Late summer – before the school year kicks off once more – is an ideal time to head downtown to visit the National Aquarium. There’s plenty to enjoy at the Aquarium this time of year and a few great ways to make the most of your visit.
Weekly Events
Each week, the Aquarium offers special tours and deals on certain days:
- Half‑Price Friday Nights run weekly on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., offering all-day exhibits at reduced admission — great for evening visits.
- Insider’s Tour occurs on Saturdays and Sundays at 8:30 a.m.. It provides up-close experiences and behind-the-scenes access before official opening. Book early—slots are limited.
- Member Evenings are exclusive events hosted periodically, with early or special programming for members only. Thursday, August 21 is a member evening.
Exhibits
The Aquarium features many award-winning, immersive exhibits that bring ocean and coastal ecosystems to life. Here’s what to expect:
- Blacktip Reef (Pier 3, Level 1): A dramatic 265,000-gallon Indo-Pacific reef tank housing over 60 species, including blacktip reef sharks, zebra sharks, humphead wrasse, and more. It offers panoramic viewing points and diver feedings.
- Maryland: Mountains to the Sea & Living Seashore (Level 2): Interactive touch pools feature local marine life like Atlantic stingrays, skate, horseshoe crabs, whelks, moon jelly, and the iconic giant Pacific octopus. These exhibits educate visitors on local ecosystems.
- North Atlantic to the Pacific & Amazon River Forest (Level 4): Experience seabirds and coral reef species, kelp forest inhabitants, and a replica Amazon rainforest with caimans, tree boas, waxy monkey frogs, discus fish, and river stingrays.
- Upland Tropical Rainforest & Hidden Life (Level 5): A rainforest aviary with free-flying birds, reptiles, amphibians, sloths, parrots, and poison dart frogs—simulating a canopy ecosystem.
- Atlantic Coral Reef: A two-story coral reef habitat with over 100 species, including tarpon, queen triggerfish, black grouper, southern stingray, and sea turtles.
- Shark Alley: Atlantic Predators (formerly Open Ocean): A 225,000-gallon centerpiece showcasing sand tiger sharks, nurse sharks, sawfish, stingrays, and other deep-water species in a circular viewing tank.
- Dolphin Discovery (Pier 4 Pavilion): Home to the Aquarium’s bottlenose dolphins, this exhibit includes live feedings and scientific talkbacks.
- Jellies Invasion: Oceans Out of Balance (Pier 4 Pavilion): Features nine species of jellyfish—like Pacific sea nettles and blue blubbers—highlighting environmental stressors and ecosystem balance.
- Harbor Wetland (Outdoor exhibit between Piers 3 & 4): A free-to-enter recreated tidal marsh planted with native grasses and shrubs. Visitors may spot herons, terrapins, blue crabs—and even river otters. It operates during regular Aquarium hours through early September
Planning Your Trip
- Book the Insider’s Tour ASAP since availability is limited and spots fill quickly.
- Arrive before 5 p.m. for Friday Night deals to enter at half price.
- Members: be sure to check your email or Aquarium portal for details on the August 21 evening event.
Aquarium Parking
Before you head downtown to visit the National Aquarium, plan your parking strategy.
Harbor Park Garage, located at 55 Market Place, is just a short walk from the Aquarium – and offers special deals for Aquarium visits. The garage is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is easily accessible from major routes in and out of the city. It is well-lit, clean and staffed by a friendly and knowledgeable crew.
For more information about National Aquarium and Harbor Park Garage, visit: https://harborparkgarage.com/parking-nearby/baltimore-national-aquarium-parking/