Location: Baltimore
Top Things to do in Baltimore
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Top 10 Museums in Baltimore, Maryland (MD)
Since the redevelopment of the Inner Harbor in the late 1970s, Baltimore has set the standard for urban renewal. While a good part of the city's action centers around the fun and festive Harbor area, where street entertainers, open-air concerts, fireworks and parades abound, the surrounding neighborhoods offer all sorts of interesting landmarks, unique shops and delicious restaurants. Wander around Fells Point, the oldest section of Baltimore, reminiscent of an old English village, complete with pubs and cobblestone streets. Take the kids to the aquarium and check out the imaginative creations at the American Visionary Art Museum. Or stop by the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum for an in-depth look at the Great Bambino's life. Baltimore is also renowned for its African-American heritage sites, plus festivals and cultural events that take place throughout the year. From historic places and harbor cruises to family friendly attractions and fabulous neighborhoods, Charm City is one of the top tourist destinations in the United States.
Restaurants in Baltimore
1. The Walters Art Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,445 reviews
The Walters Art Museum is a cultural hub in the heart of Baltimore. Located in the city’s Mount Vernon neighborhood, the Walters is free for all. The museum’s collection spans more than seven millennia, from 5,000 BCE to the 21st century, and encompasses 36,000 objects from around the world. Walking through the museum’s historic buildings, visitors encounter a stunning panorama of thousands of years of art, from romantic 19th-century images of French gardens to mesmerizing Ethiopian icons, richly illuminated Qur’ans and Gospel books, ancient Roman sarcophagi, and serene images of the Buddha. The Walters' mission has been to bring art and people together and to create a place where people of every background can be touched by art. Admission to the museum and special exhibitions is always free.
Reviewed By davisellu
My most recent trip here was to the Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School exhibit. It was great-- informative, interactive, and you could get so close to the many items on display. I love the medieval items and many other parts of the collection as well. The museum is free (but I encourage you to become a member to support the work going on here!) and just a few blocks north of the main downtown part of Baltimore. The main building is lovely and the overall floor plan twists around a bit. The gift shop and cafe are worth checking out-- some nice things in the first, and just enjoying the pretty room and ambiance in the second.
2. S.S. John W. Brown
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
One of three remaining Liberty Ships, the S.S. John Brown is open for tours by advance reservation.
Reviewed By G6820QBjamesm - Lake Norman, United States
This ship on the other side of the harbor in Baltimore is one of two World War II liberty ships that can be visited (out of almost 2700 built during the war)! The story behind the Liberty Ships is amazing-America pulled together to build the vehicles to get supplies and troops to Europe. As Americans age, the interest in the history of WWII is diminishing-a reason for us to stop and visit this example of American genius. Take the time to go under the harbor to the other side and support the fine volunteers who are keeping this history alive (at least for the time being). Thank them by showing up and admiring the American spirit in its unique form. Without our support, this ship may disappear for future generations . . .
3. Natural History Society of Maryland Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Learn about the history of Maryland through a study of its indigenous plant and animal life.
Reviewed By IlkannaJones - Baltimore, United States
The Natural History Society of Maryland has a plethora of events for everyone in the family! Check out their events page to see everything from salamanders, geology, cleaning artifacts from archaeological digs, to planets exploration, to birds, to walking to see eagles!
4. Evergreen Museum & Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 51 reviews
On the National Register of Historic Places, this mansion is a magnificent Italianate structure surrounded by twenty-six wooded acres and scenic formal gardens.
Reviewed By lpMaggi713 - Baltimore, United States
We were delighted to be able to take a tour of the Evergreen House with Baltimore Heritage. We had not been in the house for years. The house was decorated for Christmas and was just stunning. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures inside of the house, which was a huge disappointment. You know what they say: a picture is worth a thousand words. Our guide was Teresa, and she really made the house come alive. She was extremely knowledgeable not only about the history of the Garrett family and the house, but also of the artwork and furnishings inside. The house is set on 26 landscaped acres. Originally, the house had only 12 rooms and later expanded to 48 rooms including a theater. . The two generations of Garretts who lived in this house until 1952 were the consummate collectors. The house is filled with over 50,000 pieces of their extraordinary and eclectic things. You will enjoy seeing and hearing about each and every room. You can tour the house with a guide on Tuesday thru Friday from 11 am to 4 pm; Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 pm. Tours begin every hour, with the last tour at 3 pm. Regular admission is $8 Adults, $7 Seniors (65+), $5 Students (with ID); Youth (6-17), and Johns Hopkins Alumni and Retirees; FREE for Members; Johns Hopkins faculty, staff and students (with ID); Children (5 and under). The property is owned by The Johns Hopkins University. If you have never visited Evergreen, you should. It is certainly one of the hidden treasures of Baltimore.
5. Loring Cornish Gallery
6. Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 389 reviews
The city's native son, the Great Bambino, is celebrated in the house he was born in, now a museum stocked with memorabilia like the catcher's mitt he used while learning baseball, the bat from his famed 1927 season and exhibits honoring the Orioles.
Reviewed By scraphollie27 - Comox, Canada
We followed the baseballs painted on the sidewalk from Camden Yards to the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum and we were impressed with the caliber of the museum. It was really awesome to be in the house where Babe was born but also to see all of the other well-done exhibits throughout Babe Ruth’s career as well as his personal life. There is also a really interesting short movie on the beginnings of the Star Spangled Banner as the US National Anthem. Visitors staying at the Hampton Inn at Camden Yards get half price admission.
7. Maryland Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 740 reviews
This popular museum is located in Harborplace.
Reviewed By 840gabrielh - Bellaire, United States
This museum is clearly focused on activities attractive for kids and those that might entice children to become interested in science. It is located in the center of town, on the inner harbor, in a large, modern, three-story building with plenty of natural light. There are two large wings and multiple exhibits that promise a lot of hands-on activity for children (and adults). Several times a day, there are shows, conferences and interactive programs focused on making scientific principles understandable to the uninitiated. There are sections dedicated to the very young, to early teens, late teens and adults. The dinosaur exhibit is quite attractive and, in general, the displays are very well done. Consider a family membership: it helps the museum and it reduces you costs substantially.
8. Maryland Center for History and Culture
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
Housing a priceless collection of more than 200,000 objects, this museum displays a significant number of Maryland cultural artifacts plus items such as dolls and toys that provide a glimpse of everyday life in Maryland.
Reviewed By lpMaggi713 - Baltimore, United States
My husband and I both wanted to see the exhibition called “The Spectrum of Fashion.” We wanted to wait until after we were vaccinated to go to the museum. Thankfully, we were able to go the last week it was open. As we are members, we went online and ordered tickets for 10 am on a Wednesday. It was such an easy way to get a ticket. Curious to know how they came up with the name, I googled it. This is what I found. “The Spectrum of Fashion - The word “spectrum” was deliberately chosen for this exhibition as it embodies the encyclopedic nature of the Fashion Archives. In this 3,000-square-foot gallery, you will experience the spectrum of color, the spectrum of time, and the spectrum of Maryland life from 1724 through today.” The exhibition delivered on its name. We were treated to lots of color, lots of period clothing, and time travel thru fashion. The collection spanned some four centuries. There were over 100 women’s and men’s clothing and accessories on display, as well as decorative arts. It was a wonderful exhibit – expertly laid out and labeled. I especially enjoyed seeing the Monkey Gown that belonged to Wallace Warfield Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor.
9. B&O Railroad Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 825 reviews
The B&O Railroad Museum, a full affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the birthplace of American Railroading, is home to the oldest, most comprehensive collection of railroad artifacts in the Western Hemisphere including an unparalleled roster of 19th and 20th century railroad equipment. You’ll enjoy exploring our expansive Museum campus, known as the Mount Clare Shops and Station and was the original railroading complex of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O). Founded in 1827, the B&O had a dramatic economic, social, and cultural impact on our society. Its nearly 200-year history is deeply intertwined with the story of America and helped shaped our nation through invention, innovation, and ingenuity. Experience two centuries of American railroading history throughout our campus of historic buildings, exhibitions, interactive displays, and our world-class collection of rolling stock —locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars, and maintenance vehicles. All Aboard!
Reviewed By MarkM4418 - Frederick, United States
One of the best train museums I've every seen. Well worth the admission. Plan on at least 1 - 2 hours. Beautifully restored trains and cars - from the very earliest, horse-pulled rail cars to rudimentary steam engines, to modern diesel engines. Beautiful museum.
10. Baltimore Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 805 reviews
The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) is home to an internationally renowned collection of 19th-century, modern, and contemporary art. Founded in 1914 with a single painting, the BMA today has 90,000 works of art-including the largest holding of works by Henri Matisse in the world.* The museum is currently undergoing an unprecedented $28 million renovation to provide visitors with a more welcoming environment and more imaginative and inspiring encounters with art. The BMA is remaining open throughout the multi-year project so that visitors can enjoy its outstanding selection of European and American painting and sculpture from the 17th through 20th centuries and the newly reinstalled Contemporary Wing with 14 galleries showcasing the art of our time. Two beautifully landscaped gardens display an array of 20th-century sculpture that is an oasis in the city. The museum's 100th anniversary will be celebrated in November 2014 with the reopening of the grand historic entrance designed by John Russell Pope and a beautiful new presentation of the museum's distinguished collection of American art. Subsequent reopenings include expanded galleries for the African and Asian art collections and a new learning and creativity center that will open in 2015. Since 2006, the BMA has eliminated general admission fees so that everyone can enjoy the power of art. * Many of the BMA's works by Matisse are part of a special exhibition traveling to museums in Indianapolis, Minneapolis, and San Antonio in 2013 and 2014. If you are visiting to see a specific artwork, please call the BMA Box Office to make sure it will be on view.
Reviewed By MeloraK - Baltimore, United States
The BMA has recently picked up an innovative and exciting air. You can follow them on Instagram to get a taste. In the meantime our recent visit reminded me of what a nice collection the museum has of Matisse and friends from the rich Cone Collection. The interactive apartment was a hit for us this time. The Contemporary Wing is getting more action of late, and since the museum is free I love to go even for a brief cleansing “art bath”.
