Baltimore - Family friendly stuff to do?

[summerrluvv]

We will be in Baltimore this month for an event and will have a little bit of down time. Can anyone rec. some budget, family friendly things to do that a 3 year old would enjoy? Thanks

 

[CarlisleMom]

I am not sure how much $$ these cost ... The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, Port Discovery Children's Museum



Info and links at : baltimore.org

 

[penjen]

My 6 yo DS loved the water taxi!

 

[ummchacha]

What part of Baltimore will you be in? Are you looking to stick around the Inner Harbor, or are you looking for activities away from downtown? How many in your group?

 

[Tiana]

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[summerrluvv]

Thanks for all the ideas!

We really won't have time to drive a long distance. We are staying near the airport. The science center sounds fun. I was looking at the Port Discovery but she is only 3 so she might not like it. The aquarium looks pretty $$$ but she loves fish so I'm going to look for discounts!

 

[Nik's Mom]

The aquarium was well worth the price for us. It was probably the best we've seen. And the harbor area was furn to just walk around and look at the boats. Plus, there were plenty of places to eat there.

 

[MylilTink]

I live by the airport!

There's a Mediveal Times at Arundel Mills (the mall) if you'd think that was fun.

The aquarium is nice; there's lots to explore.

The Baltimore Zoo is enjoyable; the zoo is on the small side, but I like that because I tend to carry all the stuff. Also, their parking is easy and close to the entrance.

 

[Tiana]

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[momtosam]

If your son is into pirates, I recommend the Urban Pirates cruise. We just did it two months ago and my kids LOVED it! You go out on a boat that looks like a pirate ship, the kids get dressed up and play some games, and then a "bad pirate" in a little speed boat comes us to try to steal the treasure. The boat has water cannons that the kids shoot at the pirate to make him surrender. It was a blast! Just google Urban Pirates Baltimore and you'll find it.

 

[TPBChick]

A freebie that is near the airport is the Thomas Dixon Aircraft Observation Area. You get a great view of landing planes. There is also a small playground. Here are the directions to get there:

Tom Dixon Aircraft Observation Area: From I-95 or Rt. 295 (Baltimore Washington Parkway) take Route 100 East. Stay on Route 100 to Exit 11. Get off Route 100 at Exit 11 which is Route 170 (Telegraph Road). Take Route 170 North towards Linthicum. Go to the first stop light which is Route 176 (Dorsey Road). Make a right onto Route 176 and go approximately 1.5 miles. The observation area will be on your right. If you come to I-97, you have gone too far.

 

[Malibustyle23]

I would definetly skip Port Discovery. I felt as though it was geared towards other children and was much more reading and learning experience. It would of been a great place for older kids for the treehouse but there was no way I was comfortable allowing DS 6 to go through it by hisself and have no idea where he'd end up at. Im too big and lazy to enjoy it with him. So perhaps in a year or 5!

The aquarium is very nice and often has deals for certain days after certain times for a discounted price. Then you can decide to add on the dolphin or 3d show.

Not sure of the prices but there are paddle boats at the Inner Harbor and also a Water Taxi.

Camden Yards is right there also not sure if the O's have special discounted days or not?

 

[Swimalie]

We just went to the Inner Harbor for the day. We opted not to do the Aquarium due to friends of ours telling us it was not worth the money. We can go to the one in VA Beach for less and get more out of it, from what we've been told. We did the historic ships and it was great! Our son is only 5 and he got a lot out of the ships, too http://www.historicships.org/

After the Inner Harbor we drove to Ft McHenry which we loved as well.

 

[Baltimore Mom]

I live in Baltimore and have a 3 year old and 5 year old. I highly recommend Port Discovery for younger ones. While it's true some of their exhibits are designed for older kids, the climbing thing in the middle is not something my girls would climb- the majority of the exhibits are for kids 3 and up - there is a Diner, mini convenience store exhibit where kids can "shop" and scan food items, and there is this amazing water exhibit. There is also an art room and a small theater where kids can play with drums or watch a performance if one is scheduled. Late afternoon during the week or weekend mornings when they open are best. You can also get discounted parking if you visit on a weeked at the Harbor Park Garage - you just get it validated at the museum's box office. Port Discovery is by far cheaper than most of the other attractions around town and my girls LOVE it there.

 

[Ava]

If your son is into pirates, I recommend the Urban Pirates cruise. We just did it two months ago and my kids LOVED it! You go out on a boat that looks like a pirate ship, the kids get dressed up and play some games, and then a "bad pirate" in a little speed boat comes us to try to steal the treasure. The boat has water cannons that the kids shoot at the pirate to make him surrender. It was a blast! Just google Urban Pirates Baltimore and you'll find it.

That is so clever! My sister & I would've loved this when we were kids. I remember going on the USS Constellation, which was interesting, but I was older. I don't know that younger ones would appreciate it as much. The pirate cruise sounds like a lot of fun.

 

[summerrluvv]

Thanks everyone!

DS is not coming ( it's just DD and I), otherwise we would do the pirate cruise since he's a pirate fanatic!

 

[Tinkerbell3014]

DS and DD both loved the zoo and the aquarium. Have a great trip!

 

[mickeytattoo95]

The aquarium has some after 5pm deals on Friday nights. You should call to find out because they are not on their website. I want to say one time we got in for $5 after 5. You don't get as long to walk around, but the school/camp tours are long gone by then. They have a new jelly fish exhibit that we loved! There were things we'd never seen before. IMO, the dolphin show has really gone down in quality and the 4D theater creeped my 8 year old out. The back of the seat stabs you when there's an alligator on screen. We didn't like the extra stuff, but loved the aquarium in general.

Try to do a drive by of Charm City Cakes if you can. We love Duff on Ace of Cakes! You can't go in, but we got some cute pics outside. You can get t-shirts with the logo at the inner harbor tourist traps.

Have fun!

 

[summerrluvv]

The aquarium has some after 5pm deals on Friday nights. You should call to find out because they are not on their website. I want to say one time we got in for $5 after 5. You don't get as long to walk around, but the school/camp tours are long gone by then. They have a new jelly fish exhibit that we loved! There were things we'd never seen before. IMO, the dolphin show has really gone down in quality and the 4D theater creeped my 8 year old out. The back of the seat stabs you when there's an alligator on screen. We didn't like the extra stuff, but loved the aquarium in general.

Try to do a drive by of Charm City Cakes if you can. We love Duff on Ace of Cakes! You can't go in, but we got some cute pics outside. You can get t-shirts with the logo at the inner harbor tourist traps.

Have fun!

Ohh I had no idea that is where Charm City Cakes is!!

 

[Charitycase20]

Sign up for emails from Groupon.com also. You might get lucky and be able to get tickets for various things really cheap!!