Here's one fun thing you can do with your Charlie Card: Show your T pass at the Aquarium’s Box Office for $5 off admission for up to four people! The offer is eligible to all Charlie Card holders now through March 1.

Cownose rays soar through the Giant Ocean Tank

School vacation is not over yet so grab your T pass and come visit us at the Aquarium. See harbor seals and sea lions, penguins and sea turtles, plus more tropical fish than you can count. Because you deserve a little fun after all that shoveling and those commuting woes.

Winter in Boston. I know, right?

Here's all the fine print:
Valid through 3/1 only. This offer is good for four general admissions to the New England Aquarium per Charlie Card. One coupon per group. Discount offers may not be combined with other offers. Charlie Card must be presented at time of purchase. Not valid on IMAX Theatre or Whale Watch tickets. No cash value and not valid on tickets purchased online.

1. Seadragons

Weedy seadragons and their cousins, the leafy seadragons, are Australia natives and masters of camouflage.

2. Sea turtles

There are three species in the Giant Ocean Tank: Kemp's ridley, loggerhead and green sea turtles. Loggerhead (foreground) and green (Myrtle in the background) here, bonus if you get all three in one picture!

 3. Giant Pacific octopus

Her name is Elvira and she's the most marveled-at resident of the Northern Waters gallery. Especially when she does stuff like this.

These blubbery athletes are the first animals you'll see on the Aquarium's Front Plaza. Don't miss a training session for a chance to see their smarts on display.

5. Penguins

More than 80 birds, three species and a whole lot of squawking happening in the Penguin Exhibit

6. Sea lions

These two. So much spunk.

Brainless blobs that happen to be incredibly photogenic

8. Cownose rays

So many smiles in The Trust Family Foundation Shark and Ray Touch Tank

9. Mandarinfish

Even as tropical fish go, this guy is a show stopper.

 10. Poison Dart Frogs

Teensy animals can be eye-catching, too—if you know where to look. Look for these vibrant amphibians in the Amazon Rainforest exhibits.

And there you have it, 10 of the most eye-catching animals you'll find at the Aquarium. Did your favorite animal make the list? Go ahead and comment if you have another suggestion! We'd love to hear which animals tickle your fancy. Need a refresher? Plan a visit! Here are some tips for planning your trip during the upcoming holiday school vacation period.

The Aquarium opens at 12 pm today for the New Year's holiday. 

The Aquarium may be under construction but there are still new exhibits to explore, fascinating animals to get to know and eye-popping IMAX movies to watch! Here are some highlights to add to your February school vacation must-see list:

A newly hatched epaulette shark held in the hand of a New England Aquarium biologist

SHARK NURSERY: The New England Aquarium has the largest shark and ray touch tank on the East Coast, but where does the Aquarium get all those cool, small sharks? We breed them here in frigid Boston! Over the last two years, talented Aquarium biologists have been shark obstetrician to nearly 100 pups including coral cat sharks, epaulette sharks and guitarfish. A new exhibit showcasing the shark nursery and the Aquarium’s shark breeding program makes its debut for school vacation. See more pictures of these adorable shark babies in this post on Exhibit Galleries blog.

The chameleon –like cuttlefish hovers suspiciously ready to change color if threatened.

COLOR-CHANGING CUTTLEFISH: Ask some serious fish nerds what their favorite animal is and there is a good chance that they will mention cuttlefish, which are both freaky and very cool. Cuttlefish are the cute, chameleon-like cousins to squid and octopus. They hover in the water like a spaceship with their multiple arms and bookish eyes forming a face that is strangely engaging and even hypnotic. When they feel threatened, they change color and skin pattern in just a few seconds! The Aquarium’s cuttlefish tank currently looks like an armada of alien spacecraft as nine cuttlefish patrol the water column wary of some of their pesky neighbors.

The Last Reef 3D

NEW IMAX MOVIE - THE LAST REEF 3D: Can’t afford to fly to the Caribbean? Take a mini-tropical vacation diving on the world’s most beautiful coral reefs. Using new macro 3D technology, The Last Reef 3D will reveal a clarity and detail to life on a coral reef not seen before. The film tells the story of the challenges facing coral reefs in the 21st Century and emphasizes the resilience of these cities beneath the sea. Check show times and get your tickets online.

As you can see, this February school vacation is a fantastic time to visit. Here are some visiting tips to keep in mind that'll help make your visit go swimmingly:

• Double check the Aquarium's hours.
• Plan to visit before 10:30 or after 3:00 p.m. to avoid peak crowds.
• Buy your tickets or Aquarium membership online and skip the line on the Aquarium's Plaza.
• live blue™ and commute by public transportation via commuter rail, subway or boat (or check for nearby parking options).

School vacation is a fantastic break from routine when you can spend time with family, friends... and the marine animals at the New England Aquarium! Visitors of all ages are dazzled by our exhibits, the gigantic IMAX movies and even the real giants on display during a whale watch.


From Lauren Margaret Alberini via facebook. Caption: I took my 8 month old daughter to her first of many trips to the New England Aquarium with my best friend and they were both absolutely enthused! Truly wonderful! Thank you!

In fact, it's so much fun here on Central Wharf that you probably won't be alone. We want to make sure you're in the door and having fun as soon as possible. Here are some ways to make the most of your visit during the very busy school vacation periods:

• Skip the line and buy online! Buy tickets online so you can skip the line at the Aquarium and start touching sharks and rays. Better yet, consider a membership so you can come back again and again all year.
• Our special venues—like the Simons IMAX Theatre and Whale Watch—often sell out during vacation week. Pick up a combination ticket and save.
• Arrive early or later in the day to avoid peak times. Beat the crowds by arriving before 10:00 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. We always recommend checking online for our hours of operation and special notices before setting out from home. 
• Take public transportation. The Aquarium is right on the MBTA’s Blue Line, so taking the T is easy as well as affordable. If you do plan to drive in, check for local parking options.
• Leave the large stroller at home. The Aquarium bustles during school vacation week and large strollers are pretty difficult to navigate through the crowds. If possible, bring an umbrella stroller. If not, we ask that you check your stroller in our designated area by the Marine Mammal Center during your visit. (REMINDER: For safety, strollers of any size are prohibited in the IMAX Theatre and the touch tank area.)
• Find lots of options for food. The Aquarium's tasty Harbor View Cafe has something for pretty much everyone, but there are plenty of additional local food options.
• Yes, but what about... Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions if you still have some unanswered questions.

Of course, another important tip is to remember your camera! We would love to see your pictures with Myrtle, the hefty green sea turtle in the Giant Ocean Tank. Folks are sharing their pictures with the old lady on her Facebook page! We love this vintage picture from the 70s.



And there are plenty of other photo ops, too. Can you top these! Share your pictures and video with us on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Google + and flickr. Just be sure to tag the New England Aquarium.

Most importantly, have fun!

There's a tasty reason to come to the Aquarium's IMAX Theatre to bask in the glow of a super-sized nature film during the upcoming school vacation.

Get a coupon for free popcorn at the Simons IMAX Theatre when you buy IMAX/Aquarium admission combo tickets! This special offer is valid during the school vacation week from Saturday, Feb. 18, through Sunday, Feb. 26.





Offer:
Buy an Aquarium/IMAX combo ticket at the box office or online and receive a voucher for a free popcorn ($3 value). For tickets purchased online, bring a copy of your receipt to the box office to receive your voucher. Redeem popcorn vouchers at the IMAX Theatre. This offer is valid only for combo tickets purchased February 18 through 26.

When:
February School Vacation week
Saturday, February 18 – Sunday, February 26

Film selection:
Born to Be Wild 3D
Deep Sea 3D  
Under the Sea 3D
Sharks 3D

Let our IMAX films transport your family to another world—from tropical shallows to the mysterious deep sea to the dusty savannah. You'll definitely want snacks for the ride!

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