Baltimore With Kids From Philly: Our 3-Day Family-Friendly Baltimore Itinerary
If you’re searching for the best weekend trips from Philadelphia for families, Baltimore should be high on your list.
We recently took a family-friendly trip to Baltimore from Philly, and it was such an easy getaway. The drive is under 2 hours, and Baltimore has so many kid-friendly things to do, from museums and the aquarium to fun restaurants and walkable neighborhoods.
If you’re planning Baltimore with kids, this 3-day itinerary includes where we stayed, what we did, and where we ate, all in one easy guide.
Where to Stay in Baltimore With Kids
We stayed at The Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore, and it was a great base for our trip. The location near the Inner Harbor made it easy to get to multiple attractions and restaurants during our stay. I also loved that they have an indoor pool, an on-site restaurant, and a coffee shop!
If you’re planning a Baltimore family weekend, staying in a central area like this helps a lot with logistics, especially with kids.
Day 1: Baltimore Museums, National Aquarium + Hampden
1) Baltimore Museum of Industry
We started our trip at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. This is a fun stop for families who love hands-on learning, machines, transportation, and interactive exhibits. My four-year-old REALLY loved that the museum had “please touch” bins for her to use for pretend play in each exhibit.
If you’re looking for educational things to do in Baltimore with kids, this is a great one to add.
2) National Aquarium
We visited the National Aquarium, which is one of the top kid-friendly attractions in Baltimore. It’s a must for first-time visitors and a great anchor activity if you’re spending time around the Inner Harbor. Some highlights for us at this aquarium were the touch tanks: horseshoe crabs and jellyfish! We also loved the dolphins; we were able to see them practice tricks.
If you’re making a list of what to do in Baltimore with kids, this belongs at the top.
3) Explore Hampden Neighborhood
Later in the day, we explored Hampden, a fun Baltimore neighborhood with lots of personality. We also stopped by Atomic Books, which is a great browse-and-break stop if you want to slow the day down a bit.
Adding one neighborhood stop to your itinerary is a nice way to balance out the museums and attractions.
4) Dinner at Golden West Cafe
We had dinner at Golden West Cafe in Hampden. It’s a colorful, casual spot and a great option for families looking for a relaxed dinner. We also loved that they were playing a movie for their dinner and a movie series. Pro tip: DO NOT skip on dessert.
5) Dessert at The Charmery
We ended day one with dessert at The Charmery, which made for the perfect treat after a full day of exploring, and what kiddo doesn’t love ice cream?
Day 2: B&O Railroad Museum, Cross Street Market + Waterfront Dinner
1) B&O Railroad Museum
Day two started at the B&O Railroad Museum, and this was such a fun stop, especially for kids who love trains. Check out their events calendar for special programming like toddler time and more. We also LOVED the outdoor playground area.
If you’re planning Baltimore with toddlers or younger kids, this museum is a great choice because it combines history with kid-friendly train excitement.
2) Lunch at Cross Street Market
For lunch, we stopped at Cross Street Market. This is a helpful family stop because everyone can choose something different, which always makes travel days easier. This is also a good option if you’re exploring the Federal Hill area.
3) Dinner at Rusty Scupper
For dinner, we went to Rusty Scupper Restaurant. The waterfront location makes it a fun place to end the day, especially if you want a dinner spot with views during your Baltimore family getaway. We loved the live music during our dinner, and we were able to color on the table covering. The crab soup was amazing, so make sure you try it!
Day 3: Miss Shirley’s Cafe + Port Discovery Children’s Museum
1) Breakfast at Miss Shirley’s Cafe (Inner Harbor)
We had breakfast at Miss Shirley’s Cafe – Inner Harbor. This is a great family-friendly breakfast stop and a popular pick when visiting Baltimore with kids. I loved all of the kids’ options for food; she served it in a bento box, which really appealed to my toddler. They also provide books and an Etch-a-Sketch for entertainment while you wait for your food!
Fun fact: this restaurant was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives!
2) Port Discovery Children’s Museum
We wrapped up our trip at Port Discovery Children’s Museum, and it was an excellent final stop for a kid-focused Baltimore itinerary and really tired out my toddler before the drive home! If you’re searching for the best children’s museum in Baltimore, Port Discovery is definitely one to add to your list. It’s interactive, high-energy, and ideal for letting kids play and explore before heading home.
Visiting Baltimore With Kids From Philly
If you’ve been looking for a weekend trip from Philly with kids, Baltimore is such a good choice. Especially with Spring Break coming up, Baltimore is the perfect destination for families!
This itinerary worked really well for us and is a great starting point if you want to plan your own Baltimore family weekend.
