Free Museums for Kids in Maryland 2026
Maryland families are incredibly lucky within an hour's drive of almost anywhere in the state, you can access some of the greatest free museums in the entire world. From the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC to the beloved Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, here are the best free museums for kids in and around Maryland.
🦁 Washington DC World's Greatest Free Museum City
The entire Smithsonian Institution is free every museum, every exhibit, every day of the year. This is one of the most extraordinary cultural gifts in the world and it's right in Maryland's backyard.
- Smithsonian National Zoo Giant pandas (visiting through 2024), Asian elephants, great apes, lions, cheetahs, and 1,800+ animals on a beautiful forested campus. FREE. Perfect for all ages especially toddlers.
- National Museum of Natural History The Hope Diamond, dinosaur fossils, ocean hall with giant squid, butterfly pavilion (small fee), and the jaw-dropping Sant Ocean Hall. FREE. Kids could spend a full day here easily.
- National Air and Space Museum Actual moon rocks you can touch, the Wright Brothers' Flyer, Space Shuttle Discovery (at Udvar-Hazy), IMAX films. FREE. Teens and kids obsessed with space and aviation absolutely love this.
- National Museum of American History The original Star-Spangled Banner, Julia Child's kitchen, pop culture exhibits, and the Presidency. FREE. Great for older kids and history buffs.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture One of the most powerful and important museums in America. FREE but requires timed passes book well in advance online.
🎨 Baltimore's Best Free Museums
- The Walters Art Museum One of America's truly great art museums and completely free always. Ancient Egyptian artifacts, medieval armor, Fabergé eggs, Impressionist masterpieces, and Asian art spanning 5,000 years. Located in Baltimore's Mount Vernon neighborhood. Kids who think they don't like art museums change their minds here.
- Baltimore Museum of Art Home to the world's largest collection of works by Henri Matisse. Free always. Beautiful modern building with excellent programming for families.
- Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture Free always. Celebrates the long history and contributions of African Americans in Maryland. Excellent for school-age children.
🏛️ Free Museums Across Maryland
- Carroll County Farm Museum (Westminster) Free or very low cost for most events. 140-acre living history farm with costumed demonstrations, farm animals, blacksmithing, weaving, and heritage gardens.
- Steppingstone Farm Museum (Havre de Grace) Free during annual events. 19th-century working farm museum in Rocks State Park with craft demonstrations and farm animals.
- National Museum of Health and Medicine (Silver Spring) Free always. Unique collection of medical history artifacts. Best for older kids and teens.
- All Maryland Public Libraries Free programs for children year-round including storytimes, STEM workshops, art programs, maker spaces, and summer reading challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best free museums near Baltimore for families include the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore (free always amazing art collection), Baltimore Museum of Art (free always), Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster (free/low cost), and within 45 minutes, the entire Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC including the National Zoo, National Museum of Natural History, and National Air and Space Museum all free.
Yes! The Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington DC is completely free every day, all year round. There is no admission fee. Parking at the zoo has a fee but you can park in the surrounding Rock Creek Park area and walk. The zoo is home to giant pandas, Asian elephants, great apes, lions, cheetahs, and 1,800+ animals.
Yes! The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore is completely free, every day they are open (Wednesday through Sunday). It houses one of the finest art collections in the mid-Atlantic including ancient Egyptian artifacts, medieval armor, Fabergé eggs, Impressionist masterpieces, and Asian art. Located in Baltimore's beautiful Mount Vernon neighborhood.
Free museums for kids in Maryland and nearby DC include the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Baltimore Museum of Art, National Museum of Health and Medicine in Silver Spring, Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster, and in DC all Smithsonian museums are free including the National Zoo, Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, and American History Museum.