Baltimore is the most populous city in Maryland, and it’s a gorgeous city.
When you think of family vacations or trips where you’ll bring the kids, you often think of Florida or California because these states are home to some of the most famous theme parks in the world.
You may not know that Baltimore is a wonderful city for children, and there are plenty of things you can do as a family that the whole family will enjoy.
Things To Do In Baltimore With Kids
#1 Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum
If you want to do something educational with your children during your trip to Baltimore, you should visit the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum.
Many kids love trains, and the museum allows kids to see the trains up close and personal.
The museum has the most extensive collection of 19th-century locomotives in the country, and they’re housed in the original roundhouse built in 1884.
Your family will see artifacts related to early American railroading from the Baltimore & Ohio railway, the country’s first commercial railroad.
You’ll also see artifacts from Western Maryland, Chesapeake & Ohio, and other Mid-Atlantic rail systems.
Your kids can explore the items, and they’re allowed to touch many of them.
Before you leave the museum, your family can ride the Mile One Express, which provides a 20-minute round-trip train ride on the first commercial mile of the railroad track, which was laid in 1830.
You can visit the museum Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm or Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm.
Admission for adults is $20 and $12 for kids between the ages of 2 and 12.
If your family loves trains and you’ll need a second day at the museum, you can purchase a two-day pass for an extra $10 per ticket.
#2 Port Discover Children’s Museum
If you’re traveling with a baby, infant, preschooler, or children between the ages of 5 and 10, Port Discovery Children’s Museum is a great place to visit.
The three-floor museum has enough things to do to keep you busy for the entire day, featuring hands-on experiences and entertaining programs designed to spark your imagination and interactive exhibits.
It’s also a popular site for field trips for students living there.
Your baby or infant will love Chessie’s Grotto toddler play area or The Oasis, where they can play puzzles, explore games, and play.
They can pretend to be chefs, servers, or cashiers at Tiny’s Diner or explore the Tot Trails designed for young learners.
Toddlers and pre-k-aged children will love the Royal Farms Convenience Store & Fill’er Up Station, where your kids can pretend to grocery shop. They’ll also love
Wonders of Water, which features a Steam Table, Bubble Hoop, Water chimes, and a Plumbers Park area. They will also love being the captain of a cargo ship at the Port.
Your older children will love the BGE Studio Workshop because they can explore and have hands-on access to all kinds of visual arts.
They can also challenge themselves in the Sky Climber, allowing them to use problem-solving and motor skills while climbing the SkyClimber.
The museum also has different activities each day that your family will enjoy.
#3 The Maryland Zoo
The Maryland Zoo is 745 acres and is located in Druid Hill Park in the heart of the city.
The zoo is home to over 1,500 animals from 200 species.
The zoo is the oldest in the country and dates back to 1876.
The zoo is home to mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, and your children will fall in love with every animal.
The zoo also features rides and attractions, including:
- The Wildlife VR Quest
- A carousel ride
- Jones Falls Zephyr Train Ride
- Zoo Experiences that allow your family to get even closer to the animals.
- Face painting
You don’t have to worry about your family getting hungry at the zoo, as there are plenty of places to eat and get refreshments, including:
- The Whistle Stop Grille
- Sidetrack
- Bait Shack
- Roost Food Truck
- Oasis Cafe
- Dippin’ Dots
Before you leave, you can stop at the Wild Things Gift Shop to get souvenirs so your family will never forget the trip.
#4 National Aquarium
Baltimore is home to the National Aquarium, which is home to thousands of creatures and hundreds of species.
You and your family will learn about animals all over the planet, from the ocean depths to the canopy of the rainforest, and how they all share a connection with water.
The aquarium has a 4D theater, and you can enjoy 4D experiences, including:
- Shark: A 4D Experience
- 4D Film: Being a Dolphin
- Octopus: Blue Planet III 4D Experience
The aquarium has new things to do all the time, and you can check the website to see what will be going on during your family trip.
The zoo also has award-winning exhibits, virtual tours, and live tours, including:
- Early Access Tour
- Family Sunrise Tour
- Dolphin Training Session
- Shark Behind-the-Scenes Tour
- Animal Care and Rescue Center
- Dolphin Tours
Before you leave, you should check out the gift shop to purchase souvenirs for your family to remember the day.
#5 Urban Pirates
Urban Pirates is a unique adventure you won’t find anywhere else, so you must include it in your itinerary.
If your kids love the Pirates of the Caribbean, they will love this attraction.
When your family boards the pirate ship, the Fearless, you will learn to talk, dance, and play games like a pirate while your kids search for stolen treasure.
There’s a BYOG (bring your own grog) policy for adults, and your whole family will be amazed when the water cannons blast.
The 90-minute cruise leaves from the Ann Street Pier in Baltimore’s Fells Point, and tickets cost $12 for kids and $25 for adults.
This is something that your kids will always remember.
They may even bring their pirate speak back home, which may drive you crazy, but it’s worth the trip.
#6 Bengies Drive-In
If you want to avoid spending time at your hotel when the sun goes down, you can take the family to Bengies Drive-In, home to the largest movie screen in the United States.
The drive-in shows kid-friendly movies and movies for adults, and it’s a great way to spend a night with the family in Baltimore.
Your kids will find something they love at the snack bar, and you can purchase t-shirts, tank tops, and sweatshirts as a reminder of your trip.
#7 Papermoon Diner
If you’re looking for a great place to eat with the family, you have to visit the Papermoon Diner.
The restaurant’s décor is considered restaurant art, and you can spend hours looking at the collection of craziness all over the walls.
The menu is incredible and designed for kids, and you have to save room for their amazing milkshakes.
The restaurant opened its doors in 1994 and is one of Baltimore’s most popular family eateries.
They have indoor and outdoor seating, but you should sit inside to enjoy the restaurant’s art.
The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so make sure you go there when they’re open.
#8 Miracle on 34th Street
If you plan to visit Baltimore during the holiday season, you must go to 34th Street in the Hampden neighborhood.
The residents go overboard every year to make the streets shine with the brightest Christmas lights and inflatables you’ve ever seen.
Your kids will love the Motorcycle Santa and the Grinch playing the horn, and it will be a holiday your family will never forget.
#9 Maryland Science Center
Maryland Science Center is an educational place to take the kids, and they’ll have so much fun they won’t realize it’s an educational attraction.
The center is home to an IMAX theater where they can watch live science demonstrations.
You can also visit the planetarium, where your family can gaze at the stars and learn about constellations and aliens.
If your kids love dinosaurs, you won’t be able to get them out of the dinosaur exhibit.
The exhibit includes over a dozen full-size dinosaurs and pits where the kids can hunt for dinosaur bones.
Your kids can lie on a real bed of nails in the body exhibit and can even stand inside a giant heart and lungs where they can feel the heartbeats and breaths and will learn how the body works.
The SciLab is on the second floor, where your kids will put on lab coats and goggles and do their own scientific experiments.
If you’re traveling with young children, they will love the Kid’s Room.
It’s designed for little scientists and allows them to build a train, dress up like wildlife, and spend time in the water area.
The Room To Grow room is next door; your little ones can crawl around and play with soft books and blocks.
The Maryland Science Center has activities for kids of all ages, so your whole family will love this attraction.
Baltimore Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Baltimore Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: HIGH
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baltimore a safe city?
Baltimore has a reputation as an unsafe city due to the neighborhoods riddled with poverty, drugs, and gang violence, but this isn’t a problem throughout the city.
You should stay alert while walking around the city, and if you stick to well-trafficked, touristy areas, your trip to Baltimore will be safe.
How can I get around in Baltimore during my trip?
There are several ways to get around the city if you choose not to rent a car, including:
- Baltimore Water Taxi: The Baltimore Water Taxi is an exciting way to travel, especially for your kids. You only have to pay once to take unlimited taxi rides all day, and the taxi travels between waterfront neighborhoods.
- Charm City Circulator: This free downtown bus system is designed to help residents and visitors get around the city. The buses run every 15 minutes and follow four routes, ensuring you’ll find a bus near your destination.
- Dockless Scooters and Bikes: If you want to be more active when you move throughout the city, you can take dockless scooters. You can pick one up and then leave it at your destination for someone else to pick up. You may also be able to find the Lime, Bolt, Jump, and Spin bikes throughout the city, so your family can exercise while getting around the city.
- MTA: The MTA consists of a bus service, Metro Subway Link, and Light Rail Link and operates in the downtown area.
- Taxis and Rideshare: If you want a ride and aren’t trying to be creative or health-conscious, you can take a taxi, Lyft, or Uber to your destination.
What is the best time of year to visit Baltimore?
If you’re worried about the weather, you should visit Baltimore in the spring or fall because it’s not too hot or cold.
It’s very hot and humid during the summer, and the prices of accommodations increase considerably and bring large crowds.
If you want to experience the wonder of 34th Street, you should visit in early December.
Baltimore is a great city for families, with plenty of activities and attractions to keep everyone entertained and engaged.