The aquarium was designed by Peter Chermayeff of Cambridge Seven Associates and opened in 1981 as a centerpiece for the Inner Harbor redevelopment.
The facility maintains a dedicated animal rescue program that has rehabilitated and released hundreds of seals, sea turtles, and dolphins.
The 'Blacktip Reef' exhibit contains 260,000 gallons of water and features a viewing window 10 feet tall and 30 feet wide.
The tropical rainforest exhibit is housed within a massive, iconic glass pyramid that rises above the rest of the building.
The aquarium is home to a colony of Atlantic puffins that are part of an ongoing Species Survival Plan.
The facility is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
The shark exhibit utilizes a central tank configuration allowing for 360-degree viewing of several species including sand tiger and nurse sharks.
The National Aquarium is a nonprofit aquatic facility located on Baltimore's Inner Harbor, housing over 20,000 animals across hundreds of species. The structure is architecturally defined by a glass pyramid roof which provides natural light to the multi-level tropical rainforest exhibit. Its collection spans diverse ecosystems, ranging from Atlantic coral reefs and Amazonian river forests to Australian river gorges. The centerpiece is a series of massive open-ocean tanks that simulate the pelagic environments of sharks, rays, and sea turtles. The facility actively participates in marine rescue and rehabilitation operations for stranded animals along the Mid-Atlantic coast. Educational programs focus on conservation, focusing specifically on sustainable seafood and plastic reduction initiatives. Visitors move through a spiraling ramp design that winds through the central exhibits. The aquarium is a significant catalyst for the ongoing revitalization of the surrounding waterfront district.
The elevated walkway inside the glass pyramid of the tropical rainforest exhibit provides the best vertical perspective of the facility.
Book tickets online in advance to secure a specific entry time and avoid long queues at the box office.
Walk all the way to the top level of the rainforest pyramid to start your tour, then descend the spiraling ramps to view the aquatic exhibits.
Check the daily schedule upon arrival for dolphin presentation times, as these frequently reach capacity early.
Do not wait until the day of your visit to purchase tickets, as sell-outs are common during weekends and school holidays.
The aquarium remains open year-round, though specific exhibits may occasionally close for temporary maintenance or animal care cycles.
Refrain from using flash photography near sensitive aquatic exhibits to prevent disturbing the animals.
