Summary: The Aquarium's mission is "to present, promote and protect the world of water." We believe the Aquarium fulfills this mission admirably, providing you with an opportunity to marvel at the beauty of starfish and brilliantly colored fish and to laugh at the playful antics of the penguins and sea mammals. Located by the Boston Harbor, the aquarium is not only an educational experience, it is truly fun for both kids and adults.

An anxious crowd waits in hushed silence against the backdrop of rock music pumping from the speakers. All eyes are focused on center stage as the lights dim and a woman emerges from the shadows, decked out in full costume, equipped with a headset microphone and ready to put on a show. Okay, where are you? A rock concert?

No, instead of seeing the latest rocker writhing about, what you will see are two adorable sea lions shimmying across the stage for a fishy reward. We are talking about the Sea Lion Presentation at the New England Aquarium -- one of many marine life exhibitions you can enjoy when visiting this Boston institution.

Recommended Exhibits
Since the Aquarium is not large, you will be able to see all of the main attractions simply by following its spiral structure around the Giant Ocean Tank, which sits in the center of the Aquarium. There are, however, a few exhibits tucked away in the building corners that you should be sure to check out. One is the "Twilight Dwellers Tropical Gallery," a small tank of fish with lower eyelids that glow in the dark.

For something a little different, visit the Amazon exhibit of tropical reptiles and frogs. Brandon Schmidt, an Aquarium employee who cares for marine life and collects animals for the Aquarium, urges visitors to take a good look at the 12-foot-long moray eels and the cuttle fish, who change both their color and their texture to hide from predators. Schmidt believes it is important for parents to bring their children to the Aquarium, in order to learn about "the importance of the ocean, as a factor in global climate, and as an incredible natural resource."

If you are visiting with children, be sure to partake in the hands-on Edge of the Sea exhibit, a tribute to the coastal habitat of New England. This exhibit allows you to touch anemones, pick up crabs, and learn about other regional marine animals.

There are a number of other fun yet informational stations throughout the building as well. One of the best is an interesting discussion on sharks that can be found in the area (yes, Great Whites do visit New England in real life, not just in the Jaws movies!). You should also check out the new Aquarium Medical Center, where veterinarians and biologists provide emergency and routine care to marine animals; and the Georges Bank exhibit which explains why this area has historically been such a productive fishery and what the declining fish population means for all of us.

We also like the Coastal Rhythms: Creatures on the Edge exhibit in the West Wing. The exhibit explores the delicate balance between human activity and coastal life, and it has some of the most interesting and bizarre critters exhibited at the Aquarium. Don't miss the leafy and weedy seadragons, ornate and beautiful members of the seahorse family; Atlantic puffins; baby crocodiles from Indochina; lagoon jellies from the island nation of Palau; and, giant spider crabs from Japan.

Recommended Strategy
The price of regular admission includes programs run by the aquarium throughout the day. Make sure you allow time to:

• See the sea lion show.
• Experience some of the other Auditorium Presentations.
• Visit the sea otters and harbor seals in their rocky, shore-like habitat.
• Watch the aquarium divers swim around the Giant Ocean Tank and hand-feed sea turtles that are more than twice their size.

We recommend that you plan to spend about two hours in the aquarium itself and allot extra time for special programs or other harbor activities (see below). We also suggest that you visit the Aquarium when it first opens or later in the afternoon, rather than mid-day when it tends to be most crowded and when the sea animals are a bit sluggish.

And either on your way in or your way out, make time to say hi to Rigel and Reggae, two of the Aquarium's eight resident harbor seals, who live in an outdoor exhibit at the Aquarium Plaza. (Incidentally, this free outdoor exhibit has long been a favorite -- for area residents and financial district workers during their lunch-time break -- as well as for Aquarium visitors.) The exhibit recently reopened after a period of refurbishment, and visitors can now get a close-up view both above and below the waterline of Rigel and Reggae as they swim, eat, play, rest, and even have their teeth brushed (with chicken-flavored toothpaste, according to the Aquarium!). Rigel is the father of 5-year-old Reggae; to join them soon is Rigel's other son, and Reggae's half brother, Chacoda (Chuck). Chuck is the grandson of famous talking harbor seal Hoover, who was known to converse quite eloquently with visitors in a distinctive New England-accented voice. We are curious to see if Chuck will develop his grandfather's garrulous nature.

Special Programs
In addition to the programs included in the price of regular admission, the New England Aquarium runs a number of special events. Visit their web site for a list of events taking place this month.

One ongoing program we recommend is the Whale Watch. The Aquarium recommends advance reservations (617-973-5281); this is good advice because tickets to the watches frequently sell out early.

The New England Aquarium also opens its doors to volunteers and has a structured program for those who would like to lend a hand. Volunteers can work in an educational, curatorial or research-based capacity and are required to commit to at least 4 1/2 hours a week. For more information on this program call the Volunteer Office at (617) 973-5235.

An Extra Tip
While you are at the Aquarium, be sure to pick up a "How to Get To" brochure, which includes detailed directions to most of the major attractions in Boston. We found it to be a great resource!

Logistics
For details about hours, admission fees, or directions, and for updated information about what is scheduled the day of your visit, click over to the aquarium's informative web site.

Nearby Attractions
If you would like to see more than just the Aquarium while you are in the Harbor area, we recommend that you set aside a full day, perhaps taking an afternoon Harbor Iland Cruise and having dinner on the waterfront.

by Allyson Krieger

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