National Aquarium in Baltimore
- ptpinit
- First Reviewer
- 3 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 16
- Reviews
-
57
- Photos
Not Worth It
My husband and I went to the Aquarium after moving to Baltimore. We were both really excited to go as we both really love animals and marine life.
When we got there we realized that you can only come in at certain times. So we waited around and finally got in. Afterwhich we proceeded through the exhibits which were really dissappointing.
I think the best thing we saw there was the aviary. It really felt like you were in the rainforest and the birds were great. The other thing that I enjoyed was walking through the shark exhibit. Which is just a series of ramps that walks you through different levels of tanks, it was worth the walk, just cause it was less packed than the rest of the place.
The crowds were ridiculous and everything is packed in really tight, so you don't really get to linger and enjoy things because they are trying to squeeze and pass so many people through.
The aquarium needs a major renovation. As someone stated, the bathrooms are not clearly marked. And the place is old and smells. The carpet needs to be replaced and it's very dark, and not dark in a "this is the setting" way, just dark as in poorly lit.
It is definately not worth 21.95 and an additional fee for the dolphin show, which we didn't hang around to see.
Not Kid Friendly - National Aquarium in Baltimore
- April 11, 2008
- Rated 1 of 5 by
eDeeMaine from South Portland, Maine
The National Aquarium do not allow strollers making it impossible to bring small children. My three year old daughter could not wait to see the aquarium, however, it was much to large for her to walk for 4 to 5 hours to see it all. The bathrooms are poorly marked, so she wet herself before we found one. I had to carry my 25 pound 9 month old (she’s very tall) around for those 5 hours.
They rent germ ridden backpacks which are coming apart and look unsafe - and filthy looking front carriers which my child is too large to carry.
They use escalators and moving sidewalks which are unsafe for toddlers, the elderly and mothers carrying heavy loads. I almost fell down the escalator trying to assist my toddler, carry my baby and a diaper bag.
The aquarium does offer lockers, but a baby needs to be feed on demand. The lockers are on the first floor and until you reach the TOP of the aquarium there is no way to get back to the first floor. And God forbid you try and use an elevator those are only for people in wheelchairs, not for people like my mother in law how is scared to death of escalators or children in wet pants. The other children with us ranger from 5 – 10 years old also had medication that needed to be taken, items that they had purchased on the lower level, that they had to carry, which could have easily fit in the bottom of the stroller but served to make the day more difficult and less enjoyable for everyone.
If you ever visit the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, do it when your children are teenagers – it is NOT kid friendly.
National Aquarium in Baltimore
- August 22, 2007
- Rated 1 of 5 by
chettabelle from Brick, New Jersey
This was a disappointment! My husband and I heard so much about this place. We paid $21.95 each person and all we saw was mostly plain fish and some sharks, but nothing exciting. The Dolphin show was not until 2 hours later so we did not wait around for it. Mind you, you have to pay another $5 for the Dolphin show. I would never go back here. It was pretty boring!
From journal Getaways
National Aquarium in Baltimore
- July 19, 2007
- Rated 3 of 5 by
artbasement from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
I was excited to go to the aquarium. I hadn't been there since the Australian exhibit was built. Since we'd gotten tickets from our hotel through their aquarium package, we skipped the entire ticket counter area and walked right in.
I must admit that I was a little disappointed by the Australia exhibit. It's very large, but it's hard to see much. The display is mostly vertical and there's nowhere to get a higher view. I wanted to get a better look at the bats, but they were so far away! I kept looking for gangways or ladders or anything that would have gotten me up 10 or 20 feet higher. I feel that the rainforest exhibit does a much better job with perspectives.
On the positive side, the crowd flow seems much better in the new interior design. You used to go in the door and follow a predetermined path through the ray tank, the special exhibit, and then the regular collection and the rain forest section. On Saturdays, you had to move with the flow or risk being crushed. Now you can choose to go to different sections. Don't get me wrong - there was still a large crowd on a Friday night, but I didn't feel trapped in any exhibits like I used to.
We skipped the dolphin show this time, but there is a cozy spot where you can watch the dolphin show pool from below. We watched as two dolphins "hung out" between shows. They looked like they were having so much fun.
From journal Inner Harbor Weekend
Editor Pick
Baltimore Aquarium
- July 16, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
ripplefan2 from Queens, New York
We got to Downtown Baltimore at around 12am and the crowds were in full swing, so the next available entry time for the aquarium was at 3pm. We bought the tickets then, expecting it was only going to get worse as time went on, and went on out exploring.
After returning from our walk, we jumped on line and awaited the doors to open for our time. The doors open every 15 minutes allowing the crowds not to be as big and making your experience much better. The first thing we saw as we entered was a giant waterfall, which was amazing.
Next, we explored around through the main pool that had dozens of sting rays, all varying in size, and one of the biggest turtles I have ever seen. We then continued being shoveled through the aquarium to the different areas, but before doing that, we went upstairs to the Australian Exhibit. There were crocodiles, birds, fish, sting rays, and the entire surrounding area was replicated to look like the outback. It was a really neat setup.
After slowly being ascended through the crowds to the upper levels, we finally reached the rain forest section which is unbelievable. Birds are flying around, snakes and fish are everywhere and the air is moist and heavy. The whole aquarium seems to be never ending since there are tons of exhibits in the two large buildings.
While you are preparing to go to the aquarium, wear comfortable shoes, you will need them. Otherwise, this place is worth the $21 entry fee and will leave you with a fully satisfied feeling. It is definitely one of the best aquariums I have ever been to.
From journal Baltimore's Waterfront Area