B&O Railroad Museum

Considered the birthplace of American railroading, the site (now a museum) is where the first commercial long-distance track was laid and the first passenger station was built. The country’s first passenger train service rolled out of the roundhouse in 1830. On a visit, see its comprehensive Civil War railroad exhibit and enjoy family-friendly interactive exhibits and activities, as well as seasonal train rides (fee). Daily tours of the historic buildings and train platforms are available.

• There is a concession stand serving sandwiches, hot dogs, and snacks on site.

• The museum offers educational programs for kids that focus on science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics.

• The Mile One Express train ride, a 20-minute round-trip ride along the first commercial mile of track, can accommodate up to three wheelchairs.

The B&O Railroad Museum is on the western edge of the city center at the end of the railway line at Mount Clare Station and Roundhouse. The museum is a 10-minute drive from the Inner Harbor. Off-street, on-site parking is available. You can also take the bus via the navy line to the Lombard Street and Poppleton Street stop.

Train rides typically operate Thursday–Sunday from Apr.–Dec. and on weekends in Jan. Also, in Apr. and May, families can take a 25-minute train ride behind Thomas the Tank Engine for “Day Out With Thomas” events, which feature kid-friendly activities and photo ops. Buying tickets in advance is recommended for special events.

Another family-friendly activity, the award-winning National Aquarium, located at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, features exhibits highlighting various aquatic habitats, including the rainforest, ocean, and marshland, as well as a 225,000-gallon (852,000-liter), ring-shaped tank filled with sharks. Plus, there’s a 4D immersion theater with special effects.