What are the best indoor things to do in Baltimore with kids?

The Maryland Science Center, Port Discovery Children's Museum and the National Aquarium are three of the best, all close to the Inner Harbor. Each offers several hours of indoor activities.

Which is best for toddlers: Port Discovery or the Science Center?

Port Discovery is designed for younger kids, roughly 10 and under, with climbing, water play and pretend play. The Science Center has a toddler area too, but it suits preschool through middle school best.

Do I need tickets in advance for the National Aquarium?

Timed tickets booked in advance are highly recommended, especially on rainy days and weekends when the aquarium is busiest. Check the official website for current ticketing.

Can we visit all three attractions in one day?

It is possible with older kids, but ambitious. Many families pick one or two, with a nap-time return to the hotel between stops. An hourly booking keeps the same vehicle with you all day.

Do you provide car seats for kids?

Yes. Infant, convertible and booster seats are available on request. Tell us your children's ages and weights when you book, and the seats stay installed between stops.

Rainy Day in Baltimore with Kids

A rainy day with small kids can feel like a long one, especially when you are visiting Baltimore and had planned to spend it outdoors. Fortunately, three of the city's best family attractions are indoors and clustered around the Inner Harbor: the Maryland Science Center, Port Discovery Children's Museum and the National Aquarium. With a bit of planning — and a ride that drops you right at the door — a wet day can turn into one of the best of the trip.

The Big Three

The Maryland Science Center

On the west shore of the Inner Harbor at Light Street, the Maryland Science Center has hands-on exhibits about the human body, dinosaurs, space, physics and the Chesapeake Bay, plus a planetarium and a large-format theater. A dedicated area for the youngest visitors offers safe, simple activities for toddlers and preschoolers. Exhibits change, so check the official site for what is open.

Best for: kids from preschool through middle school, and curious adults.

Plan for: about two to three hours.

Port Discovery Children's Museum

A few blocks northeast of the harbor, Port Discovery is a children's museum designed for younger kids, with multi-level climbing structures, water play, pretend-play spaces and exhibits built for hands-on exploring. It is one of the best options for toddlers and early elementary kids, who can burn off energy that would otherwise be spent bouncing around a hotel room.

Best for: kids roughly 10 and under, especially toddlers and early elementary ages.

Plan for: about two hours.

The National Aquarium

On the harbor's piers along Pratt Street, the National Aquarium is Baltimore's most famous attraction, with sharks, rays, dolphins, a rain forest exhibit and Australian and Atlantic coral reef habitats. It can be crowded, especially on rainy days when everyone has the same idea, so timed tickets booked in advance are highly recommended. Our National Aquarium transportation page covers getting there and back.

Best for: all ages.

Plan for: about two to three hours.

Choosing One, Two or Three

Trying to do all three in one day with small kids is ambitious. Here are realistic options:

One big stop and a lunch: pick the attraction that best fits your kids' ages and take your time.
Two stops with a nap break: one attraction in the morning, a return to your hotel or home for a nap, and a second attraction in the afternoon.
All three: only for older kids with lots of stamina, and only with timed tickets in hand.

Check each attraction's official website for current hours, timed-entry requirements and any exhibits that are closed.

Door-to-Door in the Rain

The difference between a good rainy day and a miserable one is often the walk. Parking garages around the Inner Harbor are a few blocks from each attraction, which means wet strollers, soaked jackets and cranky kids before you even get inside.

With a chauffeured ride, you are dropped as close to the entrance as traffic and signage allow and picked up the same way. That matters even more with:

Strollers and diaper bags, which go in the vehicle when you do not need them.
Car seats, which stay installed between stops. Our car seat service offers infant, convertible and booster seats on request — just tell us your children's ages and weights when you book.
Wet coats and umbrellas, which have somewhere to go besides your lap.

A Sample Rainy Day

Morning: Port Discovery for younger kids, or the Science Center for older ones.
Lunch: a nearby restaurant or the Inner Harbor's indoor food options.
Nap-time return: back to your hotel or home for an afternoon rest.
Late afternoon: the National Aquarium with timed tickets.
Dinner and home.

An hourly booking through our Maryland hourly chauffeur service keeps the same vehicle and chauffeur with you all day, so the nap-time return and second outing do not need separate bookings.

Tips for Parents

Book timed tickets for the aquarium and any special exhibits in advance.
Go early. Rainy days bring crowds to every indoor attraction by mid-morning.
Pack a change of clothes for water-play areas at Port Discovery.
Bring snacks and check each venue's food policy.
Plan quiet time. Busy museums can overwhelm small kids; a mid-day break helps.

Other Indoor Ideas Nearby

If you have already done the big three, or your kids want something different, the Inner Harbor area has more indoor options. The historic ships of the Historic Ships in Baltimore collection, moored along the harbor, offer covered decks and interiors to explore, though getting between them involves some outdoor walking. The B&O Railroad Museum's roundhouse, a short drive west, is a hit with train-loving kids. Indoor food halls and the shops around Harbor East provide a change of pace between attractions. Check each venue's official site for hours and current exhibits.

Managing the Weather

Even on an indoor day, the transitions are when everyone gets wet. Keep a small towel and a plastic bag for wet umbrellas, dress kids in layers so they are comfortable inside warm museums and plan pickups for the exact moment you are ready to leave. Your chauffeur can wait close to the entrance so the dash from the door to the car is seconds, not blocks. On stormy days, allow extra travel time; harbor-area streets slow down quickly when everyone is driving instead of walking.

For Visiting Families and Grandparents

These attractions are natural choices for families visiting Baltimore, grandparents in town for the weekend or travelers with a long layover at BWI. The Inner Harbor is typically about 15 to 20 minutes from BWI by car, traffic permitting.

For larger families, a GMC Yukon XL Denali seats five and a Lincoln Navigator seats six, and our Mercedes Sprinter seats up to 13 for big groups or family reunions. If you are planning a broader day in the city, our guide to a private chauffeur day around the Inner Harbor and Fells Point offers more ideas.

Leaving Before the Meltdown

The best rainy-day plans end before anyone gets overtired. Watch for the signs and leave a little earlier than you think you need to. With a car waiting nearby, you can head out the moment the energy drops instead of hiking back to a garage with a crying toddler.

Planning Your Day

Check the weather, choose your attractions and book tickets in advance. When you are ready, book online or call 877-609-1919, and tell us how many children are traveling and what car seats you need. We will take care of the rest.

Rainy Day in Baltimore with Kids: The Science Center, Port Discovery and Aquarium Plan