Baltimore Museums
Maryland has many impressive cultural attractions to delight residents and visitors. Baltimore museums are an important contribution and there is something for everyone. The city is a major seaport and several attractions have a maritime theme. Sport is also of great interest to the city and local sporting triumphs are celebrated.
One of the city's famous sons is the baseball legend, Babe Ruth. He was a huge personality as well as a gifted player and his life is commemorated at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum. Various memorabilia is on display, including a catcher's mitt and jersey, and a hymn book belonging to Babe. There are pictures of his family and visitors can see the room where he came into the world. There is also an exhibit about the movie that was made about him. Another display details the number of home runs made by Babe and other players. This is one of the most popular Baltimore museums.
The museum also operates the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards. Housed in the old railway station, there are exhibits on Babe Ruth, the Orioles and Colts teams, Johnny Unites, the Negro Leagues, and minor league baseball played in Maryland. The museum also displays the Maryland State Athletic Hall of Fame.
For families interested in the world of science, the Maryland Science Center is the place to go for a day out. There are interactive exhibits, an IMAX Theater, a planetarium and an observatory. This is an award winning Baltimore museum, receiving the Best of Baltimore award for the Best Place to take Kids in 2006. Children particularly like the full scale models of dinosaurs, which include a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The kids under eight years of age have their own activity room. Other exhibits include information on the human body and the solar system and galaxy. There is also a display of Maryland Blue Crabs, found in Chesapeake Bay.
The National Aquarium in Baltimore is located in the Inner Harbor area of the city. The marine life on display is impressive and represents 560 different species. Highlights include the dolphin shows, the ray pool and a multi story shark tank. There is also the opportunity to see stingrays and a Green Sea Turtle. In addition to marine exhibits, there are also birds, monkeys and different kinds of amphibians and reptiles. Baltimore museums also look to the outside world and there is a rainforest exhibit and a display with an Australian theme. After their tour, visitors can relax in the cafes and gift shops.
The National Museum of Dentistry is one of the more unusual Baltimore museums. Located on campus at the University of Maryland, it tells the history of the dental profession in America and throughout the world. It is a logical place to be as Baltimore was the first city in the world to open a dental school. There are artifacts from different eras and exhibits on oral health. Even George Washington's dentures are on display!
Summary
Popular Museums in Baltimore include Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, Sports Legends Museum, Maryland Science Center, National Aquarium in Baltimore, and National Museum of Dentistry. The aquarium features over 560 species, and you can see George Washington's dentures at the Museum of Dentistry.
