Exploration Center and Aquarium

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LOCATION

Easton’s Beach Rotunda
175 Memorial Blvd.
Newport, R.I.  02840

ADMISSION

General Admission: $9
Discounted Admission: $8 (Seniors, college students with ID)
FREE for Save The Bay FAMILY MEMBERS, children under 3, and active and veteran military and first responders with ID

HOURS*

*Starting September 7
Friday-Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday-Thursday: Closed

CONTACT

401-324-6020

The Exploration Center and Aquarium

Our interactive marine science center is home to more than 40 species from Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island waters. Our sustainable collection of organisms consists of rescued animals, juveniles in our nursery program, and animals in our breeding program. With the exception of our rescued animals, every specimen is released back into Rhode Island waters.

Our center houses three touch tanks and dozens of exhibits to get you up close and personal with little skates, dogfish sharks, urchins, crabs and lobsters, seahorses, turtles, and so much more! Our team of highly trained staff, interns and volunteers are always available to answer all of your questions and show you the wonders of Narragansett Bay!

When Planning Your 2021 Visit:
Please note that…

  • Masks are required when visiting the Exploration Center and Aquarium. (We can provide you with a mask if you forget one!)
  • Our current facility capacity is 30 guests. If we are at capacity at the time of your arrival, you will be welcomed into the center as soon as the numbers allow!

Volunteer at the Exploration Center!

Interested in welcoming visitors to the center, taking care of the animals and teaching about marine life? Visit our volunteer & internship page or contact July Lewis for more information.

JOIN OUR TEAM AS AN INTERN OR VOLUNTEER

Other Ways to Visit

Groups and Afterschool Programs

For pricing and details on a custom experience for your school group, scout troop or afterschool program, call 401-272-2540 x133 or visit our Education Program page.

Explore Programs

PARKING

Labor Day through Memorial Day: Free in Easton’s Beach lots

Memorial Day through Labor Day: Paid at Easton’s Beach, validation available (Pay to park at Easton’s Beach; validate your ticket at the aquarium; present validated ticket when leaving for a full/partial refund per City of Newport parking policy)

Metered parking is also available on Memorial Boulevard

*Please note:  Be sure to access the Johnson & Wales University Harborside Campus through the main entrance on Harborside Blvd. Your GPS may suggest taking Ernest Street to JWU’s Shipyard Street entrance, but that route requires a key card for entry.  

From Route I-95 North or South, take Exit 18 (Thurbers Avenue). Head downhill on Thurbers Avenue to US Route 1A (Allens Avenue). Turn right onto Allens Ave. Continue southbound on Allens Ave. into Cranston, where Allens Ave. becomes Narragansett Blvd. Turn left onto Harborside Blvd. at the traffic light by the Shell gas station. Follow Harborside Blvd. through the Johnson & Wales Harborside Campus. At the end of Harborside Blvd., turn right onto Save The Bay Drive. Save The Bay Drive becomes a circular, one-way roadway as you approach the Bay Center. Parking is available in four guest lots after you pass the main building. Enter the building through the main entrance.

Map

August 26, 2021

Dear Friends, Supporters and Community Members, 

At this time, Save The Bay’s facilities in Providence and Westerly remain closed to the public in response to COVID-19.

The Exploration Center and Aquarium in Newport reopened Monday, July 5, with new hours and visiting procedures in place.

Save The Bay is offering volunteer and internship opportunities with new policies and procedures for the health and safety of all involved.

Our staff continues to protect and improve Narragansett Bay, working both remotely and on-site. If you have any questions, you can contact us by phone (401-272-3540) or email (savebay@savebay.org), or on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.