Last weekend I found myself in Baltimore, Maryland for the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums Annual Conference. I was so excited to head to Baltimore for the second time in my life and what trip would be complete without a stop and the National Aquarium? So my friend and I headed down to the conference a day early to check it out!
Although the National Aquarium in Baltimore is the only aquarium I have been to it is fascinating. Housing over 16,500 specimens, the aquarium does a wonderful job of guiding visitors throughout the entire site (ensuring that you see everything). The aquarium is divided into 3 pavilions…
Pier 3 Pavilion is hard to miss as its entrance is the first thing you see once you get up to the main level of the aquarium. This is perfect because if you only have time for section this is the one you want!
The exhibit starts with an overlook of a pool containing sharks and stingrays (which definitely grabs your attention) and then leads you up 5 levels. On each level you’ll find smaller tanks with different creatures depending on the “theme” or mini-exhibit of that level…
- Level 2 – Maryland: Mountains to the Sea – Explore water wildlife native to Maryland from the smallest stream to the Atlantic Ocean.
- Level 3 – Surviving Through Adaptation – Here are some of the strangest creatures you’ll find under the waves…with some of the most unique survival skills (be sure you get a glimpse of the octopus)!
- Level 4 – Sea Cliffs, Kelp Forest, Pacific Coral Reef, Amazon River Forest – This level walks you through different aquatic habitats, showing you some awesome creatures along the way.
- Level 5 – Upland Tropical Rainforest, Hidden Life – In this greenhouse area they’ve created a mini rainforest with all kinds of interesting animals and plants! (If you happen to see the two-toed sloth, let me know… I couldn’t find it.)
Once you’ve finished all the levels, you descend through a tank that takes you from the Atlantic coral reef to the depths of the ocean.
Pier 4 Pavilion houses the dolphin amphitheater. The ticket to see the show costs extra, but the underwater viewing area allows you to see the dolphins at no extra cost!
The Glass Pavilion is one level up from the main floor and contains a 4-D theater and the exhibit Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes. This exhibit is home to freshwater creatures from down under including turtles, snakes, and freshwater crocodiles!
All in all, the National Aquarium has something for everyone! It’s very well designed and easily guides visitors through all levels and pavilions… there’s no way you could miss a thing! It may seem an obvious choice for a science trip… but the wonderment within is well worth it. I guarantee it will be a memorable trip (even if you have the memory of a goldfish)!
