NATIONAL AQUARIUM 

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. -- Michael Rando