Things to Do in Baltimore

1. The Walters Art Museum

Founded in 1934, The Walters Art Museum, located on North Charles Street in Baltimore’s Mt. Vernon Cultural District, is one of the top Baltimore attractions.

William Walters and his son Henry Walters organized the museum’s collection: the artwork was initially displayed in the family’s mansion, but a new palazzo-style building was later constructed in the early 1900s to house the collection.

The Walters Art Museum contains art from ages of antiquity to the 20th century, including Asian, Byzantine, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artwork. The museum offers free walk-in tours as well as family and school tours led by trained volunteer docents.

600 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland, Phone: 410-547-9000

2. The Maryland Zoo

After a visit to The Maryland Zoo, you will feel like you’ve gone on a voyage through the African savannahs.

At this incredible Maryland zoo, you have the opportunity to visit Samson the elephant or Hassan the lion and his cubs, Luke and Leia. Get a sense of the Panamanian jungle when you visit endangered Panamanian Golden Frogs in the Chimp forest.

If you are bringing kids, take them to the Giraffe Feeding Station, where the long-necked creatures will literally slurp the food right out of their hands.

If you are looking for fun things to do in Baltimore with kids, be sure to stop by the zoo. There are more than 1,500 animals of 200 species in the zoo, and you can see many varieties of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles in the settings that replicate their natural habitats.

The Maryland Zoo is located in Druid Hill Park and sits on about 160 acres of land. It was established in1876, and it is the third oldest zoo in the U.S.

1876 Mansion House Drive, Baltimore, Maryland, Phone: 410-396-7102

3. National Aquarium

Opened in 1981 as part of Baltimore’s urban renewal project, the National Aquarium is located on East Pratt Street on the Inner Harbor. This enormous aquarium holds over two million gallons of water and is home to more than 17,000 aquatic animals representing over 750 species.

In addition to the aquarium, there is also a 4D Immersion Theater and several exhibits of interest, including the open ocean shark tank and the marine mammal pavilion. The National Aquarium offers several guided tours such as the “Insider’s Tour” and the “Shark Behind the Scenes Tour.”

It also offers programs such as “Dine and Discover” and “Sea and Tea.” If you are wondering what to do in Baltimore on a rainy day, the aquarium is a great place to visit. More info

501 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD, 410-576-3800

4. Maryland Science Center

Located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, the Maryland Science Center helps visitors experience science as something fun, exciting, and inspiring.

The center’s mission is to create awareness about the important role science plays in day-to-day life and to motivate young people to consider pursuing careers in science. The Center features a large modern IMAX theatre, the Ramsey observatory, and many permanent and temporary exhibits.

The Maryland Science Center is one of the best things to do in Baltimore with kids.

Kids can easily get hooked on science after looking through a telescope, playing with real lab equipment, or watching the inside of their own bodies on a special screen.

The Maryland Science Center is great fun for both children and grown-ups. Its many outreach programs and interactive exhibits attract huge numbers of teachers and students.

601 Light Street, Baltimore, MD, 410-685-2370

5. Baltimore Inner Harbor

You might have a hard time deciding what is more fun to do at the Baltimore Inner Harbor: people-watching from one of the many waterfront outdoor restaurants and cafes or visiting one of the numerous attractions.

The Maritime Museum showcases an impressive number of ships, the Observation Level of the World Trade Center offers a spectacular view of the city, and the National Aquarium houses more than 17,000 fascinating underwater creatures.

You can also see the harbor as you cruise along on the Big Red Boat.

6. B&O Railroad Museum

Located on West Pratt Street to the west of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, the B&O Railroad Museum exhibits historic railroad equipment that will be of interest to all visitors.

-When it opened in 1953, the museum was called the Baltimore & Ohio Transportation Museum. Today, it is known for having one of the world’s largest collections of locomotives and other railroad-related items.

It is housed in the Mount Clare station and roundhouse, the birthplace of the American Railroad. There are several children’s programs, including Kids Zone and Toddler Time, and the museum also plays host to birthday parties from time to time. Group tours for adults, seniors, and students are also available, and a ride on the Mile One Express is included depending on the time of year. The museum is open every day.

901 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 410-752-2490

7. Fell's Point

Fell's Point is an excellent reminder of Baltimore's British nautical roots. It is named for the Englishmen Mr. Fell, who founded a ship-building company in this location in 1726 and later became famous for his "Baltimore Schooners." The waterfront neighborhood is an exciting and lively location that hasn’t changed much since its glorious days of the past.

As you stroll through Fell’s Point, you can see many beautiful and charming 18th- and 19th-century homes and storefronts. Fell’s Point is also home to the Baltimore Farmers’ Market and some incredible restaurants. If you’re feeling hungry, sample goodies at the market, grab some oysters at one of many bars, or get a piece of pizza at Verde.

8. Oriole Park Tours

Located on West Camden Street not far from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Oriole Park at Camden Yards is the home of a professional baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles. Also known as Camden Yards, Oriole Park first opened in 1992 as a “retro-classic” ballpark; the architecture pays tribute to the golden age of baseball yet includes all the facilities of a modern baseball park.

Public tours last about one hour and 30 minutes and are held every day; private group tours are also available. Tours include a visit to the dugout, the press level, the suite level, and much more. Visitors will also learn about Babe Ruth, the Inner Harbor, and the B&O Railroad throughout their tour.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 333 West Camden Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 888-848-2473

9. Port Discovery Children's Museum

If you do not know what to do with your extremely energetic kids on a rainy day, take them to the Port Discovery Children's Museum.

The museum, located in the historic and beautifully renovated Fish Market building in the Inner Harbor, is one of the top family attractions in Baltimore. It has three floors of interactive exhibits that encourage learning through play, and it offers a number of constantly changing programs for kids. There’s something for every child, from infants to 10-year-old children.

Toddlers can crawl around in Tot Trails, and older kids bursting with energy can spend some of it at Kick It Up! Everyone is welcome to splash to their heart’s content in Wonders of Water. For those who like to play house, they can spend time at the Royal Farms Convenience Store and Fill’er Up Station. They can also cook and sell food in Tiny’s Diner or climb and slide through KidWorks, a 3-story urban tree house.

35 Market Place, Baltimore, Maryland, 410-727-8120

10. Urban Pirates

Located on the Ann Street Pier at Fells Point on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Urban Pirates creates an interactive pirate adventure for the young and the young at heart. Custom built pirate ship the Fearless sails the Inner Harbor while crew members teach guests how to lead the life of a pirate: you will learn how to dance, how to sing, and how to talk. Sashes, temporary tattoos, and vests are provided for the family adventure.

Family Adventure Cruises operate every day and Adult B.Y.O.G (Bring Your Own Grog) Cruises operate Thursday to Saturday. Urban Pirates also hosts special private charters and events like birthday parties, reunions, and corporate events.

911 South Ann Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 410-327-8378