Where to See Baby (and Not-So Baby) Penguins in Baltimore

Where: Baltimore, MD

May 13, 2015 | by jetflyboy 

There's no denying it: Penguins are cute. Really cute. And the fact that Maryland Zoo in Baltimore has recently opened up a cool new penguin exhibit really has us giddy with excitement. Each one of the winged inhabitants in this African penguin habitat has donned their Sunday best to receive visitors to their new home. (We suppose that's easy, when you're always wearing a tux.)

Named Penguin Coast and resembling a seaside ice shack, the exhibit's main viewing area offers a way to watch all 60 birds. Since the exhibit's unveiling in November, these feathered friends have been frolicking in 185,000 gallons of water — when they're not showing off on one of the rocks made for sunning, that is. While the majority of the critters are not young, there are a few baby penguins that swim back and forth, as intrigued by the human visitors as we are by them.

The exhibit acts as an educational center, of course, so zoo-keepers routinely bring out some of the animals that are more accustomed to being touched. If you're really lucky you might score a behind-the-scenes tour to get up-close and personal with one of the more people-friendly penguins. (Could #selfieswithpenguins become a thing?) Plan for $45 for this special Penguin Encounter.

Active most of the day, rain or shine, these little birds can put on a great show as they dive from rocks into the water, play in the waves or get splashed with the waterfall. Even the routine public feeding sessions had us grinning from ear to ear. So go ahead: Waddle over.


Disclosure: Rayme traveled to Baltimore as a guest of Visit Baltimore
[Photos: Rayme Gorniak/Jaunted]

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