Maryland Science Center: Tips and Highlights

Through an e-commerce marketplace, we found a good deal for the Maryland Science Center. Here’s why we think it is a good idea to snag the limited-time deal for a family annual membership at the Maryland Science Center:

Entrance to the Maryland Science Center

Maryland Science Center view from W Lee Street and Light Street

Benefits of Membership

The Maryland Science Center is a member of the ASTC Travel Passport Program. This means you may use the same membership card for free (or reduced) general admission tickets to other museums and science centers that participate in the program. Certain conditions may apply though, so it is still wise to check for the specifics at the participating museums you plan to visit. Nevertheless, it opened other options for our family to visit within the one year we have our Maryland Science Center membership, and the best part is, not only are there many participating museums nationwide, but it also has international partners on the list.  In support of local businesses and establishments, the membership can also get you discounted tickets to a Baltimore Orioles game with a special code. 

Highlights

Roar! Dinosaurs roam this hall.

dusting for bones and fossils in the Dinosaur Hall

this activity allows children to engage in hands-on, educational fun!

How hard and long do you have to bike to light up the bulb

shadow play (with guides posted on the side)

blue crab exhibit at the Maryland Science Center

The family-of-four annual membership to the Maryland Science Center includes free entrance to the Planetarium and to the Observatory. We’ve caught two different programs at the Planetarium already where they talked about constellations. Each program was different and unique and specifically caters to young minds (and grown-ups alike).

Water area in the Kids’ room

With three levels of interactive, hands-on scientific discovery, it would be impossible to explore everything in one day without losing steam halfway. A membership makes sense so you can explore other exhibit areas on another trip and visit favorites like the Kids’ Room. The water area is always popular and expect the little ones to get wet even with an apron on (bring a change of clothes!)

Helpful staff members were on hand to answer questions and engage in various hands-on activities for the little ones. These little stations provided activities that were short enough to hold their attention and allows them enough time to “see things for themselves.”

Logistics

There is an on-site café where you can partake of your bagged lunch while their grab-and-go is still closed during this time (cheaper this way, too).

There are stroller parking areas as well and ample restrooms on each floor.

view of the harbor from the Maryland Science Center

The science center also offers validated parking to two nearby parking garages (One is slightly more expensive even with validation.). It is a short walk to and from with a wonderful view of the harbor greeting you as you get closer.

If you are staying till closing time (at 5 p.m. on most days), less than 0.2 miles away is a ramen place where you can fill up after a good day of exploring and learning. This has been our go-to after visiting the Science Center where you can enjoy a good bowl of hot noodle soup especially when the temperature starts dropping in the next few days.

This popular restaurant specializes in ramen.

classic chicken shoyu ramen at Utsuke Ramen in Baltimore

shrimp tempura, salted green beans, pickled seaweed, salad, and sticky rice

If your children are not into noodles, they may try the beef donburi which are thinly-cut beef served over a bowl of white rice.

 

• Maryland Science Center
• Ramen Utsuke

Here’s a fun project we pulled from the Maryland Science Center’s website which we did when schools were abruptly closed earlier this year. Check out their website for more!