CALIFORNIA, Md. — There are dozens of high-quality museums to experience throughout Maryland, and many of them are located in towns you wouldn’t expect. Baltimore’s museum scene is strong, while many smaller towns offer one individual attraction that fits with the city’s history. If you like learning, then here are ten Maryland museums you should visit.
National Cryptologic Museum
Between Tuesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can enter the National Cryptologic Museum at no cost. This museum is truly fascinating for those interested in information security and the government branches that are responsible for it. The National Cryptologic Museum is near Fort Meade, and visiting is a great way to learn more about national defense in the United States.
Address: 8290 Colony Seven Road, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701
Phone number: 301-688-5849
Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum
The Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum is one of the most comprehensive hubs for Black history in Maryland. The museum will take you through the history and culture of Black women in America and offer perspectives from prominent figures who shaped today’s society.
Address: 84 Franklin St., Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone number: 410-216-6180
St. John’s Site Museum
Historic St. Mary’s City is often considered a museum on its own, but the St. John’s Site Museum is a particularly interesting exhibit to visit since it features archaeological artifacts. You’ll learn about the ways that archaeologists uncovered historic findings, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of Maryland’s extensive history.
Address: 47645 Margaret Brent Way, St. Mary’s City, MD 20686
National Museum of Civil War Medicine
A museum of U.S. military history, the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick unveils the common tactics and treatments that saved the lives of thousands of soldiers during America’s Civil War. Learning about the medicine used during the Civil War is a fascinating way to spend your afternoon, and the museum is open every day of the week.
Address: 48 East Patrick St., Frederick, MD 21701
Phone number: 301-695-1864
American Visionary Art Museum
The American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore is full of fantastical pieces of art from a variety of talented artists. The current mega-exhibition at the American Visionary Art Museum is Fantastic Realities, a showing of art that explores worlds and how they’re depicted. If you appreciate art, then the American Visionary Art Museum is one of the best places to explore in Baltimore.
Address: 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone number: 410-244-1900
Glenstone
Located in Potomac, Glenstone is a modern art museum that combines nature, architecture and art to create beautiful displays. Admission into the museum is free, but you need to schedule a visit before you can explore Glenstone. There are plenty of art museums in Maryland, but Glenstone is unique because it focuses on multiple elements that make up different types of art.
Address: 12100 Glen Road, Potomac, MD 20854
Phone number: 301-983-5001
Photo: Iwan Baan
Courtesy: Glenstone Museum
Ellicott City Station Museum
The Ellicott City Station Museum explores the history of the oldest railroad station in the U.S. that has survived until 2025, which was eventually turned into an attraction in Ellicott City. The original railway was constructed in 1831, and visitors can learn about its 200-year-old history for free, though there is an optional gift shop and they accept donations. Learning about the innovation brought about by trains in the 1800s lets you gain a better understanding of transportation’s evolution into what we see in 2025, so visiting the Ellicott City Station Museum is the perfect historical activity.
Address: 3711 Maryland Ave., Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone number: 410-313-1945
Baltimore Museum of Industry
Baltimore has been a huge hub of industrial innovation for centuries, and the Baltimore Museum of Industry offers in-depth exhibits that dive into the lives of workers who built Maryland’s big city. The museum is located inside an oyster cannery from the 1860s, so even the building helps display the local history. The Baltimore Museum of Industry highlights the city’s manufacturing accomplishments and the people who built Baltimore into the city that exists today.
Address: 1415 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone number: 410-727-4808
Port Discovery Children’s Museum
The Port Discovery Children’s Museum is a Baltimore attraction filled with fun exhibits for kids of all ages. For $24.95 per person, you can guide your child through a wonderland of interactive experiences and educational exhibits. With three floors of unique play areas, an adventure awaits at the Port Discovery Children’s Museum.
Address: 35 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone number: 410-727-8120
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
St. Michaels is a cozy town located on the Chesapeake Bay, and the local maritime museum is a major point of interest. Entry to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum costs $20 for most adults, and your ticket is usually valid for two days after purchase. The museum features a floating fleet of boats, and you’ll learn about the Chesapeake Bay’s environment and history. If you’re stopping by St. Michaels, make sure you don’t miss out on one of Maryland’s best museums.
Address: 213 North Talbot St., St. Michaels, MD 21663
Phone number: 410-745-2916
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