If you are planning to visit the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, please consider the following tips:

• Buy your tickets in advance (follow the link to my web site in the resource box of this article for more contact information)

• If you buy your tickets on the day of your visit, buy tickets before touring the harbor.

• Visit the National Aquarium during off-peak hours. This would be as soon as the ticket center opens to avoid crowds and see early-morning animal behaviors late guests would never see. Late afternoon and evening is also a good time to visit the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland.

• There are escalators and people-movers inside the Aquarium, strollers cannot be used inside. You should consider leaving your stroller at home or in the trunk of your car. If you bring it inside the Aquarium, staff will store it for you and provide a backpack or front pack child-carrier.

• Consider the immersion tours. Expert guides can help you experience life at the Aquarium from an insider’s perspective.

• Consider staying at an official Aquarium hotel if your visit will require an overnight stay. You can save money on exclusive package deals with the Hyatt and other nearby hotels. Participating hotels are convenient to the Aquarium and other Inner Harbor attractions (follow the link to my web site in the resource box of this article for more details regarding hotels in the area of the National Aquarium who participate in the package deals).

• The Aquarium offers special services for special needs visitors (follow the web site link at the end of this article for more information)

• Bicycle parking racks are available next to the Staff Entrance on Pier 3 Pavilion and on the back of Pier 4 Pavilion.

• The National Aquarium offers free admission for one full year to members. You can purchase a membership at the Aquarium. Memberships help you bypass lines on the day of purchase. They offer other benefits as well with a membership that includes discounts at Aquarium shops and restaurants and for participation in special programs. You also receive a subscription to Watermarks, the Aquarium’s quarterly magazine with a year membership.

• Consider avoiding Good Friday and throughout Easter Weekend, Saturday of Memorial day Weekend, Labor Day Weekend, Day after Thanksgiving, Dollar Days, Saturdays in June, July and August if you want to avoid the crowds and long lines.

Gift Shop

The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland features three gift shops. Take a gift home with you anything from tee shirts to educational materials to toys and jewelry. Major credit cards are accepted. The Aquarium is well staffed and prepared to help visitors in any way they can. The Aquarium has expanded its gift shop area, which includes a new gift shop with more than 5,000 square feet in retail space.

Dolphin Shop

The Dolphin Shop is located on the first level of the Marine Mammal Pavilion. This is just outside the main entrance to the marine mammal amphitheater. The hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday (year of 2007).