Baltimore

The B&O Railroad Museum's roster of rolling stock, historic railway buildings, and assortment of memorabilia from stations and trains makes it a must-visit for train enthusiasts. But even for those who are not railroad fanatics, this is one of the best sights in Baltimore and a fascinating place for the whole family.Housed in the huge Roundhouse is an enormous collection of locomotives, passenger cars, classic heritage trains, mail cars, and Pullman sleepers. A full-scale model of the first locomotive, Tom Thumb, is on display along with a red caboose from 1907.Other exhibits include posters, historic photographs and newspaper cuttings, as well as a superb model railway, and numerous interactive and entertaining exhibits. Some recreate experiments from the 1830s such as sail-powered carriages, hand cranks and propulsion using dogs or horses. The B&O was the first railroad in the US, dating from 1827, and the museum is located on the site of the first station in America.

Address : 901 West Pratt Street

Website : www.borail.org

Telephone : (410) 752 2490

Opening times : Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 11am-4pm (last admission half hour before closing).

Admission : $18 adults, $12 children 2-12. Concessions available.

Founded in 1914 with a single painting, the Baltimore Museum of Art sits in the leafy neighbourhood of Charles Village. Today, the BMA is home to an internationally renowned collection of European and American fine and decorative art pieces.These range from 15th- through to 19th-century prints and drawings, works by established and emerging contemporary artists as well as objects from Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands. Its 90,000 works include the world's largest holidng of pieces by Henri Matisse.Two beautifully landscaped gardens surround a grand museum building, designed by famous American architect John Russell Pope. Yoga classes and jazz concerts often take place upon the lawns in the early evening. Visitors can sample signature Chesapeake Bay cuisine on the lovely outdoor terrace of Gertrude's, the BMA's restaurant.

Address : 10 Art Museum Drive, at North Charles and 31st Streets

Website : www.artbma.org

Telephone : (443) 573 1700

Opening times : Wednesday to Friday 10am-5pm; Saturday and Sunday 11am-6pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Admission : Free, although some special ticketed exhibitions may require admission fees.

The Fort McHenry National Monument is forever associated with the US national anthem, written by poet Francis Scott Key while watching the British attack Baltimore during the War of 1812. After more than 25 hours of constant bombing by British naval forces, the fort stood with the flag flying high.Interestingly, it was the only action the brick fort had seen in more than 100 years of guarding the waters approach to Baltimore. A visit includes a short historical film and a guided tour, with exhibits recalling the siege as well as the fort's Civil War service.On summer weekends there are military ceremonies and drills, as well as a living history program simulating the daily activities during the battle. There is also a daily changing of the flag ceremony, with about 20 people required to fold the enormous Star-Spangled Banner.A short talk about the fort, flag, and anthem concludes the ceremony. The monument and its grounds are a national park and visits to the parklands are free. From the fort, there are fine views down the Patapsco River to Inner Harbor and towards Chesapeake Bay.

Address : 2400 East Fort Avenue

Website : www.nps.gov/fomc

Telephone : (410) 962 4290

Opening times : Fort and Visitor's Center open daily from 9am-4:45pm. Grounds open 9am-5pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Admission : $10, valid for seven days; free for children under 15.

The origins of lacrosse lie within multiple Native American tribes, for whom the game had great significance in both religious observance and preparing men for war. The Lacrosse Museum and National Hall of Fame showcases the history of this, America's oldest sport.It also displays the top male and female players of today's game, alongside coaches and contributors. More than 400,000 people in the eastern United States and Canada play the unique sport of lacrosse.Nowhere is it more popular than in Maryland, where 'LAX' stickers sit beside decals for posh private schools on fancy cars, furthering the sport's elite reputation. Since September 2016, the Lacrosse Museum and National Hall of Fame relocated to a new location in Sparks, Maryland.

Address : 2 Loveton Circle, Sparks

Website : www.uslacrosse.org/about-us-lacrosse/museum

Telephone : (410) 235 6882

Opening times : Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm

Admission : Free

Housed within the striking glass, steel, and concrete structure on Inner Harbor, the Maryland Science Center contains five storeys of interactive exhibits, an IMAX, the world-famous Davis Planetarium, and an observatory.Dating back to 1797, he Maryland Academy of Sciences is one of the USA's oldest scientific institutions and remains focused on education. There are imaginative and hands-on displays ranging from astronomy and space travel, to dinosaurs and general science experiments.The planetarium runs programs with stargazing at night and studying the sun during the day through the observatory telescope. Other popular attractions include The Kids Room and the National Touring Exhibit.

Address : 601 Light Street, Inner Harbor

Website : www.marylandsciencecenter.org

Telephone : (410) 685 5225

Opening times : Monday to Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm.

Admission : $24.95 adults, $18.95 children 3-12. Concessions available

The National Aquarium is Maryland's leading tourist attraction and one of the best aquariums in the world. Recently voted as one of the top ten family destinations in the USA, visitors can tour the tidewaters of Maryland, the Pacific coastland, or a tropical rainforest without leaving Baltimore.The aquarium offers more than just marine life. There are several special exhibits like the Amazon Rainforest display with poison dart frogs, dwarf caiman, anacondas, sloths, colourful birds, and conehead lizards, as well as plants and fish.A sea cliffs habitat features puffins and other sea birds, while the Coral Reefs and Open Ocean tanks are walkthrough displays bringing visitors face to face with sharks and exotic fish. Permanent residents include seahorses, turtles, stingrays, and octopuses.In addition to the permanent exhibits, dolphins jump, wave, and flip in regularly scheduled shows at the Marine Mammal Pavilion. People can catch an underwater view from an atrium below the pool or watch the tricks from the stands.The aquarium also offers 4D films to immerse viewers in fascinating marine worlds. These shows have additional in-theatre sensory effects, such as smell, water spray, and moving seats. Films shown range from popular cartoons to documentaries, usually lasting for 15 minutes.

Address : Pier 3, Inner Harbor, 501 East Pratt Street

Website : www.aqua.org

Telephone : (410) 576 8745

Opening times : Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm. Hours vary according to season, check the website for specific dates.

Admission : $39.95 adults, $24.95 children 3-11. Concessions available. Certain shows cost extra.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, two Baltimore men, William Walters and his son, Henry, amassed a diverse range of artwork. Drawn from all around the world, they then bequeathed it to their hometown. The 22,000 pieces they collected span 55 centuries, including ancient Egyptian art as well as late 19th century European art and decorative objects.Some favourite pieces on display at the Walters include seven ancient Roman sarcophagi, judged to be among the finest in the world; a collection of Japanese arms and armour; a medieval ivory casket covered with scenes of jousting knights, one of only a dozen such items remaining; and 900 illuminated manuscripts as well as the letters of Catherine the Great and the diary of Napoleon.

Address : 600 N. Charles Street

Website : www.thewalters.org

Telephone : (410) 547 9000

Opening times : Wednesday to Sunday 10am-5pm. (On Thursdays closing time is 6pm).

Admission : Free; special exhibitions may charge a fee.