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Landmark USS Constellation Historic Ship, Baltimore

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Things to see in Baltimore

Tourist information: 

Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association
100 Light Street, 12th Floor
Tel: (410) 659 7300.
www.baltimore.org
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1800.

Passes: 

The Harbor Pass provides admission to the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, the Top of the World Observation Level and Port Discovery (a fabulous children's entertainment centre) as well as a one day ticket for Ed Kane's Water Taxi. It also includes discounts on hotels, dining, shopping and various other attractions.

Learn about Baltimore's social history with the Heritage Pass. It includes admission to the Baltimore Maritime Museum, the Carroll Mansion, the Star Spangled Banner Flag House Museum, the Reginald F Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, the Jewish Museum of Maryland, the USS Constellation Museum and the Top of the World Observation Level.

All passes are available at the visitors' centre.

American Visionary Art Museum

The main building is acclaimed as an architectural jewel, worth the admission price alone. The Tall Sculpture Barn accommodates towering sculptures, rotated on a regular basis; previous exhibits have included Uri Geller's art car made of 5,000 psychically bent spoons and forks and an interactive chess set of aliens and angels. The Giant Whirligig is a 17m (55ft) wind powered extravaganza.

Opening Times: Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1800.
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, United States
Telephone: (410) 244 1900
Website: http://www.avam.org/
Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum

More than half a century after his death, the baseball legend George Herman 'Babe' Ruth is honoured daily by fans visiting the Baltimore home where he was born. Filled with baseball memorabilia - including his catcher's mitt, jersey and schooldays hymn book - it's a fitting tribute to the 'Sultan of Swat'.

Opening Times: 1000-1800 (1900 on game days) (Apr-Oct); 1000-1700 (Nov-Mar).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: 216 Emory Street, Baltimore, United States
Telephone: (410) 727 1539.
Website: http://www.baberuthmuseum.com/
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum

You don't need to be a trainspotter to enjoy the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum. It houses the oldest American railroad collection in the world on its 16 hectare (40 acre) site, where the USA's first railway depot and station were originally located. You can spend all day perusing the huge assortment of locomotives and models, as well as railroad china and silver. From April to December (from Wednesday to Sunday), take a ride on the miniature steam locomotive: included in ticket price.

Opening Times: Mon-Sat 1000-1600, Sun 1100-1600.
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: 901 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, United States
Telephone: (410) 752 2490.
Website: http://www.borail.org
Baltimore Museum of Art

The museum's outstanding collection encompasses 90,000 works, including the largest holding of Henri Matisse in the world. Masterpieces by Picasso, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Botticelli, Rembrandt and Van Dyck are also on show alongside examples of abstract expressionism and pop art - with many late works by Andy Warhol. Sisters Etta and Claribel Cone's wonderful collection of textiles, jewellery, furniture and art has its own wing. It also houses one of the most important African collections in the country, with notable pieces from the Ancient Americas, Asia and the Pacific Islands.

Opening Times: Wed- Fri 1100-1700, Sat-Sun 1100-1800.
Admission Fees: Yes (for special events only).
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: 10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore, United States
Telephone: (443) 573 1700.
Website: http://www.artbma.org
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

During the Battle of Baltimore, this star-shaped fort, built in 1803, was valiantly defended against the British, inspiring Frances Scott Key to pen the words of the US national anthem. The monument and grounds cover 17 hectares (43 acres) and military ceremonies and drills are still performed during the summer. Exhibits include historical and military artefacts in addition to an electronic battle map and recreations of different historical buildings.

Opening Times: 0800-1700 grounds and 0800-1645 fort and visitor centre (Sep-May); extending to 2000 grounds and 1945 fort (June-August).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: 2400 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore, United States
Telephone: (410) 962 4290.
Website: http://www.nps.gov/fomc
Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park

This 'living museum' presents the maritime history of Baltimore's 19th-century African-American community and honours two African American leaders. Douglass was a former slave who, after buying his freedom, became a renowned anti-slavery activist while Myers was born free and started the first African-American shipyard. Educational programs are offered on the first floor.

Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: 1417 Thames Street, Baltimore, United States
Telephone: (410) 685 0295.
Website: http://www.douglassmyers.org
Geppi's Entertainment Museum

Take a trip through 250 years of American pop culture and relive your childhood. Geppi's is home to old friends like Superman, Mickey Mouse and G.I. Joe. It's a shrine to toys, games, TV shows and comics that have shaped the America we know today. Star Trek and Star Wars fans will be delighted. There's even an original Ben Franklin cartoon, dating back to the late 18th century. Rooms are organised by era. Special exhibitions for 2009 include a Barbie extravaganza and a tribute to The Wizard of Oz .

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: 301 West Camden Street, Baltimore, United States
Telephone: (410) 625 7060.
Website: http://www.geppismuseum.com
Lexington Market

This true focal point of the community is a wonderful place for people-watching. Established in 1782, it quickly became the first farmers' market in the USA and continues to thrive today, with a hubbub of dazzling sights and smells. Chocoholics shouldn't miss the October Chocolate Festival; another highlight in the market's busy calendar is the Preakness Crab Derby in May. Local celebrities ‘jockey' blue crabs to the finish line. Don't leave the market without sampling a Faidley crab cake.
 

Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: West Lexington Street, Baltimore, United States
Telephone: 410) 685 6169.
Website: www.lexingtonmarket.com
Maryland Science Center

The centre promotes science to children through interactive exhibits. Learn about dinosaurs, space, your body and the secrets of Chesapeake Bay. Spring 2009 will see Chinasaurs open - a collection of Chinese fossils, including 20 skeletons. The centre also features travelling exhibitions, an IMAX cinema and a Planetarium - showing images from the Hubble space telescope.

Opening Times: Tues-Thurs 1000-1700, Fri 1000-2000, Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1100-1700.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: 601 Light Street, Baltimore, United States
Telephone: (410) 685 5225.
Website: http://www.mdsci.org
National Katyn Memorial

This impressive sculpture by Andrew Pitynski is dedicated to all mistreated prisoners of war - the Polish officers murdered by the Soviets in 1940 in Katyn Forest being an extreme example.

Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: 131 S. Potomac Street (Inner Harbour East), Baltimore, United States
Telephone: (410) 960 6890.
Website: http://www.katynbaltimore.com
Port Discovery, the Kid-Powered Museum

Created by Walt Disney Imagineering, this unique museum is both fun and educational for the whole family. Those with energy to burn will love 'Kidworks', a three-storey tree house built for climbing, crawling and swinging. The 'Sensation Station' is the equivalent for those aged four and under. Its 'Adventure Expeditions' offers a spooky recreation of ancient Egypt, where youngsters can search for a lost Pharaoh's tomb. It's suitable for older children, as is the R & D Dreamlab - which encourages their inner engineer to get creative. Play detective at 'Miss Perception's Mystery House', where every room is filled with clues as to the whereabouts of the Baffeld Family.

Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: 35 Market Place, Baltimore, United States
Telephone: (410) 727 8120.
Website: http://www.portdiscovery.org
Reginald F Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture

The museum chronicles slaves' ironwork, sail making, tobacco and caulking skills and goes on to look at sporting and entertainment achievements in modern times. The museum takes its name from Maryland-born and Harvard-educated lawyer Reginald F Lewis, who went on to become one of the country's most successful entrepreneurs.

Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: 830 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, United States
Telephone: (443) 263 1800.
Website: http://www.africanamericanculture.org
Sports Legends at Camden Yards

Located in the historic former Camden railroad station (the first blood of the Civil War was shed outside the north entrance), this spectacular sporting museum features a comprehensive Orioles Hall of Fame as well as exhibits on the Baltimore Colts and Ravens. It also details the Negro League teams and the Preakness Derby. See World Series trophies and tributes to state athletic teams and try on sports gear in the authentic locker room.

Opening Times: 1000-1800 (1900 on game days) (Apr-Oct); Tues-Sun 1000-1700 (Nov-Mar).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: 301 West Camden Street, Baltimore, United States
Telephone: (410) 727 1539.
Website: www.sportslegendsatcamdenyards.com
The Harborplace and Gallery

This shopper's delight is enclosed within two waterfront pavilions and boasts a beautiful four-floored glass atrium. From here, board a clipper, paddle steamer, schooner or oyster boat - or hop on a water taxi. The waterfront path leads to the World Trade Centre, the National Aquarium and the Maritime Museum.

Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Inner Harbour, Baltimore, United States
Telephone: (410) 332 4191.
Website: http://www.harborplace.com
The National Aquarium

Admire the 10.5m (35ft) waterfall adorning the entrance and then marvel at marine and freshwater wildlife as well as crocodiles, poison dart frogs, puffins and lizards. The aquarium receives regular newcomers - such as a Giant Pacific Octopus who likes to play with Mr Potato Head. It can get busy so booking is recommended, available up to 30 days in advance from the Aquarium or from Ticketmaster (tel: (410) 547 7328 or 1 800 551 7328; www.ticketmaster.com).

Opening Times: Opening hours vary through the year (and are subject to change without notice) so check website or ring for updates.
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Pier 3, 501 East Pratt Street, United States
Telephone: (410) 547 7328.
Website: http://www.aqua.org/
The Walters Art Museum

Spanning 55 centuries of art, the Walters houses everything from Greek, Roman, Islamic and Egyptian artefacts to European Renaissance art and medieval armour. Exhibits change regularly, encompassing such wonders as 5,000 years of jewellery and Japanese autumnal paintings. The sculpture court is designed as a wonderful copy of an Italian Genoan palace and the main entrance features a dramatic hanging staircase within a soaring glass atrium.

Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: 600 North Charles Street, Baltimore, United States
Telephone: (410) 547 9000.
Website: http://www.thewalters.org
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