Thursday, July 19, 2007

New England Aquarium Named One of America's Best

Boston's own New England Aquarium has been designated one of the nation's top five aquariums for kids by Parents Magazine. The Aquarium will be featured in the article 10 Best Aquariums for Kids in the August issue. The magazine reviewed more than 60 aquariums nationwide to determine the nation's best aquariums for kids and ranked the New England Aquarium fourth. Each aquarium was rigorously evaluated by the magazine and a panel of experts on a variety of kid-friendly factors, such as interactive features and exhibits, services and special programs available to families and groups and dedication to conservation efforts.
Parents magazine recognized the Aquarium for its unique interactive elements, including "large, huggable sculptures of penguins and loggerhead turtles."
The Aquarium emphasizes fun and engaging experiences for kids through specially designed theme programs. "Walk Like a Penguin" provides children with passport guides to eight different interactive stations that help create lasting take-home memories. Opportunities for visitors to touch live marine animals, such as sea stars, hermit crabs, and sea urchins, through the tide-pool touch tank and the Curious George Discovery Corner were highlighted as exceptional features for children. The Aquarium's educational and exploratory features were also praised. The behind-the-scenes tour of the Aquarium Medical Center shows visitors exactly how much effort is required to care for the thousands of different animals. The seal training presentations were recommended because of the interaction between trainers and active, playful seals.
Additionally, the article encouraged visitors to attend the "fabulous" whale-watching cruise to Stellwagen Bank, which gives guests of all ages the rare opportunity to see some of the largest creatures on Earth.
(Bay State Parent magazine readers can see a review of the aquarium's whale-watching cruise in the August issue written by Calendar Editor Carrie Wattu.)
For more information on the aquarium, visit http://www.neaq.org/

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