Did the new Australian Exhibit Open at the Baltimore Aquarium?

[hentob]

Just wondering if the new Australian Pavilion opened at the Baltimore Aquarium and if so, did anyone get to see it yet?

Your thoughts?

Going down next week and excited to see it!

 

[tmt martins]

Yes it's open my neighbor from my childhood is the curator .

Bird did his business on the Mayor the other night so wear a hat.

I haven't been yet but will also be going live about 10min. but heard it's hot like 85 .Enjoy yourself we should be going in a week or 2

 

[hentob]

Thank you so much for your response! Will you give a report on this thread once you return from seeing it?

Anyone else?

 

[tmt martins]

Yes I will be going Friday morning.Might be across the street this week and will try to take some pics.

 

[tmt martins]

Well I went 1 Friday later Today.

My report WHAT WAS ALL THE HYPE about I think this was the biggest waste of space there could be.

New Members entrance was nice ,but the whole attaction was just 1 walkway in circle with some tanks.Yea I know the birds flying overhead and alizard sitting out in the open was nice but WOW what a disapointment.

I like the Aqarium and I live across and go to the Maryland Zoo alot But if I would have had to pay to see this (DW gets passes at work) I would have been peeohed for sure.

 

[PlutoPony]

Thanks for the review! We almost went up to see it today, but didn't get away early enough to make it back before rush hour so bagged it....thank goodness!
Slightly hi-jacking here, how's the Maryland Science Museum for a 5th grader? That's one of the few places we haven't been around Baltimore.

 

[tmt martins]

Haven't been in a couple years but they have a dinosuer area that very nice and they are always adding new areas.

 

[hentob]

Well, we went to see the Australia Exhibit this week. I have to agree with the others. I was not very impressed. The Member's Entrance is a waste, since it is not very big and it winds outside. FAR outside. It was so backed up. Non Members were admitted faster. Also, the exhibit is very narrow and, well, while the scenery is beautiful, the attractions are quite boring. I saw one lizard. I thought they would focus on some other animals from the region. Of course they had fish, but really, not much different from the other aquatic creatures in the main aquarium.


Our highlight of our trip was the Maryland Science Center. Someone asked about it in this thread and I will say, we needed a full day to do everything. Our children LOVED it!! They currently have a circus exhibit and the kids got to walk a tightrope (with a harness of course). It was fabulous. It wasn't a large exhibit, but the children had so much fun dressing up like clowns and guessing which animals belonged to what poop (Um, yes, you read that right! ). It was so much fun.

We did all the ships, the lighthouse and the submarine. Nice employees on all!

We saw Santa Vs. The Snowman on IMAX--Beyond cute!!!

We stayed at the Hyatt (the mirrored hotel that overlooks the harbor) and got bumped to their Regency Club Level! We got connecting rooms, one for DH and I and one for the kids and we only paid $70 per room via Priceline! When we were bumped at check in, they told us that the lounge was closed for rehab, but they gave us vouchers for free drinks and appetizers at the Bistro 300 restaurant and bar located on the third floor. We were pleasantly surprised to say the least.

Also, although they are chain restaurants, our two favorite meals came from Legal Seafood and McCormick & Schmidt. Both were very accommodating to children and both had fabulous specials. We did the obligatory rounds to Hard Rock and ESPN, and the meals were just so-so, but the kids loved the atmosphere, so that made it worthwhile. Edo Sushi (in the Light Street Pavilion, I think) was just ok, but the service was wonderful. The breakfast buffet at the hotel was very nice, but the service was poor.

We go to Baltimore once a year and this was probably our best trip yet. The kids are getting older (6,6,7) and easier to travel with. They seemed to appreciate the tours more and, again, the Maryland Science Center was a big hit!

Sorry this post is so long, but I hope it helps others that may want to visit Baltimore.