Baltimore may not be on the top of everyone's list as a tour destination. But the city has lots of attractions that is just waiting to be discovered. With it's own unique charm, the city is definitely worth the visit and can be an ideal venue for your next family gathering with tons of sites and activities for all ages. Here are some of the places that the whole family will surely enjoy.
Discover the wealth of the ocean and beyond at one of the country's best aquariums. Children and adults alike will surely be amazed and awe-inspired on the diverse life on display on its exhibits. Explore the different habitats and get to know the rich marine life, flora, and fauna from all the corners of the Earth. From sharks, rays, fish of all shapes and sizes, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and small mammals, the National Aquarium have them. A tour of the National Aquarium in Baltimore gives your group a chance to experience nature’s beauty in the middle of the city.
Celebrating among the most popular art collection in the country, the Cone Collection, the Baltimore Museum of Art is recognized as one of the country's centers for modern art. Amongst its vast collection, the museum also displays works of art legends. Additionally, the museum possesses its extensive collection of art from Africa, American modern art, ancient Antioch mosaics, art from Asia, fabrics from around the globe, and works of established and emerging modern-day artists. Stroll through its galleries and feast your eyes to wonderful artworks from around the world and across the centuries.
Stated as the nation's nationwide museum for visionary arts, the American Visionary Arts Museum commemorates the distinct and unusual style of the nation's innovative minds. Its irreversible exhibit includes more than 4000 pieces from self-taught visionary artists of differing backgrounds. AVAM's collections and displays honor the "process and consciousness" of the artist, instead of being a "mere artifact." Commemorating the artists' special creativity and passion within, a see to the American Visionary Arts Museum is definitely an one-of-a-kind experience.
Built in the late 18th century, this museum was the home of Mary Young Pickersgill when she moved to Baltimore in 1806. This is also the place where the garrison flag flown at the Fort McHenry during the naval attack in the Battle of Baltimore was sewn. The said flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem 'Defense of Fort McHenry' that later became the words of the United States' national anthem. A museum was annexed to the original house and currently displays artifacts commemorating the War of 1812 and the Battle of Baltimore.
Just like out of a storybook, Urban Pirates gives you a fun and exciting way to explore the waters of Baltimore. The tour provides a unique experience, where you will learn how to speak, sing, dance, and play games like true-blooded pirates. Sail and navigate treacherous waters and have a fun-filled and thrilling adventure searching for vast treasures on a custom-built pirate ship with (water) cannons to blast your enemies at sea. Make this one-of-a-kind experience part of your next family reunion or school trip for a more memorable experience.
If you want to see the panoramic view of Baltimore from a different vantage point, this cruise is definitely for you. Enjoy a good meal and refreshments with the company of your group or family at different times of the day while riding the waters of Inner Harbor. This cruise lets you and your group dine, dance, and see Baltimore like no other. Whether it’s lunch, brunch or dinner, sunset or moonlight, or if you’re looking to celebrate in style, the Spirit of Baltimore Cruise has something for you.
The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture located in the center of downtown Baltimore, being a Smithsonian-affiliate, is distinguished as the very best resource for knowledge and inspiration about the lives of African Americans of Maryland. It was founded in honor of one of the wealthiest African American lawyers in the 1980s, Reginald F Lewis. In addition to its informative and educational displays, the museum provides a range of engaging activities to its visitors. These include workshops for kids, musical productions, and lectures. Researchers can likewise take advantage of their extensive resources on genealogy. If you get hungry from taking a look around, no need to worry. The museum has an in-site cafe that provides great food the will surely feed your soul.
Established in honor of two notable movers and thinkers who are African-American, this park and heritage center in 1417 Thames Street celebrates the contributions of the African-Americans in the country's shipbuilding industry. By exploring this museum, guests will have the chance to find out and find the lives of these two notable natives of Baltimore as caulkers in a reconstruction of the first African-American shipyard. The center likewise tells the story of Frederick Douglas from slavery to freedom till he became a distinguished orator and among the leaders of the slavery abolition campaign. The museum recognizes the contributions of free-born Black American Isaac Myers as a trade union leader and co-operative organizer.
Here are other equally interesting and engaging places in Baltimore that can make your next family reunion a lot more special.