Best Museums in Columbia

"Start off at the Walters Art Museum, a gorgeous and free exhibition space that contains an encyclopedic collection of art, including ancient Roman sculptures, Renaissance paintings, Japanese woodblock prints, Meso-American carvings and works by French impressionists. Sated on art, take a peek inside the George Peabody Library. Its centerpiece is a soaring atrium ringed with five stories of cast-iron balconies. The collection contains 300,000 volumes, many dating to the 18th and 19th centuries."

"And while you're there, visit the Walters Art Museum; admission is free and the art spans the ages, from the third millennium B.C.E. to the early 20th century. Once you get hungry, hit Charles Street:There's Afghani food like sweet, pan-fried baby pumpkin at The Helmand (also the very historic site of my very first date) and the pillow-iest gnocchi ever at Sotto Sopra. The restaurant hosts opera nights, where you'll be serenaded with live performances as you eat a multi-course dinner."

"The museum has over 94,000 pieces of art, showcasing everything from modern, contemporary and 19th-century art. Make sure to check their page for any special exhibitions. The museum generally showcases various exhibitions for a limited time."

"A post shared by Andy Kutcher (@andyknola) on Apr 6, 2017 at 5:23pm PDT. Arguably the crown jewel of Baltimore’s art scene, the American Visionary Art Museum (a.k.a. AVAM) is a wonderfully romantic place for an art lover. The winged “Black Icarus” statue at the center of the main stair is an especially great place to propose."

"The nation's primary museum and education center for self-taught or "outsider" art has won great acclaim by both museum experts and those…"

"At the southwest corner of the Inner Harbor is the modern Maryland Science Center, with a planetarium. The scientific displays that fill its three floors are geared primarily to engage young visitors, but the museum will also interest adults as they explore physics, space travel, and other subjects. Full size dinosaurs roam through the Dinosaur Mysteries exhibit, where kids can be paleontologists in the dig pits, field lab, and excavation sites."

"The Maryland Science Center is a fun place to explore for the whole family. There are exhibits about all kinds of different science subjects spread out over the three floors of the museum. The Davis Planetarium features different shows and displays and you can visit the rooftop observatory to explore the night sky for yourself."

"This museum dedicated to American railroad history boasts one of the most significant collections of railroad paraphernalia in the world, and also features the largest collection of 19th-century locomotives in the country. The museum is inside the old Baltimore & Ohio Railroad’s Mount Clare Station and roundhouse, which dates back to 1829 and was the site of the first regular railroad passenger service in the U.S. The museum is also home to 15,000 artifacts and a historic mile of track, which is available to ride Thursday through Saturday from April to December, and weekends in January."

"Pratt Street runs west to the Mount Clare Railroad Station of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, from which the first passenger train in the United States ran west to Ellicott's Mills in 1830. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum takes in the Mount Clare Station (1851), the Print Shop (1884), and a roundhouse that now houses an excellent collection of historic locomotives. The centerpiece is the turntable, which connects with 22 lines containing locomotives and coaches."

"This is another great option for a Baltimore history museum, but it’ll be really enjoyable for those who are more mechanically minded. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by B&O Railroad Museum (@borailroad)"

"The Port Discovery Children’s Museum has been ranked as one of the top children’s museums in the U.S.- come find out why!. The museum has activities for children of all ages and emphasizes the importance of play and exploration in learning. This museum is unique because it allows kids to participate in the exhibits- by creating art, solving puzzles, making music, and playing their way through three floors of fun."

"The museum has a wonderful array of exhibits where kids can climb, touch, and even pretend they are serving food in a 50’s style diner. When you enter, you will find a large climbing area with a massive slide right in the middle of the museum. The kids will stay happy, and you’ll end up being the one who decides when it’s time to go."

"Offering three floors of educational interactive and hands-on experiences for children ages 2 to 10, Port Discovery Children’s Museum is one of the leading nontraditional educational resources in the Mid-Atlantic. Port Discovery Children's Museum"

"The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum is the first black history wax museum in the country. This museum not only gives you a glimpse into the history of African Americans, but it has displays of influential people who were important in the movement of equal rights, down to the times of slavery and what slaves had to endure. This museum is not only enlightening, but it is heart-wrenching to see the figures depict such accurate events."

"Featuring the wax figures of prominent African Americans, this museum has over a hundred sculptures and exhibits. It preserves black history in a creative yet educational way that the entire family can enjoy."

"it tells black people about their history that they dont teach at schoolit goes beyond that and tells us more about it"

"Comic book and pop culture lovers have their own museum at Geppi's. "A Story in Four Colors" exhibit is an extensive comic book library illustrating how character-based products have entertained and educated children for generations. "America Tunes In" explores the influence of television from 1946-1960 and continues through exhibits leading up to "Going Global," that covers the effect of 24-hour news broadcasts in addition to computer and internet use."

"As a major cultural destination for the greater Baltimore region, The Baltimore Museum of Art presents a variety of exhibitions and innovative programs throughout the year. The BMA does charge for some special exhibits, so stick to the comprehensive permanent collection. The museum boasts more than 1,000 works by Henri Matisse, as well as large collections of African art, ancient mosaics and European and American paintings."

"Visitors to the Baltimore Museum of Art will be pleased to find a museum full of works from the 19th century to contemporary times. The collection of about 95,000 pieces of art includes the largest number of works by Henri Matisse in the world, as well as pieces by Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and many others. Don't forget to take a stroll through the sculpture garden, which is set on nearly three landscaped acres."

"Delve into the city’s immigration history and learn about how Baltimore was one of the largest ports of entry for immigrants from around the world."

"Before the eat-a-thon or if it starts to downpour or broil, do something fun that invites conversation!. Those with a quirky personality, love of trivia and history will be amazed at the weird and exotic exhibits. While not totally about Baltimore, some locally themed items give this museum (a franchise) a unique feeling."

"Ripley’s Believe It or Not’s Odditorium includes 10 galleries. Don’t miss the Marvelous Mirror Maze, 2,000 square feet of endless passages. Also onsite is Ripley’s 4D moving Theater, which offers a movie-going experience complete with digital effects, motion seats and 4-D real effects."

"With Maryland locations in the Inner Harbor and Ocean City, this place is off the hook. It is really very funny and quirky and everything you would expect it to be. It is also super fun and would make a great filler activity if you are hanging out in Baltimore."

"708 S Bond St, Baltimore, MD 21231-3303Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Accepts Discover, Outdoor Seating, TelevisionAmerican, Bar, Pub, Gluten Free OptionsLunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Late Night, Drinks+1 410-327-0445"

"500 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202-3133Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Valet Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full BarAmerican, Steakhouse, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free OptionsLunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late NightSGD 54 - SGD 105+1 443-703-4064"

"My husband and I frequent The Capital Grille all over Maryland/DC. This was our first visit to the Baltimore location, and we were not disappointed."

"Swanky speakeasies have sprouted across Charm City, but this dimly lit spot in Station North will always have a timeless draw. Club Charles is part dive bar, part hipster hangout and part Lynchian fantasy. With it's deep red walls and macabre touches like a suit-wearing skeleton that guards the beer list, we're pretty sure that Kyle Maclachlan could pop up at any moment."

"The Club Charles, or Club Chuck, is a relic that never seems to lose its luster even with the passage of time. Featuring darkened mood lighting, an immaculate jukebox, luxurious booths and affordably-priced drinks, this comfortable bar is a living testament of why the city is called 'Charm City'."