Woods Hole Science Aquarium, Cape Cod

Woods Hole Aquarium is a fun, small, free aquarium that you can visit with your friends and family on Cape Cod.

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Interested in the sea life around Cape Cod? Looking for a great educational place to bring the kids? Woods Hole Science Aquarium is the place to go. The two-story building offers a quick look at the local fish swimming in nearby waters.

This free aquarium (that’s right, free), has a plethora of sea life to check out. Benny and I thought it would be cool to go here, and, honestly, as a New England native, it was high time for me to learn a little bit more about the local sea life.

For full disclosure: Because of the glass and the lighting, it was hard to take pictures, so I apologize in advance. I also, at the same time, had to keep an eye on Benny. I never know what type of mischief he’s going to get into.

Oh, sure, it looks like Benny was posing for this picture. But in reality, I took this right after he turned around. It looks like he was about to get into some mischief. The fish in the background look happy that I caught him in the nick of time, don’t they?

It would be nice to know what type of fish these are, wouldn’t it? Do they have informational plaques there? Of course they do. Did I take any photos of them? Nope.

Benny was a bit upset that this creature was being crabby. He started clawing at the glass, and I had to stop him.

All these fish were in a school together. I told Benny that they were hiding from him. “That’s okay,” Benny said, “they can stay in school.” I rolled my eyes.

It was too good to be true

Up to this point, our trip to the Woods Hole Science Aquarium had been uneventful, which basically means I was enjoying our time there, and Benny hadn’t gotten into any trouble.

And then there was the touching pool. It’s a small area where it’s permissible for you to interact with the sea creatures.

Benny saw me touch this creature (I think it was a snail). And he wanted to touch one too. But, here’s the thing: He has small arms and paws. He reached into the pool and then promptly fell into it.

I should have helped; I really should have. But the sight of him falling into the pool in slow motion was just hilarious.

Yes, I’m a bad person. I grabbed him out. He was soaked. I was laughing so hard that I didn’t even think about taking any pictures of him.

“That’s not funny! I smell like salt and now I’m cold!” Benny said.

I pointed over to the chalk sign that had the aquarium’s joke of the week on it.

“Well, I hope you don’t get frostbite!”

Benny was not amused.

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For more information, such as current operating times, check out NOAA’s website.

Definitely check out the hours before going. Hours of operation may differ by season.

If you like reading about the Woods Hole Science Aquarium, then you should check out the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History.

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Check out our map of places we’ve been in New England!

Here are some more fun places to check out on Cape Cod:

• The Knob, Falmouth
• Hidden Lawrence Island, Bourne
• Nobska Lighthouse, Falmouth
• The Sandwich Boardwalk, Sandwich
• Sagamore Hill, Sandwich
• Seal Watching
• 5 Free Things to do in Falmouth
• The Cape Cod National Seashore