BLUE WHALES

Ticket Information

About the Exhibition

Blue whales are BIG! How big are they? They can grow up to 110 feet long, weigh up to 400,000 pounds, and have a heart the size of a small car. Even their appetites are big: they can eat 16 tons of tiny krill every day. And their voices? Blue whale songs can travel 1,000 miles underwater.

Dive into the details behind their mind-blowing biology and discover how these mammals became and remain our planet’s largest animals ever.

Member Perks

Museum Members receive unlimited free admission to "Blue Whales" — visit as often as you like! Save 10% in Museum Stores and Cafés, including the new "Blue Whales" Store.

VIP Reception
Friday, June 20, 6-9pm

Discover how innovative technology captures the wonder of blue whales with guest speaker Dr. David Johnston of Duke University. Complimentary admission for Curator, Naturalist, Explorers and Brimley Society Members. Individual Plus and Family Members, $25. Adults 21+

Member Night
Thursday, June 26, 6-9pm

Uncover the amazing secrets of the world’s largest animals with activities for the whole family. Free for all Members.

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Special Events

Blue Whales Lecture Series

Dive into the world of research with our four-part lecture series, featuring the nation’s top whale scientists. Explore the latest findings on whale science, conservation and pre-historic origins with national experts who will share their recent findings and stories their research around the world.

Each month, we will feature a presentation from a renowned scientist (7–8pm) and an evening viewing of the special exhibition (open 5–7pm). Tickets: Series $45, $15 Members; Lecture $15, $5 Members.

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July 10: Dr. David Johnston, Duke University

Smart Whales, Smarter Tech: Studying the Giants of the Ocean

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August 14: Dr. Ari Friedlaender, University of California–Santa Cruz

Gigantic Beasts & How to Find Them

Join us for an exciting research expedition to the bottom of the word in Antarctica. Discover how the team tags whales, what happens when you wake a sleeping whale and the creative ways they keep morale high during months spent in the icy wilderness of one of Earth’s most extreme environments.

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September 4: Dr. Andy Read, Duke University

Tales of Whales: Why Conservation Matters

How do we save the whales? Drawing from a lifetime of work with some of the world’s most critically endangered whale species, Read will share stories of both the triumphs and challenges of whale conservation.

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October 9: Dr. Mark Uhen, George Mason University

Where Did Whales Come From?

Dig deep into the origin of whales with renowned paleontologist Dr. Mark Uhen. Discover how whales evolved from terrestrial omnivores to fully aquatic carnivores.

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November 8: 10am–2pm

Marine Mammal Research Day

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