Things to Do at National Aquarium
Complete Guide to National Aquarium in Baltimore
About National Aquarium
What to See & Do
Atlantic Coral Reef
The centerpiece 335,000-gallon tank where you'll walk through a tunnel surrounded by sharks, rays, and tropical fish. It's genuinely impressive and worth the visit alone.
Tropical Rainforest
A multi-level ecosystem where sloths hang overhead and colorful birds fly freely around you. The humidity hits you immediately - it actually feels like stepping into the Amazon.
Blacktip Reef
An Indo-Pacific coral reef exhibit where blacktip reef sharks cruise in a 260,000-gallon tank. The viewing area gets crowded, but the multiple levels give everyone a good vantage point.
Australia: Wild Extremes
Features massive saltwater crocodiles and a river ecosystem that's surprisingly engaging. The crocodiles are more active than you might expect, especially during feeding times.
Dolphin Discovery
Home to Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in a separate building connected by skybridge. The facility focuses on rescue and rehabilitation, which gives the experience more depth than typical dolphin shows.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Generally open 9 AM to 5 PM daily, with extended hours until 8 PM on Fridays. Hours can vary seasonally and for special events, so checking their website before visiting is wise.
Tickets & Pricing
Adult tickets typically run $40-50, with discounts for children, seniors, and military. Online booking is recommended and often includes small discounts. Annual memberships might make sense if you're local or planning multiple visits.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings tend to be less crowded, especially Tuesday through Thursday. If you're visiting on weekends, arriving right when they open gives you the best experience before school groups arrive.
Suggested Duration
Plan for 3-4 hours if you want to see everything without rushing. You could easily spend a full day here if you time visits around feeding schedules and take breaks.
Getting There
Things to Do Nearby
Four historic vessels including a Civil War-era sloop and a WWII submarine, all docked within walking distance of the aquarium.
An wonderfully quirky museum showcasing outsider art that's unlike anything else you'll see. It's about a 15-minute walk south of the Inner Harbor.
The birthplace of our national anthem, with well-preserved star-shaped fortifications and harbor views. It's a short drive or water taxi ride from downtown.
Housed in an old oyster cannery, it tells Baltimore's industrial story in an engaging way. The location on the harbor gives you nice views back toward downtown.
A cobblestone neighborhood with 18th-century charm, waterfront bars, and some of the city's best restaurants. It's easily walkable from the Inner Harbor along the promenade.