Very nice photo! Shedd, Georgia and Monterey Bay are often hailed by some people (including myself) as arguably the three best aquariums in North America. I've never seen Baltimore's, but I've been told by experienced ZooChatters that it is a candidate for the #4 position.
The original Pier 3 Pavilion is very similar to the New England Aquarium stylistically, but is superior. I believe they were built in the same era, with Baltimore taking its cue from New England a few years later.
Very cool picture. So where was the orgininally entrance to the aquarium ?
No, the Baltimore Aquariums isn't a candidate for the # 4 position, its is Number 1 ! An Aquarium dosn't need a 6,3 Million gallon tank or whale sharks to be the best aquarium in the states. But its is a personal question, so I think, snowleopard means, it is just a candiate for the Number 4 position of his own and personel ranking list.
You are absolutely correct Zebraduiker, and Baltimore may be #1 in the opinion of many. Judging from photos and reviews I'd say it appears to be quite spectacular, and I've also heard great things about Tennessee Aquarium. I've been to Shedd, Georgia and Monterey Bay, but one day I'm really going to have to drive across the continent and see the National Aquarium in Baltimore and Tennessee.
The original entrance of the aquarium was an escalator were the new Glass Pavilion (the all glass building) is now. The seal pool was also removed during the expansion. It used to be were the smaller glass pyramid now is (next to the Glass Pavilion).
I like this better than Shedd, but can't speak to Georgia or Monterey Bay. NAIB Volunteer, are there any future plans you know of? Do they have the ability to expand anywhere?
Sorry mweb08 for not responding to your post (or did I and I can't remember) anyway, their are no future plans to expand the National Aquarium in Baltimore. As to where they may expand, i'm not entirely sure. My guess would be expanding the Pier 4 pavilion that houses the dolphins. Another idea would expand farther out on Pier 3, but I enjoy the entrance and waterfront park as it is, and don't think that would be a good idea. If I was in charge and did not really have a budget to worry about, I would expand into the water between Pier 3 and Pier 4. (I thought of naming it Pier 3 1/2).
