Maine State Aquarium
| Address: | 194 McKown Point Rd, West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575, USA |
| Phone: | +1 207-633-9559 |
| Site: | maine.gov |
| Rating: | 4 |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 51
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Liz B.
Agree with the other reviews that this place is tiny, but it was great for my almost 3-yr-old. The touch tank is big and has a lot of neat stuff in it: urchins, sea cucumbers, crabs, star fish, scallops, clams, even a little lobster. Petting a small shark in the shark tanks was cool too. The free bait and use of rod at the dock outside is also really nice. There were thousands of mackerel swimming by while we were there.
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Susan Sinclair
Very very very small. If youre used to other "state" aquariums, this will be a shock. Its literally one room, a few fish tanks, a small shark petting tank (the highlight of the whole place) and of course the ubiquitous touch tank. Very lobster oriented. If youre vacationing in the area anyway and have young children, this is fine. Not worth a special trip, and your kids will be bored fast if theyre over about 7.
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Renee Megquier
Its a pretty cool place to check out but its alot smaller then their web site makes it out to be cheap to get it great for small children that maybe cant do a whole day trip to see everything, they have a touch tank full of all kinds of fun sea creatures and a touch tank with sharks also an arts and crafts section and a Pier you can fish off of and free fishing lessons they provide the poles tackle and bait
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Olivia Gamage
My family and I had a great time here! It isnt very big, a place to spend either 30mins or a couple hrs. I do wish it were larger. The staff is very friendly and informative. Kids and adults of all ages can have a good time here. Its based on Maine ocean life and even though we are Mainahs we still learned a lot and the kids and adults have a wonderful time with the touch tanks.
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Nathan Gross
Its small, but what it does well is specialize in knowledge of local fisheries, the species that inhabit them, local fishing tradition, and the environmental trends that are impacting all of that. The staff and volunteers are fantastic. If you have young kids they will very much enjoy the touch tanks. There is nice space outside for enjoying a picnic Lunch on boothbay harbor.
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Lynnette Monk Dezan
The touch tank was fantastic. There is a large variety of creatures to touch: lobsters, horseshoe crabs, moon snail, sea cucumbers, sea mouse, sea stars, clams, scallops, hermit crabs, crabs and sand dollars. It is a small aquarium. Our child loves touch tanks and spent more than an hour observing, holding and discussing the creatures with the knowledgeable staff.
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Eric Brown
This is a very nice aquarium. They have two touch tanks, one with small sharks and rays, the other with small sea critters including crabs, starfish and baby lobsters. My daughter (and I) loved being able to interact with the creatures. The other displays are also interesting and informative. Our visit made for a very nice afternoon.
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Zachary Hart
In all honesty, I never ended-up going into the aquarium...seemed to centered towards kids, but from the folks going in and out, it seemed like the families were having a great time. All that said, the area is open to the public and has a great view across the harbor. Several picnic tables make for a great spot to chill out.
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Christine Goodyear
Very small but excellent aquarium that shows off the local marine wildlife very well. The main attraction is a huge touch tank with crabs, snails,lobsters, starfish that you can hold. It will not take very long to see everything at the aquarium, but it is all very well presented.
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Dolores Gagnon
A wonderful experience for the whole family. Not high tech, but highly interesting and interactive. Very hands on. Many opportunities for exploration and discovery. Good parking. Picnic tables set overlooking the water, for further enjoyment.
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Steve Buchele
The Aquarium has small well lit tanks to see the fish easily. Touch tank allows you to play with clams, lobster, crabs, sea cucumber... Plus touch a shark. Small, but very interesting. Good presentations too
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Barbara Ford-Latty
For a small aquarium, is so hands-on for kids...very fun from little ones up...even our 11 year olds really enjoyed it! The friendliest shark on the East Coast! Good spot for picnic, too
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Josie Drott
Its literally just one small room with what seems to be the fish they went out and caught that morning. Long drive for no payoff. Disclaimer: you do get to hold a lobster, though.
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Joanne Bouton
What a fantastic place. The displays are informative. All volunteers are friendly and knowledgeable. We got to pet fish, fish on the dock and do arts and crafts. Loved it.
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Christopher Jordan
This would be good for small kids, but its quite underwhelming to visit as an adult. Admission is going to a very good cause though, so its hard to complain too much.
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Robert Erickson
It was a fun trip for my daughter and I. For a four year old girl, there was plenty to explore for a couple of hours, and the touch tank was informative and fun.
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Mason Masteka
Perfect day trip for families. The small aquarium is packed with fascinating local creatures. The opportunity to pet a shark is always a hit with the kids.
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Jeff Thurston
Convenient parking for access to the small aquarium. They do quite a bit with the space they have, and the staff were helpful with questions.
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Benjamin Freeman
Small aquarium, good for kids on a rainy day. Lots of sea creatures to touch. Hands on demonstrations. Not too expensive.
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Patricia Abbott
Its small enough for the little ones and the touch tank was awesome. The Discovery center for crafts is a nice option, too.
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Corey Cauble
Small but fun. It does not take long to see everything but there is some good interactive things and fishing on the pier.
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EƎ
OK to bring your bored grandkids to if your looking for something simple to share. A bit overpriced for whats on offer
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Paul Martellock
Loved the touch tanks, where you can pet sharks and play with lobsters. Staff was well informed and wonderful.
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Christine Lumbra
Cool place, but only one room. Know what to expect in advance or you will be disappointed like we were.
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Russell Rousey
Saw and learned about aquatics. Got to actually touch sea life including sharks. Saw 2 albino lobsters
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Alexander Pudikov
Beautiful little place! Lots of fun for kids and adults. Worth a visit if you are in the area!
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Peter Kilburn
A little small but still a lot of fun for the family and the best scenery ever for a picnic!
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Jenny Lunt
Very small, one room. Highlights: patting small sharks, touch tanks, baby lobster viewing.
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Suzie Kohler
Great experience for young kids to see local sealife. Touching pool especially fun.
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Karen Montgomery
Very interesting, patting the fish, seeing baby lobstahs. Staff very informative.
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Latham Green
Hi the following aquarium fish forum category for the same family to get noble.
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Ron Serina
If you are in the Boothbay area with children by all means dont miss this
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Amber Hawksong
Small but fascinating exhibits and an excellent hands on area.
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Deborah Watson
Good place to go on a cool rainy day. Good for all ages
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Elizabeth Perkins
Inexpensive educational entertainment for all ages.
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Lynne Huie
Its far and hot every thing else fine I live in NC
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Andrew Premo
Small but featured some nice hands-on activities.
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Rosie Bunton-Stasyshyn
Excellent small aquarium with knowledgeable staff
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Sarah Green
Its small, but well done. Great place for kids
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George Bleimes
Small but very good. Great for small children
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erick macias
There wasnt much to it. Really disappointed.
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David McCurdy
Family friendly and hands-on fun for kids.
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Jason G
Adorable aquarium with knowledgeable staff
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Flora Zurcher
It was closed due to government shut down.
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Michelle Fairbrother
Great place for kids!! And adults too!!
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Ori Boyum
Small but nice. Appropriately priced.
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Todd Morin
Nice views good place to take a picnic
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Todd Forgrave
Kinda disappointing not what expected
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Brett Koster
Helpful volunteers. Great for kids.
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Michael Hammerstone
Such a disappointment. Very small.
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Caleb Dionne
The touch tank is a kid pleaser:)
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