A Slice of Smith Life: Family Fun in MD, PA and MA: New England Aquarium

Family Fun in MD, PA and MA: New England Aquarium

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On Friday morning, July 8, after a fun day at CoCo Key Water Resort the day before, my family and I headed to New England Aquarium, located in Boston, MA.

Our family, along with my sister and her family and my Mom, arrived soon after it opened for the day which was a good plan because it got more crowded throughout the morning hours.

Our family is very grateful that the aquarium's staff mailed us 4 complimentary adult admission tickets a few months before our visit in exchange for this post to share our visit with others. With our family of 7 this was a big help when budgeting for our trip. Thank you New England Aquarium staff!

After we headed over to the ticket counter we entered the aquarium for a morning of wonder and learning....

Our kids loved the spiral walkway that runs through the center of the aquarium and it's what they noticed first when we walked in. Throughout the aquarium are several interactive exhibits to enhance learning. Two of my children checked out the Sea Turtle Hospital interactive exhibit.

Throughout the aquarium there are several presentations. Our family enjoyed listening to the penguin presentation at the penguin exhibit.

There are also a few touch tanks and our family didn't get a chance to explore the Shark and Ray Touch Tank, but my daughter loved touching the sea star at the Edge of the Sea Touch Tank.

We also walked outside onto the breezeway for a photo opportunity with the family and to watch the seals glide gracefully through the water in the Atlantic Harbor Seals Exhibit. The seals were so fast I didn't get a chance to snap a photo of them!

We saw so many wonderful tanks filled with beautiful and intriguing sea life!

This North Atlantic Right Whale hangs in the center of the aquarium and can be observed from several different angles as you walk up the spiral walkway.

At the top of the aquarium we enjoyed observing the Giant Ocean Tank where Myrtle the green sea turtle was fed lettuce leaves. We also listened to a great presentation about the animals in the tank and the speaker answered several questions from the audience.

As a homeschool mom, it's great to know that the New England Aquarium provides several learning opportunities for schools, groups, families, teens and teachers and if you are a homeschool parent or classroom teacher be sure to check out the Classroom Activities page to use before and after your next New England Aquarium field trip.

Summer Camps are also offered to have children discover more about sea life! And did you know the aquarium also has a lecture series where different topics are presented by speakers who specialize in a particular field of marine life? To find out more about learning opportunities and updates you can follow the New England Aquarium Facebook page or admire all their beautiful photos on Instagram.

Our family had a wonderful time at the New England Aquarium and enjoyed all that we learned! We didn't have time to explore the entire aquarium due to tired children, but what we did see was fantastic. If we ever get an opportunity to go back to the aquarium we look forward to seeing more!

Besides all the learning opportunities at the aquarium, it is also conveniently located in downtown Boston so it was great to take advantage of the sights and sounds of the city after we left the aquarium. We walked in downtown Boston and ate at Quincy Market and saw a juggling act and acrobat show. We also listened to young ladies playing violins and cello. We enjoyed watching the entertainment!

Toward the end of the show where 2 men performed acrobats and a trick with a tall ladder, my Mom volunteered to hold one of the ropes for the ladder stunt. (She's in the blue/white striped jacket in lower left photo.) That was fun to watch!

And I took a quick photo of this headless man standing on the sidewalk that we noticed as we headed back to our car in the parking garage. We left the aquarium to go to my cousin's pool party and cookout where we got to hang out with friends and family who came to celebrate my Aunt and Uncle's 50th anniversary weekend! It was a fun day!