Friday, March 28, 2008
Some people might think the coolest part of the behind-the-scenes shark tour at the National Aquarium in Baltimore is the catwalk. Just inches above the water of the "Open Ocean" exhibit, the catwalk lets visitors get as close to the sharks as they would probably ever want to be.
But as cool as the only-on-the-tour access to the catwalk is, the best part of the experience is the guide.
Consider Kerry Brady, who tells a recent group to notice the marks on the edges of the female stingrays in the "Wings in the Water" exhibit. Stingrays and sharks, she says, get a little -- ahem -- rough when they mate.
Smiles and snickers ensue.
Those are the moments that make the tour worthwhile. What I learned from Brady on a recent tour, which covers many places you can go with general admission, included:
¿ Sharks are older than dinosaurs.
¿ Sharks can smell one drop of tuna in an Olympic-size pool.
¿ Sharks can sense another fish in distress up to a mile away.
¿ Sharks are not big monsters that eat everything in sight. (I'll take your word for it on this one, Kerry, as long as I don't have to swim with the sharks to prove your point.)
The kitchen is another stop only on the tour. There the guide explains what the animals are fed and how. The space is like a lab/kitchen/aquarium and smells a bit, well, fishy. Notice the "recipes" on the wall.
The tour is open to age 8 and older. But at 90 minutes, it's better suited for older children. A recent tour included a honeymooning couple and a group of seven celebrating a birthday.
If you bring a camera, make sure it has a neck strap. Otherwise, you won't be permitted to take your camera on the catwalk.
Make sure to get a headset for the tour. It's loud in the aquarium, and the headsets make it a lot easier to hear the guide. Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes.
Definitely stay for the dolphin show after the shark tour at 3:30. It's included with the price of your ticket. The seats fill up fast, so sit down right after the shark tour.
-- Moira E. McLaughlin
When is it? Saturday and Sunday, and April 5, 12, 13 and 27 from 1:30 to 3. Call 410-576-3833 or visit http://www.aqua.org/immersiontours for tickets.
What's it Cost? The tour, which is limited to 10 people, is $39.95 for adults, $38.95 for 60 and older and $29.95 for ages 8 to 11. That also gives you access to the aquarium after the tour until 7 on Saturdays and Sundays. You must sign a waiver that is e-mailed to you; make sure to bring it with you. There is plenty of public parking around the aquarium that costs about $20.
Where is it?501 E. Pratt St., Baltimore. Walk to the right side of the building to the "Staff Only" entrance. Meet your guide through those doors at 1:15.
If you have more than three hours. Get away from the crowds (and the chain restaurants), and check out Baltimore's Little Italy. Outside the aquarium, go right on Pratt Street, then right on South President Street and left on Fawn Street. Standing at Fawn and South High streets, you have your pick of about 10 Italian restaurants.
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