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5 out of 5 starsHelpful and knowledgeable staff. Great displays. Engaged kiddos.
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Glen Echo Park Aquarium (GEPA) is a Chesapeake Bay discovery center in Glen Echo, Maryland, founded in 2015 by marine-biology outreach company Under the Sea. Through live animal exhibits, touch tanks, a sand pit and a pirate ship structure, it teaches visitors about the Bay and its watershed. GEPA serves families and students through general admission, field trips, classroom outreach, birthday parties and seasonal camps.
About
A 2-hour aquarium birthday party including tours, activities, and more. Learn about the Chesapeake Bay with touch tanks, microscopes, artifact tables, a sea creature board, and a live-feeding demonstration. Ages 2+. Parties are offered at fixed times on weekends and by request on weekdays. Evening parties available. Extended parties available upon request. Optional add-ons are available to enhance the party experience.
Party Details
Logistics
- Weekend parties are offered: Saturday: 12-2 PM or 3-5 PM (or later); Sunday: 10-12 PM, 12-2 PM, or 3-5 PM (or later). 6pm-8pm Birthdays available every weekend for additional fee. - Weekday parties (excluding holidays) are offered: 12-5 PM by request; evening parties available, ask for a quote. - Extended parties are available upon request.
Rules
- You may bring decorations, but no balloons due to National Park Service rules. - No confetti. - No open flames except birthday candles.
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Enhance the experience (Add-ons)
Overflow Fee
$15 / Child
per person for 31-50 guests
Overflow Fee
$20 / Child
per person for for more than 50 guests
Live Shark Feeding
$45 / One off
$45 per party. A kid-appropriate talk about sharks (species, anatomy, behavior) followed by the birthday child feeding the aquarium's 28" bamboo shark.
Turtle Encounter
$45 / One off
$45. Get up close with one of the aquarium's turtles, feed it, and learn amazing facts.
Themed Crafts
$45 / One off
$45 per party, priced at 17 kids. Themes: Mermaid Princess (make a mermaid or merman figure), Pirate (pirate coin necklace), Sharks (model shark tooth necklace), Turtle (make a turtle to keep).
Books
$7 / Child
Suzanne Tate's Nature Series books about marine life for early childhood (Pre-K-4); 32 titles, chosen ahead of time or by guests at the party.
Plush Pendants
$8 / Child
Plush keychains of six animals from the Suzanne Tate books (Tammy Turtle, Daisy Dolphin, Crabby Blue Crab, Mary Manatee, Jenny Jellyfish, Steve Seahorse).
Sticker Sheets
$3 / Child
Fresh Water sheets, Saltwater sheets, or a variety; designed and drawn by aquarium staff.
Evening Party (6-8 PM)
Inquire / One off
6pm-8pm birthdays available every weekend for an additional fee; ask the aquarium for a quote.
Main location
Glen Echo
Address:
7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD, 20812
Email address
info@gepaquarium.org
Phone number
(301) 955-6256
ADA Accessible
For handicap parking, please call for more details. We encourage patrons to bring any and all supports they feel would enhance their experience at the aquarium. This may include but is not limited to headphones, fidgets, and AAC devices! Onsite sensory resources include individual supports such as aquariums-specific weighted stuffed animals, emotion cards, and a copy of our sensory map.
Notes
Located within Glen Echo Park. Free parking. For handicap or stroller-accessible parking, please call for more details. Transit accessible from the Metro Red Line via Ride On bus route 29.