The Maryland Science Center is an interactive science museum on Baltimore‘s Inner Harbor, with three floors of hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, and an IMAX theatre. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in July 2026. Prices have risen sharply: general adult admission is now $34.95, well above the $24 to $30 figures still quoted elsewhere, and current hours run shorter than many guides describe, with Tuesday to Thursday open only 10am to 4pm.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Closed Monday; Tue–Thu 10am–4pm; Fri–Sun 10am–5pm |
| Ticket prices | Adult $34.95; child (3–12) $26.95; senior (62+) $33.95 |
| Address | 601 Light St., Baltimore, Maryland 21230 |
| Nearest transport/parking | Charm City Circulator or Light Rail to Convention Center; validated parking at nearby garages |
| Typical time needed | 2–4 hours |
The Maryland Science Center opening hours
The Maryland Science Center is closed on Mondays. Tuesday to Thursday it’s open 10am to 4pm, and Friday to Sunday it’s open 10am to 5pm.
Holiday hours can differ from the regular schedule; for example, the Center opens 10am to 5pm on Independence Day and 10am to 4pm on Labor Day, so it’s worth checking the calendar around public holidays.
The Maryland Science Center ticket prices
General admission costs $34.95 for adults, $26.95 for children aged 3 to 12, and $33.95 for seniors aged 62 and over. Members, including adults and children aged 3 to 12, enter free.
Families who qualify for the Access Science program can visit for $5 per person with advance registration. IMAX documentaries can be added to any exhibit ticket for $5 more at the ticket desk.
Baltimore’s Inner Harbor attractions are sometimes bundled through multi-attraction passes covering sites such as the National Aquarium and Historic Ships in Baltimore. 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 Maryland Science Center tickets page and last updated in July 2026.
How to get to the Maryland Science Center
The Maryland Science Center is at 601 Light Street, at the southern end of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. From the north, take I-95 South through the Fort McHenry Tunnel to the Key Highway exit (55), then follow Key Highway to the Center.
By public transport, the Charm City Circulator runs a free shuttle through the Inner Harbor, and the Light Rail stops at Convention Center, a short walk from the Center.
Parking at the Maryland Science Center
The Maryland Science Center validates parking at three nearby garages: 414 Light Street Parking and the Federal Parking Garage both offer a flat rate with a validated ticket, and the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Garage offers a flat rate via QR code at the ticket desk.
Rules for disabled driver parking placards changed in Baltimore City, so previous free parking at metered spaces no longer applies; the closest accessible meters are on Key Highway, across from the Center.
How long to spend at the Maryland Science Center
Most visitors spend two to four hours at the Maryland Science Center, enough time to see the three exhibit floors, the planetarium show, and the demonstration stage.
Visitors adding an IMAX film should allow an extra hour, since showings run separately from the main exhibit halls.
Accessibility at the Maryland Science Center
The Maryland Science Center is wheelchair accessible, with elevators and ramps throughout the building, and exhibits are designed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Videos include open captions for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors, and a limited number of wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Accessibility aids such as Braille guides, large-print exhibit scripts, weighted lap covers, tactile toys, and noise-reducing ear muffs can be borrowed by asking the Manager on Duty.
Inside the Maryland Science Center: what to see
The exhibit halls span three floors of hands-on, human-powered displays, including dinosaur fossils and exhibits on space exploration and the Hubble Space Telescope.
The planetarium uses digital projection technology for shows on space and astronomy throughout the day.
The IMAX theatre, one of the largest indoor screens in Maryland, shows both science documentaries and mainstream films, bookable as an add-on to any exhibit ticket.
The demonstration stage, included with general admission, runs live science shows throughout the day.
The Crosby Ramsey Observatory is free to the public on Friday evenings, offering telescope viewing outside regular exhibit hours.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit on a weekend if possible, since weekday hours end an hour earlier at 4pm. |
| Crowds | School trips tend to visit on weekday mornings, so afternoons can be calmer. |
| Layout | Start on the ground floor and work upward, since exhibits are organised by floor. |
| Entry process | Buy tickets online in advance, since online purchase can help avoid a queue at the desk. |
| On-site logistics | Add an IMAX showing at the ticket desk on arrival if you want to combine it with your visit. |
Frequently asked questions about the Maryland Science Center
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Maryland Science Center suitable for children? | Yes, it’s designed around hands-on exhibits for children, families, and school groups. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Maryland Science Center? | No, though booking online can help avoid delays at the ticket desk. |
| Is the Maryland Science Center open on Mondays? | No, it’s closed Mondays; it opens Tuesday to Sunday. |
| Is the Maryland Science Center wheelchair accessible? | Yes, with elevators and ramps throughout the building. |
| Does admission include the IMAX theatre? | No, IMAX showings cost an extra $5 and are booked separately at the ticket desk. |
Things to do near the Maryland Science Center
The National Aquarium, with marine life exhibits and a rainforest habitat, is a short walk along the harbor.
The Historic Ships in Baltimore, including the USS Constellation and USS Torsk, are a short walk away.
Port Discovery Children’s Museum, a hands-on museum for younger visitors, is about 10 minutes away.
The American Visionary Art Museum, showing outsider and folk art, is about 10 minutes away.
Top of the World Observation Level, offering panoramic views of the city, is about 10 minutes away.
What to visit tomorrow
The National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC, part of the Smithsonian, is about 45 minutes away.
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC, is about 45 minutes away.
The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, a major science museum with a giant heart exhibit, is about 1 hour 45 minutes away.
Chesapeake Children’s Museum in Annapolis, with hands-on exhibits for younger children, is about 35 minutes away.
The National Electronics Museum in Linthicum, covering the history of radar and electronics, is about 20 minutes away.
