National Aquarium

We've had absolutely no reason to go to Baltimore, MD for the entire two years we've lived here, even though it's only 1.5 hours away.  So, we finally decided to make a special trip just to see the National Aquarium last Friday.

It's not the world's greatest aquarium and, after being spoiled with the free museums in DC, I thought the $35 price tag was a bit high, but it was a really great place to take Alison, who has always loved a big tank full of fish.

The major attractions are the location (right on the Inner Harbor of Baltimore - Baltimore itself reminded me a lot of Milwaukee, but the Inner Harbor seems like it might be a fun place to hang out), the dolphin exhibit/show, a jellyfish area, an Australia exhibit (which reminded me more of an aviary with fish rather than an aquarium), and what Alison calls the "Daddy Shark" exhibit.  Instead of having a big, bright cage for the sharks with corals, other fish, turtles, etc, the "Daddy Shark" exhibit was at the very bottom of a long ramp.  It was dark and the big, circular cage had nothing except some ugly rocks and a bunch of large sharks.  It's almost like they were trying to scare you as you descended into the depths of the ocean.  I was surprised that this became Alison's favorite place.  I guess there's something about human nature that makes you simultaneously scared and reverent of large sharks.  I know now that's probably just part of our DNA.

Jellyfish Exhibit Decorations

Puppet Show in the Kid's Activity Area

Dolphin Show

Australia Exhibit

Alison got an umbrella as a souvenir and decided to use it even though it wasn't raining.

I'm glad we went, especially since at age three children go from being free to paying $22.  It was a fun girl's trip and probably the last time Alison and I will travel, just the two of us, for quite some time.