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Opened in 1981, the National Aquarium is world-famous
and undoubtedly Maryland's leading tourist attraction. Whether you're an
educator, a student or simply a visitor wanting to look at the
magnificent exhibits, the National Aquarium in the Inner Harbor has a
lot to offer.
The mission of the National Aquarium is to "provide transforming
experiences that encourage people to enjoy, respect, and protect the
aquatic world." And that is precisely what it does. View a life-size
model of a Humpback Whale, see the concepts of surviving through
adaptation come to life, visit a coral reef, and learn what jellies are
telling us about the health of our oceans.
Housing more than 16,000 creatures, the National Aquarium exhibits a
variety of species in their naturalistic habitats. You'll find animals
such as stingrays, sharks, sea turtles, bullfrogs, phytoplankton,
monkeys, sloths, iguanas, puffins and thousands more. You can also catch
an up-close view of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins as they leap and tumble
with the National Aquarium trainers in the live-action Dolphin Show, Our
Ocean Planet.
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The latest exhibit, Jellies Invasion: Oceans Out of Balance offers a
stunning display of these colorful and unique pre-historic creatures.
Jellies live in every ocean, thrive in coastal and open waters, and even
live in fresh water. With the use of video and narrative elements,
Jellies Invasion tells the story of how recent changes to jellies
populations including massive swarms, voracious eating habits, and
habitat invasions, are changing the balance of the earth’s aquatic
ecosystems.
Other must see attractions include the Aquarium's 4-D Immersion Theater
and Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes, where visitors will travel
through a spectacular river gorge of Australia's Northern Territory.
With a 35-foot waterfall, free-flying birds, free-roaming lizards
basking on rocky cliffs, and freshwater crocodiles (safe behind a thick
acrylic barrier) it's an interactive experience you won't want to miss.
A self-guided tour on the National Aquarium's first level includes a
gallery that traces the water cycle from a freshwater pond in the
mountains of Western Maryland through the tidal marsh, into the coastal
beach and out into the deeper, darker waters of the Atlantic shelf.
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The National Aquarium is also an ideal place for corporate events,
meetings, banquets, and special group celebrations. Whatever the reason
for your visit, the National Aquarium is sure to please everyone.
Click here to view show information, and to purchase tickets online. Be
sure to use the interactive trip planner to view show times and map out
your visit.
Gift shops and cafes further enhance your visit to the National
Aquarium. Add this world-famous cultural attraction to your Baltimore
vacation planner.
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