We're the same National Aquarium you know and love, with the following essential changes to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all:
Before Your Visit
Ticketing & Timed Entry
The National Aquarium offers admission through a timed entry system based on ticket availability. To help ensure this process runs smoothly, we are asking guests to reserve their timed entries in advance. Members are not required to make a reservation.
Click one of the following buttons to reserve:
At-Home Health Checks
We ask that guests monitor their health and not visit the Aquarium if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms and/or have a temperature above 100.4 F.
Face Coverings
In response to COVID-19, the National Aquarium requires that everyone over the age of two (2) years old wear a face covering at all times while inside the Aquarium.
Exception: children ages two (2) to five (5) where the wearing of a face covering is not feasible.
Face coverings must cover the nose and mouth, be secured with ties or ear loops and fit snugly against the face. Acceptable examples include surgical masks and cloth face masks (either purchased or handmade).
A supply of complimentary surgical masks are on hand for those who arrive without a proper face covering.
Guests who fail to comply with these safety measures will be promptly removed from the Aquarium.
Staff and Volunteer COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
The National Aquarium will require that all staff and volunteers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of October 1, 2021. Religious and medical exceptions will be made on an individual basis, and anyone not vaccinated will be required to submit weekly negative COVID test results.
Stroller Policy
For the comfort and safety of all guests, the Aquarium cannot accommodate strollers. We offer a stroller check area where you are able to self-park your stroller.
Staff & Cleaning Protocols
In addition to guest protocols, extra precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of all staff and volunteers. Staff are required to monitor their health and not report to work if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms and/or have a temperature above 100.4 F.
High-traffic areas are frequently cleaned throughout the day to help safeguard against contamination.
We have taken enhanced health and safety measures to protect our employees and our guests from communicable diseases, including COVID-19, based on governmental recommendations. You must follow these safety measures during your visit to the Aquarium. Guests who fail to comply with our safety procedures will be promptly removed from our property.
An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in every public place where people are present. COVID-19 is a contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are particularly vulnerable.
By visiting the National Aquarium, you voluntarily assume all risks of exposure to COVID-19.
Help keep yourself and others healthy and safe by practicing safe behaviors.
In consideration of being permitted to enter and to utilize the facilities, services and programs of the Aquarium, Ticketholder voluntarily agrees (1) to assume all risks and to accept sole responsibility for any injury to himself/herself, for any loss or damage, and (2) to release the Aquarium and its employees for any claim or demands on account of any loss or injury, whether caused by the negligence of the Aquarium or its employees, while Ticketholder is in, upon, or about the Aquarium's premises or any facilities or equipment therein or participating in any program affiliated with the Aquarium. Ticketholder further agrees to hold harmless the Aquarium and its employees from any claims based on any actions, omissions, or negligence of the Aquarium in connection with Ticketholder's activities as described, including any claims relating to any communicable diseases, including COVID-19, as to which risks the Ticketholder acknowledges and voluntarily assumes.