Adventures and Places

Friday, May 16, 2025

The National Aquarium in Baltimore: A Deep Dive into Wonder

If you’re anywhere near Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, where sailboats bob and seagulls circle the skyline, there’s a building shaped like a shimmering glass ship. With its striking glass pyramid and wave-like architecture, rises like a beacon for the curious. Inside? A world of sea dragons, sharks, jellyfish, and rainforest birds just waiting to surprise you. You’re not just visiting an aquarium, you’re crossing into a completely different world.

The National Aquarium in Baltimore isn’t just a place to see fish. It’s a place to feel the pull of the ocean, to wander through rainforests, and to lock eyes with creatures that look like they come from another planet.

We visited on a rainy day, expecting a few hours of entertainment. We left wide-eyed, saltwater-splashed (metaphorically), and completely hooked.

First Impressions: Modern, Immersive, and Beautifully Designed

The architecture alone is striking—angled glass walls, mirrored surfaces, and walkways that make you feel like you’re entering something futuristic. And once you’re inside, it’s not a typical loop-and-done aquarium. This one flows upward, through ramps and spirals, drawing you deeper with every turn.

The tanks are massive, the lighting is cinematic, and the atmosphere feels more like a science fiction adventure than a school field trip.

A Journey Through Water and Time

This isn’t just tanks and plaques. The National Aquarium is built like a story—every exhibit takes you on a journey through different aquatic environments, from the depths of the Atlantic to the rivers of the Amazon. It’s immersive, engaging, and—dare we say—beautiful.

We started with the Atlantic Coral Reef, a 13-foot-deep tank swirling with bright tangs, rays, and sleek sharks. Stand at the glass long enough, and you’ll swear you’ve gone diving.

Then came Shark Alley, where you walk a spiral ramp around a dark tank filled with sand tiger sharks and nurse sharks gliding silently through the water like underwater ghosts. It's thrilling without being scary—and deeply fascinating.

Jellies, Rainforests, and a Surprise Encounter

One of the most mesmerizing exhibits is Jellies Invasion. Backlit tanks full of pulsing, glowing jellyfish make you feel like you’ve stepped into an alien galaxy. It's oddly calming—until you remember what happens if you actually touch one.

The aquarium isn’t limited to the ocean, either. One of the most unexpected and magical parts is the Amazon River Forest, a steamy, multi-story tropical ecosystem where monkeys swing in the canopy and colorful birds flit just overhead. You’ll hear frogs croaking and water trickling as you meander through the greenery. That’s right, the aquarium has a full rainforest habitat, complete with birds flitting between trees, sloths napping in the canopy, and even tiny golden frogs hiding in the undergrowth.

And if you’re lucky (like we were), you might catch a training session with a dolphin or a staff talk that lets you meet a rescue turtle or learn about sustainable fishing.

Animal Planet Australia: Unexpectedly Wild

Don't skip the Australia: Wild Extremes exhibit. This multi-level habitat captures the dry river gorges of Australia’s Northern Territory, with freshwater crocodiles, turtles, and bright lorikeets darting overhead.

There’s also the Australia: Wild Extremes exhibit, a dry and rocky desert habitat brought to life with freshwater crocodiles, kookaburras, and radiated tortoises. You don’t expect to meet a wallaby in Baltimore, but here, you do.

It feels more like an eco-adventure than an aquarium and it shows how deeply connected land and sea really are.

Family-Friendly and Wonder-Filled

From toddlers to grandparents, this is a place for all ages. There are touch pools, interactive digital displays, and plenty of quiet corners for sitting and just watching. The museum is stroller-friendly, and there are plenty of restrooms, a gift shop, and a café for mid-day refueling.

This isn't just an aquarium with pretty tanks. The National Aquarium is deeply committed to ocean conservation, and it shows. From sustainable seafood education to habitat restoration, every exhibit connects back to the bigger picture: our relationship with the planet.

There are entire sections focused on climate change, plastic pollution, and the impact of human choices on marine life, presented in a way that’s informative, not overwhelming.

And the best part? The Animal Care and Rescue Center, where you can sometimes get a peek behind the scenes at how sick or injured animals are treated and prepared for re-release into the wild.

Everything is designed to spark curiosity and respect for our oceans, without overwhelming guests with info or crowds. It’s thoughtful. Balanced. And easy to spend hours in without realizing it.

Don’t rush. You’ll want time to just stand and watch, whether it's jellyfish pulsing like living lava lamps or tiny poison dart frogs hiding among leaves.

Final Thoughts: Not Just an Aquarium, But an Experience

The National Aquarium in Baltimore isn’t just about seeing animals, it’s about seeing how everything is connected. How coral reefs, rainforests, and our own choices shape the health of the planet. It’s educational, yes, but also joyful, magical, and surprisingly moving.

Whether you’re in Baltimore for a day or a weekend, this is one stop you won’t regret. Just bring your curiosity and maybe a little extra memory space for all the photos you’re going to take.

If You Go:

Location: 501 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD (Inner Harbor)
Hours: Open daily; check website for seasonal times
Tickets: Book online in advance—weekends and holidays can sell out
Time Needed: At least 2–3 hours, but you could easily spend all day
Accessibility: Fully accessible and stroller-friendly
Extras: On-site café, gift shop, and nearby restaurants along the harbor

Thursday, December 26, 2024

Tulsa, Oklahoma at Christmastime: Light, Wonder, and Warmth in the Heartland

Tulsa doesn’t always top the list of classic Christmas getaways, but maybe it should. This charming Oklahoma city quietly pulls together everything you want for the holidays: twinkling lights, peaceful reflection, and just the right amount of family fun.

We spent a couple of Decembers here visiting family, and between the hush of Christmas Mass and the sparkle of a million Christmas bulbs, we found ourselves in that rare travel sweet spot, joyful, cozy, and just a little bit enchanted.

Christmas Mass at Holy Family Cathedral

On Christmas Day, we found ourselves walking in the early morning sunrise in downtown Tulsa, headed toward Holy Family Cathedral. The cathedral is stunning any time of year, but at Christmastime it feels especially magical. Gothic spires stretch into the winter sky, and the stained glass windows glimmer from the warmth inside.

Inside, the space is peaceful and reverent, dressed in garlands and candlelight. The Christmas Mass is deeply moving, full of music, tradition, and that quiet sense of awe that reminds you why we gather during the holidays in the first place.

Whether you’re Catholic or just looking for a beautiful Christmas service, it’s an experience that lingers.

Rhema Christmas Lights: Over-the-Top in the Best Way

From sacred to spectacular: just a short drive over to Broken Arrow, the Rhema Christmas Lights are something else entirely.

Every year, Rhema Bible Church transforms its campus into a massive light display, with over two million lights synchronized to music, dancing across trees, bridges, and buildings. It's joyful, it’s whimsical, and it absolutely delights both kids and grown-ups.

We strolled through the lighted pathways with hot cocoa in hand, stopping for photo ops under glowing tunnels and oversized ornaments. You can walk or dive through various parts of the campus to enjoy a litany of light displays. It's all free, although donations are welcomed, and trust us, it’s worth every twinkle.

The Oklahoma Aquarium: Indoors, Warm, and Wonder-Filled

The Oklahoma Aquarium in nearby Jenks is no small-town aquarium, it’s home to the largest bull shark exhibit in the Western Hemisphere, viewed through a walk-through tunnel that makes you feel like you’re scuba diving without ever getting wet.

From glowing jellyfish to touch tanks with stingrays, the exhibits are hands-on and kid-friendly, but with plenty to impress adults too. We loved watching sea turtles cruise through the water and listening to families squeal at the electric eels and octopus tank.

Tulsa Zoo: A Chill Winter Stroll

The Tulsa Zoo is open year-round, and while summer might be peak zoo season, we found that a chilly December day made for a relaxed and uncrowded visit. Tulsa’s winters are pretty mild from the perspective of us Northeasterners so we did take advantage of any outdoor activities when it may have felt a bit too chilly for the locals. The animals seem to be more active in the cool air, and the zoo has winter-themed displays and activities sprinkled throughout.

We wandered through the many indoor and outdoor exhibits like the Lost Kingdom and African Plains, sipping coffee and stopping to watch penguins waddle and snow leopards prowl. Plus, the train still runs, even in winter, adding a bit of extra charm for little ones.

A Christmas Getaway with Heart

Tulsa might not have the snowfall of Vermont or the big-city buzz of New York, but it has its own kind of Christmas magic. It’s a city where you can worship in a century-old cathedral, marvel at millions of lights, meet a bull shark, and walk with tigers, all in the same weekend.

And at the heart of it all? A community that knows how to celebrate with warmth, light, and a whole lot of heart.

If You Go:

Holy Family Cathedral: Check their website for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass schedules.
Rhema Lights: Open from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. Best viewed after sunset, weekdays are less crowded!
Oklahoma Aquarium: Open daily; indoors and great for rainy or cold days.
Tulsa Zoo: Bundle up! Some animal buildings are heated, and you’ll still get great views of active winter critters.

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Strasburg, PA: All Aboard for a Trip Through Time

Tucked into the rolling farmland of Lancaster County, surrounded by silos, pastures, and the gentle clip-clop of Amish buggies, Strasburg is a town that moves to a slower rhythm. And oddly enough, it's trains that steal the show here.

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania: History on Wheels

The star attraction in town is the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and whether you’re a die-hard railfan or just someone who remembers the sound of distant whistles from childhood, this place is worth every minute.

We walked into the massive indoor exhibit hall and were instantly transported. Over 100 historic locomotives and railcars, from sleek silver streamliners to soot-covered workhorses of the steam era, are lined up on real tracks like a living timeline of American transportation.

What struck us immediately was how interactive and up close everything is. You can walk right up to these steel giants, peek inside the cabs, and even climb into a few. There’s something about standing under the towering wheels of a 100-ton locomotive that makes you feel small in the best possible way.

A Walk Through American Industrial Glory

Each train tells a story. There’s the glamorous PRR GG1, a sleek electric engine that once powered high-speed trains between New York and Washington. There’s a mail car you can walk through, complete with sorting slots and canvas bags, and a caboose outfitted just as it would’ve been for the train crews who lived in them.

It’s not just about machines—it’s about the people who ran them, rode them, and depended on them. The museum does an incredible job honoring railroad workers, innovation, and everyday life across the eras.There are both indoor and outdoor displays of countless trains and cars.

There’s also a working model train room that mesmerizes kids and grown-ups alike, and an outdoor yard where even more cars are on display, some in pristine condition, others showing their age in the most beautiful, weathered way.

Just Across the Tracks: Strasburg Rail Road

As if that wasn’t enough train magic for one town, directly across the street from the museum is the Strasburg Rail Road—America’s oldest continuously operating railroad.

We hopped on a vintage steam train and rode through Amish country, past fields and grazing horses, in a railcar with open windows and wooden benches. There’s something kind of magical about the steady chug-chug of the engine and the way the smoke billows past the window. It’s a short ride, but it feels like time travel.

You can book special experiences too, cab rides, dinner trains, and even "Day Out With Thomas" events if you’re visiting with kids. We were in the back of the train, the lastest time we've taken this ride. At the turnaround point, the locomotive is moved to the back of the train and pushes all the cars and we got an up and personal look at the locomotive in action!

More Than Trains (But Still Mostly Trains)

Strasburg is small, but there’s charm everywhere you look. There are antique shops, ice cream parlors, and rolling farmland perfect for a casual bike ride or picnic. You’re also just a short drive from Lancaster, Bird-in-Hand, and other towns with Amish markets, homemade pretzels, and roadside farm stands selling root beer in Mason jars.

Even if you’re not a "train person" going in, it’s almost impossible not to become one while you're here.

Final Thoughts: The Town Where Trains Still Matter

Strasburg is a place where the past isn’t just remembered—it’s lived. Where locomotives aren’t just museum pieces, but honored like old friends. And where the click-clack of wheels on rails still echoes across the fields.

If you’re looking for a trip that’s off the beaten path but full of heart, history, and some seriously cool machinery, Strasburg is a stop worth making.