Maybe you’ve been to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the big, beautiful homecoming queen of aquariums within driving distance. Maybe you’re a member and you and your family head over to the Inner Harbor on many a weekend to see the dolphin show, the spookily cool shark exhibit and all the wonderful aquatic animals that dwell inside. Maybe then you and your perfectly coiffed family head over to Little Italy for a fantastic meal with cloth napkins and then sing songs on the drive back to Silver Spring. If this is you then I am insanely jealous.

But if you are like me and my family, we only get to the Baltimore aquarium about once a year (always purchasing our tickets ahead of time to ensure that we can gain entry when we want amongst the big tour groups) and with two little kids it basically takes up the entire day, what with driving, finding every sea creature from Finding Nemo, the negotiations in the gift shop, etc.

For all those other times when you’d like the aquarium experience but don’t have the time or the cash to head all the way up 95, there are other options for Silver Spring families that are open almost every day of the year:

Amazonia at the National Zoo
This habitat at the National Zoo has a super aquatic exhibit and is lots of fun, a mini-zoo in itself within the larger park. There are loads of interactive items for the children, the ability to walk through a real rainforest and come eyeball to eyeball with the stingrays. Amazonia is a good place to hit if you only have an hour or two for a zoo visit. You can park by the Kids Farm and be in proximity to the pizza play area, food at the Mane, and the ability to make a fast getaway without getting dragged to see Tai Shan yet again. Oh, and the nicest public restrooms at the zoo are in the Amazonia building right by the behavior lab – essential if you are potty training or expecting. Free admission for all, free parking and snacks for FONZ members. Open daily.

The National Aquarium in Washington, DC
This is a relatively small aquarium in the basement of the Commerce building downtown and should take you about 30 minutes to walk through with the kids. This estimated time for the self-guided tour does not include getting your stroller and diaper bag through the security post at the entrance to the building. Right now the building is undergoing renovations and is a bit messy, but is still a nice field trip into the city. Admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 for kids 2-10 and under 2 yrs is free. Open daily.

Tropical Lagoon Aquarium on Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring
Have you been to this shop? It is awesome! We don’t have fish so I’d had no reason to enter its doors but have seen the sign on Georgia countless times. Today my son and I explored the place, oohed and ahhed over all the fresh and salt water fish and chatted with the guys behind the counter. These experts can set you up with starter aquariums with top-shelf equipment and supplies for a great price, as well as answer any questions. This was a lovely quick outing for us and a great change of pace from counting the floating goldfish at PetSmart. Visits are of course free, and if you buy your next little gilled guy there you’ll be supporting an independently-owned Silver Spring business. Open daily, see site for hours. As you can see, my kid gives the Tropical Lagoon two thumbs up.