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Baltimore Museum of Industry

1415 Key Hwy Baltimore, MD 21230

Tuesday-Sunday 10 am - 4 pm

$$$

indoor-activities, fun-paid-activities

Baltimore Museum of Industry in South Baltimore

Located in a 19th century oyster cannery on a five-acre waterfront campus in South Baltimore, the Baltimore Museum of Industry offers both indoor and outdoor exhibitions, live demonstrations, guided tours, and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages.  The museum does an amazing job at taking Baltimore’s rich blue collar history and turning it into an immersive educational experience designed to both engage young minds and enlighten older visitors about how this city, much like many others, was built through industrial progress.

It can be tough to compete with some of the neighbors such as the National Aquarium or the Science Center, but once you step inside you’ll see that this place belongs in the same conversation as those other Inner Harbor mainstays. 

As you tour the expansive interior you’ll find areas designed to replicate old pharmacies, garment factories, oyster shucking operations, printing presses and much more. These are the kinds of things you can find in a textbook about the history of working class cities and their development, but brought to life in a way that makes it much more meaningful and enjoyable to learn about.

The museum exhibits were interesting enough to keep our 5 and 7 year old kids engaged, but the addition of Children’s Touch Boxes throughout the museum really took our visit to the next level. In most areas of the museum, kids can find a red box filled with toys that will allow them to experience the exhibits through play. The bakery had bowls, whisks and plastic baked goods while the garment loft had lacing cards and string.

Additionally, the BMI has designated “touchable items” throughout the museum that allow children to interact with the exhibits in some way. Whether it’s working the pump at the Corner Store or punching a time card at the print shop, the kids loved every interactive exhibit the BMI offered. Be sure to pick up a map when you arrive so that you can find the exact locations of all of these great offerings!

Plenty of free on-site parking is available and the entire facility is stroller and wheelchair accessible.  There is no food sold onsite but on a nice day there’s plenty of water front exterior space to enjoy a picnic lunch. The museum does have an interior dining area where visitors can eat lunches packed from home but it is occasionally unavailable due to other events. 

The space is available for parties and events, just check out their website for contact information. 

Features

Parking Restrooms Good for All Ages
Thoughtfully captured by:
Matthew Raspa
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