Places to Go - Learning about "The Old Days" at The Baltimore Museum of Industry (Baltimore, MD)

I've wanted to visit the Baltimore Museum of Industry for awhile, based on the fabulous tripadvisor reviews. But Baltimore is far (though now that DC rerouted the parkway exit so you don't have to sit at the Pennsylania Ave. light for minutes/hours/day, Baltimore is a MUCH easier drive) and the museum didn't sound like an all day destination (it isn't). So we decided to stop and check the museum out while roadtripping to NYC to visit my friend Jenny. And it didn't disappoint.

After paying admission and receiving a map, we headed to the general store. The kids didn't show much interest at first, stating "it's probably all behind glass, museum stuff always is." But, impressively, IT WASN'T. Everything was out in the open to explore and look at (though not to touch). Since the "no touch" rule can pose a problem with kids, each room houses a green kids' box, some are better than others, but all of them contained toys and pictures and various other things for both learning and playing. My children loved them and ran from room to room searching for the best boxes. While the kids colored and played, I read the exhibit signs documenting Baltimore's industrial revolution.

After the general store, we learned about the history of canning. The kids particularly enjoyed the manager's office, where they could try on various playclothes, color, and stamp time cards. Then we sported some coolio goggles and checked out an old tooshed/workroom, full of "builder stuff." Eventually we made our way to a recreated pharmacy/soda fountain, clothing store, and printing press (the world before computers fascinates my children). Along the way we saw various historic cars and learned about the Maryland lottery. Later in our visit we pretended we worked on the docks of a shipping display exhibit, fought for time in the phone booth, and debated which huge old tv we would have purchased for our home. One room offered tons of legos and blocks to play with, T started to create but the girls were antsy to "see more stuff." Outside, old boats and hundreds of ducks intermingled on the harbor.

Though the museum isn't huge, it presents well and really makes you feel as if you're traveling back in time. Plus, parking is free and abundant. A great way to spend an hour or two. Admission costs $12 for adults and $7 for children 7-12 (younger children are free). Click here for more information.



My kids chose office work over factory work.



We love "builder stuff."



Project Runway, old school style.



Lots and lots to explore. All my kids couldn't stop fighting over the phonebooth. Some things never change.