Baltimore's Best Kid-Friendly Attractions

I've lived "between the beltways" for about six years, all told. The nation's capital, to my south, attracts millions of visitors each year. My northern neighbor, Baltimore, is home to many family-themed destinations, but most visitors ignore Baltimore in favor of Washington, D. C. That's unfortunate, because Baltimore's museums and attractions are perfect for children of all ages.

I've visited most of Baltimore's child-friendly destinations with my children and their friends. Many museums and attractions are centrally located, in or near the Inner Harbor area. Baltimore's downtown streets are well-marked and parking is relatively easy to find. If public transport works best for you, take the light rail to downtown Baltimore from points outside of the city.

Here are some of my favorite kid-friendly Baltimore destinations:

National Aquarium in Baltimore

Hands down, this is Baltimore's best-known, best-run family attraction. There's something for everyone at the Aquarium. Dolphin lovers will enjoy a show that focuses on dolphins as unique animals rather than as "nature's clowns". Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes, the Aquarium's newest exhibit, showcases Australia's animals and their habitats. You won't believe you're still in Baltimore when you see the waterfall. The tropical rain forest, located at the top of the Aquarium's pyramid-shaped building, will transport you to a humid, plant-filled realm populated by exotically-colored birds. Don't forget to check out the eels, poisonous frogs and sharks as you wander through this amazing museum.

Tip: Arrive when the Aquarium opens. You'll get better views of the smaller fish exhibits, especially on weekends.

Port Discovery

Port Discovery gives active children something to do when it's raining or snowing. This indoor play space and museum provides plenty of fun for children and their Significant Adults. KidWorks, the museum's three-story play venue, rises through Port Discovery's center space. Younger children will enjoy Port Discovery's "farm" and "roadside market" areas. They can pretend to grow crops and sell them to Mom and Dad. Older kids can crawl through "Miss Perception's Mystery House", where they'll find important clues everywhere, even in the kitchen sink.

Port Discovery's Egyptian tomb exhibit is also great fun. Children can learn about mummies, Pharaohs and problem-solving in a truly interactive way.

Tip: Port Discovery is a prime field trip destination. Arrive early to get the most out of your experience.

Maryland Science Center

Last summer, I took my daughter, a dear friend and her son to this fascinating museum. Our two eight-year-olds practically flew between exhibits. They especially enjoyed finding their home towns, streets and houses on the large screen in the TerraLink area. Just around the corner, they perched on the edge of the tornado exhibit, watching in fascination as a misty funnel cloud formed before their eyes. Young visitors can learn about dinosaur fossils and outer space in the Science Center's excellent permanent exhibit area.

Tip: Visit the planetarium. The kid-friendly show is both relaxing and educational.

B&O Railroad Museum

I've never met a child who didn't love trains. The B&O Railroad Museum is full of locomotives and rail cars of all types. Inside the Roundhouse, you can see historic locomotives and railroad cars. The museum offers train rides two or three times a day except Mondays, April through December.

Tip: Call the museum before you leave home and ask about the day's train rides. On occasion, inclement weather or mechanical problems can prevent the trains from running.

The Flag House and Star-Spangled Banner Museum

This museum packs a lot of history into a small space. You can tour the house where the original Star-Spangled Banner was created and learn about Mary Pickersgill, who sewed the flag that inspired the American national anthem. If you visit on Saturday between 10 a. m. and 3 p. m., you'll encounter living historians who bring the Flag House's 19th-century inhabitants to life.

Tip: After your visit, wander down to Little Italy and enjoy a delicious meal at one of the great local restaurants, or feast on gelato from Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop.

Baltimore Museum of Industry

Located across the Inner Harbor, around the bend from the Maryland Science Center, the Baltimore Museum of Industry focuses on the business activities that built Charm City. From canning to printing to umbrellas, Baltimore's industries attracted workers from all parts of Maryland and from across the Atlantic. Children can print a page using a real, antique printing press, check out sewing machines in the garment loft and color can labels in the cannery area. You'll be surprised at the number of industries pioneered by Marylanders.

The museum staff is friendly and knowledgeable. If you ask a couple of questions, you're likely to get an impromptu tour of one or more of the exhibits.

Tip: To avoid field trip groups, arrive early on a Saturday or Sunday. Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the museum.

I invite you to consider Baltimore when you plan your next trip to the Mid-Atlantic states. You won't be disappointed.