MARITIME MUSEUM 

Pier 3, East Pratt Street
410-369-3153

HOURS:
Open daily 10:30am-6pm

ADMISSION:
$5.50

The Maritime Museum actually consists of three war ships dispersed throughout the Harbor and a 7-foot knoll lighthouse that marked the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay for 33 years. On board each of the ships is a friendly tour guide who is usually quite enthused to assist visitors in their exploration of Baltimore’s maritime heritage. Interested parties can inspect each ship from bow to stern through several exhibits and hands-on activities.

If one is even remotely intrigued by America’s naval history, than exploring the Maritime Museum is the perfect attraction to catalyze the mind into nautical reveries. The ships are quite different and pack in a good bit of history: the USCGC Taney, is the last surviving warship from the attack on Pearl Harbor; the USS Torsk, a submarine credited with sinking the last two Japanese warships in World War II; and the Lightship Chesapeake, was a floating navigational lighthouse for the Chesapeake Bay. A nice little historical tour of the 7-foot knoll lighthouse is also available.

Keep in mind that tickets must be purchased at least one hour before the last tour. The ticket booth is located next to the Lightship Chesapeake and the National Aquarium. Tours are fairly quick but informative and (to add another perk) not only are the ships moored within walking distance of each other, they are also located near such major attractions as the National Aquarium, the World Trade Center, Harborplace & The Gallery, and the Power Plant, to name a few. As such, the Maritime Museum is easily worked into a day at the Harbor. -- Michael Rando