501 E. Pratt Street
Pier 3
410-576-3800
HOURS:
Nov. -Feb., Sat. -Thurs. 10am-5pm, Fri. 10-8pm
Mar.-June and Sept.-Oct., Sat. -Thurs. 9am-5pm, Fri. 9-8pm July
and Aug., daily 9am-8pm
Timed tickets may be required on weekends, purchase these in the
morning.
ADMISSION:
$14.00
The National Aquarium is Baltimore’s
most frequented attraction. If you plan to visit this
establishment, plan to spend about 3-4 hours here. Located at
the water’s edge in the Inner Harbor, the Aquarium is home to
over 10,000 creatures. The huge building consists of 7 levels
and holds 2 million gallons of water. Visitors can journey
through the large structure and get a gander at a number of
exotic animals including seals and puffins, stingrays and
piranha, electric eels, and more.
In the Marine Mammal Pavilion,
visitors can view and learn about one of the ocean’s most
intelligent creatures at the new Coastal Connections:
"Dolphins at Our Shore" show. Children and adults
alike can view and acquire a good deal of knowledge about the
spectacular Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and get a better
understanding of their behaviors and habitat. This enjoyment and
knowledge is also elaborated upon in Exploration Station,
an interactive gallery featuring marine mammals. Another
fantastic exhibit is the Jungle Thrills (opens spring
2000), where visitors can explore the flora and fauna of a
miniature South American rain forest. Featured animals include
large iguanas, scarlet ibis, and a variety of tropical birds, to
name a few. Along with these exhibits are the grand fish tanks
that hold everything from color coral reef fish to magnificent
sharks.
As the Aquarium is a prime spot
for tourists, it tends to get more and more crowded (especially
the admission lines) as the day passes, so plan your visit for
early morning to beat the crowds. But even if your visit is
slightly obstructed by long lines, it’s well worth the wait.
The Aquarium is easily accessible on foot or by water taxi from
any spot along the Harbor.
