One of Baltimore's proudest tourist attractions is the National Aquarium, located in the heart of the Inner Harbor next to the Hard Rock Cafe.
The nonprofit organization inspires conservation of the world's aquatic beings and their environments.
In 2011, the aquarium won the Maryland Green Registry Award for its commitment to sustainable practices.
Exhibits
The National Aquarium is home to more than 16,000 animals including puffins, two-toed sloths, jelly fish, and a green sea turtle.
The animals live in appropriate environments, separated into different exhibits throughout the aquarium.
Such exhibits include the Amazon River Forest, the Atlantic Coral Reef, Shark Alley, Australia: Wild Extremes, Jellies Invasion, the popular Dolphin Discovery, and many more.
"my favorite exhibit is the dolphin discovery; the show is so entertaining and enjoyable for all!" -Mae Campbell
Each exhibit is its own world: reptiles sleep on rocks in the hot Australian exhibit while thousands of fish swim between coral reefs throughout the Atlantic exhibit.
The exhibits of this aquarium are highly acclaimed: USA Today ranks the Baltimore aquarium as one of the top five in the country.
Additionally, it has been ranked No. 1 by Coastal Living and No. 10 by "Parents." (Source: www.traveltips.usatoday.com)
"i can see why this aquarium is so well known. Its exhibits are beautiful and you really learn a lot." -emily arnold
Local Action
Due to the National Aquarium's high involvement in conservation, the organization hosts events throughout the Chesapeake Bay environment to encourage others to join their efforts.
The main objectives of these events are to restore vital habitats for people and wildlife, conduct citizen science, and welcome professionals to speak about environmental topics to the public.
This spring, the National Aquarium has a few upcoming events that are important for the ecosystems of Baltimore after a long winter.
On Friday, April 13th, the aquarium is bringing a group to Inverness Park in Dundalk to plant wetland grasses in an effort to restore the shoreline. Click here for more information.
Additionally, on Saturday, April 14th from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, neighbors of the community will be cleaning up the stream between Curtis Bay and Masonville. Click here for more.
Ticket information
Visit the National Aquarium to learn about the environments of the aquatic animals of our world as well as how you can help conserve our local environment.
The aquarium is open seven days a week from 9am-5pm Sunday through Thursday, 9am-8pm on Fridays, and 9am-5pm on Saturdays. Click here, however, to double check holiday hours.
Adult tickets are $39.95, children between the ages of three and 11 are $24.95, and seniors 65+ are $34.95. Children two and under are free!
Tickets can be purchased at the box office on site on the day of your visit or online prior to your visit.
Parking Information
The National Aquarium is located at 501 E Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.
The aquarium does not have its own parking facility, however there are two official parking garages in walkable distance.
Parking tickets pulled from the Lockwood Place and the LAZ Inner Harbor Garage can be validated for a discount to Aquarium guests at the box office.
The aquarium is the perfect activity for all ages. Be sure to visit the official website (www.aqua.org) for more information.
(Source: www.aqua.org)