Fort McHenry, Baltimore

The Fort McHenry National Monument will forever be associated with America's national anthem, written by the poet Francis Scott Key while watching the British attack Baltimore during the War of 1812. After more than 25 hours of non-stop bombing by the British naval forces in an unsuccessful attempt to stop America gaining independence, the fort still stood with the huge American flag flying high. It was the only action the brick fort had seen in more than 100 years of guarding the water approach to Baltimore. A visit to the fort includes a short historical film 'The Defence of Fort McHenry', and a guided tour with exhibits in the various quarters recalling the siege and the fort's Civil War service. On summer weekends military ceremonies and drills are performed, as well as a living history program simulating the daily activities during the battle. The monument and its grounds are a national park and visits to the parklands are free. There is also a daily changing of the flag ceremony that involves about 20 people required to fold the enormous star-spangled banner. The ceremony is concluded by a short historical talk about the fort, flag and anthem. From the fort there are fine views down the Patapsco River to the Inner Harbor and towards Chesapeake Bay.

Getting There:
MTA bus 1, or water taxi tour from Inner Harbor

Opening Times:
Fort and Visitor's Center open daily from 8am-4:45pm. Grounds open 8am-5pm.

Admission:
$7, valid for seven days; free for children under 15

Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad Museum, 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 trainspotters, but even for those who are not train fanatics this is one of the best sights in Baltimore and is 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.

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

Admission:
$14 (adults), $8 (children 2-12). Concessions available.

National Aquarium, Baltimore

The National Aquarium is Maryland's leading tourist attraction, and one of the best aquariums in the world. It was recently voted one of the top ten family attractions in the US. Here visitors can tour the tidewaters of Maryland, the Pacific coastland or a tropical rainforest without leaving Baltimore. The permanent residents include sea horses, turtles, stingrays and octopi. The aquarium offers much more than 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 north Atlantic sea birds, while the Coral Reefs and Open Ocean tanks are walk-through displays bringing visitors face to face with sharks and exotic fish. In addition to the permanent exhibits, dolphins jump, wave and flip in regularly scheduled shows at the Marine Mammal Pavilion. Visitors can catch an underwater view from an atrium below the pool or watch the tricks from the stands, but be warned: the areas marked Splash Zone really are splash zones, so don't sit there unless you don't mind getting wet.

Getting There:
Metro subway Charles Center, Light Rail Convention Center station

Opening Times:
Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 9am-5pm.

Admission:
$29.95 (adults), $24.95 (children 3-11), concessions available. Certain shows cost extra.

Maryland Science Center, Baltimore

The striking glass, steel and concrete structure on the Inner Harbor houses the Maryland Science Center with five storeys of interactive exhibits, an IMAX theatre, the world-famous Davis Planetarium and an observatory. The Maryland Academy of Sciences is one of the USA's oldest scientific institutions, dating from 1797, and the institution remains focused on education. There are imaginative and hands-on displays ranging from astronomy and space travel, to dinosaurs and general science experiments. 'Your Body: The Inside Story' exhibition explores the biological world inside a human being and the challenges and advances in health science through interactive exhibits are the focus of BodyLink, while Newton's Alley offers dozens of hands-on experiments to provide insight into light, magnetism, mechanics, sight, and sound. The planetarium runs programs with stargazing at night and sungazing during the day through the observatory telescope. Other popular attractions include The Kids Room and the National Touring Exhibit.

Getting There:
Light Rail and MARC trains to Camden Yards station

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

Admission:
Museum and planetarium $14.95 (adults), $11.95 (children 3-12); including IMAX: $18.95 (adults), $15.95 (children); IMAX only: $8

Walters Art Museum, Baltimore

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, two Baltimore men, William Walters and his son, Henry, amassed a diverse range of artwork from around the world, which they then bequeathed 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.

Opening Times:
Wednesday to Sunday 10am-5pm.

Admission:
Free

Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore

The Baltimore Museum of Art, in the leafy city neighbourhood of Charles Village, was founded in 1914 with a single painting. Today, the BMA is home to an internationally renowned collection of European and American fine and decorative arts, 15th through 19th century prints and drawings, works by established and emerging contemporary artists and objects from Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands. Its 90,000 works include the world's largest holding of pieces by Henri Matisse. The grand museum building, designed by famous American architect John Russell Pope, is surrounded by two beautifully landscaped sculpture gardens, where yoga classes or jazz concerts often take place in the early evening. Visitors can sample signature Chesapeake Bay cuisine on the lovely outdoor terrace of Gertrude's, the museum's well-regarded restaurant.

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

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

Lacrosse Museum and National Hall of Fame, Baltimore

The unique sport of lacrosse is played extensively in the eastern United States, and nowhere is it more wildly popular than in Maryland, where 'LAX' stickers are to be seen on multitudes of fancy cars alongside decals for posh private schools, in accordance with the sport's elite reputation. The origins of lacrosse lie with multiple Native American tribes, for whom the game had great significance in both performing religious rites and preparing men for war. The Lacrosse Museum and National Hall of Fame showcases the history of America's oldest sport as well as today's top male and female players, coaches and contributors. A drive to the museum, just north of downtown, takes visitors to the edge of the beautiful campus of Johns Hopkins University and the elegant neighbourhoods of Guilford and Roland Park.

Opening Times:
Monday to Friday 10am-3pm (August to January); Tuesday to Saturday 10am-3pm (February to July).

Admission:
$3 (adults), $2 (children 5–15).