Review of the B&O Railroad Museum
June 28, 2009
by Caroline Holt
901 West Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21223-2699
410.752.2490
Google Map
All Aboard! Next stop: Baltimore’s B&O Railroad Museum. The Railroad Museum is one of our favorite places in the area for indoor and outdoor fun for the entire family. Whether you are a model-train aficionado, a Thomas the Tank Engine-loving kid, or just someone who considered trains in the context of traversing Europe on a budget, there is really something for everyone at the Railroad Museum.
According to their website, the B&O Museum is “universally recognized as the birthplace of American railroading, the Museum’s site represents the vision, establishment, development and creation of the first common carrier railroad in the Western Hemisphere. Architecturally and historically significant railroad buildings and structures are preserved and interpreted as a part of the Museum's collection. These include: Mt. Clare Depot (1851); Roundhouse [Passenger Car Shop], (1884); Annex Building (1884), Baltimore & Ohio Passenger Car Works (1869-1870), Freight Car Repair Shop [ruins] 1919 and the historic 1.5 mile right of way.” It has 40 whopping acres of real estate in the center of Baltimore, and is designated as a national
Getting There
It is definitely a bit of a haul from DC, but with the Baltimore-Washington Parkway or 95 as your principal roadways, it is only about a 40-minute trip. Just blocks from Ravens’ stadium and the Hopkins Medical complex, the museum is easy to find, and has ample on-site and street parking for free. (If you go for the Thomas the Tank Engine or other festival, it takes a few extra minutes to park, but it is still easy to find spaces available within a 3-4 minute walk).
Getting In
The Museum is open daily from 10am to 4pm. The Museum is CLOSED on Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.
The entrance fee is not cheap, but once you get inside, you will see it may be some of the best money you have spent on a family activity recently. The exhibits, the sheer number of trains both inside and out, and the awe-striking beauty of the Roundhouse tell you that the money is a fraction of what it must cost to maintain the Museum. If you would like to save a few bucks, you can go free as a Member or half price on the first Tuesday of every month. General admission rates are:
- Adults - $14
- Seniors (60+) - $12
- Children (ages 2-12) - $8
The Fun Part
The Museum is brimming with “please touch” exhibits. It features at least a couple dozen rail cars from various eras, lines and companies. Kids and grown-ups can pretend to load coal into engines, play with gauges, ride in passenger cars, check out the dining or refrigeration cars, watch old railroad videos, examine the Roundhouse turntable and just be in awe of the space. Architectural buffs will marvel at the immense Roundhouse that houses many of the train cars.
Everyone in our family LOVES the Museum, and my son begs to go at least once a month. On our first visit, my intensely active son stood agape for five minutes when we first arrived in the Roundhouse. Throughout our visit, my husband kept saying “Can you believe this place? How come we didn’t know about it before now?!” I avidly read every sign detailing the history of different types of train cars and engines, which is typically not my way of experiencing a museum. And my one-year old found an endless array of surfaces to climb on, around, and through. Everything at the Museum is so well laid out, and with so many great things to see and do, that the hour and a half we like to give it is never enough.
Beyond the daily excitement of a visit to the Museum, you can check out some special events as well including:
- Thrifty Tuesdays on the first Tuesday of every month for ½ price admission.
- Toddler Time on selected Wednesdays. Kids visit the Museum, enjoy story time and enjoy a free train ride. Recommended for children between the ages of 2-5.
- Thomas the Tank Engine Days, Saturdays and Sundays in May and June with hourly rides on “Thomas the Tank Engine”
- All Aboard Summer Reading Program! From June 1- August 28, 2009 kids sign-up to read eight railroad books and receive a free book and chance to win an engineer’s costume if they complete the program.
- Kids Fest, September 12 - 13, 2009.
- Disney's A Christmas Carol Train Tour, September 30, 2009 (FREE admission during this one-day event.)
- Holiday Festival of Trains, November 27 - 30, 2009.
- Breakfast with Santa, Saturdays in December, 2009.
Getting Fed
The TraxSide Snax offers beverages, sandwiches and snacks in their vending area daily during normal Museum hours. There is also a full service menu that includes pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches and more during the summer. We think their food is passable and child-friendly enough if you are desperate, but prefer to bring our lunch for both quality and cost reasons. There is a great picnic area, with plenty of space to run, tons of tables, and a wooden train area for kids to climb aboard and through.
Etc.
If you really find NOTHING enjoyable during your trip to the museum (in which case, you might want to have your pulse checked because you are likely dead), try a visit to the best railroad store anywhere on your way out. Boasting mementos for every taste and budget, the shop sells toy trains, t-shirts, caps, books, whistles, Thomas gear, bandanas, etc. You can also browse their online catalog or call them at 410-752-2490 Ext 213 to have items shipped to you as well. Have you been to the B&O Railroad Museum? What's your opinion? Just drop us a note and Our Kids will add your comments to this review.
