There’s a Reason it’s Called ‘Charm City’. Here’s 8 Ways to Explore Baltimore with Kids

In Baltimore, there’s plenty to delight kids and adults alike—and all with the quirkiness that inspired the moniker of “Charm City.” Whether you’re exploring indoors or out, everything is within easy reach of the downtown and is sure to charm the socks right off you.

Arts

American Visionary Arts Museum

Skip traditional museums and go for unique and eclectic exhibits at the American Visionary Art Museum. Kids especially will be impressed and inspired with the non-traditional art, like the sparkly Cosmic Egg sculpture located outside the museum entrance.

Baltimore Museum of Industry

The Museum of Industry features a range of exhibits, covering big stuff—like how the Industrial Revolution shaped Baltimore—and small—like how locks work. Its interactive Video Game Wizards exhibit shows how you can take an interest in gaming and turn it into an eventual career.

Family Fun

The National Aquarium in Baltimore

The breathtaking Shark Alley exhibit at the National Aquarium will plunge you deep into shark-infested waters (with a thick glass barrier, of course). For a more hands-on experience, visitors can touch stingrays and majestic moon jellies in the two touch-pools upstairs.

Duckpin Bowling

Duckpin bowling is the unofficial sport of Baltimore. At Mustang Alley’s, you can try out this local take on 10-pin bowling, where you roll balls slightly larger than a softball into mini pins.

Food and Drink

Baltimore Farmer’s Market and Bazaar

The farmer’s market is an essential part of Sunday mornings from April through late December. The transformed freeway underpass makes for the perfect place to meander past booths with fresh pastries, seasonal fruits and vegetables and artisan creations. Nothing beats watching someone press your morning orange juice before your eyes.

The Charmery

Putting Baltimore’s favorite spice, Old Bay, on ice cream may not seem like a good idea, but the folks at The Charmery did it and it’s delicious. Try the Old Bay Caramel along with a dozen other rotating flavors that range from kooky and creative to the comfort-food staple, pure vanilla.

Outdoors

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

Oh say can you see…a true piece of our nation’s history. Explore the fort that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words for the “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Double-down on the authenticity by taking a water taxi there from any of several ports in the city.

Weber’s Peachberry Farm

Get your hands dirty and your basket full by grabbing some seasonal pick-your-own fruits at Weber’s. Crops range from sun-ripened strawberries in the summer to giant pumpkins in the fall.