Annapolis Area

ANNEARRUNDELL COUNTY FREE SCHOOL, 1298 Lavall Dr. (off Rutland Rd.) Davidsonville. Maryland’s oldest existing school, now a living history classroom museum. Open by appointment. Free. 410-673-0840.

BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN LIFE AND HISTORY, 84 Franklin St, Annapolis. The historical and cultural experiences of Maryland’s blacks. Free. 410-216-6180.

BENSON-HAMMOND HOUSE, Andover Road and Aviation Boulevard, Linthicum. 11-3 Wednesday-Saturday. 410-768-9518 or 410-859-0298.

CADE CENTER GALLERY AT ANNE ARUNDEL COMMUNITY COLLEGE, College Parkway, Arnold. 9-4 Mon. through Fri. Free. 410-315-7028.

CAPTAIN SALEM AVERY HOUSE MUSEUM, 1418 E.W. Shady Side Road, Shady Side. Hours: 1-4 Sundays. 410- 867-4486.

CHARLES CARROLL HOUSE, 107 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis. Birthplace of Declaration of Independence signer. Call for hours. $5 adults, $4 seniors, $2 12-17, under 11 free. 410-269-1737.

CHASE-LLOYD HOUSE, 22 Maryland Ave., Annapolis. 2-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. $2. 410-263-2723.

CHESAPEAKE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, 25 Silopanna Rd., Annapolis. 10-4 daily except Wednesdays, which are for groups by appointment. $3 for ages 1 and up. 410-990-1993.

HAMMOND-HARWOOD HOUSE, 19 Maryland Ave., Annapolis. A fully restored 1774 residence renowned for its architecture and authentic furnishings. 12-5 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday. Tours on the hour. $6 adults, $3 children, groups of 10 or more $5.50. 410-263-4683.

HISTORIC ANNAPOLIS FOUNDATION properties include THE BARRACKS at 43 Pinkney St., THE OLD TREASURY BUILDING on State Circle, SHIPLAP HOUSE at 18 Pinkney St., the WATERFRONT WAREHOUSE at 4 Pinkney St. and THE WILLIAM PACA HOUSE & GARDEN (see separate listing, below). Call for hours or group appointments. 410-267-7619.

HISTORIC ANNAPOLIS FOUNDATION MUSEUM STORE AND WELCOME CENTER, 77 Main St., Annapolis: “Historic Annapolis,” “Revolutionary Annapolis,” and “African- American Heritage” Walking Tours. 10-5 daily. 410-268-5576.

LONDON TOWN HOUSE AND GARDENS, 839 Londontown Road, Edgewater. 10 –3 Tues.-Sat.; noon-3 Sun. Tours on the hour, last tour at 3. 410-222-1919.

MARYLAND STATE HOUSE, Annapolis. The oldest state house in continuous use in the nation. 8:30 -5 Mon.-Fri., 10 -4 Sat. and Sun. Guided tours available daily. 410-974-3400.

SCHOONER WOODWIND resumes sailing cruises on a 74-ft. wooden boat in April. 410-263-7837.

WATERMARK CRUISES offers daily narrated tours of Annapolis Harbor, Bay and music cruises and more. 410-268-7601, x104.

WILLIAM PACA HOUSE AND GARDEN, 186 Prince George St., Annapolis. The fully restored residence and garden of a Declaration of Independence signer. Open Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sunday noon-5. All-day admission to house and garden $8 for adults, $5 for ages 6-17, children 5 and under free. 410-267-7619.

U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY’S ARMEL-LEFTWICH VISITOR CENTER, Gate 1, foot of Prince George’s St., Annapolis. Films, displays, and interactive exhibits on USNA life, with special subject tours available on summer Saturdays. Home of USNA Gift Shop. 9-5 daily. Free. 410-263-6933.

U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY MUSEUM , Preble Hall, Maryland Ave., Annapolis. Displays items related to history of the Academy. 9-5 Mon.-Sat., 11-5 Sun. Free. 410-293-2108.

 

Washington, D.C.

 

CAPITAL CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, 800 Third Street, NE, just behind Union Station and the Red Line Metro. 10 -5 daily. Admission $6, $4 seniors, free under 2. 202-675-4120.

 

THE CORCORAN GALLERY OF ART, New York Ave. and 17th St., NW. A private collection of American and European works. $5, $4 seniors and students, $8 for families, members and under 12 free. Open 10-5 (Thurs. 10-9), closed Tues. 202-639-1700.

 

THE FREER GALLERY OF ART, Jefferson Drive at 12^th Street SW. Free. 10 -5:30. 202-357-2700.

 

HIRSHHORN MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE GARDEN, Independence Ave. at 7^th St SW.10-5:30 p.m. Free. 202-357-2700.

 

INTERNATIONAL SPY MUSEUM, 800 F St. NW, explores espionage with interactive displays and exhibits. $13 adults, $12 seniors, $10 ages 5-18, under 4 free. Advance ticket sales through Ticketmaster: 800-551-SEAT.10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. 202-393-7798.

NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM, 6th Street and Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. IMAX Theatre (info 202-357-1675). 10 -5:30. Free. 202-357-1400. Now open, the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA, with 200 aircraft and 135 spacecraft on display. 10-5:30. Free. 202-357-2700.

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, between 3^rd and 7^th streets NW, on Constitution Avenue, Washington, D.C. 10 -5 Monday-Saturday; 11-6 Sunday. 202-842-6690 or TDD 202-842-6176.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN ART, 950 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 10 -5:30 daily. Free. 202-357-4600

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY, 14^th Street and Constitution Ave. NW. 10-5:30 daily. Free. 202-357-2700.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, 10^th Street and Constitution Ave., NW. 10 -5:30 daily. IMAX films at Samuel C. Johnson Theatre, $6.50 adults, $5.50 youth and seniors (info 202-633-7400). Museum admission free. 202-357-2700.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN IN THE ARTS, 1250 New York Ave., NW. 10 -5 Mon. through Sat., 12 - 5 Sunday. $8, $6 students and seniors. 202-783-5000.

NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK, 3000 block Connecticut Ave. NW. Nearly 4,500 animals from great apes to Komodo dragons and pandas. Open daily. Free. 202-673-4717.

 

RENWICK GALLERY of the National Museum of American Art, 17^th Street and Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 10-5:30 daily. Free. 202-357-2700.

 

ARTHUR M. SACKLER GALLERY, 1050 Independence Ave., SW. 10-5:30 daily. 202-357-3200.

 

U.S. HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW. A permanent exhibition on the Holocaust; passes are free, but are required for admission. Available same-day or in advance. 10-5:30 daily. Free. 202-488-0400.

 

Baltimore

 

AMERICAN VISIONARY ART MUSEUM, 800 Key Highway. 250  unique “grassroots” artworks by self-taught artists. Closed Mondays. $6, $4 students and seniors. 410-244-1900.

 

B&O RAILROAD MUSEUM, 901 W. Pratt Street. A 37-acre indoor/outdoor museum with original locomotives and memorabilia. 10  5 daily. Admission $6. 410-752-2490.

 

BABE RUTH BIRTHPLACE/BALTIMORE ORIOLES MUSEUM, 216 Emory Street off the 600 block of Pratt Street. Daily 10-5, ‘til 7 p.m. on Orioles home game days. $6, over 62 $4, 5-16, $3. 410-727-1539.

 

BALTIMORE MARITIME MUSEUM, Inner Harbor at Pier Three. The submarine Torsk, the floating lightship Chesapeake and the Coast Guard cutter Taney. $5, $4 children. 410-396-3854.

 

BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART, Art Museum Drive at North Charles and 31^st Sts. Wed.-Fri. 11-5, first Thursday of the month 5-9 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 11-6. Closed Mon. and Tues. $7 adults, $5 seniors and students with I.D. 410-396-7100.

 

BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF INDUSTRY, 1415 Key Highway. Baltimore industry in the 19^th century. Thurs., Fri. and Sun, 12-5, Sat. 10-5, Wed. 7-9.  $3.50, children and seniors $2.50 . 410-727-4808.

 

BALTIMORE ZOO, Druid Hill Park. More than 2,000 animals, plus the nation’s #1 rated Children’s Zoo. Open daily, 10–4. $9 adults, $5.50 for children 2-15 and seniors. Under 2 free. 410-366-LION.

 

FELLS POINT MARITIME MUSEUM, 1724 Thames St.Tells the story of shipbuilders and clipper schooner sailors during the heyday of the Baltimore seaport. Thurs.-Mon., 10-5. $4, $3 srs. and students, under 12 free. 410-685-3750.

 

FORT McHENRY NATIONAL MONUMENT AND HISTORIC SHRINE, E. Fort Ave., the site that inspired Francis Scott Key’s “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Film, exhibits, and walking tours of the star-shaped fort. Open daily. Admission. 410-962-4290.

 

MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 201 W. Monument St., houses the largest collection of objects and artifacts reflecting the state’s history. Now open:  “Baltimore Ablaze: The Great Fire of 1904.” Wed.-Sun., 10-5. $8 adults, $6 seniors, students and ages 13-17; $4 ages 3-12. 410-685-3750.

 

 

MARYLAND SCIENCE CENTER, IMAX Theatre and Davis Planetarium, 601 Light Street at the Inner Harbor. Three floors of live demonstrations and interactive displays. Tues.-Fri. 10-5, weekends 10-6. Closed Mondays. $15.50 adults, $14.50 seniors, $10.50 ages 3-12. 410-685-5225.

 

NATIONAL AQUARIUM IN BALTIMORE, 501 E. Pratt Street. Dramatic aquatic exhibits and live dolphin presentations. Open daily 9 -5 (visitors may tour 2 hrs. after last entry time). $17.50 adults, $14.50 seniors, $9.50 ages 3-11. 410-576-3800.

 

PORT DISCOVERY, 34 Market Place. Children’s museum featuring hands-on fun for kids. HiFlyer helium balloon rides on weekends for additional fee; call for details. Tues.-Fri., 9:30-4:30, Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5. Closed Mon. $11 adults, $8.50 children 3-12, under 3 free. 410-727-8120. 

 

WALTERS ART MUSEUM, 600 North Charles Street. Wed.-Sun. 10.-5, also open 5:30-10 p.m. on second Friday of month. $8 adults, $6 seniors, $5 students and  young adults, children under 17 free. 410-547-9000.

 

Regional

 

ACADEMY ART MUSEUM, 106 South St., Easton. Mon.-Sat. 10-4, Wednesdays until 8 p.m. 410-822-ARTS.

 

BELAIR MANSION, 12207 Tulip Grove Drive, Bowie. Wed.-Sun., 12-4 p.m. Free. 301-809-3089.

 

CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM, Solomons. Indoor and outdoor exhibits on nautical history and marine life. 10-5 daily. $5, seniors $4, 5-12 $2, under 5 free. 410-326-2042.

 

COLLEGE PARK AVIATION MUSEUM, 1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, College Park. 10-5 daily (except major holidays). $4 adults , $3 seniors, $2 for children and students. Under 2 free. 301-864-6029.

 

GALESVILLE HERITAGE MUSEUM, 988 Main St., Galesville, showcases 350 years of village history. Sun. 1-4 p.m. 410-867-9499.

 

HARTGE NAUTICAL MUSEUM, Hartge Boat Yard, Church Lane, Galesville. Open daily. Free. 410-268-1837.

 

NATIONAL CRYPTOLOGIC MUSEUM, 9900 Colony 7 Rd.., Ft. Meade. Explore the once-secret world of codes and ciphers. Mon.-Fri, 9-4. Free. 301-688-5849.

 

PATUXENT NATIONAL WILDLIFE VISITOR CENTER, Powder Mill Rd. between Balto-Washington Pkwy. and  Rt. 197, Laurel. Explore wildlife, habitats, and endangered species. 10–5:30 daily. Free. 301-497-5887.

 

RADIO AND TELEVISION MUSEUM, 2608 Mitchellville Rd., Bowie. Exhibits on the early days of electronic media. Sat. and Sun., 1-4 p.m. 301-809-3089.

 

 

SIX FLAGS AMERICA is Maryland’s only theme park, with eight roller coasters, shows, rides and attractions. Open weekends in April, plus April 7-9 and 12. $. 301-249-1500 or visit sixflags.com.