National Aquarium Celebrates Their 35th Anniversary

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—It's one of the most popular tourist attractions in Baltimore and in Maryland and today it's marking 35 years in Charm City.

From the sharks to the rays, visitors have been enchanted with Baltimore's National Aquarium since it opened on this day in 1981.

"I like it because they always have different things when I come and like how there's always a good story to every exhibit," said 10-year-old Ellie Goldstein, who traveled from Connecticut.

It's often called the gem of the Inner Harbor.

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"Its' a beacon of hope, happiness, learning and education," said Kate Rowe, who handles media relations for the National Aquarium.

Mayor William Donald Schaefer made an unforgettable splash and WJZ's Mary Bubala dove into the black tipped reef to meet Calypso, the giant sea turtle.

"Calypso is one of our staff's and guests favorites, she's our giant sea turtle and is kind of the queen of the reef," said Rowe. "She's actually a rescue animal, an amazing animal to see and she's an incredible story to tell."

Rowe says they welcomed 8,400 people when they opened on August 8, 1981. Now, they are welcoming about 1.3 million visitors a year.

"I've been here so many times," said Donna White, who lives in Pikesville. "I have nine grandchildren and they all love it here. Every time they're in town from Connecticut we come here, it's their favorite activity."

It's estimated the National Aquarium has an annual economic impact of about 314-million-dollars.