America's oldest aquarium gets a new look

WASHINGTON - America's oldest aquarium has a new look, and you might not know it's in an unlikely place in downtown D.C.

The National Aquarium is inside the the U.S. Department of Commerce building on 14th Street between Pennsylvania and Constitution avenues in Northwest.

The aquarium is "at the very end stage" of a makeover, with new paint and carpet and impressive new displays, thanks to a partnership with the National Aquarium in Baltimore.

"We have a feeding demonstration every day at 2 p.m., and our alligators get fed once a week on Fridays. And I have to say, it's a must-see," Executive Director Bob Ramin says.

There are about 70 tanks filled with sharks, a baby Loggerhead sea turtle, piranhas, seahorses, alligators and the infamous Northern Snakehead fish.

Renovations are expected to be done by June. Admission is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children ages 10 and under.

"We really hope that people will come and visit us this summer," Ramin says.

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