National Aquarium

The National Aquarium is a public aquarium at Inner Harbor in Baltimore that displays thousands of marine animals across multiple recreated habitats. The facility spans several floors with tanks ranging from shallow coral reefs to deep ocean zones.

The city approved construction through a bond vote in 1976 as part of the downtown revival plan. The facility opened in 1981 and later expanded with new sections.

Visitors watch sharks swim through glass walls or walk among tropical birds in a free-flight rainforest. The jellyfish area displays the animals in dim light while they drift slowly through the water.

The aquarium opens every morning but closing times change with the season. Adults, youth, and children under four pay different entry rates, with the youngest entering at no charge.

A rescue program brings injured marine mammals here for recovery and also studies pollutants in wild dolphins. Researchers use some of these animals for studies on ocean environmental threats.

Location: Baltimore

Inception: August 8, 1981

Architects: Peter Chermayeff LLC

Official opening: 1982

Website: http://aqua.org

GPS coordinates: 39.28509,-76.60829

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:23