Plan Your Aquarium Visit

	Best Times to Visit Avoid the crowds—plan your visit for days of the year when tourist activity is low, or plan to arrive either before 11 a.m. or after 3 p.m. With fewer people in the building, you'll enjoy more opportunities to linger in galleries, watching for animal behaviors. If you are able to visit only during peak times, keep in mind that during summer, spring break, and on holidays, the Aquarium may sell out of tickets, or you may be given an entry time a few hours away. Buy tickets online in advance, and you can choose your entry time and skip the ticket line.
	Buy Tickets Online Skip the line and choose your entry time by buying tickets online.
	Online Trip Planner The interactive trip planner is the best way to get ready for your adventure! This drag-and-drop interactive planning tool features helpful information for creating your visit to the Aquarium, like exhibit descriptions and locations, plus show times for Our Ocean Planet: The Dolphin Show and animal presentations. » Plan Your Visit
	Visiting With Young Children? Information for guests bringing babies and young children to the Aquarium: Stroller Policy Because of the escalators and moving walkways inside the Aquarium, strollers cannot be used. Consider leaving your stroller at home or in the trunk of your car. If you do bring a stroller, Aquarium staff will store it for you and provide a backpack or frontpack child-carrier. The higher vantage point will also provide your children with a better view of many exhibits. » Learn more Guest Relations Room For any visitor in need of privacy, we provide a room on Level 1 of the Pier 3 Pavilion, behind the bubble tubes. The room contains a TV and a microwave, as well as coloring supplies for children. The room is always unlocked and available for guests who need a quiet or private space; there is a sign to hang on the door when the room is in use. Changing Tables All bathrooms have changing tables, and there is a family restroom on the ground floor of Pier 3 near stroller check. 4-D Immersion Theater The 4-D Immersion Theater incorporates sensory effects such as water spray and seat vibrations. Please use discretion if your child is easily startled. Children's Discovery Gallery A fun, interactive play area especially for young kids, the Children's Discovery Gallery is located on the upper level of the Pier 4 Pavilion, and is open daily, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
	Parking Parking is available at numerous downtown garages within walking distance. Although the Aquarium does not operate its own parking facility, the Inner Harbor Garage/Landmark Parking is the Aquarium's official parking partner. Receive a parking discount at the Inner Harbor Garage, just a few minutes from the Aquarium and all of the Inner Harbor's attractions. Follow these easy steps to save $3 off maximum daily rate: 1. Download and print parking certificate (PDF) 2. Bring certificate to the Aquarium's Information Desk. Certificate must be exchanged for a $3 off voucher that you will present to the garage upon exit. » Get driving directions to the Inner Harbor Garage
	Download a Map of the Aquarium Download a printable map of the Aquarium (PDF).


	Stroller Check Policy Because of the escalators and moving walkways inside the Aquarium, strollers cannot be used. Consider leaving your stroller at home or in the trunk of your car. Because of the escalators and moving walkways inside the Aquarium, strollers cannot be used inside. If you do bring a stroller, Aquarium staff will store it for you and provide a backpack or frontpack child-carrier. The higher vantage point will also provide your children with a better view of many exhibits. » Learn more
	Special Needs The Aquarium offers convenient services for special-needs visitors. A drop-off circle is located in front of the Aquarium on Pratt Street, and an accessible entrance is located just beyond the main entrance. Additional resources are available, and with advance notice, we will make special arrangements to accommodate our visitors' needs. » Learn more
	Dolphin Show See the dolphins like never before in Our Ocean Planet: The Dolphin Show. Explore a dolphin's world! Watch the dolphins exhibit behaviors that demonstrate how these air-breathing mammals have adapted to life underwater. Discover the unique relationship dolphins have with humans as our dolphins interact with their trainers. And learn how all the water on Earth is connected, and why your choices matter. » More about the show Additional ticket or package required. Select show time when buying tickets. Duration is approximately 25 minutes, and shows occur three to five times a day. To see show times, choose a specific day in either the Trip Planner or when buying tickets online.
	4-D Immersion Theater The Aquarium's 4-D Immersion Theater combines the visual drama of a 3-D film with a variety of sensory effects. The films are transformed into 15-minute experiences and virtually bring on-screen images to life with added effects such as water mist, snow, bubbles, scents, enhanced lighting, and seat vibrations! Additional ticket or package required. Select show time when buying tickets. » See what's playing Please note: The 4-D Immersion Theater contains theatrical lighting, including strobe lights. Please use discretion if your child is easily startled, or if you have medical conditions related to your back.
	Dining at the Aquarium The brand-new Harbor Market Kitchen cafe serves up food that is fresh, delicious, and produced in earth-friendly ways. » See all dining options
	Gift Shops Take a piece of the Aquarium home with you! The National Aquarium features four gift shops, with friendly staff on hand to assist you in finding the perfect souvenir. Major credit cards are accepted, and shipping is available. Aquarium Shop The Aquarium's main gift shop, located at the top of the escalator just past the main entrance, offers more than 5,000 square feet in retail space. Contact the Aquarium Shop at 443-573-0852. Dolphin Shop Located on the first level of the Pier 4 Pavilion just outside the main entrance to the dolphin amphitheater. Contact the Dolphin Shop at 443-573-0853. Shark Shop Located on the level above the Wings in the Water underwater viewing area and next to the top of the escalator. Contact the Shark Shop at 443-573-0854. Atrium Shop Located in the atrium of the Pier 4 Pavilion, near Jellies Invasion: Oceans Out of Balance. Online Gift Shop From apparel and toys to books and jewelry, now you can purchase Aquarium merchandise in the comfort of your own home. » Shop online
	Escalators, Elevators & Moving Walkways Enjoy a smooth and safe trip through the Aquarium. Several escalators and moving walkways are throughout our buildings as a convenient way to travel from floor to floor. Please use caution when wearing flip-flops, open-toed shoes, and/or rubber-soled footwear. Stay alert, and be sure to remain clear of the sides, and step over the comb plate at the end of an escalator or moving walkway. Elevators displaying the wheelchair accessibility symbol have been designated for use by visitors who use wheelchairs while touring Aquarium buildings.
	Lockers & Coat Check Lockers and coat check service are available. Lockers and coat check are located inside the main entrance, to the right, on the ground level of Pier 3. To use the lockers, obtain a token from the machine for $2 (machine does make change).
	Security Procedures For the safety of our visitors, all bags, backpacks, and packages are subject to inspection prior to entering the Aquarium. Re-entry may require additional screening. Please be aware, these entrance security procedures may result in slight delays while entering the Aquarium.
	ATM ATMs are located outside by the ticket center, and inside on Level 1 of the Pier 3 Pavilion, next to the main Aquarium gift shop.

	Become a Member Members enjoy unlimited admission to both Aquarium venues for one full year and express entry. Aquarium members receive unlimited admission to both Baltimore and Washington, DC, venues for a year, immediate entry, special discounts, invitations to members-only events, and more! » Become a member
	Subscribe to Our Free E-Newsletter Be among the first to know about special discounts and promotions! Sign up to receive our FREE e-newsletter, AquaMail! You'll be among the first to know about special discounts and promotions, plus learn about upcoming events and community programs, receive animal and exhibit updates, and hear stories from our Marine Animal Rescue Program. It goes out once a month, and you can unsubscribe at any time. » Sign me up!
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