Woods Hole Aquarium

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Zoos & Aquariums

Official Website: Woods Hole Aquarium
Location: Cape Cod directions
Phone:(508) 495-2001
Hours: Hours Vary see below
Ages: Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Adults
In/Outdoor: Indoor
Cost: Free see below

Others to Consider: Franklin Park Zoo - Zoo New England, York's Wild Animal Kingdom, New England Aquarium, Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, South Shore Natural Science Center

The Woods Hole Science Aquarium is a small public aquarium that displays approximately 140 species of marine animals found in Northeast and Middle-Atlantic U.S. waters.

The aquarium features an outdoor seal pool, 20 tanks and 15 aquaria with fish and invertebrates, two touch tanks where children can gently touch marine animals, and a behind-the-scenes area where visitors can talk to the staff as they go about their daily tasks of caring for the animals.

The aquarium was established in Woods Hole in 1885 and is the country's oldest marine aquarium for public education and scientific research. It is owned by the federal government and run by NOAA Fisheries.

Nearly 100,000 people visit the aquarium every year, including 10,000 children in school groups.

Activities
Seal feedings 11:00am & 4:00pm on most weekdays. Call (508) 495-2001 for information. View Events Calendar.

Parking
Visitors should use public transportation if possible. There is no parking available at the aquarium. The village has some metered parking, but the spots fill up quickly in busy seasons. In the busy summer months, you may want to park in Falmouth and take the trolley to Woods Hole.

Hours

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Regular Hours:
The aquarium is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00am to 4:00pm.

School Year/Winter Hours:
The aquarium is open Monday through Friday, 11:00am - 4:00pm.
The aquarium closes for federal holidays.

Cost

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Free

Location

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From Boston, Massachusetts:
Take Route 3 south; follow signs for Cape Cod. Cross the Sagamore Bridge, take the first exit off Route 6, and follow signs for Falmouth and Route 28. Travel south along the Cape Cod Canal until you reach the rotary at the base of the Bourne Bridge. Three quarters of the way around the rotary, bear right and continue south on Route 28 following signs to to the Town of Falmouth and Woods Hole. Bear right at the Gulf station onto Woods Hole Road...

From Providence, Rhode Island:
Take Route 195 east, then Route 25 east; follow signs for Cape Cod. Cross the Bourne Bridge, travel halfway around the rotary on the Cape side of the bridge, and follow signs to Route 28, Falmouth, and Woods Hole. Continue south on Route 28 to the town of Falmouth. Bear right at the Gulf station onto Woods Hole Road...

...After the turn onto Woods Hole Road drive approx. 4 miles to Woods Hole village. Once you are in Woods Hole travel all the way to the end of Water St. crossing the drawbridge and driving past the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution on the left and the Marine Biological Laboratory on the right. The NEFSC Laboratory complex is at the sharp right turn in the road. The aquarium building is on the left just after the turn.

Tips

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The aquarium is a federal facility. Adult visitors must sign in and will be asked to show a picture identification.