Dive Deep at the National Aquarium this Spring
Springtime is an ideal time of year to visit the National Aquarium in downtown Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. With eight excellent exhibits, from Shark Alley to Australia: Wild Extremes to the ever-popular Tropical Rainforest, there’s always something fascinating to learn.
Plus, this spring the Aquarium has fun and educational events, including specialized tours that offer a behind the scenes look at the operation, immersive film experiences and an upcoming discussion about the current state of diversity in conservation.
Here’s a look at some events and activities to consider when you’re planning your next visit to the National Aquarium:
This spring, the Aquarium is offering three different special tours geared towards specific interests. (Guests must be 8 years of age or older to participate in specialized tours.)
During the Behind-the-Scenes tour, which is offered on a daily basis, guests get to check out how the animals and exhibits are cared for and maintained. The tour lasts for about an hour and will focus on one particular part of the Aquarium, like the dolphins or Blacktip Reef.
The Animal Care tour offers a close-up look at how the Aquarium staff keeps its animal inhabitants – all 20,000+ of them – in tip-top shape. It includes a look at the systems that keep exhibits clean and shares insight into how the veterinary team cares for animals with injuries.
The Insider’s Tour allows you to experience the Aquarium through the eyes of a true insider – an Aquarium employee. The tour includes stories about the animals and their habitats, plus access to “exclusive, staff-only” parts of the building.
https://www.aqua.org/Visit/Tours-and-Experiences
The Aquarium is currently screening two different immersion films that take you inside the life of marine animals.
In “Shark: A 4D Experience,” you’ll get to know some of the sea’s most notorious – and often misunderstood – creatures, as you explore the lives of sharks, their survival instincts, and how they explore the deep.
“Being Dolphin 4D” focuses on the lives of a pod of dolphins as they swim through an ocean populated with many other creatures. The movie captures how the sea mammals interact with one another to “survive, thrive and play.”
https://www.aqua.org/Experience/exhibits-experiences/4D-theater
On Tuesday, March 19, the Aquarium will host an evening event featuring a panel of “conservation trailblazers” who will share thoughts and prompt discussion about diversity in the conservation field.
The discussion will focus on trends in conservation, challenges and progress, and the event will include some of the leading voices in the field.
This year’s speakers include Tamara Toles O’Laughlin, the Executive Director of the Maryland Environmental Health Network and Juan D. Martinez, the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at the Children & Nature Network.
http://aqua.org/Visit/Activity-Calendar/mlb-nature-for-all?EventID=%7b3D90A4AF-5DE4-44D7-9D4B-557AC334EB73%7d Where to Park when Visiting the National Aquarium
The National Aquarium is situated right on the water, in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor neighborhood. It’s a busy area, so it’s smart to plan ahead when it comes to parking.
Harbor Park Garage, located at 55 Market Place downtown, is just a short walk from the Aquarium and the restaurants, shops and bars in its neighborhood.
The garage, which is easily accessible from major routes in and out of the city, including I-83, is safe and well-lit. Plus, it is staffed 24/7 by a friendly, knowledgeable crew who are always happy to answer questions and offer advice about where to go, what to do and how to get there.
Even better, Harbor Park offers a discount for Aquarium visitors! Plus, you can purchase parking access in advance through Parking Panda, so you can guarantee you won’t have to hunt for a spot during your trip downtown. Click on this link to see our national aquarium parking discounted rates.