Family Vacation near Baltimore
June 24, 2022 4:45 AM Subscribe
Our vacation plans for the beginning of July have fallen through and I'm looking for some new ideas!
We are 2 adults and a 4 year old who like museums, cultural events, and the outdoors. We have a few days in Baltimore and are looking for some good kid friendly vacation ideas that are in driving distance of Baltimore. The adults have done most of this area, but it's been a long time, without a child. We've googled, but are not sure what would be best. What places would you recommend to spend a week (split up is fine) with a very active 4 year old?Also, my spouse likes(not loves) the beach, so we'd do a day trip, but not a week on the beach. A mix of city and outdoor adventure is preferred!
Thanks!
We are 2 adults and a 4 year old who like museums, cultural events, and the outdoors. We have a few days in Baltimore and are looking for some good kid friendly vacation ideas that are in driving distance of Baltimore. The adults have done most of this area, but it's been a long time, without a child. We've googled, but are not sure what would be best. What places would you recommend to spend a week (split up is fine) with a very active 4 year old?Also, my spouse likes(not loves) the beach, so we'd do a day trip, but not a week on the beach. A mix of city and outdoor adventure is preferred!
Thanks!
For the 4 year old within Baltimore:
Port Discovery
National Aquarium
Inner Harbor paddle boats
(Maryland Science Center, Kid's Room is good for this age, but the rest of the museum is intended for older kids)
Maryland Zoo
posted by jessica fletcher did it at 6:04 AM on June 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
Port Discovery
National Aquarium
Inner Harbor paddle boats
(Maryland Science Center, Kid's Room is good for this age, but the rest of the museum is intended for older kids)
Maryland Zoo
posted by jessica fletcher did it at 6:04 AM on June 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Ocean City is a little less than 3 hours from Baltimore, but would be a long day trip with a 4 year old. Something like Sandy Point State Park near Annapolis or the Gunpowder Falls State Park Hammerman area in eastern Baltimore County would be about 30 minutes from the downtown area.
To jessica fletcher did it's list I would add the B&O Railroad Museum. My kids loved trains, Thomas the Tank Engine, and really enjoyed visiting this museum. Great for adults too. They even have a 20 minute train ride along the nation's first railway tracks. Check the calendar for special events.
Urban Pirates does a family adventure cruise for 90 minutes out of Fells Point which is full of restaurants and small shops. It looks like they usually operate Thursday - Sundays.
There are plenty of parks for walks in the surrounding areas. Also some of the neighborhoods are full of shops and restaurants and are nice to walk around as well (Fells Point, Federal Hill, Canton, Hampden or a bit further Annapolis would be a nice day trip).
posted by maxg94 at 7:54 AM on June 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
To jessica fletcher did it's list I would add the B&O Railroad Museum. My kids loved trains, Thomas the Tank Engine, and really enjoyed visiting this museum. Great for adults too. They even have a 20 minute train ride along the nation's first railway tracks. Check the calendar for special events.
Urban Pirates does a family adventure cruise for 90 minutes out of Fells Point which is full of restaurants and small shops. It looks like they usually operate Thursday - Sundays.
There are plenty of parks for walks in the surrounding areas. Also some of the neighborhoods are full of shops and restaurants and are nice to walk around as well (Fells Point, Federal Hill, Canton, Hampden or a bit further Annapolis would be a nice day trip).
posted by maxg94 at 7:54 AM on June 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
Best answer: If your plans are over the Fourth of July, there are a lot of old-fashioned, small town Americana type activities in Arbutus, including a 10k, massive parade, soapbox derby, and kid-friendly events down at the town hall.
St Michaels has a museum and is a nice spot for a day trip.
You can see if Larriland Farms has opened for the year, that has pick your own fruit, a fun general store, and a lots of space for picnics.
Frederick is another popular day trip destination from Baltimore, it's about an hour away. You could drive out, explore downtown, have lunch, then stop at a winery or two on the way home.
If you're history buffs, Gettysburg is about an hour to an hour and a half from Baltimore.
posted by champers at 8:59 AM on June 24, 2022
St Michaels has a museum and is a nice spot for a day trip.
You can see if Larriland Farms has opened for the year, that has pick your own fruit, a fun general store, and a lots of space for picnics.
Frederick is another popular day trip destination from Baltimore, it's about an hour away. You could drive out, explore downtown, have lunch, then stop at a winery or two on the way home.
If you're history buffs, Gettysburg is about an hour to an hour and a half from Baltimore.
posted by champers at 8:59 AM on June 24, 2022
American Museum of Visionary Art Is right next to the terrific Aquarium and highly recommended. The cafe there is really a wonderful place to get food as well.
posted by effluvia at 10:46 AM on June 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by effluvia at 10:46 AM on June 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: DC. Park at a Metro station, take a train to the National Mall for the Smithsonian.
I highly rec the Natural History Museum with a 4 year old. They redid the dinosaur hall a few years ago and it's amazing.
posted by Archipelago at 10:58 AM on June 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
I highly rec the Natural History Museum with a 4 year old. They redid the dinosaur hall a few years ago and it's amazing.
posted by Archipelago at 10:58 AM on June 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
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posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 5:58 AM on June 24, 2022 [2 favorites]