Baltimore Attractions

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.

301 West Camden Street
Tel: (410) 625 7060.
Website: www.geppismuseum.com
Admission charge.

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.

Inner Harbour, 200 East Pratt Street
Tel: (410) 332 4191.
Website: www.harborplace.com
Free admission.

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.

131 S. Potomac Street (Inner Harbour East)
Tel: (410) 960 6890.
Website: www.KatynBaltimore.com
Free admission.

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.

400 West Lexington Street
Tel: (410) 685 6169.
Website: www.lexingtonmarket.com
Free admission.

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.

35 Market Place
Tel: (410) 727 8120.
Website: www.portdiscovery.org
Admission charge.

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.

1417 Thames Street, Fells Point
Tel: (410) 685 0295.
Website: www.douglassmyers.org
Admission charge.

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.

830 East Pratt Street
Tel: (443) 263 1800.
Website: www.africanamericanculture.org
Admission charge.

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.

600 North Charles Street
Tel: (410) 547 9000.
Website: www.thewalters.org
Free admission.