National Aquarium in Baltimore...any discounts?

[ranthony]

TIA

 

[goobsmom]

We went there last Saturday with a military discount of about 3.50 off each ticket. It was verrrry crowded, so go early if you're going on a weekend. Their coatcheck was full when we got there at 11:30. We only found out it was full after DH bought tokens to check the coats and waited in line. He had to argue to get the $ back, and then our family of five had to carry our huge winter jackets around the whole aquarium.

 

[LadyyRedd]

I'd recommend buying your tickets online ahead of time because it IS possible to get there and have there be a VERY long wait to get in or sold out of tickets (there are timed entrances).

Kimya

 

[kjgy]

I am pretty sure they give a discount with AAA card.

Kim

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Fridays after 5pm admission is $8.00 until mid-March.

 

[MDTerrapin]

If you are going to in the Baltimore area I would go to the Maryland Science
Center and see the Body World Exhibit VS the aquarium.


Karen

 

[DIZBOUND]

We always stay at the Renassiance Harborplace hotel. It is wonderful. They offer an aquarium pkg. It includes 2 adult tickets to the aquarium per night, free parking, access to the mall 24 hours (5 flights of escalators, kids love that!), and breakfast for 2 each morning (kids under 10 eat free). The rate is usually like 189.00 per night. Highly recommend it. I would also visit the Science Center.

 

[Selket]

I'm not good at recommending least crowded days but I would guess the weekends are the most crowded. We always try to get there early.

Also note that if you have little kids they do *not* let you take a stroller through (at least last time we were there 2 years ago). I think they might rent carrier backpack type things. Anyway if you have little ones you might want to look into that. They have a "stroller" check with the coat check.

 

[just2girls1]

I know they do advertise the Friday discount. Not sure how crowded it is then. I would not go near the place on the weekend! Also holidays are a nightmare. We have memberships for the family and only go when our schools are out and others in the area are in session. It is a wonderful place to visit, just not alot of fun if it is crowded.

 

[katiedid0801]

We were just there last Friday evening and I didn't think it was crowded at all!

 

[paysensmom]

We are going Saturday! Any other tips or advice for us? Going with hubby and our 3 and 6 year old.
Thanks!!

 

[dpratt68]

We went last august and it was sold out for that day so we bought our tickets for the next day and went at opening. It was still crowded and people were very pushy.

 

[grlpwrd]

I am pretty sure they give a discount with AAA card.

Kim

Actually, I asked twice.

No, AAA discount.

We bought a family membership because my husband lives and works in Baltimore. I like the fact they have agreements with other facilities and members get an "express" line to get in. We got an advanced purchase discount - you save a little if you buy a membership ahead of time.

We went there last Saturday with a military discount of about 3.50 off each ticket. It was verrrry crowded, so go early if you're going on a weekend. Their coatcheck was full when we got there at 11:30. We only found out it was full after DH bought tokens to check the coats and waited in line. He had to argue to get the $ back, and then our family of five had to carry our huge winter jackets around the whole aquarium.

There are lockers near the coat check area, right? Were they also all taken at the time you went? We carried our coats, too, the last time we went and it was a drag. ugh

Oh, I have heard that at Maryland rest areas they have booklets that have a coupon for the aquarium. I have never encountered one, though.

GL! It is a beautiful place.

 

[ranthony]

Also note that if you have little kids they do *not* let you take a stroller through (at least last time we were there 2 years ago). I think they might rent carrier backpack type things. Anyway if you have little ones you might want to look into that. They have a "stroller" check with the coat check.

Well, I may have to rethink this one. We have a 6yo and twin 2 yos--so we're outnumbered. I was hoping to have the stroller for a bit of "containment" ,kwim?

Also, we'd be there on the weekend. I wonder which day is better...Sat vs. Sun.? I expect there's really no way for us to get around the crowd issue other than getting up early.

Thanks for the recc. on the hotel...I'll look into that.

 

[grlpwrd]

Well, I may have to rethink this one. We have a 6yo and twin 2 yos--so we're outnumbered. I was hoping to have the stroller for a bit of "containment" ,kwim?

Also, we'd be there on the weekend. I wonder which day is better...Sat vs. Sun.? I expect there's really no way for us to get around the crowd issue other than getting up early.

Thanks for the recc. on the hotel...I'll look into that.

That's true. No strollers allowed. There are "people movers" which are basically flat escalators.

I have a 2.5 yo and she wore a harness. She resisted, though. ugh lol... It wasn't that bad, really, because the exhibits are captivating. Except it was crazy when I had to take her with me into the shops. She wanted to pick things off the shelves.

 

[maedelken]

We went last friday too but remember schools were out for snow or ice. So I imagine that a lot of people didn't want to venture out. Plus there were no school groups there because school was closed. The crowds were really low it was one of the best trips we had to the aquarium. Good luck if it is crowded it is not as fun. We try to go during the week during the day. Also pay the extra money for the 4D movie. Its cool same concept as Bugs life at Disney(they splash water on you, bubbles, and things go on with your seat). My three year old was a little scared though. They have a frog exhibit that is really cool too.

 

[paysensmom]

Just a little push to the first page. Any other tips or advice?