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Unless your kids are really into history (and how many are?), getting them to go to another city and learn more about its history won't be easy.
But that's not the case with Baltimore. In Baltimore, you have old trains, ships that once sailed around the world, a fort that helped defend the city from a British attack in 1814, and, generally, things kids would think are cool. Bringing grandparents along would only make the trip more fun, although many people underestimate just how much time the sightseeing will take.
The problem is that you can't go to one museum and see all of Baltimore's history.
The ships are in the inner harbor, and Fort McHenry is farther down the waterfront. You'll probably want to see the B&O Railroad Museum, but that's all the way on the west side of the city.
Read on to see a better approach to this.
You know how kids are. They'll find something interesting at the first museum they visit, and then they won't want to leave.
And you can't really blame them because something like the massive steam engine at the B&O Railroad Museum isn't something you see every day. This is exactly the reason why doing something like planning three big attractions all in one day isn't the best idea. What'll (usually) end up happening here is you'll keep hurrying the kids while they're having fun, and that'll end up stressing everyone out – which defeats the purpose.
It's much smarter to choose 2 main stops so everyone has plenty of time to look around and take a break when they need it. Plus, you won't spend half the afternoon getting from point A to point B to point C.
Before you pick/choose your stops, it's a good idea to go over a quick checklist just to make sure everything goes smoothly (e.g., opening hours, which activities are available and when, etc.). Basically, if you're planning to attend any programs and/or use public transport, you'll need to plan around that since availability might be limited.
If you're asking which 2 you should choose, that really depends on what your family likes. If your kids like trains and machines, the railroad museum is the obvious choice. But Fort McHenry is also something you'd want to think about, especially if your kids have already started learning about American history at school.
- Students who've visited a museum at least one time have scored better results on tests about history. ~ International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education
Then there are also ships at the Inner Harbor that give kids a chance to see what life was like at sea.
The main thing is not to try to squeeze all this into one visit because these places aren't close to each other. And if you're bringing several kids and grandparents, you need to take it easy. You can also ask providers of Baltimore bus rental services about pickup spots and travel times to make your schedule easy to organize.
One such option is US Coachways, a well-known, well-established nationwide charter transportation provider that offers charter bus services for groups visiting the city.
If you didn't have to worry about transportation, that would be one less (big) thing on your mind.
There's a lot to see when it comes to Baltimore's historic attractions, but there's no need to make the kids fully understand every single thing they see.
Here's what to show them at each stop.
Previously called the B&O Railroad Museum, the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation has locomotives kids will absolutely love.
Find one that's especially interesting and spend some time looking at it. Have the kids compare wheels to their own height or see how much room passengers had inside.
- Children tend to have a more positive exhibit observing experience when parents ask questions and give answers/explanations. ~ PubMed
There's also the Mile One Express, which is a 20-minute train ride that will let the kids experience what they've been looking at. Just make sure to check its operating schedule before you promise the kids a ride.
In September 1814, British forces attacked Baltimore.
The defense of Fort McHenry inspired Francis Scott Key to write words that became America's national anthem, and that story will make a lot more sense when kids can stand by the fort and look at the water where the British ships approached. Pick up a Junior Ranger booklet so they have something to follow.
You won't see the origins flag here, though, because that's at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
Kids might think living on a ship would be cool, but you can show them that it wouldn't be nearly as comfortable as they think. Take a look at the sleeping areas and the narrow spaces between decks. You can also show them the equipment the sailors worked with.
The ship isn't from the 1814 battle but from a later period, so it's a different piece of Baltimore's history.
Years from now, your kids will still remember standing next to a wheel that was taller than them and trying to imagine what it would be like to sleep in a tiny space aboard a huge ship.
These kinds of things just stay with you, and they're what make history so great. Just make sure you have enough time for the kids to take it all in; don't worry about seeing every attraction on your list.
Pick a few that your family is most interested in, and leave everything else for the next trip.
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