Baltimore Top Attractions

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.
 
800 Key Highway
Tel: (410) 244 1900.
Website: www.avam.org
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1800.
Admission charge.

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.

901 West Pratt Street
Tel: (410) 752 2490.
Website: www.borail.org
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1600, Sun 1100-1600.
Admission charge.

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. Grab lunch at Gertrude's restaurant (see Restaurants).

10 Art Museum Drive
Tel: (443) 573 1700.
Website: www.artbma.org
Opening hours: Wed- Fri 1100-1700, Sat-Sun 1100-1800.
Admission charge only for some special events.

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; website: www.ticketmaster.com).

Pier 3, Inner Harbour, 501 East Pratt Street
Tel: (410) 576 3800.
Website: www.aqua.org
Opening hours vary through the year (and are subject to change without notice) so check website or ring for updates.
Admission charge.

National Historic Seaport
The National Historic Seaport is an alliance of maritime heritage attractions in and around Baltimore's Historic Inner Harbor. It includes Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, the Baltimore Museum of Industry, the USS Constellation, a reproduction of an 1812 Clipper, Coast Guard Cutter Taney (a survivor of Pearl Harbour) WWII submarine Torsk and lightship Chesapeake, as well as the 1833 Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse and Baltimore Maritime Museum. Its Sail Baltimore group organises tours of visiting ships - from high-tech naval warships to those of historical interest. The surrounding historic neighbourhoods of Federal Hill, Canton and Fells Point are also worth a visit.

Inner Harbor, 802 South Caroline Street
Tel: (410) 783 1490.
Website: www.natlhistoricseaport.org

Baltimore Maritime Museum
Inner Harbor, 802 South Caroline Street
Tel: (410) 396 3453.
Website: www.baltomaritimemuseum.org
Opening hours for ships: 1000-1730 (Mar-Oct); 1000-1630 (Nov-Feb).
Admission charge.

USS Constellation
Pier One, 301 East Pratt Street
Tel: (410) 539 1797.
Website: www.constellation.org
Opening hours: 1000-1730 (March-Oct); 1000-1630 (Nov-Feb).
Admission charge.

Baltimore Museum of Industry
1415 Key Highway
Tel: (410) 727 4808.
Website: www.thebmi.org
Opening hours: Tues-Sat 1000-1600, Sun 1100-1600.
Admission charge.

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.

601 Light Street
Tel: (410) 685 5225.
Website: www.mdsci.org
Opening hours: Tues-Thurs 1000-1700, Fri 1000-2000, Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1100-1700.
Admission charge.

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.

2400 East Fort Avenue
Tel: (410) 962 4290.
Website: www.nps.gov/fomc
Opening hours: 0800-1700 grounds and 0800-1645 fort and visitor centre (Sep-May); extending to 2000 grounds and 1945 fort (June-August).
Admission charge.

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'.

216 Emory Street
Tel: (410) 727 1539.
Website: www.BabeRuthMuseum.com
Opening hours: 1000-1800 (1900 on game days) (Apr-Oct); 1000-1700 (Nov-Mar).
Admission charge.

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.

301 West Camden Street
Tel: (410) 727 1539.
Website: www.sportslegendsatcamdenyards.com
Opening hours: 1000-1800 (1900 on game days) (Apr-Oct); Tues-Sun 1000-1700 (Nov-Mar).
Admission charge.