35 Market Pl., 410/727-8120,
www.portdiscovery.org

HOURS: Daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

COST: $11.75 for all ages

Just north of the Inner Harbor, this award-winning attraction is an immense hit with children because it seems like it was designed by kids. Adults might not understand why their kids are so ga-ga about this place, but watch the way children run and explore the various halls and exhibits and it’s clear they’re delighted.

There are wacky rooms with mis-proportioned objects, lots of construction goodies and smart, creative playthings, and plenty of noisy, tactile toys for toddlers. There’s KidWorks, a huge, three-story climbing structure (and a big, dark, black slide through which kids can descend) for bigger kids; smaller fry can wander through Egyptian-tomb-themed mazes and play (and, amazingly, learn) in the Wonders of Water room, which lets kids make their own fountains and manipulate a river system, complete with dams and boat lock. (It’s so hands-on that raincoats and rubber shoes are provided—but be aware it’s closed on many summer Mondays.)

There’s even The Oasis, where you and your kids can chill out between exhibits. Summertime afternoons can get a bit crowded, so plan on visiting early or late in the day.