National Aquarium
A waterfront aquarium connects Maryland waterways with coral reefs, open-ocean habitats, and a rooftop tropical rainforest.
Artwork inspired by Grace Hartigan
The National Aquarium turns a vertical waterfront building into a journey through interconnected environments. Moving from regional waterways toward larger marine habitats makes differences in light, shelter, water movement, and animal behavior visible. The rainforest above the harbor also challenges the assumption that an aquarium is only a collection of tanks filled with fish.
The most rewarding pauses are often at the edges of a habitat, where an animal rests, feeds, or disappears into cover. Give those behaviors time instead of seeking a quick sighting of every large species. Baltimore’s harbor remains visible around the building, providing a useful reminder that the relationships described inside also matter in the city’s own water.
- Setting
- Baltimore Inner Harbor
- Above the water
- Upland Tropical Rain Forest
- Local connection
- Maryland waterways
Quick guide
- Reserve a time
- Choose admission before planning the rest of your harbor day.
- Watch behavior
- Stay at one habitat long enough to see animals use cover.
Know before you go
- Follow the water
- Compare a regional freshwater habitat with a marine environment.
- Look beyond the glass
- Notice shelter and water movement as well as the animals.
- Plan stroller storage
- Bring an alternative for carrying a young child through exhibits.
- Validate the garage
- Keep the parking ticket with you until leaving the building.
Good to know
A timed ticket controls entry, not a short fixed visit. Allow several hours, and check the separate hours of the outdoor Harbor Wetland.
Notice these
- Glass pyramid above the harbor
- Layered aquatic habitats
- Rainforest canopy