Free Museums in Columbia

"Start off at the Walters Art Museum, a gorgeous and free exhibition space that contains an encyclopedic collection of art, including ancient Roman sculptures, Renaissance paintings, Japanese woodblock prints, Meso-American carvings and works by French impressionists. Sated on art, take a peek inside the George Peabody Library. Its centerpiece is a soaring atrium ringed with five stories of cast-iron balconies. The collection contains 300,000 volumes, many dating to the 18th and 19th centuries."

"And while you're there, visit the Walters Art Museum; admission is free and the art spans the ages, from the third millennium B.C.E. to the early 20th century. Once you get hungry, hit Charles Street:There's Afghani food like sweet, pan-fried baby pumpkin at The Helmand (also the very historic site of my very first date) and the pillow-iest gnocchi ever at Sotto Sopra. The restaurant hosts opera nights, where you'll be serenaded with live performances as you eat a multi-course dinner."

"The museum has over 94,000 pieces of art, showcasing everything from modern, contemporary and 19th-century art. Make sure to check their page for any special exhibitions. The museum generally showcases various exhibitions for a limited time."

"A post shared by Andy Kutcher (@andyknola) on Apr 6, 2017 at 5:23pm PDT. Arguably the crown jewel of Baltimore’s art scene, the American Visionary Art Museum (a.k.a. AVAM) is a wonderfully romantic place for an art lover. The winged “Black Icarus” statue at the center of the main stair is an especially great place to propose."

"The nation's primary museum and education center for self-taught or "outsider" art has won great acclaim by both museum experts and those…"

"At the southwest corner of the Inner Harbor is the modern Maryland Science Center, with a planetarium. The scientific displays that fill its three floors are geared primarily to engage young visitors, but the museum will also interest adults as they explore physics, space travel, and other subjects. Full size dinosaurs roam through the Dinosaur Mysteries exhibit, where kids can be paleontologists in the dig pits, field lab, and excavation sites."

"The Maryland Science Center is a fun place to explore for the whole family. There are exhibits about all kinds of different science subjects spread out over the three floors of the museum. The Davis Planetarium features different shows and displays and you can visit the rooftop observatory to explore the night sky for yourself."

"This museum dedicated to American railroad history boasts one of the most significant collections of railroad paraphernalia in the world, and also features the largest collection of 19th-century locomotives in the country. The museum is inside the old Baltimore & Ohio Railroad’s Mount Clare Station and roundhouse, which dates back to 1829 and was the site of the first regular railroad passenger service in the U.S. The museum is also home to 15,000 artifacts and a historic mile of track, which is available to ride Thursday through Saturday from April to December, and weekends in January."

"Pratt Street runs west to the Mount Clare Railroad Station of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, from which the first passenger train in the United States ran west to Ellicott's Mills in 1830. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum takes in the Mount Clare Station (1851), the Print Shop (1884), and a roundhouse that now houses an excellent collection of historic locomotives. The centerpiece is the turntable, which connects with 22 lines containing locomotives and coaches."

"This is another great option for a Baltimore history museum, but it’ll be really enjoyable for those who are more mechanically minded. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by B&O Railroad Museum (@borailroad)"

"The Port Discovery Children’s Museum has been ranked as one of the top children’s museums in the U.S.- come find out why!. The museum has activities for children of all ages and emphasizes the importance of play and exploration in learning. This museum is unique because it allows kids to participate in the exhibits- by creating art, solving puzzles, making music, and playing their way through three floors of fun."

"The museum has a wonderful array of exhibits where kids can climb, touch, and even pretend they are serving food in a 50’s style diner. When you enter, you will find a large climbing area with a massive slide right in the middle of the museum. The kids will stay happy, and you’ll end up being the one who decides when it’s time to go."

"Offering three floors of educational interactive and hands-on experiences for children ages 2 to 10, Port Discovery Children’s Museum is one of the leading nontraditional educational resources in the Mid-Atlantic. Port Discovery Children's Museum"

"1534 Eastern Avenue Baltimore, MD 21231 (410) 522-5800baltimoretattoomuseum.net/index.htm. The Baltimore Tattoo Museum offers a look into the history of tattoos, as well as photographs of some of the tattoos done throughout the years. You can also get a tattoo there, if you’re so inclined."

"The Baltimore Tattoo Museum preserves the history and art of American tattooing; while you’re there, add to its history by getting your own piece from one of their talented artists."

"Delve into the city’s immigration history and learn about how Baltimore was one of the largest ports of entry for immigrants from around the world."

"Before the eat-a-thon or if it starts to downpour or broil, do something fun that invites conversation!. Those with a quirky personality, love of trivia and history will be amazed at the weird and exotic exhibits. While not totally about Baltimore, some locally themed items give this museum (a franchise) a unique feeling."

"Ripley’s Believe It or Not’s Odditorium includes 10 galleries. Don’t miss the Marvelous Mirror Maze, 2,000 square feet of endless passages. Also onsite is Ripley’s 4D moving Theater, which offers a movie-going experience complete with digital effects, motion seats and 4-D real effects."

"With Maryland locations in the Inner Harbor and Ocean City, this place is off the hook. It is really very funny and quirky and everything you would expect it to be. It is also super fun and would make a great filler activity if you are hanging out in Baltimore."

"Comic book and pop culture lovers have their own museum at Geppi's. "A Story in Four Colors" exhibit is an extensive comic book library illustrating how character-based products have entertained and educated children for generations. "America Tunes In" explores the influence of television from 1946-1960 and continues through exhibits leading up to "Going Global," that covers the effect of 24-hour news broadcasts in addition to computer and internet use."

"As a major cultural destination for the greater Baltimore region, The Baltimore Museum of Art presents a variety of exhibitions and innovative programs throughout the year. The BMA does charge for some special exhibits, so stick to the comprehensive permanent collection. The museum boasts more than 1,000 works by Henri Matisse, as well as large collections of African art, ancient mosaics and European and American paintings."

"Visitors to the Baltimore Museum of Art will be pleased to find a museum full of works from the 19th century to contemporary times. The collection of about 95,000 pieces of art includes the largest number of works by Henri Matisse in the world, as well as pieces by Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and many others. Don't forget to take a stroll through the sculpture garden, which is set on nearly three landscaped acres."

"Johnny Rad’s Pizzeria Tavern tries to make a sincere effort to make most of their menu items vegetarian-friendly and/or vegan when achievable. If you have any queries about a specific item, please do not hesitate to ask. They proudly use vegetarian and vegan goods by Gardien, Beyond Meat, The Greener Kitchen- local, Morningstar Farms, and more."

"The gist: Joining an already packed roster at Mount Vernon Marketplace, Fishnet was opened by Turkish-born restaurateur Ferhat Yalcin and Baltimore native Keyia Yalcin.The food: This scratch kitchen uses every part of its fresh fish, like non-filet cuts for salmon croquettes and bones for stocks, but mainstays include a towering crispy catfish sandwich and street food-inspired Baltimore Bomber that proves seafood and cheese do mix. If soft shell crab is in season, get the sandwich. Trust us.The cost: Sides (including drool-worthy mac and cheese) are $4 and mains are $9-15.How to order: Walk in or order takeout via Toast"

"Owners Ferhat and Keyia Yalcin are committed to keeping things simple and local, sourcing fresh ingredients like bread and produce directly from Maryland. They don’t cut corners either, using every part of the fish to produce deep, natural flavors straight from the sea."

"Dedicated to the preservation of this historic home, the Mount Clare Museum House is a plantation home that is designated a National Historic Landmark for its amazing architecture."

"Located on the south side of the Inner Harbor, Federal Hill Park is one of the best spots to scope out Baltimore's skyline, walk or get some other form of exercise, and have a picnic. A beloved landmark in the city, the park and its more than 10 acres of grassy hilltop is known as the place where 4,000 patriots celebrated Maryland's ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1788."

"This is THE perfect place to have a picnic and get the wiggles out on a visit to Baltimore. The views are quite possibly the best in the city AND there is a gated playground that your kids will love!"

"Nestled on the Inner Harbor’s south shore, this 10.3-acre park wows visitors with its stellar views of the downtown skyline."