Anyone been to the Baltimore Aquarium.

[MikeNapoli]

I was in baltimore for the preakness and I passed by on my way through the city and I thought it looked pretty good on the outside.

I'm thinking of going on a weekend, taking the train down to Baltimore, seeing the aquarium, maybe dinner and then the train back home.

 

[Phyl]

Baltimore is one of the nicer aquariums I've been to (but then I haven't been to Georgia). If you're going to go (especially on a weekend) be sure to purchase your tickets in advance. Your ticket will be for a specific entry time as well as a time to see the Dolphin show. When I took the kids last time we had to wait a couple of hours between buying tix and getting into the aquarium. We used that time to eat lunch, but better to know what you're in for.

 

[ynotme4886]

The dolphin show was awesome....we went last year and had a good time. We were in Camden yesterday at the aquarium and had a great time as well.

 

[Brian]

With the cost of the train, you're better of driving...it's not a bad day trip. Deb and I went to the harbor for the weekend a few years ago...It was a lot of fun, and the aquarium was great!

 

[jimroth]

It's a beautiful facility. Not much to offer the reef hobbyist, at least when I was there a few years ago. Although there was one tank where somebody stuck in a bunch of mushrooms and frags. It's worth a trip. Lots to do in the area.

I really like the Mystic Marinelife aquarium, thay have a couple nice reef tanks. Long drive though.

 

[blange3]

I haven't bee to the aquarium for years, but I liked it a lot. The inner harbor is great and Baltimore's Little Italy is within walking distance and has lots of great places to eat!

 

[MikeNapoli]

Thanks for all the tips guys. I'm going to take everything into consideration when I plan the trip.

I might go sometime in June. Waiting for a friend who had surgery recently to be up for it. But it's definitely going to happen.

 

[Hawkeye]

I haven't bee to the aquarium for years, but I liked it a lot. The inner harbor is great and Baltimore's Little Italy is within walking distance and has lots of great places to eat!

The harbor itself is nice - but I have to say that walking/driving around the area is not something I like to do. Driving two blocks the wrong direction puts you in some neighborhoods that even for me, the long-time nyc born/raised, puts me a little uneasy.

That stated, Baltimore's Aquarium is pretty good. Beats the NY one that's for sure. Not sure if I'd say it's better than the New England Aquarium - but of course, I haven't been there in like 12 years.

 

[blange3]

That stated, Baltimore's Aquarium is pretty good. Beats the NY one that's for sure. Not sure if I'd say it's better than the New England Aquarium - but of course, I haven't been there in like 12 years.

It's been at least 12 years for me as well but I think I'd give New England the edge. I also liked Mystic.

How about an aquarium road tour! We can start at New England and head south to Mystic, Riverhead, Coney Island, Adventure, Baltimore and wind up in Atlanta. Rent a bus, get motel 6 to leave the light on and take a week to do it!

 

[katlongo]

You should also look into the behind the scenes tours. If I recall they were very reasonably priced and we had a blast looking at the holding tanks, watching them feed the fish, etc.

 

[DaveK]

Here are my thoughts on visiting the Baltimore Aquarium.

The good - It's really well done, especially areas like the rain forest. It's at a very senic location in Baltimore, and close other things to see and do. It's well worth the trip.

The bad - Parking is expensive. It only takes a few hours to do, so plan something else to see while there. You'll likely eat at least one meal in the area. That's not too bad on price, but it's going to be more than a typical fast food run.

Other aquariums mentioned above -

Boston - Also good, but IMHO almost a copy of Baltimore, or Baltimore is a copy of Boston, depending on your point of view. Boston is a real pain to drive through, and it's easy to get lost. Parking is out of sight expensive.

Mystic - IMHO, save your money. This formally was a great, if small aquarium. Then they went out and hired I. M. Pei, a famous architect, to re design the place for them. On the outside it looks fantastic, but inside, the traffic flow for people is terrible, and many of the exhibit tanks as set as small child heights, and difficult to view. Entry fees are very high.

One of my favourites -

Woods Hole - This small public aquarium is on Cape Cod, in the town of Wood Hole. No real reef aquariums, but lots of interesting fish. Best of all, admission is free. You do need to show a photo id, since it's considered a government facility. Well worth seeing if your in the area.

 

[bconn]

Baltimore aquarium is nice. After watching the fish if you like to eat seafood there is a place in the Lexington Market a few blocks away called Faidley's Seafood. Best $17. crabcake lunch you ever have.

Shedd aquarium is probably the best we have been to. I ranks with Atlanta.