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Things to see in Baltimore

Attractions

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. You can touch stingrays, crabs and jellyfish, and come face to face with sharks. It can get busy so booking tickets online is recommended.

Address: , , ,
Telephone: +1 410 576 3800.
Opening times:

Opening hours vary through the year (and are subject to change without notice) so check the website or ring for updates.

Website: http://aqua.org
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

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.

Address: , , ,
Telephone: +1 443 263 1800.
Opening times:

Wed-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1200-1700.

Website: http://www.lewismuseum.org
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

American Visionary Art Museum

The Main Building, with its shining mosaic walls, is acclaimed as an architectural jewel. The Tall Sculpture Barn accommodates towering sculptures, rotated on a regular basis. Popular permanent exhibits include a model of the Lusitania ship created from more than 193,000 toothpicks. The Giant Whirligig is a 17m (55ft) wind-powered outdoor installation.

Address: , , ,
Telephone: +1 410 244 1900.
Opening times:

Tues-Sun 1000-1800.

Website: http://www.avam.org
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Baltimore Museum of Art

The museum's vast collection includes 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. Sisters Etta and Claribel Cone's collection of textiles, jewellery, furniture and art has its own wing.

Address: , , ,
Telephone: +1 443 573 1700.
Opening times:

Wed- Fri 1000-1700, Sat-Sun 1100-1800.

Website: http://artbma.org
Admission Fees:

No.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

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 sprawling grounds still play host to military ceremonies and drills during the summer. Exhibits include historical and military artefacts, an electronic battle map and recreations of different historical buildings.

Address: , , ,
Telephone: +1 410 962 4290.
Opening times:

Daily 0900-1700 (grounds) and 0900-1645 (fort and visitor centre); extended hours in summer.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/fomc
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum

A trail of 60 painted baseballs on the sidewalk leads from the Babe Ruth statue at Oriole Park to the home where baseball legend George Herman 'Babe' Ruth 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'.

Address: , , ,
Telephone: +1 410 727 1539.
Opening times:

Daily 1000-1700 (1900 on game days) (Apr-Sep); Tues-Sun 1000-1700 (Oct-Mar).

Website: http://baberuthmuseum.org
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Port Discovery Children’s Museum

Kids go wild for this fun and educational museum. Youngsters can burn off energy in 'Kidworks', a three-storey tree house built for climbing, crawling and swinging. 'Adventure Expeditions' offers a spooky recreation of ancient Egypt, where kids can search for a lost Pharaoh's tomb. Tot Trails lets toddlers dig for fossils, play with puppets and listen to stories.

Address: , , ,
Telephone: +1 410 727 8120.
Opening times:

Tues-Fri 0930-1630, Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1200-1700 (Oct-May); Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1200-1700 (late May-early Sep); Fri 0930-1630, Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1200-1700 (Sep).

Website: http://www.portdiscovery.org
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

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. The sculpture court is designed as a copy of an Italian Genoan palace and the main entrance features a dramatic hanging staircase within a soaring glass atrium. Exhibits change regularly.

Address: , , ,
Telephone: +1 410 547 9000.
Opening times:

Wed and Fri-Sun 1000-1700, Thurs 1000-2100.

Website: http://thewalters.org
Admission Fees:

No.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum

This museum is on the site of the USA's first railway depot and station. You can spend all day perusing the huge assortment of locomotives and models, as well as railroad china and silver. From April to December (Thursday to Sunday) and on weekends in January, take a ride on the miniature steam locomotive.

Address: , , ,
Telephone: +1 410 752 2490.
Opening times:

Mon-Sat 1000-1600, Sun 1100-1600.

Website: http://www.borail.org
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Maryland Science Center

Scientists of all ages can discover the ins and outs of dinosaurs, the human body, and life beyond earth through hands-on exhibits. A display on Chesapeake Bay's ecosystem features a gigantic mechanical blue crab, live terrapins and fish. The centre also contains an IMAX cinema and a planetarium, with presentations introducing you to the night sky.

Address: , , ,
Telephone: +1 410 685 2370.
Opening times:

Hours vary. Check website.

Website: http://www.mdsci.org
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Tourist Offices

Visit Baltimore

Address: , , ,
Telephone: +1 877 225 8466
Opening times:

Daily 0900-1800.

Website: http://www.baltimore.org

The city's modern tourist office offers reservations, ticketing services and a wide selection of maps and brochures. It also has phone-charging points.

Tourist passes

The Harbor Pass provides admission to the National Aquarium and the Top of the World Observation Level plus two additional attractions (various pass combinations are available covering different sights). It's valid for four consecutive days. You can buy it from the Baltimore Visitor Centre, either in person, online or by phone.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

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Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore

There's something of a beaux-arts feel to this hotel, with marble staircases leading up form the grand lobby. The actual building has been around for more than 100 years, but this belies the modernity of the property, which is sleek and chic. Even the entry-level rooms are of a nice size, and the suites are enormous.

Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel

This contemporary hotel features soothing earth-toned décor, good conference facilities, a fitness centre and all the in-room services you would expect from the Marriott chain. Seafood dishes are especially good at Watertable restaurant. The hotel is conveniently attached to the attractive Gallery mall and has lovely harbour views.

The Ivy

The luxurious accommodation in this 19th-century Mount Vernon mansion aims to give you the feel of staying in the home of a wealthy friend. Nine characterful rooms and suites are fitted out with cosy four-poster beds and sleek bathrooms. Curl up with a book in the library, tinkle the piano or dine in the upscale Magdalena bistro.

Wilson House Bed & Breakfast

Housed in a grand 19th-century mansion this elegant 10-room bed and breakfast offers cosy accommodation near Penn Station. It was here that William Jennings Bryant made deals that led to Woodrow Wilson taking the presidency in 1912. The home is within easy reach of Mount Vernon's cultural venues and eateries and around 5km (3 miles) from the Inner Harbor.

Lord Baltimore Hotel

A fixture in the city since 1928, this is a classic hotel in the French Renaissance style, the huge lobby chock full of chandeliers, staircases and everything you really want on old-style hotel to be. You're only a few blocks from Inner Harbor, and its 400-plus rooms are mostly a good size.

Sleep Inn & Suites Downtown Inner Harbor

A short stroll from the Inner Harbor this hotel puts you within walking distance of Baltimore's main attractions. Rooms are smart and modern with a choice of two double beds or a king bed. Many also have a pull-out sofa bed. A hot buffet breakfast is included.