New England Has 2 Of The Top Aquariums In The Country
Sea creatures are certainly getting a lot of attention for visiting you at beaches this summer. However, there are also plenty of great places for you to visit them as well. In fact, Fifty Grande has recently published a report identifying the top aquariums in the country, and two New England places were named.
“We dived deep in search of the United States’ best aquariums and found that the top contenders have built some seriously impressive exhibits, many of which allow you to go behind the scenes to learn more about the inner workings of caring for the creatures,” Fifty Grande explained.
Furthermore, the aquariums in New England that rank as top in the country also have strong initiatives to preserve healthy waters. This includes conservation efforts in-house that create a healthy habitat for the sea creatures they showcase.
New England Aquarium – Boston
Right up against the Boston Harbor, the New England Aquarium in Boston is a huge complex. Here, you can find penguins, seals, sea lions and all types of fish. The New England Aquarium also studies sharks, whales, and sea turtles.
Fifty Grande points out a main attraction promoting that guests can “interact with stingrays and brown-banded bamboo Sharks at the 25,000-gallon Shark and Ray Touch Tank.
“At the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, the Aquarium’s dedicated research arm, we use marine science to protect animals and help others use the ocean responsibly,” the New England Aquarium states about their conservation efforts.
Mystic Aquarium – Mystic, Connecticut
You will find the other top aquarium in New England one hundred miles south of Boston. The Mystic Aquarium has been open for 50 years. It is also located near the water and offers an array of annual memberships that give you convenient access.
“You’re here to see Steller sea lions, a species that can grow up to 11 feet long and weigh in at 2,500 pounds, and the only beluga whales in New England,” Fifty Grande points out.
The Mystic Aquarium also has in-residence scientists who specialize in areas such as Biological Oceanography and Microbial Ecology.
Massachusetts Lighthouse Named One Of The Most Beautiful In The World
What do Porto, Portugal, Crete, Greece, and Scituate, Massachusetts have in common? They all have historic lighthouses. In fact, in Trips To Discover’s recent guide, they named Old Scituate Light, along Massachusetts’ south shore one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world.
The 1800’s
This landmark dates back to the year 1810. “Congress voted to build a lighthouse at the harbor, and the light made of split granite blocks with a house attached and was activated the following year (1811),” Trips To Discover explains. It was the 11th lighthouse in the United States upon completion. It cost $4,000. Shortly after, Captain Simeon Bates, his wife and nine children lived at the house. Bates was the first keep of this lighthouse.
“Because mariners complained that the light could not be seen from far enough away to make proper heading adjustments, the U.S. Government added fifteen feet in height to the tower in 1827, mortaring red brick on top of the granite blocks,” Scituate’s Historical Society explains.
The 1900’s
The town of Scituate acquired the lighthouse from the government in 1916 for $1,000. Fourteen years later, a new lantern room was built at the top. 1994 marked one of the most memorable events in Old Scituate Light’s history as it was relit, making it visible from the sea for the first time in 134 years. Three years prior, it had been relit to be seen on land only.
Present Day
Old Scituate Light is a very popular south shore attraction. Every day people can be seen taking pictures of this lighthouse. Select dates are released each year that detail when it will be open to the public. Walkways along the water’s edge surround it for guests to explore the area. One of this destination’s most notable elements is the attached cottage. That remains a private residence that is the lightkeeper’s cottage.
While many tourists travel to the south shore of Massachusetts for the beaches and boating, stopping by one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world is also a site worth seeing.
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.
