Getting to know the mysterious and mesmerizing tentacled animals at the Aquarium is a great way to add some family fun to your school vacation. Here are the ultimate insider tips to help make the most of your visit:

The giant Pacific octopus will return just in time for school vacation!

1. Buy your tickets online
Buying your tickets online means you can skip the line! Simply print them at home or show your e-ticket on your smartphone in the Main Lobby.

2. Avoid peak times
The middle of the day is our busiest time. If you want plenty of face time with the new red octopuses or cuttlefish, plan to arrive when we open a 9 a.m. or later in the afternoon after 3:00 p.m. Be sure to check the website for any last minute changes to our schedule.

3. Take public transportation

Find tentacles all over the Aquarium starting April 15 — from jellies to cuttlefish to nautilus and more.

Taking public transportation is the blue thing to do! The Aquarium stop on the MBTA's Blue Line is just a few steps from our Front Plaza. If you're driving, check out nearby parking options,—prices vary. Here's some more information about accessibility at the Aquarium.

4. Get even closer with our Animal Encounter programs
Perch on top of the four-story Giant Ocean Tank to feed the animals. Touch a seal. Go behind the scenes of your favorite exhibits. The New England Aquarium's immersive Animal Encounter programs take your visit to a whole new level. Who knows, you might even get to see cuttlefish growing up behind the scenes!

Galapagos 3D: Nature's Wonderland is our most popular IMAX movie right now. Find out why!

5. See the world in IMAX 
Galapagos 3D: Nature's Wonderland continues to wow audiences with stunning footage of penguins, marine iguana, whale sharks, and more! But you can also find epic IMAX footage in the massive splashes in Humpback Whales 3D and the intimate moments in Secret Ocean 3D. See a tremendous variety of ocean animals — large and small — on New England's largest screen at the Simons IMAX Theatre.

Still have questions, like: Can I leave and return to the Aquarium during my visit? Is photography allowed? What about food options in and around Central Wharf? Poke through our FAQs for answers to these questions and more.

After you visit, don't be strangers! When you get home or even from your phone, there are plenty of ways that you can connect with the Aquarium online. Follow our blogs for more about the Giant Ocean Tank, marine mammals, exhibits throughout the Aquarium and more. 

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