Port Discovery is Baltimore’s children’s museum, a large building at 35 Market Place that is aimed at children under ten and the adults who come with them. It is built for climbing, splashing and make-believe rather than quiet looking. Named areas include Tot Trails for the youngest explorers, Wonders of Water for splashing and experiments, SkyClimber, a multi-level climbing structure that rises through the building, Chessie’s Grotto, The Overlook and Kick It Up. Together they give children several different kinds of play under one roof, from physical challenges to imaginative games, which is why it works so well as a rainy-day backup in a city where much of the sightseeing is outdoors. The museum also runs programs for families who need a calmer visit, including Sensory Friendly Sundays and Access and Inclusion Afternoons, which open with reduced stimulation and extra support. A new exhibit called B’More You is planned for summer 2027. For a family with young children on a Baltimore weekend, it is a reliable half-day plan that sits a short walk from Fells Point and the Inner Harbor.
How to visit
Port Discovery is at 35 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202. Tickets are required and booking in advance is strongly recommended. Opening hours vary by day and by season, and the museum is closed on some weekdays, so check the calendar on its website before planning.
The posted schedule can include early closings for private events. Members enter free, and children under one, active-duty, retired and veteran military with ID are free, with a limit on IDs per transaction. A discounted PlayMakers ticket is available to Maryland families with a valid EBT or WIC card.
What to expect
Plan on two to four hours. SkyClimber requires socks, so bring them for everyone. The museum is designed for children under ten, so teenagers will find it too young, and parents should expect to play too. Harbor Park Garage at 55 Market Place is next door and offers discounted parking to museum guests on most open days, though the garage is not run by the museum. By transit, the Shot Tower and Market Place Metro stop and a bus stop on Lombard Street and Market Place both serve it.
Making the most of it
Arrive at opening on a weekday, when it is calmest, and let the youngest children go first to the toddler zone. Combine it with a stroll to the Inner Harbor or a water taxi ride the next day, and keep the Maryland Science Center or the National Aquarium for older children.
What to expect
The experience
A multi-level indoor play museum with a climbing tower, water play, a toddler area and themed zones for children under ten.
Best time
A weekday morning at opening, when the museum is calmest.
How long
Two to four hours.
Tips
Buy tickets ahead, check the day’s hours because some weekdays are closed, and bring socks for the climbing structure.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families with children under ten who need a dry indoor plan.
- Families
- Built for ages up to about nine, with a toddler area, water play and sensory-friendly sessions.
- Couples
- Not a couples activity, so save it for a family trip.
- Pair with
- The Maryland Science Center for older children, or a water taxi ride the next morning.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
What ages is Port Discovery for?+
It is aimed at children under ten and the adults who come with them, with a dedicated area for the youngest children.
Do I need to buy Port Discovery tickets in advance?+
Tickets are required for admission and booking ahead is strongly recommended, especially on weekends and school holidays.
Is there parking near Port Discovery?+
Harbor Park Garage at 55 Market Place is next door and offers discounted parking to museum guests on most open days. The Shot Tower and Market Place Metro stop is also close.
What should we bring?+
Socks for everyone on the SkyClimber, and a refillable bottle. Check the day’s hours first, since the museum is closed on some weekdays.
Does Port Discovery have quieter sessions?+
Yes, it runs Sensory Friendly Sundays and Access and Inclusion Afternoons for children who need a calmer visit.
