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Boston Zoos and Aquariums worth visiting near Boston

Kids love animals and the Boston area has a number of Zoos & Aquariums both in town and a short drive away to enjoy. Boston is home to the Franklin Park Zoo (Zoo New England), as well as Southwicks Wild Animal Zoo, Stone Zoo, and Capron Park Zoo. Boston also boasts an oceanside Aquarium with an amazing center tank, penguins, seals, sting rays and lots of interesting exhibits.


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New England Aquarium: BostonBoston, $$$
The New England Aquarium in Boston features a unique central tank as the main attraction complete with small sharks, many varieties of fish and a huge sea turtle.
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Franklin Park Zoo - Zoo New EnglandBoston, $$
Franklin Park Zoo is a 72-acre site, nestled in Boston’s historic Franklin Park. Located just four miles from downtown Boston, the AZA-accredited Franklin Park Zoo draws visitors from throughout New England and around...
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Butterfly Garden at Museum of ScienceBoston, $
The fluttering flight of four hundred colorful butterflies and the scent of flower blossoms will welcome visitors into an unforgettable, multi-sensory experience.
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Mystic AquariumConnecticut, $$$
Experience Mystic Aquarium's marine creatures in their underwater world. A good New England day trip from points south and west of Boston.
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Southwick's ZooMendon, $$
Privately owned and maintained, Southwicks has the largest collection of animals and endangered species. One of the nicest zoos in the region. Rides available, too.
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Magic Wings Butterfly ConservatoryWestern Mass, $$
Open 7 days a week - year round - this magical butterfly conservatory is relaxing and fun for all ages. See exhibits, live butterflies, beautiful gardens, moths and tropical vegetation.
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Animal Adventures Family Zoo & Science CenterBolton, $
See exotic animals from around the world at Animal Adventures. Vacation programs, camps, programs, and birthday parties.
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Boston AquariumBoston, $$$
The New England Aquarium in Boston is located right on Boston's scenic waterfront. Colorful & educational exhibits feature more than 8,000 aquatic creatures, including the playful penguin pool.
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Broadmoor Wildlife SanctuaryNatick, $
Nine miles of walking trails guide you through a variety of field, woodland, and wetland habitats. See beavers, otters, and wood ducks in the marsh.
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Butterfly Landing at Franklin Park ZooBoston, $$
It's Spring at Zoo New England as the Zoo welcomes back 1000 butterflies representing 40 North American species to beautiful Butterfly Landing.
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Buttonwood Park ZooNew Bedford, $
Nearly 200 species of animals are represented in the Buttonwood Park Zoo, ranging from tiny frogs to enormous elephants. Pony & Train Rides as well as a weekly music hour.
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Capron Park & ZooAttleboro, $
The Capron Park Zoo is a great place to bring the entire family. This zoo is a small park with plenty of animals to see. The river otters offer plenty of entertainment with their tricks and performances that they seem...
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Forest Park ZooWestern Mass, $
The Forest Park Zoo in Springfield, MA, features exotic and indigenous animals representing a large variety of species found throughout the world and in North America.
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Lloyd Center for the EnvironmentDartmouth, $$
The Lloyd Center is the only area organization focused on educating the public about coastal and watershed issues, and conducting research on coastal ecosystems and endangered species. Explore the Visitor's Center or...
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Lupa ZooWestern Mass, $$
This family-friendly, non-profit wildlife facility is dedicated to promoting appreciation and respect for the conservation of animals and their ecosystems.
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Roger Williams Park ZooRhode Island, $$
The Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island is home to over 160 rare and fascinating species from around the world. Featuring elephants, giraffes, seals, zebras,camels, and kangaroos and more, the Zoo is a...
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Stone ZooStoneham, $$
Visit the touchable barnyard (June & July) where children can touch and see goats and sheep. Wild animals include coatimundi, colobus monkeys, flamingos, llamas, markhor goats, bald eagles, Mexican gray wolves, river...
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The Butterfly PlaceWestford, $$
The Butterfly Place is an indoor preserve which has been carefully designed for the development of magnificent colorful butterflies. At any given time, the atrium may contain up to 500 butterflies representing as many...
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Winslow Farm Animal SanctuaryNorton, $
Meet and interact with the 183 animals that live on the farm. Winslow Farm also offers a variety of animal-oriented activities, including birthday parties for children, pony rides, group educational tours, nature hikes...
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Wolf HollowIpswich, $
Wolf Hollow is a non-profit org. offering a unique opportunity to view gray wolves in as natural a setting as possible.
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Woods Hole AquariumCape Cod, Free
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.
ZooQuarium - CLOSEDYarmouth, $$
Now closed, this former Cape Cod attration was a Zoo and an Aquarium in one! Visitors were able to enjoy live sea lion shows, learn about local sealife, or take a stroll through the petting zoo to see many interesting animals
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Boston offers some terrific spots for observing animals. All-day adventures at the zoo or a quiet afternoon spent at an Audubon wildlife sanctuary can be a wonderful respit from the daily grind. Visit our guide to Boston area zoos for photos, tips and helpful info. Be sure to check your local library for discount coupons and free passes to Boston area zoos!