Dollar Days

Timed-entry tickets for those days are sold in person at the ticket office only, and they sell out by mid-day; bargain hunters start lining up 6 a.m. There are no limits on the number of tickets you can purchase. The aquarium remains open until 5:30 p.m.

There are no dolphin shows on these days, but the dolphin tanks are open to the public and trainers will give demonstrations. See if you can spot Bayley, the aquarium's youngest dolphin, born in July 2008.

There is a $5 charge to see the 20-minute film showing in the 4D Immersion theater.

Avoid bringing strollers, which aren't allowed inside; you can check them and borrow a free backpack carrier for little ones. (It's definitely easiest to bring your own carrier.)

To save more, go to www.aqua.org/discounts.html for a coupon on parking in the Gay Street garage at the corner of Lombard and Gay streets. Visitors must take the coupon to the aquarium's information desk for a parking voucher to get $3 off.