As Shark Week takes over social media feeds with videos and stories on these underwater creatures, even if you don’t have the Discovery Channel, you can get your shark fix right here in Washington, D.C.
Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History can see a 52-foot megalodon model hanging from the ceiling, giving them a glimpse into what this now extinct creature used to be like. According to Johnson, the museum’s Sant director, the megalodon was three times the size of a modern-day great white shark and used to swim right over the National Mall.
The megalodon model is suspended above the Ocean Terrace Cafe, and visitors can get an even closer look at the jaws of this 50-ton animal, recreated with teeth found nearby in the Potomac River. Johnson explains that sharks are constantly losing teeth and that these teeth sink to the bottom of the sea, creating a shark-tooth graveyard.
The megalodon exhibit is a star attraction for Shark Week at the museum, giving visitors a chance to see the 6-inch teeth up close and appreciate how outsize this prehistoric shark really was. As Johnson says, “Jaws was big and scary, but this thing is the ultimate shark right here.”
Address: 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20560
Just a few miles north of the nation's capital, the National Aquarium in Baltimore is offering an interactive experience for shark enthusiasts. Visitors can see eight different species of sharks and even catch feeding time, getting up close and personal with these fascinating creatures.
According to Bradley, the curator of the Blue Wonders exhibit, some sharks are a little more shy than others, and part of the fun for visitors is trying to spot the perfectly camouflaged ambush predators hiding in plain sight. The aquarium features Shark Alley and Blacktip Reef exhibits, showcasing a variety of shark species and their diverse body types and designs.
Address: 501 E Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202
For those looking for a sweet treat, The Cupcake Delivers has a variety of Shark Week-themed cupcakes and cake pops. Each cake pop is covered in sparkling blue sanding sugar, red chocolate stripes, and topped with a sugar shark head or fin, while cupcakes come topped with shark gummies or a swirl of blue vanilla frosting and a dramatic shark fin topper.
The confectionery delivers across Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., and has been making Shark Week cupcakes since 2013. As the owner, Jessica Baer, says, “My inspiration was my son, who loved Jaws the movie and all things shark.”
Available for delivery in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.
For those in the mood for something refreshing, the Water Bar in Arlington’s National Landing features drinks with names such as Anchors Away, Tidal Wave, and Troubled Water. The drinks are not just for Shark Week, but are a signature staple at the seafood restaurant and can be enjoyed long after festivities conclude.
Address: 1601 Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA 22202
Lastly, for those not in the D.C. area, a Starbucks hack has been shared by a Washington Examiner intern. The limited-time “ocean drink” with toasted coconut syrup, acai, coconut milk, and blue spirulina powder can be made to look like crashing waves by asking for vanilla cold foam on top. Alternatively, the new Blue Coconut Lemonade Energy Refresher allegedly tastes similar to shark gummies.
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