Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, are home to many world-class museums, but sometimes you just need a change of scenery. When that’s the case, hit the road for a day trip to Baltimore — the city is just a one-to-two-hour drive from our area, and there you’ll find museums that can inspire, educate, and entertain. Here are some of the Baltimore museums that are worth the drive.
American Visionary Art Museum
The American Visionary Art Museum has more than just art on view — its exhibits combine art with science, philosophy, humor, and social justice. Visitors will get to see blingy multi-media artworks like a mosaic portrait of the Aurora Borealis, a 15-foot-tall pink poodle named Fifi, and an exhibition on handcrafted visual-art environments. 800 Key Hwy., Baltimore, $15.95 for adults, $9.95 for children and students
Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum
Baseball fans and history lovers will both enjoy seeing this museum dedicated to the Baltimore-born player. The museum focuses on Ruth’s life and the legacies of Baltimore’s sports teams. In this historic house, you’ll get to see uniforms, bats, and other memorabilia that belonged to him throughout his life. 216 Emory St., Baltimore, $15 for adults, $7 for children
Baltimore Museum of Art
The collection of artworks from French painter Henri Matisse alone is enough to warrant the drive to this museum — it holds the largest public collection of his work in the United States. But that’s not all the site has in store. Check out 15th century Asian art, Indigenous art, and African art, plus multimedia works, photography, and fiber arts. 10 Art Museum Dr., Baltimore, free
Maryland Science Center
This science-focused attraction is the polar opposite of stuffy, hands-off museums. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to interact with the exhibits to learn about the ways that math and science create the world around us. Visit Newton’s Alley to learn about physics, try your hand at paleontology at the Dinosaur Mysteries exhibit, and participate in a real laboratory experiment in the SciLab. 601 Light St., Baltimore, $26.95 for adults, $20.95 for children aged 3 to 12, $5 more for the IMAX experience
Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture
This museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, houses artifacts that tell the stories of Black Marylanders from history and present day. Explore the permanent collection of documents, artwork, and photographs or learn about Black health care professionals in Maryland in the exhibit Black to White. 830 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, $12 for adults, $9 for kids aged 7–17
Feature image courtesy Maryland Science Center
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