How much does the Simons Theatre cost?

Theater tickets are approximately $10-15 per person. Combo aquarium + theater tickets are available at neaq.org and offer better value than purchasing separately.

Can you see Simons Theatre without visiting the aquarium?

Yes — theater tickets are sold separately. However, combining the aquarium visit with a theater film creates a much richer experience and combo tickets save money.

What films are showing at the Simons Theatre?

Ocean and nature documentary films rotate throughout the year. Check neaq.org/visit/simons-theatre/ for the current schedule.

Is the Simons Theatre appropriate for toddlers?

Films are about 45-60 minutes — manageable for toddlers who are comfortable with a large screen and some darkness. Ages 3+ typically do well. Very young infants may be disrupted by volume.

Simons Theatre (New England Aquarium)

Name: Simons Theatre (New England Aquarium)
Address: 1 Central Wharf, Portland, OR, 02110, US
Telephone: +1 617-973-5200
Rating: 4.5

Rating

4.5(401)

Family of 4

$50-$70 for theater tickets alone (~$10-15 per person).

Duration

45-90 minutes per film

Best Ages

Best for ages 2-16

About

The Simons Theatre is the large-format film theater at the New England Aquarium on Boston's waterfront — and in context, it's one of the most logical film experiences a family can have. Spend two hours walking around the aquarium watching penguins, jellyfish, and a four-story ocean tank, then walk directly into a 4-story screen to watch ocean documentaries. The sequential combination is hard to beat for reinforcing kids' connection to what they just experienced.

The theater shows science and nature films on a rotating schedule — typically ocean-themed content that aligns with the aquarium's focus. Films run 45-60 minutes, which is appropriate for attention spans from age 2 through teens.

Note that this is Boston, MA (Central Wharf, 02110) — the listing appears under a Portland city_slug, which is a data categorization artifact. It's most relevant for families visiting Boston or the New England coast.

The theater is separate from aquarium admission, though combo tickets are available and recommended at neaq.org. The New England Aquarium itself is one of Boston's top family attractions with the 4-story Giant Ocean Tank and dedicated penguin area as highlights.

Boston's waterfront location means Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market are a 5-minute walk for post-visit dining — easy to plan a full Boston waterfront family day around this combination.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Limited

Nursing / Changing

Available

Kid Meals

Not Available

Setting

Indoor

Rainy Day

Great option!

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Check neaq.org for show schedule; combine with New England Aquarium visit

Wait Times

Buy tickets in advance; shows fill up on summer weekends

Nearby Food

Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall are a 5-minute walk with dozens of dining options. The Boston Harborwalk has seasonal food vendors. Downtown Boston restaurant options are extensive.

Why Kids Love It

The Simons Theatre at the New England Aquarium in Boston shows IMAX-style science and nature films in a large-format theater on the waterfront. Sitting in a giant curved screen watching ocean documentaries after having just walked through the aquarium itself creates a powerful sequential experience — kids see real sea creatures, then watch them on a 4-story screen. The films are short enough (45-60 minutes) to hold young children's attention without resistance.

Pro Tips from Parents

Located at 1 Central Wharf — part of the New England Aquarium complex in Boston's waterfront district
Combine aquarium visit + theater for a full half-day experience
The Aquarium waterfront location means this is a Boston Harborwalk visit as well
Ocean and nature films play on rotation — check neaq.org for current schedule
Boston's Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market is a 5-minute walk for post-visit dining