Discovering Baltimore on a Budget: A Student's Guide to Discounts and Deals

Baltimore, a city brimming with culture and attractions, is home to a large student population thanks to its 13 higher education institutions. Balancing studies with exploration can be a challenge, especially when on a tight budget. Fortunately, Charm City offers numerous opportunities for students to enjoy its many attractions without breaking the bank. Here's how to make the most of your student status and explore Baltimore affordably.

Arts and Culture

Immerse Yourself in Visionary Art

The American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) showcases the unique works of visionary thinkers. Students can explore the mysteries of life and beyond at a discounted ticket price. This quirky and inspiring museum offers a refreshing break from academic life.

Delve Into the Macabre

Visit the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum to learn about the life, legacy, and works of the famous writer. Students can take a self-guided tour, view artifacts, and learn about Poe's life and death in Baltimore for a discounted price.

Experience the BSO

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) hosts "College Nights" throughout the year, offering $10 tickets to students. These events include a BSO concert and an exclusive after-party with free pizza, discounted beers, and the chance to meet the musicians.

Catch a Classic Movie

The Senator Theater, a historic icon near Loyola University Maryland, Towson University, and Goucher College, offers discounted tickets any day of the week. It's a great way to relax and step back in time.

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Sports and Recreation

Cheer on the Orioles

Oriole Park at Camden Yards offers students discounted tickets on Friday nights during the baseball season. For a low price, students can enjoy the game in the lively student section.

Support the Ravens

M&T Bank Stadium, home to the Baltimore Ravens, provides student tickets at a discounted rate during the regular season.

Sweat It Out with Classpass

For students seeking variety in their fitness routine, Classpass offers access to numerous gyms and workout studios, including local spots like CorePower Yoga, Reflex Fitness, REV Cycle Studio, and Pilates House. Students can enjoy a free trial and choose from various membership options.

Food and Drink

Embark on a Brewery Tour

The Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe offers free, guided tours of its brewing space. University of Maryland students and alumni can enjoy a discount on food, beverages, and merchandise on Tuesdays in February.

Order In with Grubhub

Grubhub's online food delivery service offers a wide array of cuisines in Baltimore, including Thai, Mexican, American, Indian, Mediterranean, Japanese, and French.

Grab a Beer on a Budget

iBar, a Johns Hopkins University favorite, offers beer specials on Saturday nights. Students with a valid college ID can enjoy discounted beers.

Save on Pregame Essentials

Wells Discount Liquors provides a student discount every Thursday with a valid student ID.

Transportation

Zipcar

Zipcar offers students a convenient and affordable way to get around without owning a car. Many universities in Baltimore have designated Zipcar spots on campus and throughout the city. Baltimore’s student plan is only a fraction of the regular membership cost.

Greyhound Bus

Greyhound offers affordable transportation for students traveling home for the holidays, with stations in Station North and Pigtown. Students can receive discounts on travel and shipping with a student advantage discount card.

The National Aquarium: A Must-See Attraction

Discover Aquatic Wonders

The National Aquarium in the Inner Harbor is a staple tourist attraction that all local students should visit at least once. With about 20,000 animals, including birds, sharks, frogs, and turtles, the aquarium offers tons of spectacles. The aquarium highlights half-priced tickets for students.

Read also: Financial Aid at MICA

Affordable Access Programs

The National Aquarium is committed to ensuring access for the community and offers a variety of opportunities for locals and guests to visit for less.

Maryland Mornings

Maryland residents can visit the Aquarium before noon Monday through Friday year-round for a reduced price. Tickets for Maryland Mornings must be purchased on-site at the Aquarium with proof of residency.

Military Discounts

The National Aquarium offers special year-round, on-site ticket pricing for guests with active military ID or veteran ID. Active military personnel and their dependents who are eligible for adult admission can receive this pricing by presenting their military ID in person at the box office.

Overnight Packages

The Aquarium offers special overnight packages with neighboring downtown hotels, allowing guests to make the most of their time at the Aquarium and in Baltimore.

Parking Options

The National Aquarium has multiple official parking partners nearby that offer discounted parking rates for members and guests:

Harbor Park Garage
LAZ Inner Harbor Garage
Parkway Lockwood Place Garage

Aquarium guests can park at any of the partner garages for a flat rate for up to 24 hours. Guests can either validate their parking ticket inside the Aquarium during their visit or reserve a spot online to receive the discount. National Aquarium members enjoy an even better value with a lower flat-rate parking at all partner garages.

Public Transportation

The National Aquarium is easily accessible by public transportation.

Amtrak: Penn Station is located near the Aquarium.
Charm City Circulator: This fast, free, and eco-friendly option is available.

Amenities

Strollers: Strollers are not permitted on the exhibit route.
Map: Download the Aquarium map to help navigate the exhibits and locate restrooms, water fountains, and dining options.
Food: Outside food and drink are not allowed inside the Aquarium, but picnic tables and benches are available just outside the building.

Dining Options

The National Aquarium offers a variety of fresh food options produced and served with eco-friendly methods:

Cafe: The Aquarium's largest cafe is located on the ground floor of Pier 3 near the Main Entrance and is open daily.
Pier 4 Canteen: Located on the ground floor of Pier 4, this canteen is convenient to Dolphin Discovery and Jellies Invasion and is open daily.
Harbor View Room: Located on level 4 of Pier 3 and is open select days.

Community Engagement

The National Aquarium's connection to Baltimore, to Maryland and to the entire Chesapeake region is not simply a matter of location-these are our communities. The mission to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet is deeply rooted in Baltimore. Baltimore, this is YOUR Aquarium! The Aquarium encourages everyone to take advantage of the range of programs and events available to the surrounding communities.

Free Fall Friday Night

Guests can explore the wonders of the aquatic world with free Aquarium admission to celebrate National Arts and Humanities month.

Downtown Discovery Days

Each year, Downtown Discovery Days give Maryland guests a special opportunity to explore the wonders of the aquatic world with reduced Aquarium admission. Downtown Discovery Days are part of the Downtown Partnership's initiative designed to provide affordable access to several of Baltimore's cultural and arts institutions.

Read to Reef

Free Aquarium admission is available to young readers and their families each spring and fall through participation in the book club! Baltimore-area children in fifth grade and younger with a valid Enoch Pratt Free Library card may receive a Read to Reef bookmark and record the five aquatic- or conservation-themed books they have read that are appropriate for their age levels.

Voyages Event Series

The Aquarium invites artists into the walls to reimagine the Aquarium experience into a one-of-a-kind immersive event. For each event-or "chapter"-in the Voyages event series, an artist spends time with the exhibits and expert staff, performing research on a conservation theme as they connect with scientists in the field to learn about their work.

Nonprofit Support

As a nonprofit organization, the National Aquarium is driven by the mission to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for the ocean planet. The Aquarium will consider ticket donation requests from other organizations serving Maryland communities. The Aquarium's Community Connections program will consider requests from Maryland-based nonprofits.

School Visits

Thanks in part to Maryland State Department of Education grant funding, the National Aquarium is able to serve schoolchildren annually. The Aquarium offers free visits for all Maryland school groups, in addition to a variety of other free or discounted school programs.

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