The smart way to plan your travel itinerary   
You are here: Home > United States > Maryland > Baltimore > Aquariums > National Aquarium

National Aquarium
Baltimore Maryland Aquarium

  
Previous Entry Next Entry
NameNational Aquarium
Address501 E. Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Brief DescriptionStunning exhibits and more than 11,000 aquatic animals make this Inner Harbor destinatino the most popular
TypeAttraction
CategoryAquarium
DescriptionThe National Aquarium is an aquatic education and conservation organization with two locations and one mission: to provide transforming experiences that inspire people to enjoy, respect and protect the aquatic world.

In 2003, separate aquariums in Baltimore, MD, and Washington, DC, joined as one “National Aquarium.” The National Aquarium venues together hold living collections that include more than 16,000 animals from more than 660 species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and marine mammals living in award-winning, naturalistic habitats.

Transforming experiences reach well beyond the Aquariums’ walls. Education teams reach thousands of students each year with activities in schools and in the field; conservation crews and volunteers restore habitats and preserve species around the Chesapeake Bay and around the world; and the National Aquarium venues continue to serve as an economic engine for tourism in the city of Baltimore and as a unique draw in downtown Washington, DC. Through all of its work, the National Aquarium maintains its long-time commitment to serving the surrounding communities.

Baltimore Venue History
The Aquarium actually “began” in the mid-1970s when former Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaefer and the Commissioner of Housing and Community Development, Robert C. Embry, conceived and championed the idea of an aquarium as a vital component of Baltimore’s overall Inner Harbor redevelopment scheme. In 1976, Baltimore City residents supported the Aquarium by voting for it on a bond referendum, and the groundbreaking for the facility took place on Pier 3 in the City’s Inner Harbor on August 8, 1978.

As early as November 1979, the Aquarium’s world-class status was recognized by the United States Congress, which granted the facility “national” status. The National Aquarium in Baltimore opened to the public on August 8, 1981, after three years of construction. The land and the building are owned by the City of Baltimore. The Aquarium is run by a nonprofit corporation, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Inc., which currently consists of a volunteer Board of Governors and larger Advisory Board, plus a full-time paid staff of nearly 300. Under the terms of its management agreement with the City, the goal of the nonprofit corporation is to remain totally self-supporting for operations.

The Aquarium is Maryland’s largest paid tourist attraction, and the economic impact of Aquarium visitors on the State of Maryland has been tremendous. A study by the Maryland Department of Economic and Employment Development determined that the Aquarium annually generates nearly $220 million in revenues, 2,000 jobs, and $6.8 million in State and local taxes.

The National Aquarium, Baltimore, features three pavilions of exciting attractions and a living collection including more than 16,000 animals from more than 660 species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and marine mammals that live in award-winning habitats. The venue also offers exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences such as sleepovers and special tours. The Aquarium partners with other community attractions and restaurants to optimize the visitor experience in Baltimore.
Phone 1(410) 576-3800
Handicapped AccessibleNo
Websitewww.aqua.org
Last Updated12/13/2011
Tell a FriendTell a friend about this page
Add National Aquarium to your free online travel itinerary.
National Aquarium - Baltimore, MD  21202

Directions to National Aquarium


This Entry National Aquarium
Yellow markers are attractions Attractions   Red markers are activities Activities   Blue markers are restaurants Restaurants   Brown markers are visitor information Visitor Information   Green markers are accommodations Accommodations  
Directions TO National Aquarium
Directions FROM National Aquarium
Things to do near National Aquarium

What's Nearby?

Ripleys Odditorium in Baltimore
Ripleys Odditorium in Baltimore
Baltimore Museum (0.2 miles )
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Baltimore National Park (0.3 miles )
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Baltimore Tour (0.6 miles )
Walters Art Museum
Walters Art Museum
Baltimore Museum (0.8 miles )
National Great Blacks In Wax
National Great Blacks In Wax
Baltimore Museum (1.7 miles )
Fort Mchenry
Fort Mchenry
Baltimore Tour (1.9 miles )
Space Telescope Science Institute
Space Telescope Science Institute
Baltimore Science Museum (2.9 miles )
Hampton National Historic Site
Hampton National Historic Site
Towson National Park (7.9 miles )
Capital City Colonials
Capital City Colonials
Annapolis Tour (19.3 miles )
Delmarva Hot Air Balloon Rides
Delmarva Hot Air Balloon Rides
Chester Balloon Ride (25.4 miles )
Craft Bazaar
Craft Bazaar
Montgomery Village Recreation (27.2 miles )
Arbor Day Event
Arbor Day Event
Montgomery Village Recreation (28.0 miles )
Reditum, Dancing Flamenco
Reditum, Dancing Flamenco
Washington, DC Dance (29.0 miles )
FAME The Musical
FAME The Musical
Washington, DC Theatre (29.0 miles )
The River Plantation
The River Plantation
Queenstown Recreation (29.4 miles )
Pintail Point
Pintail Point
Queenstown Recreation (29.8 miles )
Be My Valentine Tour & Workshop for Children
Be My Valentine Tour & Workshop for Children
Washington D.C. Historic Site (30.8 miles )
Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site
Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site
Washington National Park (30.9 miles )
Old Post Office Tower
Old Post Office Tower
Washington National Park (30.9 miles )
President's Park (white House)
President's Park (white House)
Washington National Park (30.9 miles )
Rock Creek Park
Rock Creek Park
Washington National Park (30.9 miles )
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Washington National Park (30.9 miles )
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Washington National Park (30.9 miles )
National Capital Parks - East
National Capital Parks - East
Washington National Park (30.9 miles )
Battleground National Cemetery
Battleground National Cemetery
Washington National Park (30.9 miles )
Anacostia Park
Anacostia Park
Washington National Park (30.9 miles )

Be the first to review National Aquarium
How would you rate the informationon on this page? This travel content was helpfulThumbs Up or a This travel content was not helpfulThumbs Down.


Places to stay in Baltimore (0) Things to do in Baltimore (0) Baltimore Attractions (10)
Baltimore Visitor Information (5) Baltimore Restaurants (14) Baltimore Events (242)

Baltimore

Attractions
Indoor Activities
Events
Calendar
Visitor Guides



What's New Privacy Statement Customer Service Sign In Tell a Friend Get Listed Contact Us
Travel Articles Legal Site Map Register About Us Follow WeGoPlaces on Facebook!