By Mary Whitfill, News Correspondent

With a bustling city at their feet, college students in Boston are never at a loss for things to do. With more than 50 colleges in the area, local businesses capitalize on the number of students by offering discounts and annual college nights.

While many companies are getting ready to host their student nights this fall, two of the most popular college nights for Northeastern students will not be offered this year. Both the New England Aquarium (NEAq) and the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) have cancelled their 2012 events.

“Although our turnout has always been fantastic, we are under construction right now, so where we can we are cutting back on events,” Kelly Clifton, a representative for NEAq, said. “The Giant Ocean Tank is under construction in the middle of the building and everything is happening at night, so we can’t open up for all the universities this year.”

NEAq may reopen for local college students next year, but Clifton said it remains to be seen when the program will start back up. The construction hasn’t affected the normal operation hours of the aquarium.

“The construction won’t be over until July of 2013, so there is no way it will be rescheduled for later this year,” Clifton said. “It’s possible we will have college night again in the fall of next year, but the building’s capacity has been dramatically reduced this year.”

Despite the college night event being canceled for this year, NEAq has year-round student discounts that can be applied to the open portion of the aquarium, the IMAX and the New England Aquarium Whale Watch. Students with a valid university ID can receive a $2 discount individually, or a $6 discount in a group of 10 or more.

The Museum of Fine Arts cited different reasons for suspending their college night for fall of 2012.

“College students are extremely important to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and our goal this year is to remind them of their University Member status and make them feel welcome all year long,” MFA representative Karen Frascona said in a press release. “Instead of hosting just one event, we want to encourage students to visit the museum’s exhibitions throughout the year. Students at Northeastern can enjoy shows and explore our galleries for free seven days a week.”

Similarly to the NEAq, the MFA offers university students perks for visiting. Northeastern is a part of the Museum University Membership Program through which students can get discounts on concert tickets, MFA shop purchases and film tickets, and all Northeastern students are eligible for free admission with the presentation of their Husky Card.

While the college night cancellations may restrict some university students ability to visit these attractions, the Boston Public Library museum pass program offers free admission to local museums and other attractions. By checking out a museum pass from any Boston Public Library (library card required) free admission can be granted to institutions such as the Museum of Science and NEAq.

Other Boston hot spots offer year-round discounts to students with their IDs.

The Institute of Contemporary Art offers free admission on Thursdays, as well as $5 off admission for students at any time.

Additionally, AMC Loews Boston Common offers students $8 shows on Thursdays, and Regal Fenway 13 gives $2 off normal ticket prices. Thursdays, Dick’s Beantown Comedy Vault has a $5 student discount and the Improv Asylum Comedy Club offers $10 Wednesdays and Sundays, as well as $15 Thursdays and Fridays.