Rich in history, cultural locations and natural resources, the Baltimore-Washington metro area is an ideal destination for a family vacation. Good highway and public transportation systems make navigating the region easy, while a variety of attractions appeal to different interests and age groups.
Baltimore Washington International Airport, located just south of the city, serves the Baltimore area. Two international airports, Dulles and Reagan, are located just outside of Washington, DC. If you plan to drive, both Baltimore and Washington, DC are located on the Interstate 95 corridor. Bus and train services are available to both cities.
Both Baltimore and Washington, DC have extensive highway systems. Although traffic congestion is common during morning and evening rush hour, the roads are easy to navigate. The underground Metro system accesses all of Washington, DC and many surrounding suburbs. Baltimore has fewer public transportation options, although bus service, light rail and Metro subway are available to some parts of the city, especially those of greatest interest to visitors.
Baltimore and Washington, DC served as important urban centers in early U.S. history, and both have dozens of monuments and museums, many of which cater to children and families.
In DC, the Spy Museum and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Air and Space Museum feature exhibits of interest to all ages. Monuments such as the Washington Monument and Vietnam War Memorial can often be seen between visiting other attractions. If you're planning to visit locations such as the White House and Capitol, you must arrange tours in advance, often through a Congressperson. Check the specific requirements before planning your trip.
Baltimore also offers family-friendly attractions such as the Baltimore Museum of Industry, the B&O Railroad Museum and historical sites such as Fort McHenry.
The National Zoo in Washington, DC offers free admission and is open throughout the year. Easily accessible by Metro, the National Zoo is home to giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, as well as elephants, big cats and other animals from around the world.
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, the third oldest zoo in the U.S., houses over 200 different species, including elephants and polar bears, and it has a children's zoo and other family-friendly exhibits. The National Aquarium in Baltimore, located in the Baltimore Inner Harbor and convenient to Metro subway and light rail services, includes exhibits aimed at all ages, including sharks, a dolphin show and a walk through a rainforest.
Located in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and within an hour's drive of the Appalachian Mountains, both Baltimore and Washington, DC are gateways to Maryland's diverse ecosystems. State parks offer fishing, hiking, picnicking and boat rental services, as well as items of interest to all ages. An hour outside of DC, Calvert Cliffs State Park offers a small beach known for its fossils and the perfect vantage point for viewing the cliffs for which it was named. Gunpowder Falls State Park, just north of Baltimore, offers a swimming beach, boat rentals and innertubing along the Gunpowder River.
