Things to Do in Baltimore This Weekend with Family ?

Baltimore Family Weekend Itinerary: Fun and Adventure. Baltimore, also known as Charm City is a place full of history and culture, waterfront sightseeing and kid fun. In case you intend to have a family weekend here, you are very fortunate, because there is something here you can take all members of your family, beginning with pint-sized travelers, up to parents who like taking good meals and going on walks. This is your plan for a great family weekend in Baltimore.

Begin your Saturday morning with Maryland Science Center which lies directly on Inner Harbor. It is not in vain that it is a favorite among the family members. The children can press the buttons, move the objects and have fun with the exciting hands-on exhibits with three interactive levels. It is also equipped with a planetarium and an IMAX theatre and this would be good when you have to relax and be spell-bound.

After your visit to the Science Center, also have a short stroll along the waterfront with the aim of visiting the Historic Ships in Baltimore. Both parents and children will also enjoy the experience of boarding vessels such as USS Constellation, USS Torsk submarine, Lightship Chesapeake et cetera. These floating museums provide a tangible, physical experience to history, and children in particular like to pretend that they are on the deck as sailors and captains.

Then proceed to Port Discovery Children's Museum, which is within stone's throw of Inner Harbor. It is a very interactive museum made specifically with little children in mind: there you will find a water-play zone, Sky Climber rope set, toddler and quiet reading zones and so on where children are meant to touch, play & explore. It is a great place to allow their imagination to get out of control when you are resting, conversing, or even participating.

Whenever you feel hungry, go to Lexington Market which is one of the old downtown markets in the city that has been in operation for centuries. In this case, you have the opportunity to try signature dishes of Baltimore: crab cakes, Berger cookies, deli sandwiches, etc. Turn it into adventure - give everybody something new. The atmosphere is real, colorful and strong with the history of Baltimore cuisine.

After lunch, explore the Federal Hill Park which has one of the best general views of the skyline in Baltimore. Children are able to play in the open grass, playground or in the park and parents relax in the beautiful city. When you are in a family that loves art, then you should not miss the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM). It is not a simple white-walls gallery AVAM which flaunts self-educated artists, weird sculptures and installations to puzzle the mind. For creative kids & adults, hands-on art workshops or interactive exhibits are common.

Alternatively, to experience both contemplation and discovery, go to Baltimore Museum of Arts (BMA). They have family programs such as scavenger hunts, storytelling or art making on weekends thus making museum experience interesting for children & having fun.

The Graffiti Alley in Station North Arts District is considered as one of the best kept secrets in Baltimore. It is a graffiti street that is legal and where artists in the locality will never fail to paint the city walls with colorful graffiti and illustrations. It is a scenic walk that kids and parents will enjoy together - colors, variety and creativity give excellent photo opportunities as well as stimulate creative discussion.

With time, you may also visit Carroll Park which is a big green area where there are playgrounds, basketball courts and old Mount Clare Mansion. It is a quiet place to take rest and allow children to play around, even when you get some rest.

Towards the end of the day, go back to the inner harbor district in order to dine. There are family-friendly restaurants scattered along the waterfront, beginning with the casual seafood restaurants and progressing to more elegant ones. In the evening, you can have a water taxi ride after dinner to see the harbor in golden evening light or just go along the promenade and have a view of street entertainers or live music.

Other Family Options To Consider

When you have more than a weekend to spend around, or you are choosing between different experiences, a few more suggestions are offered:

• B&O Railroad Museum: A heaven on earth to train enthusiasts. You have options to see old locomotives, ride in old rail cars and even to ride an old train.
• Baltimore Zoo: Maryland zoo is a few minutes away and it has penguins, giraffes and other wildlife.
• National Great Blacks in Wax Museum: This is a very strong museum that contains wax figures that are on full-scale demonstrate the history of the African Americans.
• Patterson Park: BBQ and spend more time in the park, in the duck pond, observation tower, lawns and playgrounds.
• Sankofa Children Museum of African Cultures: It is an organization that offers cultural heritage in terms of exhibitions, crafts, music and storytelling in order to educate children on African heritage.

• Plan ahead: Other museums such as Port Discovery or the Science Center are likely to be crowded during weekends. By making a reservation, you will save time and have a ticket.
• Wear in layers: Baltimore weather is unpredictable especially near the water and therefore carry a light jacket or a sweater.
• Take a bus: Parking can be a problem in the city. Travelling is easy because you can use Charm City Circulator or public transport.
• Mix indoor & outdoor activities: Interchange indoor and outdoor activities, such as museums and outdoor activities such as parks or the harbor, this keeps things balanced and under control by the kids.
• Bring Snacks and water: Although there are so many good food places, snacks are a nice thing to have when children are on the move.

Conclusion

Baltimore City is family-friendly. It is a rare blend of history, art, science, nature and gastronomic delights. Thus all children, who are train-lovers, mini-painters or nature-lovers, will find something appealing. It is possible to create something memorable during one weekend: sail old ships, fly through interactive museums, play on rope playgrounds and discover colorful street art.

Do not forget to consider savoring those waterfront views, take a moment to sample local fare and have the insidiousness slow enough to allow family-talking and laughing. It is not merely the events that are put on the list of things to see this weekend in Baltimore; it is an experience that is foreseen to make memories; the city of charms is the place to be.