Add a Visit to the National Aquarium to Your Summer Bucket List

When the National Aquarium opened in 1981 as part of Baltimore’s inner harbor redevelopment plan, its goal was simple: to conserve sea creatures and educate the public. Now nearly 40 years later, the Baltimore aquarium has become a measuring stick to gauge the quality of all other aquariums. In fact, the National Aquarium ranks among the top three aquariums in the country, has welcomed more than 50 million guests over the years, and is home to more than 20,000 animals.

If you want to experience the aquarium for yourself, just stop in to check out its many colorful habitats. In the Blacktip Reef, the Indo-Pacific ocean comes to life with zebra sharks, stingrays, and even a 500-pound green sea turtle. In the Jellies Invasion exhibit, nine types of jellyfish glide through the water. Nearby, the Dolphin Discovery and Shark Alley play host to their namesake aquatic creatures. Spend a full day exploring the National Aquarium and meeting its many residents.