Whether you are a resident of the city or an out-of-town guest, we want your experience at the National Aquarium to be unique, comfortable, and unforgettable. Here are a few insider tips.
Planning for Your Visit
Prepare for Your Trip Online
Now it's easier than ever to plan a visit to the National Aquarium, Baltimore. The Aquarium's interactive trip planner is the best way to get ready for your adventure. Try the Online Trip Planner before your next visit!
Buy Tickets in Advance
You can avoid lines on the day of your visit by using our online ordering system, phoning or visiting a TicketMaster outlet, or by visiting the ticket office outside the Aquarium in the Inner Harbor any day prior to your visit. If buying tickets on the day of your visit, buy before touring the harbor. On especially busy days, available tickets may not permit entry until several hours after your purchase. Fortunately, the Aquarium is the anchor to Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Numerous shopping and sightseeing opportunities are within walking distance.
Visit During Off-peak Hours
Visiting as soon as the ticket center opens is a great way to avoid crowds and see early-morning animal behaviors that most guests never see. Late afternoon and evening hours are also a great time to visit.
Consider Staying at an Official Aquarium Hotel Partner
If your visit requires an overnight stay, save money on exclusive package deals with nearby hotels. All participating hotels are convenient to the Aquarium and other Inner Harbor attractions. Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium, and the entire downtown area are within walking distance.
Arriving at the Aquarium
Parking
If you are arriving by car, learn more about parking.
Bike Racks
Bicycle parking racks are available next to the Staff Entrance on Pier 3 Pavilion and on the back of Pier 4 Pavilion. Check out the new racks now located in the front of Pier 3 Pavilion.
At the Aquarium
Security Procedures
For the safety of our visitors and to provide the best experience, all bags, backpacks, and packages are subject to inspection prior to entering the the Aquarium. Re-entry may require additional screening. Please be aware, these entrance security procedures may result in slight delays while entering the Aquarium.
Stroller Check
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.
Escalators and 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.
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. Blind or deaf visitors may use audio tours and scripts of public presentations. Additional resources are available, and with advance notice, we will make special arrangements to accommodate our visitors' needs.
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 that are built into the theater seats and the theater environment. 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.
Immersion Tours
Dive beneath the surface with the Aquarium's Immersion Tours. Our expert guides help you experience life at the Aquarium from an insider's perspective. You'll discover a world behind the glass that is fascinating and full of surprises. Tours are also a great way to celebrate a special occasion.
Membership
Become an Aquarium member. Members enjoy free admission for one full year and express entry regardless of crowds. Memberships may be purchased at the Aquarium and will enable you to bypass lines on the day of purchase. Other benefits include discounts at Aquarium shops and restaurants and for participation in special programs, as well as a subscription to Watermarks, the Aquarium's quarterly magazine.
