What to do with kids in tow? Baltimore touts family fun from A to Z.
A: Ask for the Artful Stories audio tour at the Baltimore Museum of Art, and look for Henri Matisse’s dog Raudi, who signals the must-sees.
B: Board a train, explore the Choo Choo Blue station, and learn about America’s first working railroad at the B&O Railroad Museum.
C: Chill out with a snowball—Baltimore’s favorite icy treat—at one of the ubiquitous roadside stands.
D: Discover superheroes in the Comic room and vintage toys in the 1960s Room at Geppi’s Entertainment Museum.
E: Explore outer space and the deep sea with Mr. Potato Head at Port Discovery’s new exhibit featuring that famous spud.
F: Flip for dolphin shows at the National Aquarium, and get a peek behind the scenes while they train, feed and play.
G: Get close to more than 100 wax figures and scenes important to African-American history at the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum.
H: Hang with polar bears, monkeys and baby zebras at the Maryland Zoo.
I: Investigate the inside of the U.S.S. Torsk, a World War II submarine that once docked at Pearl Harbor.
J: Join the purple-shirt fans at M&T Bank Stadium for open practices by the NFL Ravens, through the summer and the season opener September 10.
K: Kayak, cruise or paddle in a dragon-shaped boat waiting at the harbor piers.
L: Learn the legends at the Babe Ruth Birthplace/Museum, and see artifacts like Babe’s first catcher’s mitt.
M: Meet “Mary Pickersgill” at the Flag House, where she sewed the original star-spangled banner in 1814.
N: Navigate a mirror maze, and take in spectacles (like a Hogwarts Castle built from 600,000 matchsticks) at the new Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Odditorium.
O: Overlook the city from the I.M. Pei-designed Top of the World Observation Level and Museum, the world’s tallest pentagonal structure.
P: Picnic at Patterson Park, where a Victorian pagoda provides an unexpected backdrop and photo ops.
Q: Quench a thirst for adventure with indoor and outdoor rock climbing at Earth Treks Climbing Center (ages six and up).
R: Revel in colorful gardens, hear live jazz, and take guided nature tours of the sprawling grounds at Cylburn Arboretum.
S: Satisfy a sweet tooth at Wockenfuss Candies, a favorite stop for chocolate, fudge and candy since 1915.
T: Take in “outsider” 3D yarn paintings and a mosaic school bus at the American Visionary Art Museum.
U: Uncover Baltimore’s spooky past with Ghost Walks in Fells Point and Mount Vernon.
V: Visit Fort McHenry, where re-enactors portray the defenders of Baltimore during the War of 1812.
W: Watch “knights” joust on horseback and save “damsels” during a four-course meal at Medieval Times.
X: X-ray “Egyptian mummies,” stargaze with astronomers, and dig for dinosaur fossils at the Maryland Science Center.
Y: Yell for the O’s at Camden Yards, where Friday evening games mean $6 tickets for students with a school ID.
Z: Zip across the harbor via Water Taxi for fun ride and photogenic views.
Quality Time with Kids in Baltimore
Top spots by the letter