If you are going to Baltimore, then be sure to pencil in some time for the Baltimore National Aquarium. This is the neatest aquarium I’ve ever seen, and I’ve traveled a lot. If you have 2 to 3 hours to spare (and even if you don’t), then this is one spot you don’t want to miss.

My Granny lived in Baltimore and was an English teacher in a local high school. One of her students went on to write the book Sins which was a mini series on TV several years back. I would always go to the city each summer to visit Granny and get a chance to see things that I would not have imagined back in a small NC town.

When I was a kid, the waterfront was a bad place where we did not want to go according to Granny. We would only drive by in the car. It was run down, dirty, and looked pretty scary. Of course, Baltimore in general looked scary to me, but Granny said we did not want to stop there along the waterfront. We went up to Annapolis for the ocean view and to eat out back then. I remember my first Granola and also my first Pena Colada from there (though I was not of age then).

Members of the Baltimore community decided to pretty up the ocean area at some point (probably 20 years or so back). One of the key players in this effort was the aquarium. This wonderful exhibit geared toward research was set up along with malls and eating places. Suddenly, the waterfront was a nice place to visit rather than a place to drive by fast with the windows up.

I was a young woman when Baltimore got better, and I was excited about this new and exciting place to visit near my Granny. I loved it so much that I have continued to visit over the years even though Granny is gone now. I enjoy the great shops with the fancy kites, the bright colored summer dresses at privately owned shops, and the crab cakes on toasted buns. It doesn’t cost a thing to look, and I can always scarp up enough to get something yummy to munch on.

Most of all I like to visit the Baltimore Aquarium.

First . . . picture three big buildings lined up with connectors. This might look like one of those fancy hamster cage set-ups in your head if you’re able to picture it, since there are connections throughout. The first is the ranch style section where everything is on one level. That’s your Lobby. Next comes the High Rise (with the exhibits). This portion of the facility has 5 floors. The top floor is really the pent house (Rain Forest), so you enter on floor one or on floor 4 with 5 being the special walk up section. Then the silo is on the end. This one has a winding walkway like you would find in a lighthouse.

The Ranch Style Section (Lobby).

You enter here where you turn in your ticket and then check in your stroller. You can’t take a stroller through the building, but they will keep it for you. They also have a help desk where you can get information and a map.

The High Rise (the exhibits).

There are 5 levels in the High Rise section, and you ride escalators from floor to floor. These are open type escalators, so the view is great throughout.

Level 1:

On the first level you have the rays. These always interested me, since I first saw one during college at the beach while I was in the water. I was pretty sure that a bat sea creature was going to get me (and this was during the Jaws movie days), so I did the only reasonable thing and ran like heck while babbling things about flying bats. The lifeguard must have thought I had a point, because he cleared the whole beach. A school of manta rays had invaded, and I really did see the giant bat my friends teased me about unmercifully.

On behalf of those lovely rays (which are very wonderful behind glass) and the small sharks in this exhibit, I will say that they are fabulous to watch. This is kind of an underwater dance. The sharks are tagged and go back to the ocean where I hope I do not see them. They are part of a study. They have many studies going on at the Aquarium, so a visit is educational as well as being touristy.

Level 2:

The second section is Mountains to Sea. On the east coast, our waters run together (which may be true everywhere). Here you can see how those mountain streams tie into the flat lands to the ocean on our west. You can see here which water creatures live in which areas. Although it sounds pretty technical, this is a nice section. You get the big picture as far as our waters on this floor.

Level 3:

Adaptations is kind of the Ripley’s section of the aquarium. Here you will see the strange and stranger. Over time different sea creatures have evolved (and some not), so you can see kind of high tech species like the eels as well as the really monster looking fish that do not get on your hook when you go fishing.

The eel section is really interesting. You can see the light flashes and microphones let you also hear the charges that go along with those. Other neat things would include the octopi (watch all those suction cups), lionfish (with loads of spines), and little jawfish which jump out and catch other sea critters.

Level 4:

The Amazon River Forest has all kinds of tropical fish as well as snakes and turtles, and monkeys. These are brightly colored fish and you will be amazed at how bright blue and orange and red can be. There are computers along this section to help visitors understand how our world today impacts on all these beautiful examples of nature. It really would be a shame if such wonderful creatures disappeared from our earth.

Level 5:

On the top floor, you step into a tropical forest (Rain Forest). The landscape is lush and green, and you can see all kinds of exotic animals living in this area. You will think about hanging a hammock and just staying here.

The Silo.

This is an interesting part of the building. It really is like a silo. The inside part has a circular stairway where you walk around and around. As you walk, you can see sea fish and animals in more-or-less natural habitat. This portion can be entered from Level 1 or 4 of the high rise educational section, or you can cut over from the lobby floor.

Don’t Miss . . .

The Dolphin Show—This is on the first level. Just look for the signs and check the times. This is a fun show where you see the dolphins perform.

Discovery Cove—You get a chance to touch sea critters like starfish. This part is geared toward kids, but it’s really fun. And, you learn a lot.

Feedings—Some of the feedings involve divers going into the tanks and hand feeding the sea animals. The times vary, so be sure to ask at the front desk.

A Few Tips.

The best times to visit are after 3 pm on weekdays and early on weekends. Avoid holiday times and long weekends. Tickets can sell out in peak periods.

Wear comfortable clothing and especially comfortable shoes. You’re on your feet for quite a long time. You may get splashed with water or dripped on in some areas.

You can get food at the Aquarium. They even have a Pizza Hut. This may be the best bet for families with kids, but I would suggest hitting the mall strip and side roads and looking for seafood. Crabs are wonderful—both the steamed and the crab cakes. There are other options too including really good Greek food in the area.

If you are disabled or aged, then call ahead and check about the quick entrance and the elevators. Although parking is not available on site, you can be dropped off. Then you can enter in a no-wait line.

Full Speed Ahead!

The entire Baltimore Waterfront section is wonderful. It’s clean, fun, and interesting. Stop by and shop a while, eat some crabs, and see the Aquarium.








Recommended: Yes