The New England Aquarium is one of many great attractions in Massachusetts. Although tickets to the attraction can be quite pricey, fortunately there are a number of ways to save money on the price of admission. These discounts and coupons are offered to make the aquarium more accessible to a wider range of visitors.
The following is a list of ways to save money on New England Aquarium tickets with passes, coupons and discount tickets:
(Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I earn a commission from purchases made through these links.)
Trusted Tours and Attractions Discount:
Trusted Tours and Attractions offers discount tickets to the New England Aquarium. The company offers special discounted rates for adults, children, college students and senior citizens. The tickets must be purchased online on the Trusted Tours and Attractions website to receive the discount.
College Student Discount:
College students with a valid college ID are eligible for discounted tickets to the aquarium and the Simons Theater. These discounted tickets must be purchased either online or in person.
Military Discount:
Active-duty U.S. military personnel and their dependents and U.S. military veterans are eligible for discounted tickets to the aquarium.
Active-duty military personnel and their dependents must show their military ID or military dependent card when they visit the aquarium.
U.S. military veterans must show proof of veteran status such as DD forms, an NGB form, or a veteran’s ID card. These discounted tickets must be purchased by phone or in person to receive the discount.
EBT/WIC Discount:
EBT and WIC cardholders who are Massachusetts residents are eligible for up to four admission tickets at a discounted rate. The cardholder must show their EBT card or eWIC card to receive the discount. These discounted tickets can be purchased online or in person.
MBTA Charlie Card Discount:
MBTA Charlie Cards holders are eligible for discounted tickets to the aquarium. Each cardholder is eligible for one discounted admission ticket to the aquarium. These tickets can be purchased by phone or in person. The cardholder must show their MBTA Charlie Card at the aquarium.
AAA Members Discount:
AAA members are eligible for up to four discounted tickets to the aquarium. These tickets can be purchased by phone or in person. AAA members must show their AAA membership card at the aquarium.
Accessibility Discount:
Visitors using wheelchairs and visitors with visual impairments are welcome at the aquarium free of charge.
Go City Boston Pass:
The Go City Boston Pass offers two types of passes that include admission to the New England Aquarium: the All-Inclusive Pass and the Explorer Pass.
The All-Inclusive Pass provides admission to 40 attractions for one flat price. The pass is available for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 days.
The Explorer Pass provides admission to up to 5 attractions of your choosing for one flat price. The pass is valid for over 60 days.
Citypass
The Boston Citypass offers admission to four Boston attractions for one flat price. The pass is valid for 30 days.
The attractions included in the pass are the New England Aquarium, Museum of Science, Boston Harbor Cruises, Harvard Museum of Natural Science or the Franklin Park Zoo.
New England Aquarium Membership Discount:
Members of the New England Aquarium receive free express admission to the aquarium for one full year. That means free unlimited admission and no waiting in line. If you visit the aquarium often, this discount will save you both money and time.
In addition, membership also gives you a 10 percent discount on admission for guests, exclusive invites to Member Appreciation Nights open houses throughout the year, exclusive invites to the aquarium’s Halloween party and adults-only parties, as well as discounts on parking, gift shops purchases and whale watch tickets.
Discount Passes at Participating Library:
If you have a library card at the following libraries, you can sign out discounted passes to the New England Aquarium there. The program runs from September 1 through August 31 and excludes Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The amount of the discount varies by library as does the availability. Check with the library ahead of time for available dates.
The following is a list of participating libraries:
Acton Memorial Library in Acton, Mass
Ames Free Library in North Easton, Mass
Amesbury Public Library in Amesbury, Mass
Ashland Public Library in Ashland, Mass
Attleboro Public Library in Attleboro, Mass
Baker Free Library in Bow, New Hampshire
Bancroft Memorial Library in Hopedale, Mass
Bedford Public Library in Bedford, Mass
Bedford Public Library in Bedford, New Hampshire
Belmont Public Library in Belmont, Mass
Bentley University Library in Waltham, Mass
Blaisdell Memorial Library in Nottingham, New Hampshire
Beverly Public Library in Beverly, Mass
Boston Public Library in Boston, Mass
Boxford Town Library in Boxford, Mass
Bridgewater Public Library in Bridgewater, Mass
Brockton Public Library in Brockton, Mass
Brookline Public Library in Brookline, Mass
Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, Mass
Burlington Public Library in Burlington, Mass
Chelmsford Public Library in Chelmsford, Mass
Chelsea Public Library in Chelsea, Mass
Concord Public Library in Concord, New Hampshire
Coventry Public Library in Coventry, Rhode Island
Cumberland Public Library in Cumberland, Rhode Island
Dover Town Library in Dover, Mass
Dover Public Library in Dover, NH
Durham Public Library in Durham, New Hampshire
East Bridgewater Public Library in East Bridgewater, Mass
James White Memorial Library in East Freetown, Mass
Eastham Public Library in Eastham, Mass
Elizabeth Taber Library in Marion, Mass
Eldredge Public Library in Chatham, Mass
Falmouth Public Library in Falmouth, Mass
Fall River Public Library in Fall River, Mass
Fiske Public Library in Wrentham, Mass
Fitchburg Public Library in Fitchburg, Mass
Flint Public Library in Middleton, Mass
Boyden Public Library in Foxborough, Mass
Framingham Public Library in Framingham, Mass
Franklin Public Library in Franklin, Mass
Georgetown Peabody Library in Georgetown, Mass
Gladys E. Kelly Public Library in Webster, Mass
Grafton Public Library in North Grafton, Mass
Granby Free Public Library in Granby, Mass
Griffin Free Public Library in Auburn, New Hampshire
Hamilton-Wenham Public Library in South Hamilton, Mass
Hanson Public Library in Hanson, Mass
Harvey-Mitchell Memorial Library in Epping, New Hampshire
Hazen Memorial Library in Shirley, Mass
Hingham Library in Hingham, Mass
Hollis Social Library in Hollis, New Hampshire
Holliston Public Library in Holliston, Mass
Holmes Public Library in Halifax, Mass
Hooksett Library in Hooksett, New Hampshire
Hull Public Library in Hull, Mass
Hyannis Public Library in Hyannis, Mass
Ipswich Public Library in Ipswich, Mass
John Curtis Free Library in Hanover, Mass
Jonathan Bourne Public Library in Bourne, Mass
Lakeville Public Library in Lakeville, Mass
Lane Memorial Library in Hampton, New Hampshire
Leach Library in Londonderry, New Hampshire
Lee Public Library in Lee, New Hampshire
Levi Heywood Memorial Library in Gardner, Mass
Lynnfield Public Library in Lynnefield, Mass
Lincoln Public Library in Lincoln, Mass
Malden Public Library in Malden, Mass (children passes)
Manchester City Library in Manchester, New Hampshire
Mansfield Public Library in Mansfield, Mass
Mary E. Bartlett Memorial Library in Brentwood, New Hampshire
Mattapoisett Free Public Library in Mattapoisett, Mass
Maynard Public Library in Maynard, Mass
Medfield Public Library in Medfield, Mass
Medway Public Library in Medway, Mass
Merrimac Public Library in Merrimack, Mass
Middleton Public Library in Middleton, Rhode Island
Millbury Public Library in Millbury, Mass
Millicent Library in Fairhaven, Mass
Millis Public Library in Millis, Mass
Morse Institute Library in Natick, Mass
Needham Public Library in Needham, Mass
Nesmith Library in Windham, New Hampshire
Newton Free Library in Newton, Mass
Newburyport Public library in Newburyport, Mass
Northhampton Public Library in Northhampton, New Hampshire
Norwell Public Library in Hanover, Mass
Morrill Memorial Library in Norwood, Mass
Norton Public Library in Norton, Mass
Oxford Free Public Library in Oxford, Mass
Parker Memorial Library in Dracut, Mass
Pelham Public Library in Pelham, New Hampshire
Pembroke Public Library in Pembroke, Mass
Peterborough Public Library in Peterborough, New Hampshire
Plainville Public Library in Plainville, Mass
Plaistow Public Library in Plaistow, NH
Portsmouth Public Library in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Pratt Library in Weymouth, Mass
Public Library of Brookline in Brookline, Mass
Oxford Free Public Library in Oxford, Mass
Raynham Public Library in Raynham, Mass
Reading Public Library in Reading, Mass
Blanding Public Library in Rehoboth, Mass
Rice Public Library in Kittery, Maine
Richards Memorial Library in North Attleboro, Mass
Robbins Library in Arlington, Mass
Rockland Memorial Library in Rockland, Mass
Rodgers Memorial Library in Hudson, New Hampshire
Rowley Public Library in Rowley, Mass
Salem Public Library in Salem, Mass
Salisbury Public Library in Salisbury, Mass
Sandown Public Library in Sandown, New Hampshire
Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester, Mass
Seekonk Public Library in Seekonk, Mass
Sharon Public Library in Sharon, Mass
Simon Fairfield Public Library in Douglas, Mass
Smyth Public Library in Candia, New Hampshire
Southworth Library in Dartmouth, Mass
Stevens Memorial Library in Ashburnham, Mass
Sutton Free Public Library in Sutton, Mass
Swampscott Public Library in Swamscott, Mass
Swansea Free Public Library in Swansea, Mass
Taft Public Library in Mendon, Mass
Tewksbury Public Library in Tewksbury, Mass
Thayer Public Library in Braintree, Mass
Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy, Mass
Upton Town Library in Upton, Mass
Uxbridge Free Public Library in Uxbridge, Mass
Wadleigh Memorial Library in Milford, New Hampshire
Wareham Free Library in Wareham, Mass
Watertown Free Public Library in Watertown, Mass
Wayland Free Public Library in Wayland, Mass
Weare Public Library in Weare, New Hampshire
Weeks Public Library in Greenland, New Hampshire
West Tisbury Free Public Library in West Tisbury, Mass
Weston Public Library in Weston, Mass
Westwood Public Library in Westwood, Mass
Winchester Public Library in Winchester, Mass
Whipple Free Library in New Boston, New Hampshire
Whitinsville Social Library in Whitinsville, Mass
Woburn Public Library in Woburn, Mass
York Public Library in York, Maine
Tips for Visiting the Aquarium:
Visiting the New England Aquarium can be a fun and educational experience. Here are some tips to make the most of your visit:
Buy Tickets in Advance: Consider purchasing your tickets online in advance to avoid long lines at the ticket counter, especially during peak visiting times.
Check Hours and Availability: Verify the aquarium’s operating hours and any special closures or events on their official website before your visit to plan accordingly.
Arrive Early: Arriving early in the day can help you beat the crowds and have a more relaxed experience.
Plan for a Half-Day: The New England Aquarium typically takes about 2-3 hours to explore fully. Plan your visit accordingly and allow extra time if you want to see a show or take a behind-the-scenes tour.
Attend Animal Feedings and Presentations: Check the schedule for animal feedings and presentations, such as the sea lion show or penguin colony presentation. These are both entertaining and educational.
Use a Map: Grab a map of the aquarium to help you navigate and make sure you don’t miss any exhibits or shows.
Respect the Animals: Follow all rules and guidelines posted for animal exhibits. Do not tap on glass tanks, make loud noises, or attempt to touch the animals unless it’s a designated touch tank area.
Stay Hydrated and Take Breaks: Walking through the aquarium can be tiring, especially for young children. Bring water and take short breaks as needed to rest and refuel.
Bring a Camera: The New England Aquarium provides plenty of opportunities for great photos, so don’t forget your camera or smartphone. Just be mindful of any photography restrictions.
Visit the IMAX Theater: If the aquarium has an IMAX theater, consider catching a show to learn more about marine life and ecosystems in a larger-than-life format.
Check for Discounts: Look for discounts, promotions, or combination tickets that may help you save money, especially if you plan to visit other nearby attractions.
Explore the Area: The New England Aquarium is located in the heart of Boston’s waterfront area. After your visit, take a stroll along the waterfront, enjoy a meal at a local seafood restaurant, or explore nearby attractions like the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum or Quincy Market.
Educational Opportunities: If you have children, take advantage of the educational resources available, such as scavenger hunts, activity books, or interactive exhibits designed for kids.
Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask staff members questions about the exhibits and animals. They are usually very knowledgeable and can provide interesting insights.
Visiting the New England Aquarium can be a memorable experience for individuals and families alike. By planning ahead and following these tips, you can ensure a more enjoyable and educational visit.
Sources:
“Membership.” New England Aquarium, neaq.org/support/membership
