National Aquarium
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National Aquarium is a nonprofit public aquarium on Pier 3 in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Its three connected buildings span ocean habitats, a tropical rainforest and an Australian river gorge.
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Opening hours
Today09:00 – 18:00Show all
Monday09:00 – 18:00
Tuesday09:00 – 18:00
Wednesday09:00 – 18:00
Thursday09:00 – 18:00
Friday09:00 – 21:00
Saturday09:00 – 18:00
Sunday09:00 – 18:00
Shorts
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Shallow Fish Pool | National Aquarium | Baltimore | Maryland | USATwinkling Places
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Visiting the National Aquarium Baltimore MarylandAdry _Reyes
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National Aquarium 💙 Baltimore, MarylandMakingMemoriesWithJess
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a trip to national aquarium in baltimore.Melinda Soleil
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Baltimore's National AquariumWee Prapawee
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The Baltimore National AquariumThunderlyte
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Exploring Baltimore National AquariumLiving in Maryland
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National Aquarium, Baltimore!!! #youtubeshorts #shortvideo #aquarium …The Roaming Techie
Why go
- Follow Maryland fish habitats from a stream in the Allegheny Mountains to the Atlantic shelf.
- See Amazon River Forest animals underwater and in the foliage above.
- Watch six bottlenose dolphins during training, feeding and play at Dolphin Discovery.
- See nine jellyfish species and how they can signal changes in ecosystems.
- Descend past a cylindrical Atlantic Ocean aquarium and a shark tank visible partly from below.
With kids
- All bathrooms have changing tables; a family restroom is near stroller check.
- Families with young children can use the quiet Guest Relations Room on Level 1 of Blue Wonders, behind the bubble tubes.
Tips for your visit
- Blue Wonders, the main building, has five stories, with levels linked by escalators.
- A bridge connects the main building to Pier 4, home to Dolphin Discovery and Jellies Invasion.
- Tours, behind-the-scenes visits, animal encounters and a 4D movie are available.
Know before you go
- Monday–Thursday and Sunday: 09:00–18:00; Friday–Saturday: 09:00–21:00.
- Strollers are not allowed on the exhibit route. Limited stroller check is available by the Main Entrance.
Interesting facts5
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2.2 million
The aquarium holds more than 2.2 million gallons of water and over 17,000 specimens representing more than 750 species.
National Aquarium (Baltimore) - Wikipedia -
Its rescue work has returned seals, dolphins, porpoises, whales, sea turtles and a manatee to the wild.
National Aquarium (Baltimore) - Wikipedia -
A Cambridge solar farm supplies about 40% of its power.
National Aquarium (Baltimore) - Wikipedia -
2035
The aquarium aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035.
National Aquarium - Homepage -
A 35-foot waterfall just inside the main entrance is modeled on one in a Maryland state park.
National Aquarium (Baltimore) - Wikipedia (part 2)
History
The aquarium grew from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor redevelopment plan. Its Pier 4 Pavilion added a marine mammal exhibit, followed by the Glass Pavilion expansion. In 2016, the aquarium announced a plan for a larger coastal sanctuary for its dolphins.
- OriginsMayor William Donald Schaefer and Robert C. Embry promoted the aquarium after visiting the New England Aquarium, as part of Baltimore’s downtown and Inner Harbor redevelopment.
- 1976Residents approved the plan in a bond referendum.
- ConstructionThe aquarium was built on old Pier 3, east of the World Trade Center. Peter Chermayeff led its initial conceptual, architectural and exhibit design.
- 1979Congress designated it the national aquarium.
- August 8, 1981It opened after three years of construction.
Show all
- December 1990Pier 4 Pavilion opened with a marine mammal exhibit.
- 2009The jellyfish exhibit opened, presenting nine species and explaining how jellyfish can signal ecosystem changes.
- December 16, 2005The Glass Pavilion expansion opened; it rises 120 feet.
- June 2016The aquarium announced plans for a coastal dolphin sanctuary, projected to be 50–100 times the size of the existing exhibit.
Don't miss
- Blacktip ReefLook through a floor-to-ceiling window into a 265,000-gallon Indo-Pacific habitat with 69 fish species, including blacktip reef and zebra sharks.Blue Wonders
- Shark AlleySee a 225,000-gallon ring-shaped Atlantic reef habitat with sand tiger sharks, nurse sharks and largetooth sawfish.Blue Wonders
- Living SeashoreExplore two touch pools and hands-on activities about the Mid-Atlantic shoreline; the exhibit also features an octopus.Blue Wonders
- Upland Tropical Rain ForestWatch birds from two elevated platforms and see glass-enclosed reptile and amphibian displays in a cave.Blue Wonders
- Australia: Wild ExtremesWalk through a Northern Territory river gorge with free-flying birds, freshwater crocodiles, turtles and lizards; the exhibit depicts fire, drought and flood.Glass Pavilion
How to get there
- On footThe aquarium is at 501 E. Pratt St, Baltimore, Maryland, on Pier 3 in the Inner Harbor.
- TrainPenn Station is 1.06 miles away; connections include taxi, bus, the free circulator and ride-share. Nearby rail stops include Shot Tower/Market Place Metro Subway Station and Camden Yards Light Rail and MARC stops.
- BusThe aquarium is a stop on the free Green route of the Charm City Circulator.
- BikeBike racks are outside on Pier 3 beside the USS Torsk.
Sources: National Aquarium (Baltimore) - Wikipedia · National Aquarium (Baltimore) - Wikipedia (part… · Baltimore/Inner Harbor - Wikivoyage (see) · National Aquarium - Homepage · National Aquarium - Plan Your Visit · National Aquarium - Gifts · National Aquarium - Wikipedia · Aquarium national de Baltimore - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026
Where
501 E Pratt St, MD, Baltimore
- Website
- aqua.org/
- Phone
- +14105763800
Questions and answers
What does National Aquarium membership include?
Membership includes a year of unlimited free admission and member perks.
What can National Aquarium gift cards pay for?
Gift cards can be used for tickets, memberships, tours and 4D films.
How can I contact the National Aquarium?
Call +1 410 576 3800.
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