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National Aquarium

14th and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington DC, DC 20230 (Upper Northwest)
202 482 2826
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Ranked #183 of 228 attractions in Washington DC
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Type: Aquariums
Owner description: Experience the nation’s first aquarium! This inspiring 45-minute tour of America’s Aquatic Treasures™ features more than 1,500 animals found in our... more » Owner description: Experience the nation’s first aquarium! This inspiring 45-minute tour of America’s Aquatic Treasures™ features more than 1,500 animals found in our nation’s protected marine sanctuaries and national parks,including alligators, sharks and turtles. Located in the historic Commerce Building, just steps from the National Mall and one block from the Washington Monument, the National Aquarium is easily accessible from I-395 or by public transit. The mission of the National Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the world's aquatic treasures. « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children, Activities for young children
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264 reviews from our community

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    56
    85
    84
Date Rating
Pensacola, Florida
Top Contributor
133 reviews 133 reviews
42 attraction reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 2013 NEW

It's basically under a building in a basement and extremely tiny. It is still educational and entertaining but there should not be a fee (regardless of how small) for such a small place. Spend your time elsewhere with the Mall.

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See 9 more reviews by Chris A for Washington DC
Midland, Texas
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2013

There are aquariums in many cities around the country that far outshine this one. It is small and very limited in size and scope. Visit the endless other attractions in Washington that aren't found in other cities.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 5 more reviews by Char41 for Washington DC
Fairfax, Virginia
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 April 2013

I love fish and all things that live under the sea; it's like another world - which it is - with it's own homes, gardens, friends and predators. Beauty and the Beasts all in one!

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See 9 more reviews by Candy C for Washington DC
Rochester, Minnesota
Top Contributor
58 reviews 58 reviews
11 attraction reviews
Reviews in 23 cities Reviews in 23 cities
36 helpful votes 36 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 April 2013

If the aquarium were free it would be okay. For the admission fee charged I expected a bit more. It was quite small and not worth the price of admission.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 8 more reviews by Vicki000 for Washington DC
Emma C, Manager at National Aquarium, responded to this review
29 April 2013

Thanks for sharing your feedback about your trip to National Aquarium, Washington, DC. We're very sorry to hear that you didn't feel that you received a good value for the price of admission. In DC, where we are fortunate to call so many neighboring free attractions, we understand it can be surprising to see an admission fee. We’re sorry that... More

New York City, New York
Senior Contributor
37 reviews 37 reviews
10 attraction reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 April 2013

Before our visit we had read the other reviews, thanks Tripadvisor! so we knew it was going to be a small museum in the basement. I'm pleased to say that we enjoyed the hour we spent looking at the tanks which are nicely displayed in accordance with different oceans/rivers of America. My husband is an avid scuba diver so he... More

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See 2 more reviews by Dosaprincess for Washington DC
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 April 2013

My family visited this aquarium on April 22. They were very disappointed! The website promises several exhibits and experiences that do not exist. The aquarium is one darkly lit room with a few fish. They spent about 30 minutes in there. The worst experience of the week and the only one they paid money for! By using the title "National"... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Emma C, Manager at National Aquarium, responded to this review
25 April 2013

Thank you for your feedback on your recent visit. Please allow me to apologize for your family's disappointment. Our team is very sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy your visit and even sorrier to hear that you felt misled. This is never our aim, and we want to explore how your expectations were not met and hopefully correct any... More

Bridgewater, New Jersey
Top Contributor
84 reviews 84 reviews
17 attraction reviews
Reviews in 43 cities Reviews in 43 cities
38 helpful votes 38 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2013

I finally had an opportunity to visit the "National" aquarium this month. What a poor excuse for an aquarium. The aquarium in Baltimore is more in line with what our nation should have as a representative. The DC aquarium is dark, poorly laid out, and the variety of sea life is just miserable. The displays are outdated and the place... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 3 more reviews by David E for Washington DC
Emma C, Manager at National Aquarium, responded to this review
25 April 2013

We apologize that our venue did not meet your expectations. Thank you for your kind words about our Baltimore venue. We do agree it is a wonderful representative of National Aquarium. The experience at each of our two venues is very different, and we certainly do our best to express that to potential visitors. We're very sorry to hear that... More

Cerritos, California
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 April 2013

Me and my dad stopped at the aquarium during our trip to d.c. I was expecting a bigger aquarium. It was small, 2-4 rooms with fish from different parts of the U.S. they also had a shark feeding. I didn't think the price to get in was worth it. Try the Smithsonian's, they're free!

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Emma C, Manager at National Aquarium, responded to this review
15 April 2013

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience with us. We're sorry to hear that the visit did not meet your expectations. Here is some history about our venue that may help to put the size of the space into better perspective. Believe it or not, our DC venue is home to the nation's first public aquarium.... More

Plymouth, Michigan
Senior Contributor
32 reviews 32 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 April 2013

With a title like "National Aquarium," I expected much more than what we got. It is really quite small compared to other aquariums that we have been to over the years. I hope that the Aquarium will one day expand to live up to its lofty name... or change its name to be more congruent with its humble scale.

Was this review helpful? Yes 2
See 5 more reviews by MichiganMelissa04 for Washington DC
Bethany Beach, Delaware
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 April 2013

This aquarium is great for kids, and to get out of the weather while sightseeing in the downtown area. It is an older facility and does not compare to the major aquariums (Boston, Baltimore, etc.) due to its limited size. However, the fish and sea life are readily visiblel through the windows and kids will have a great time.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 10 more reviews by Cheryl2Go for Washington DC

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