A Walk On The Wild Side

New England Aquarium
Located at Central Wharf, Boston, current exhibits focus on jellyfish, penguins, seals and more. Daily highlights include the giant ocean tank talk, a live penguin presentation, and harbor seal training sessions. Check out what’s playing at the IMAX theater. Call 617-973-5200 or visit the Web site, www.neaq.org, for information. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. General admission is $18.95 for adults and $10.95 for children ages 3 to 11. Admission to Simon’s IMAX Theater is additional.

Roger Williams Park Zoo
Located at 1000 Elmwood Ave. in Providence, R.I., the zoo features seven primary exhibit areas with a diverse range of animals. For directions, admission prices and additional information, call 401-785-3510 or visit www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org.

Buttonwood Park Zoo
Located less than an hour away in New Bedford, at 425 Hawthorn St., the focus of the zoo is on the wildlife of Massachusetts. However, the zoo also has Asian elephants, a North American bison and other species not indigenous to the state. Call 508-991-6178 or visit www.bpzoo.org for additional information.

Franklin Park Zoo
Founded in 1913, the zoo’s 72-acre site is nestled in Boston’s historic Franklin Park. Highlights of Franklin Park Zoo’s collection include the African lions of the Kalahari Kingdom, Masai giraffe and Grevy’s zebra of the Giraffe Savannah, and western lowland gorillas of the Tropical Forest. For hours, admission prices and additional information, call 617-541-5466 or visit www.franklinparkzoo.org.

Stone Zoo
Located on a 26-acre site near the sparkling Spot Pond Reservoir in Stoneham, the Stone Zoo’s collection includes snow leopards, bald eagles, hornbills, emperor tamarins, jaguars, cougars and more. For hours, admission prices and additional information, call 781-438-5100 or visit www.stonezoo.org.

Woods Hole Science Aquarium
Woods Hole Science Aquarium is the oldest continuously operating research aquarium in the country. Owned and operated by the federal government, the aquarium is open to the public, and admission is free. Approximately 140 species of fish and invertebrates and two harbor seals are on display. During the school year, the aquarium is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Summer hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The aquarium closes for federal holidays. Please note that, due to heightened security measures, adults must show identification to enter the facility. Call 508-495-2001 for information or visit aquarium.nefsc.noaa.gov.