When visitors from out of town come to Baltimore, they always seem to want to see two things: Camden Yards and the National Aquarium. I leave them to their own devices for the baseball stadium, but am happy to oblige them with a visit to the Aquarium. Why is it that a bunch of fish are so appealing? I think it's that the designers and interpreters took such care in this building--the low lighting and lit tanks keep the atmosphere peaceful in spite of the crowds, while the flow of the crowds is perfectly controlled--you rarely have to struggle to get in front of a tank. The signs and displays are perfect--just long enough to give you a good amount of information and hold your interest without holding you up. You learn so much without even realizing it. The special exhibits are always top-notch, and the dolphin exhibit is just plain fun and amazing.
The ticket prices are high (between $11 and $18), but well worth it for an occasional indulgence. If you have a lot of out-of-town visitors, consider getting a membership to keep costs down.
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