|
These images are copyrighted
and were used with the permission of Cape Cod Life magazine.
|
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.
|
|
Hours:
In the summer:
The aquarium is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Tuesday through Saturday.
During the school year:
The aquarium is open 11 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
Monday through Friday.
The aquarium closes for
federal holidays.
If you are
planning a visit, you can call (508 495-2001) ahead to confirm
the hours.
|
 |
Scheduling
a Visit
We
welcome visits from school groups and civic organizations.
The aquarium is designed for self-guided tours of
the main exhibits and a behind-the-scenes look at
the aquarium operations.
 |
Any
group larger than 10 should reserve a time
by calling ahead (508 495-2001).
Alternately,
you can ask for reservations via e-mailing
(woodshole.aquarium@noaa.gov). Be sure to
give us your return e-mail address and tell
us your group's name, your leader's name and
telephone number, the day and hour you would
like to visit, the number in your party, the
ages or grade level of students, and any special
interests your group might have. Your reservation
is not complete until you receive a return
e-mail confirming your reservation.
The
busiest season for groups is the spring. If
you are planning to bring a school group to
Woods Hole anytime from March through June,
you should call or e-mail for reservations
as early in the school year as possible.
|
Special
Needs
Please let us know if anyone in your group requires special assistance
to tour the aquarium. Many physical impairments and special needs
can be accommodated. We have handicapped parking spaces and a wheelchair
ramp near the main entrance.
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.
Directions
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.
From the Woods
Hole Bus Station/Steamship Authority:
Walk to the left
of the "Lee Side" Grill up Luscomb Ave. to Main St., turn
left and walk all the way to the end of Main Street (approx. 1/4mile)
crossing the drawbridge 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.
Preparing
for your visit
You can learn about the aquarium and find out what you are apt to
see by visiting Introduction
To the Aquarium. If you are bringing children or students,
you might ask them to complete one of our activity
sheets during or after their visit.
Feedback
We would like to know how useful the tour
was for your group. If you will take the time after your tour to
let us know what was and wasn't useful, we will be better able to
accommodate you and other groups in the future.
Aquarium Main
Page
|
