Kid Baltimore | Family Activities with Children in Baltimore, Maryland

Travel Destinations for Families in Baltimore, MD

Are you planning a family vacation to Baltimore? There are plenty of kid-friendly destinations. Here is my selection of the best-known Baltimore highlights for families with children, but don't forget the "off-the-beaten-path" places too. I cover both in my blog, Kid Baltimore. Happy traveling!

• B & O Railroad Museum - "The oldest, most comprehensive American railroad collection in the world." Trains showcased here date back to 1830. After you explore the trains, you can take a train ride (check their website for scheduling and availability). [Kid Baltimore Review]
• Baltimore Museum of Art - My favorite section is the Cone Collection (I think) or maybe it's the Contemporary wing. But my kids love the Cheney miniatures. Make sure you hang out in the sculpture garden and stop for lunch at Gertrude's. [Kid Baltimore Review 1, 2, 3]
• Baltimore Maritime Museum - Tour a submarine, ship or lighthouse and experience maritime history.
• Baltimore Museum of Industry - This museum, housed in an old cannery, is dedicated to preserving our industrial heritage. Find out how food was processed, clothes were made, or cars assembled in days gone by.
• Baltimore Symphony Orchestra - Home to Baltimore's internationally recognized orchestra. In addition to their regular concerts, the BSO has special family concerts geared toward kids.
• Center Stage - This theater offers a lot of kid-friendly extras, like Child's Play -- on-site supervised babysitting with theatre-related activities; and Kickin' It with the 'Rents -- a catered dinner, visit with the cast and show for families.
• Edgar Allen Poe House - "The little house in the lowly street with the lovely name." Poe lived here from 1833 to 1835.
• Enoch Pratt Central Library - Baltimore is home to one of the oldest library systems in the United States. The Central Library, built in 1932, contains the H.L. Mencken collection.
• Fell's Point - Cobblestone streets are lined by eclectic shops in this former ship-building area of Baltimore.
• Fort McHenry - Birthplace of the National Anthem.
• Geppi's Entertainment Museum - 250 years of American pop: comic strips, radio, t.v., toy and games.
• Harborplace - A stroll along the Inner Harbor is a must in Baltimore. Harborplace combines it with shopping, dining and even street performers.
• The Hippodrome Theatre  - (a.k.a. the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center) A former top vaudeville house that has seen performers such as Bob Hope, Jack Benny and Dinah Shore, the newly renovated center is alive again with shows for all ages.
• Lyric Opera House - Opera, yes, but also kid shows like Playhouse Disney Live!, and Magic Tree House: The Musical
• Maryland Historical Society - Because History Never Stops. Not only does the MdHS have an extensive library of historical documents, it is also home to an impressive collections of artifacts from Maryland's history, including the largest collection of works of art by the Peale family.
• Maryland Science Center - Everything science. From microscopic germs to gigantic dinosaurs. From studying the blue crab population to docking the space shuttle.
• The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore - 160 acres of animal habitats to explore. Baby elephant Samson, the newest member of the zoo family is a favorite here.
• National Aquarium in Baltimore – Maryland's leading tourist attraction, The National Aquarium in Baltimore boasts an impressive collection of aquatic environments. Whether you come to watch the dolphin show or explore the life of an Australian river gorge, you will be amazed. [Kid Baltimore Review]
• Oriole Park at Camden Yards - See a game, or take a behind-the-scenes tour.
• Port Discovery - One of the top 5 children's museums in the United States is located right smack dab in the middle of the Inner Harbor. There is a giant jungle gym to exercise those little legs, but also some great learning exhibits.
• Walters Art Museum - A collection of art bequeathed to the City of Baltimore by William and Henry Walters. The collection includes pieces from "pre-dynastic Egypt to 20th-century Europe. [Kid Baltimore Review]
• USS Constellation - Launched in 1854, this ship saw over 100 years of service.
  

Akbar Restaurant

We've been neglecting our kids. Really. Back in the day, when we just had one little tot, we took her to fancy restaurants, and plays, and what not. We patted ourselves on the backs as our well-mannered darling nibbled on ginger at the sushi bar, or politely asked for a drink refill. But somewhere along the line, we slid into the land of chicken nuggets.

My twins think they are in a fancy restaurant only if they get a toy in the deal. Now, don't get all smug. You can only judge me if you have 3 or more kids AND if two or more are under the age of 5. Are we clear on the rules?

So, after a fun trip to the American Visionary Arts Museum this weekend, we headed up to Akbar's, one of our all-time favorite restaurants. There are a couple of things that work in favor of kids here, and one is the crispy papadum that arrives at the table really quickly. Second, and maybe the most important, is the family style of serving here. We ordered three entrées to share: palak paneer, vegetable jalfreji, the tandoori mixed grill, and a couple orders of nan. We had a slightly picky eater with us. He was pretty happy to eat multiple servings of the jasmine rice and nan, but in truth, I saw him nibbling on the tandoori chicken too.

There is enough hubbub going on in the restaurant to disguise the fact that we don't always use our "inside voices" and that's probably a good thing. Either way, by the time we headed out the door, I was holding my head high.

Note: Check out the online coupon for $5 off 2 entrées, or $10 off 4 entrées.

410-539-0944

Akbar Restaurant
823 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21210

[Map it]

Music & the Brain Event at AVAM

My favorite, favorite pick for things to do this weekend is Music & the Brain at the American Visionary Art Museum. It is a free event with plenty of kids' activities. And while I love the idea of a vegetable instrument workshop, or a noise party, it's really the instrument petting zoo that I am most looking forward to –– with "real, live instruments for you to play." See you there!

[Thanks, Anne!]

Saturday, November 15, 2008

10:30am-9pm

410-244-1900

American Visionary Art Museum
800 Key Highway
Baltimore, MD 21230

MapQuest Directions

The National Aquarium in Baltimore

First a disclaimer: My little ole Kid Baltimore blog would not be complete if I didn't cover the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Most of the places we've covered so far are small day trips, and the Aquarium, in my mind is big, big, big. There is a lot of ground to cover, especially for ages 5 and under. For younger kids, we recommend you don't try and see everything in one day. The family membership can be worthwhile if you plan to visit 2 or more times a year.

-------------------------

We entered the first main exhibit area, "Wings in the Water," and spent a few minutes talking with one of the scuba-diving volunteers about the dozens of rays and other fish surrounding him. Did you know stingray babies are called pups? They are born live and measure about 9.5 inches across at birth. Our 4-year-olds were just tall enough to peer over the safety rails and get a good look at everything. Younger kids will definitely need a boost.

As we waved goodbye to the rays, we traveled up the many escalators toward the rainforest. My kids stopped at every tank along the way. My oldest daughter decided some anemones looked "like they were wearing pink polka-dotted shirts." At the stonefish display, my entire gang stood motionless for ages staring at this creature that looked like, well, a stone. Every so often it would open its mouth or waddle back and forth and the entire group would gasp. Definitely one of my favorites and I'm pretty sure we saw this guy in a Spongebob episode.

At the top of the spiraling escalators, we reached the rainforest. The kids loved the surprise of suddenly being "outside". Then it was time to descend to the shark territory and I thought my younger kids would be scared, but as we wandered deeper, I noticed my daughter trying to pet one particular shark that was resting close to the glass. Great. Now I know what to get her for Christmas.

There is so much more to see here -- the Australian exhibit, the 4D Immersion Theater. But can anyone resist the dolphins? Especially baby dolphins. Baby Foster, just celebrated his first birthday. The newest dolphin (see the video below) was born in July and there will be a naming contest that starts November 11. I'll keep you posted as I hear more, or check their blog.

A few things to keep in mind when visiting the Aquarium with kids. First, pick a non-peak time to visit. We didn't have to wait to get in, and the crowd was not too heavy. Second, strollers are not allowed, but they do offer stroller storage and backpack or frontpack carriers.

Dolphin Calf Birth from National Aquarium on Vimeo.

410-576-3800

The National Aquarium in Baltimore
501 E. Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202

[Map it]