Port Discovery Children’s Museum is an indoor children’s museum in Baltimore‘s Inner Harbor, with three floors of hands-on play and learning exhibits for children up to age 10. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in July 2026. Current summer hours (through 7 September) are a simple 10am to 5pm daily, but hours shrink considerably outside summer, when several weekdays close to general admission entirely, so it’s worth checking the season before assuming a generic “10am–5pm daily” listing applies.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Summer (25 May–7 Sept): daily 10am–5pm; shorter, weekday-restricted hours the rest of the year |
| Ticket prices | $24.95 per person (ages 1 and up); free under 1 and for members |
| Address | 35 Market Place, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 |
| Nearest transport/parking | Shot Tower/Market Place Metro stop, a few steps away; Harbor Park Garage next door |
| Typical time needed | 2–3 hours |
Port Discovery Children’s Museum opening hours
Port Discovery’s summer hours run from 25 May to 7 September 2026, with the museum open daily from 10am to 5pm. Selected evenings, including 3 July, 7 August, and 4 September, extend to 8pm with discounted admission from 5pm.
Outside summer, hours shrink and vary by day. In spring and fall, some weekdays open to general admission for only a few hours, and others are closed to the public and reserved for field trip groups, so it’s worth checking the museum’s current hours page before visiting outside the summer season.
Port Discovery Children’s Museum ticket prices
General admission costs $24.95 per person for ages 1 and up; children under 1 and museum members enter free.
Families receiving nutritional assistance can visit for $5 per person through the PlayMakers Access Program, using a valid EBT, Independence Card, or WIC ID, for up to five tickets. The museum also runs occasional $2 Community Days at a deeply discounted rate.
Baltimore’s Inner Harbor attractions are sometimes bundled through multi-attraction passes covering sites such as the National Aquarium and Maryland Science Center. Since pass providers change their lineups, it’s worth checking current inclusions before assuming a discount applies here.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official Port Discovery hours page and last updated in July 2026.
How to get to Port Discovery Children’s Museum
Port Discovery is in the historic Fish Market building in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The Shot Tower/Market Place Metro Subway station is a few steps from the entrance, and Charm City Circulator’s Green Route and several MTA bus routes stop nearby on Lombard Street.
By car, Harbor Park Garage at 55 Market Place is directly next to the museum, within a short walk of the main entrance.
Parking at Port Discovery Children’s Museum
Harbor Park Garage, next door to the museum at 55 Market Place, offers validated discounted parking, typically around $15 a day, on most but not all days the museum is open.
How long to spend at Port Discovery Children’s Museum
Most visitors spend two to three hours at Port Discovery, exploring the three floors of play areas at a relaxed pace.
Families combining a visit with a birthday party or a scheduled program should allow extra time either side of their play session.
Accessibility at Port Discovery Children’s Museum
Port Discovery is wheelchair accessible, including all entrances, restrooms, and elevators. The museum is a certified Sensory Inclusive facility registered with KultureCity, offering sensory bags, weighted lap pads, and headphone-recommended signage in busier areas.
Social stories are available in advance to help visitors prepare for their visit, and Sensory Friendly Sundays run outside the summer season, with pre-registration required. Free, secure lockers and family-friendly restrooms on every floor round out the museum’s facilities for visiting families.
Inside Port Discovery Children’s Museum: what to see
The Port is a giant pretend cargo ship where children take on role-playing adventures at sea.
SkyClimber is a four-story climbing structure best suited to children aged 5 and up, with a slide back down to ground level.
Wonders of Water is a hands-on water play room exploring basic science through splashing and channels.
An indoor sports court gives older children space for active, physical play.
Snug Books, the museum’s on-site bookshop, sells children’s books to take home after a visit.
Port Discovery has occupied the historic Fish Market building since opening in 1998, and the museum welcomes more than 265,000 visitors a year across its 80,000 square feet of exhibit space.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit on a weekday morning for a quieter experience before weekend crowds build. |
| Crowds | First Fridays with extended evening hours can get busy during the 5pm to 8pm discounted window. |
| Layout | Start on the ground floor and work upward, since exhibits are grouped by floor. |
| Entry process | Book tickets online in advance, since walk-up tickets are limited and not guaranteed. |
| On-site logistics | Bring a change of clothes for younger children, since the water play room can leave them damp. |
Frequently asked questions about Port Discovery Children’s Museum
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Port Discovery Children’s Museum suitable for children? | Yes, it’s designed for children from birth through age 10 and their caregivers. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Port Discovery Children’s Museum? | Advance booking is strongly recommended, since walk-up tickets are limited. |
| Is Port Discovery Children’s Museum open on Mondays? | During summer, yes; outside summer, Monday hours are often shorter or field-trip only. |
| Is Port Discovery Children’s Museum wheelchair accessible? | Yes, all entrances, restrooms, and elevators are wheelchair accessible. |
| Are strollers allowed inside Port Discovery Children’s Museum? | Yes, the museum is stroller-friendly throughout. |
Things to do near Port Discovery Children’s Museum
The National Aquarium, with marine life exhibits and a rainforest habitat, is a short walk away.
The Historic Ships in Baltimore, including the USS Constellation and USS Torsk, are a short walk away.
The Maryland Science Center, with interactive exhibits and a planetarium, is a short walk along the harbor.
The American Visionary Art Museum, showing outsider and folk art, is about 10 minutes away.
The Top of the World Observation Level, offering panoramic views of the city, is about 10 minutes away.
What to visit tomorrow
The National Children’s Museum in National Harbor, with hands-on exhibits for young children, is about 45 minutes away.
The KID Museum in Rockville, focused on invention and design for children, is about 45 minutes away.
The Chesapeake Children’s Museum in Annapolis, with nature-based play exhibits, is about 35 minutes away.
The Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, a large hands-on museum for younger children, is about 1 hour 45 minutes away.
Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown, with interactive science exhibits for families, is about 2 hours away.
