7 Truly Unique Baltimore Museums to Explore

One of the things we love about our location in Ellicott City is our proximity to so many other interesting, historical and cultural sites. We get the best of all worlds: the naval history at Annapolis and the nation’s Capital, for instance. But Baltimore offers its own charms, and these Baltimore museums are part of what make the city so special.

 

Reginald F. Lewis Museum

830 East Pratt Street

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum celebrates Maryland African American history and culture in its permanent galleries and educational programs. This is arguable the most culturally relevant of the Baltimore museums, since it shares the broader African American experience through special exhibitions, lectures and a variety of events.

Hours of Operation: 10am-5pm, Wednesday-Saturday; Sunday, Noon to 5pm

The museum is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and the following holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday

 

American Visionary Art Museum

http://www.avam.org/

Of all the fascinating Baltimore museums, the American Visionary Art Museum offers a singular draw: it displays art produced by self-taught individuals, usually without formal training.

Aside from its art displays, the museum hosts more than 70 weddings a year, the rental fees of which contribute to the AVAM’s status as debt-free.

Hours of Operation: 10am–6pm, Tuesday-Sunday

Closed Mondays, Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day

B&O Railroad Museum

http://www.borail.org/

The B&O Railroad Museum exhibits historic railroad equipment. Of all the Baltimore museums, the B&O was named one of the most significant collections of railroad treasures in the world. The location itself adds historical value: Mount Clare is considered to be a birthplace of American railroading.

According to Wikipedia, It was also to this site that the first telegraph message, “What hath God wrought?” was sent on May 24, 1844, from Washington, D.C. Not surprisingly, the museum and station are a U.S. National Historic Landmark.

Hours of Operation: 10am-4pm, Monday–Saturday;  11am-4pm, Sunday

 

Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards

http://baberuthmuseum.org/

Everyone associates Babe Ruth with the Yankees, but Baltimore is the proud home of the Great Bambino. The Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum is actually one of two combined Baltimore museums. It’s adjacent to The Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards. The Sports Legends Museum covers an array of Baltimore’s sports, including: the Baltimore Orioles, Colts, Ravens and Blast; Orioles Hall of Fame; Negro League teams; the Preakness; the Maryland State Athletic Hall of Fame; regional college athletics; and more.

 

Poe Baltimore

http://www.poeinbaltimore.org/

Literature lovers and Poe enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to Poe Baltimore, perhaps the most specialized of Baltimore museums. Poe’s home has been preserved with much of the exterior and interior original fabric  (although the house isn’t furnished).

Hours of Operation: Open to visitors on a seasonal schedule. Currently open through Dec. 28, every Saturday & Sunday from 11am-3:45pm

 

Historic Ships in Baltimiore

http://www.historicships.org/

Historic Ships claims a unique status not just among Baltimore museums but in the entire country: it’s one of the most impressive collections of military vessels in the world.  Located within walking distance of each other, the US Sloop-of-War Constellation, the US Submarine Torsk, the US Coast Guard Cutter Taney and the Lightship Chesapeake give examples of U.S. seafaring from the mid-19th century to the mid-1980s.  The Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse is also a part of the Historic Ship; it has marked the entrance to the Patapsco River and Baltimore Harbor for over 130 years.

 

To learn more about the area, check out our vacation guide. To book accommodations at Wayside Inn, click here.