to make a case for field trips, even valuable ones. Here are some  educational resources and activities we hope will help.

Pick a Date and Time

Make your reservations  at least two weeks in advance to receive the group discount rate. Book your field trip or program with our Reservations Team at 617-973-5206,  [email protected], or by completing a group inquiry form .

Other tips and considerations: 

• The Aquarium is at its busiest at the end of the week from 9 a.m.–12 p.m, April through June.
• Have a first and second choice of dates when booking.
• We recommend at least two and a half hours to make the most of the Aquarium experience. Consider time for visiting the exhibits , seeing a film at Simons Theatre , eating at the Harbor View Café , and exploring the Gift Shop .

Decide on an Itinerary

In addition to exploring the Aquarium, you may add a range of programs to your visit, including classes, films, guided tours behind the scenes, or an excursion on a New England Aquarium Whale Watch. 

Add a Simons Theatre film to your field trip

See what’s playing at Simons Theatre, New England’s biggest movie screen. Super-sized films will take your students to some of the world’s most remarkable places—from the bottom of the sea to outer space and almost everywhere in between. The films provide students of all ages with larger-than-life experiences, perfect for capturing the imagination and interest of young minds. Concession packs and teacher guides for films are also available.  Teachers and groups visiting the Aquarium may: 

• Arrange to see a movie. Please reserve your screening while setting up your field trip or making your group reservation.
• Ask about showing a film from our library 

Add a Whale Watch Cruise

Do your students want to see where we keep the really big animals? Join us for a  Whale Watch cruise ! If booked, plan to have your entire group assemble on the plaza near the Whale Watch check-in booth while the head chaperone checks in. Please make sure everyone in your group knows how to get ready for a whale watch, including proper clothing. 

Review Chaperones Requirements

The number of chaperones required is determined by the age and number of students.

• Preschool: one chaperone for every three students 
• Grades K–4: one chaperone for every five students 
• Grades 5–8: one chaperone for every seven students 
• Grades 9–12: one chaperone for every 10 students 
• Special needs groups: one chaperone for every student 

Other rules and considerations:

• Chaperones must stay with their group at all times. Please do not leave your group unchaperoned. 
• Please assign a group leader. This person is responsible for all communication between the Aquarium and your school. 
• Chaperones are admitted to the Aquarium free of charge. Additional adults pay the group rate. 

Plan for Lunch

Harbor view café voucher program.

• Group lunch vouchers are available ($12.00 + tax per person) for the Harbor View Café, located on level 2 of the Aquarium. 
• Please note that the Harbor View Café is only available for use if you are purchasing food or lunch vouchers. If you are bringing lunch, please arrange an outside location for your meal. 
• We are unable to store lunches at the New England Aquarium. 

Faneuil Hall Marketplace Food Voucher Program

Groups of all sizes can also enjoy a meal at any time from participating Quincy Market Colonnade Restaurants, about a five-minute walk from the Aquarium. Order your Faneuil Hall Marketplace Food Voucher and present vouchers when ordering.

Confirm Your Reservation

You will be emailed a confirmation packet. Please review this packet carefully, as it contains helpful information to ensure a successful visit. Make sure the date, time, and program match your records.

The email also contains a reservation confirmation number. Please refer to it when calling the Aquarium and when checking in for your group upon arrival.

Get the Most Out of Your Trip

Pre-visit videos.

Share this   shark and ray interaction videos with students and chaperones. 

Educational Resources and Activities

Explore educational activities for a more comprehensive look at an animal or topic. These activities can be easily adapted for home or the classroom. 

Chaperone Guides: Helpful Questions to Stimulate Discussion

Enhance your visit to the New England Aquarium and help chaperones feel confident about leading a group with these chaperone guides. Each is designed to build science skills and group discussion by providing guiding questions to explore during your visit. Select the grade span and topic that best supports your classroom curriculum or field trip goals. 

Grade level guides: 

• Pre-kindergarten–Grade 2
• Grades 9–12

Teacher Visit

If you booked a class to visit the New England Aquarium and want to make a trip to the Aquarium beforehand to plan your visit, you are welcome to do so. Teachers may present their field trip confirmation letter to gain free admission to the Aquarium.

Make Your Payment

• A 50% non-refundable deposit is due 30 days before your arrival date.
• Need to cancel or reschedule? Your deposit will be available for use 90 days from the date of your. cancellation/exchange/refund request. If the deposit isn’t applied to a trip within 90 days, the deposit will be forfeited.
• The final non-refundable payment and headcount are due one week prior to arrival.
• If you do not provide payment, your group will be refused entry to the Aquarium.

Make Sure You Have Everything You Need

• Do you have your Reservation Confirmation Letter with your confirmation number?
• Do you have directions to the Aquarium?
• Do you have a map of the Aquarium ?
• Do you have the bus drop-off/pick-up permit from your confirmation package to post on the dashboard of your bus? The New England Aquarium has no on-site bus parking. Please be sure you have directions to where you are parking your bus and the facility’s pricing. Review our parking information before your visit .
• Have you made your deposit? Final payment is due one week before arrival. If you do not have payment in full by the deadline, your group may be refused admission.

Reinforce Ocean Learning Back in the Classroom

Keep the ocean education flowing! Follow up your field trip with classroom activities and plan some ocean-related outdoor activities.

Wild Explorer Virtual Reality

Are you ready for your next big adventure.

• Guests 6 years of age and older can participate.
• Guests 13 years of age and under are required to have a guardian present at all times during viewing of the film.
• The VR headset must be able to be placed over the guest’s head and fit securely without the use of hands in order for the guest to participate.
• The Wild Explorer VR Experience requires participants to have the ability for self-stabilizing strength and be able to transfer into the elevated pod. We will always try to accommodate anyone who wants to visit us, as best we can, so long as there is no increased risk to the safety of customers or the equipment.
• 1 person per seat. No infants or small children are able to ride in guardian’s arms or lap.
• Guests must remain seated at all times.
• Height Minimum is 36” Inches.
• Weight Maximum is 472lbs.
• The guidelines are supplied by the manufacturer based on the design and load bearing parts of the structure.
• Refrain from participating if you are pregnant, have back or neck issues, or any sensitivity to light or motion.
• Please consult your healthcare professional prior to participating if you suffer from any medical conditions.

Now Showing

Gorrilla Trek leads travelers to the extinct volcanoes of Rwanda in central Africa. There, they trek with world renowned primatologist Dr. Tara Stoinski, CEO of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, up 10,000 feet to visit with a remarkable family of mountain gorillas. Riders will be able to witness for the first time in 3D virtual reality the unique family dynamics that pits one silverback mountain gorilla against another for control of the gorilla family. There are just over one thousand mountain gorillas left in the world and it is vitally important to study the behavior of these amazing animals so that we can help save them from extinction.

Tickets available at the gate OR in Changing Tides at the Wild Explore Virtual Reality location.

Is the virtual reality experience included with general admission?

How much does it cost to ride?

How old do I need to be to participate?

Can I accompany my child on the ride?

How long is the experience?

Do I have to wear the headset?

Will I get wet?

What do I do if I start feeling sick or dizzy during the ride?

Are there any restrictions for participating?

If I am a wheelchair user, am I able to participate?