For twenty years now, Port Discovery Children’s Museum, located adjacent to Power Plant Live! in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, has welcomed over five million visitors through its doors. It’s a staple for both Central Maryland families with small children and those visiting from out of town. Whether its bad weather outside forcing families inside, a school field-trip, or an out-of-the-house excursion to learn and explore and burn off some energy during summer break, its a must-visit attraction.
This Friday, June 14th, at noon, Port Discovery will re-open to the general public following $10.5 million and five-months of renovations, featuring new, updated exhibits, including the four-story SkyClimber and the Port. SkyClimber replaces the former Kid Works, and provides those five and up (adults included) the sense of climbing from under the sea to the top of the world. Socks, but not shoes, are required on the SkyClimber. The Port offers up ample STEM, culture, and art activities through port-inner working activities. The new Chessie’s Grotto, a toddler play area, sits beneath the S.S. Friend Ship. You’ll find other additions and updates throughout the museum, including a Tangram Wall, Sensory Wall, and Weaving Wall.
Several, iconic museum attractions remain, including: the Royal Farms-sponsored Convenience Store and Fill’er Up Station (convenience store children’s role play), The Oasis (children’s library), Tot Trails (baby-toddler activity room with newly added, private nursing area), Tiny’s Diner (diner children’s role play), and Wonders of Water (interactive water play room), just to name a few.
Exploring the Museum, along with my three-and-a-half year old, some of our absolute favorite exhibits included:
NEW! The Port Exhibit (second and third floors)
On the third-floor of the Museum, the Port offers up fun with small cargo-ish blocks, which kids can place on belts or run through a “scanner” to identify its imaginary contents, such as paper pulp or liquid natural gas. Every fifteen minutes, the S.S. Friend Ship’s horn blows to alert the Museum visitors that the cargo is about to be transported back to the floor below it through four trap doors, two on each side of the ship. There are also plastic bins that make for easy hauling of the blocks around this level. The Port also features interactive ship buttons and levers on both the second- and third-floors in the engine room, captain’s wheel, and security station. On the third floor, you’ll also find some cargo box contents to explore with your five senses.
Wonders of Water (third floor) – complete with rain jackets and water shoes to temporarily borrow. Note the toddler booster chairs, so they can reach the water table too!
Kick it Up! (first floor)
Studio Workshop (first floor) – where screen-printing is an option during Summer 2019. You can bring your own cloth to print on, though they also can provide a small square for you too.
NEW! Tangram Wall (first floor)
Here We Grow (third floor)
Adventure Expeditions (second floor) – ok, ok, I really liked this one – it kind of creeped the little lady out a bit. It was dark, had sound-effects, and some mazes upon entry and exit.
In addition, the first- and second-floor restrooms have been renovated. They include toddler toilet seats, a reachable sink and hand-dryer for littles, in addition to changing tables for babes.
Free-of-charge, first-come, first-served lockers are available on the first floor to store your belongings while you roam the Museum. Set a code at the time you occupy and lock one of the units.
Strollers are welcome throughout the Museum, in addition to stroller parking being available near the first-floor elevator and adjacent stairway.
Outside food and beverages are also welcome in the Museum, but need to be consumed in the renovated lunchroom area, called The Pier.
We had so much fun today exploring all that there is to Port Discovery, that we already can’t wait to go back (once the crowds die down some)! I loved how spacious and accommodating the renovations were. Most importantly, I had trouble prying my daughter away from many of the exhibits, let alone the entire Museum at the end of our visit. All-in-all, job well done Port Discovery!
Port Discovery’s Grand Re-opening kicks off at noon on Friday, June 14th. You can find more information here:
- You’re Invited: Grand Opening of BIG New Exhibits at Port Discovery Children’s Museum
- Exhibits & Experiences
- Admission & Hours
Port Discovery is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Port Discovery is located at:
35 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202
Habor Park Garage is within the same block, if you choose to forgo public transportation:
55 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202
Note that day-use garage parking starts at level four and up.
All photos contained in this post were taken by me. Please do not use my photos without my permission.
Disclaimer: I received complimentary admission to Port Discovery in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
Note: Affiliate off-site links are used in order to help support this blog site.
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The renovations are complete! @portdiscovery grand re-opens to the public this Friday at noon. Get an inside look at what you can expect, in a full preview (with LOTS of photos) on the blog! https://t.co/jcE6PhsX90 #portdiscovery #childrensmuseum #wherekidsplay #visitbaltimore
— Saving Amy (@savingamyblog) June 12, 2019
