Baltimore is better for families than its reputation suggests. The Inner Harbor was built to be a playground, and a ring of excellent museums, a zoo and a handful of unusual activities mean that children of nearly every age can find something they love. This guide pulls together the best family stops and how to fit them into a trip.
The anchor: the National Aquarium
Allow two to four hours and book timed tickets in advance, because popular dates sell out. The aquarium is the headline attraction for most families and works for toddlers through teenagers, with a big range of animals and exhibits. Go at opening on a weekday for the calmest visit, and keep snacks and a plan for a break, as the building is large and the visit is long.
Science and play
The Maryland Science Center is a few steps away on the harbor and suits school-age children who like hands-on exhibits, while Port Discovery Children’s Museum is built for younger children who learn through play. Choose between them according to age, and check each museum’s hours for the day you visit, because schedules change by season. On the south shore, the Baltimore Museum of Industry offers live demonstrations of real machinery that hold the attention of curious children better than most displays.
Trains, ships and forts
Children who love vehicles will enjoy the B&O Railroad Museum, where full-size locomotives sit outdoors and indoors on a large campus with free on-site parking. At Historic Ships in Baltimore, they can climb aboard a Civil War-era sloop of war and a Second World War submarine, which is a rare chance to see how sailors lived. Fort McHenry is a good fit for school-age children who are learning about the War of 1812, with a short film, open ramparts and plenty of room to run, and the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House has a Children’s Discovery Gallery that makes the story of the flag less abstract. Note that the Flag House is closed on Sundays and Mondays and that its historic house has stairs.
Animals and fresh air
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is a half-day outing in Druid Hill Park that suits families who want a break from museums. It is best on a mild day in spring or autumn, and a cooler morning in summer. Pack water and sun protection, and plan to arrive early. The zoo’s park setting means there is space for children to burn off energy.
Activities for older kids and teens
The Glow in the Dark Splatter Paint Experience is a private one-hour session where your group splashes fluorescent paint in protective suits, and it is rated highly. The booking page sets no minimum age, though children will get messy. For adventurous teens and families, indoor skydiving in Baltimore offers a safe flight experience in a vertical wind tunnel; check the operator’s age and health requirements before you book. On the water, the Inner Harbor sightseeing cruise is short enough for children’s attention spans, and the history sail suits older children who like boats, although small sailboats are not suited to everyone.
Eating with children
Crab cakes are unlikely to win over every child, but Baltimore has plenty of simple, familiar food around the harbor, and the neighborhoods of Little Italy and Fells Point are good for pasta, pizza and casual seafood. Pack snacks for the longer museum days, take a break outdoors between attractions and use the waterfront promenade as a place to stretch your legs. Older children may enjoy a food tour or the Annapolis day trip as a change of pace.
A sample three-day plan
Day one, the aquarium in the morning and the historic ships and a harbor cruise in the afternoon. Day two, the science center or Port Discovery in the morning and the B&O Railroad Museum after lunch. Day three, the zoo or Fort McHenry, finishing with an evening at the Inner Harbor.
Practical tips
Parking downtown is charged, and walking between harbor attractions is easy with a stroller. Rainy days work well with the science center, the Railroad Museum and the Museum of Industry. Consider a hotel with a pool, such as the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court, for downtime, and book timed tickets as soon as your dates are fixed.
