Overview
National Aquarium school field trips are your students' passport to a world of aquatic wonder! Spending a day with us provides an up-close look at the animals, habitats and careers that make science exciting, while bringing conservation education and STEAM concepts from your curriculum to life.
Planning Your Visit
Tour the National Aquarium with your students and chaperones on weekdays from early September through the end of the Baltimore City school year in mid to late June.
Reservations with $75 deposit are required for all school groups.
If you require assistance while booking your next field trip, our central reservations specialists are available to help you at 410-576-3833, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm, or at reserve@aqua.org.
Helpful Scheduling Tips:
- Work from your school's calendar to select visitation dates that allow enough time to meet deposit and final payment deadlines.
- Select several possible dates and be flexible with your entry time. Tickets sell out quickly for admission from 10 to 11:30 am, so consider visiting after lunch when crowds may be lighter.
- Avoid the crowds and schedule your class visit during our off-peak times: September, December (prior to Christmas), afternoons in October through March, and Mondays October through May.
Deposits & Cancellations:
- A deposit of $75 for field trips and all applicable fees for selected education programs are due 21 days prior to the date of your visit. Deposit requirements for Maryland groups with free admission may vary. Purchase orders and vouchers are not accepted in lieu of payment.
- You must cancel your reservation 21 or more days prior to your scheduled visit to receive a full refund of payments and deposits. If you cancel your reservation fewer than 21 days in advance or fail to arrive at your scheduled entry time, you forfeit your deposit and all program fees.
- In the event of a cancellation, Maryland school groups receiving free admission will be assessed a $75 cancellation fee.
Rates and Dates
Maryland students in grades pre-K through 12 can visit the National Aquarium at no cost from September 1 through February 28 with completed teacher orientation, thanks to support from the Maryland State Department of Education.
Out-of-state field trip groups and Maryland groups visiting in March or later are subject to the following rates.
Field Trip Group Rates
| Group | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten through Grade 12, September through February | FREE | $27.95 |
| Kindergarten through Grade 12, March through June | $27.95 | $27.95 |
Field trip group rates are available for classes of 15 or more students ages 5 and over. Group size limits may vary according to availability; larger groups may be split and assigned multiple reservations and entry times.
Chaperones
Chaperones play an important role in in making sure that your day at the Aquarium is safe and successful. While you may bring as many chaperones as you'd like, you must bring the required number of chaperones and you must pay for each chaperone beyond the ratio outlined for your group. Please plan for an appropriate number of class chaperones for your trip using the following guidelines, and keep in mind that teachers count as chaperones.
| Grade Level | Free Chaperones (Required) | Free Chaperones (Permitted) | Additional Chaperones, Main Building |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grades K – 12 | 1 adult per 10 students | 1 adult per 5 students | $34.95 |
| Special Education | 1 adult per 10 students | 1 adult per each student | $34.95 |
Lunch at the Aquarium
For the safety of our animals and guests, no outside food or drink are permitted in the National Aquarium, but we are happy to offer an array of in-building dining options, including box lunches or food and beverage vouchers for groups of 10 or more guests, plus quick-serve dining in Pier 3 Cafe on Pier 3 near the Main Entrance and Pier 4 Canteen on Pier 4 near Jellies: Invasion.
Education Programs
Get the most from your class's field trip experience through scientific investigation, hands-on discovery, structured lab activities, presentations and live animal encounters by selecting from the Aquarium's diverse array of engaging education programs presented by Aquarium experts. Curriculum-relevant, age-appropriate programs are available for students in pre-K through grade 12. All Aquarium education programs support Next Generation Science Standards, and teacher resources featuring pre-trip classroom activities and post-trip reflection activities are available.
While most education programs are provided at an affordable per-student fee, program fees are waived for the first 2,000 Maryland students from Baltimore City Public Schools or Title 1 Schools to make a reservation. Fees associated with specific programs and program availability are subject to change.
Add-Ons Education Programs
Make the most of your time at the National Aquarium with engaging, age-appropriate programs coordinated to Next Generation Science Standards.
Teacher Orientation
Prepare for your class's National Aquarium field trip by attending a free teacher orientation prior to your visit. Sixty-minute teacher orientations cover everything you'll need to know to make your visit a success, including insight into our animals, exhibits and amenities, as well as chaperone tips, a review of your individual trip reservation, free curriculum materials, and pre- and post-visit activities and ideas.
Maryland teachers, please begin your registration process by completing the appropriate teacher orientation workshop. Teacher orientation is available to all educators planning an Aquarium field trip, but is mandatory for:
- Teachers accompanying a school group from Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery or Prince George's Counties, or Baltimore City.
- Any instructors receiving free or reduced admission and visiting between September 1, 2023 and February 29, 2024.
Educators may complete an online teacher orientation any time or sign up for an in-person orientation session during the registration process.
Stay Updated
Please subscribe to our Education Newsletter for updates on scheduled teacher orientations as they become available.
Teacher Resources
Please make use of the following resources and materials in planning your trip, communicating about your trip with you students’ guardians and making the most of your time at the Aquarium.