26 Free Things to Do in Baltimore, MD

Having fun in Baltimore, MD doesn't have to cost a dime! There are so many opportunities for free family fun in this beautiful and historically rich city that you will be sure to be entertained while staying on budget. Below is a roundup of (26) free and low cost things to do in Baltimore.

1. Ride the free, efficient and eco friendly Harbor Connector as you travel throughout the city of Baltimore. This electric hybrid bus stops every 10-15 minutes at its designated stops along the route and is free to everyone who wishes to ride. It's a great and efficient way to tour the great city of Baltimore.
2. The Baltimore Museum of Art is free all day everyday. This world class museum has a vast and unique collection of art from all genres with highlights being their wonderful and expansive Impressionist and modern art collections and their serene sculpture gardens.(Photo Credit: Baltimore Museum of Art)
3. Take a guided or self guided tour of the Baltimore Basilica for a breathtaking journey through the history and the unique architectural design of the first Catholic cathedral in the United States. When you participate in an organized tour of this magnificent historical church, you'll gain access to a small museum downstairs where there are a lot of interesting artifacts to peruse.
4. Another architectural must see in Baltimore is the gorgeous and historic Enoch Pratt Free Library. Explore your genealogy, curl up with a great book, check out the rare book room, or simply be enamored with the architectural delights within. This old style library was built as a grande cathedral to learning which is a draw in and of itself.
5. Climb to the top of Baltimore's Washington Monument for a stunning view of the city. This historic monument was the first monument to honor George Washington in the United States and is open to the public Wednesday-Friday 11:00 am -3:00 pm and Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The gallery is always free for viewing, and the climb to the top of the monument will cost you about six dollars but is well worth the climb.
6. Take a walk up to Federal Hill Park and Monument to discover a quaint park with the most spectacular panoramic views of Downtown Baltimore and Baltimore's Inner Harbor. There is a small playground at the park and its a great serene spot for picnicking and photography.
7. Roam where the now extinct animals like mammoths roamed 100,000 years ago at Battle Creek Cyprus Swamp Sanctuary. Peruse the nature center exhibits and learn about the natural and cultural heritage of the area. Download the audio tour, walk the boardwalk, study the nature in the area, birdwatch or have a picnic.
8. Take a self guided tour of Fort McHenry, the star shaped coastal fort that is best known for its role in protecting Baltimore Harbor against the British Navy in the War of 1812. Listen for the canons to be fired off twice a day and visit the small museum at the visitor's center. Enjoy a relaxing picnic overlooking the Inner Harbor.(Photo Credit: Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association; photo, Richard Nowitz)
9. Visit Rawlings Conservatory at Druid Hill Park and see why it is one of the best kept secrets in Baltimore! The Conservatory is one of the few Victorian Conservatories in the world today and is filled with colorful blossoms of all sorts and fragrant blooms. Meander through the expansive garden beds, by the luxurious fountains, and be sure to stop at the Koi and Turtle ponds.
10. Head over to Westminster Cemetery visit both of Edgar Allan Poe's Gravesites. Explore one of the oldest cemeteries in the country and discover scores of other graves and crypts as well. Walk along the brick paths and read the stones and placards to learn the history of some of the people buried here and their relationship to the city of Baltimore.
11. Take a walk past the Phoenix Shot Tower built in 1828 made entirely of over 1 million bricks. Standing at over 215 feet tall, the Shot Building was the tallest building in the United States until 1846. This building is where rifle shot was produced. Molten lead was dropped from the top of the tower and as it fell into water at the bottom of the tower it transformed into a perfectly round piece that worked in rifles.
12. Art buffs can visit The Liriodendron Mansion and view rotating exhibits that showcase works from local artists for free on Sundays from March through December. This art gallery is a Palladian Mansion and Bel Air event venue that was originally built as a summer home in 1898.
13. Get active and hit the Jones Falls Trail where urban surroundings and nature intersect. A portion of the trail takes you through urban Baltimore and then switches to the perfect picturesque setting along the stream for the nature lover in all of us with a trail that leads right to the Cylburn Arboretum.
14. Experience and explore the glorious natural setting of the Cylburn Arboretum. Meander through the a 207 acre Baltimore nature preserve and city park while visiting the big city. The grand Victorian Mansion is graced with far-reaching lawns and bountiful gardens. Nature walks explore vast woodlands which are profusely decorated with rare trees, native plants and wildflowers.
15. Take in the beauty of the soaring Bald Eagles at Conowingo Dam! From October through March, the population of our national bird begins to rapidly grow and visitors can get an up close view of a plentitude of bald eagles and gulls. Conowingo is an electricity generation plant. When the turbines are running, valves pull water and fish through the dam which provides the ideal feeding ground for birds. When not feeding below the dam, the birds tend to gather in flocks on the rocks directly across from the pavilion at the far end of the parking area.
16. Baseball fans should stop by Oriole Park at Camden Yards when the team is out of town. Walk throughout the magnificent ballpark and take pictures with the large than life baseball legends in the Statue Garden.
17. After you are done viewing the inside of Oriole Park, take a walk down baseball history lane with a stroll down Eutaw Street to see all of the small baseball shaped bronze homerun markers embedded in the street. Out of all of the homeruns ever hit at Orioles stadium only 85 ended with a Eutaw Street home run.
18. Experience the true charm of Baltimore when you grab a seat up front at the Amphitheater at Harbor Place. Guests can also opt to simply take a relaxing stroll around the promenade and listen to the music being performed every weekend evening throughout the summer months. Harborplace hosts a number of performances throughout the year including an eclectic street performer series on weekends from March through October.
19. Climb to the top of Concord Point Lighthouse in Havre de Grace for free on weekends from April through October. Explore the oldest working lighthouse on the East Coast, get an inside peek at the Keeper's house, and take a stroll on then board walk which offers spectacular views of the Susquehanna River and the Upper Chesapeake Bay.
20. For a lovely afternoon, head over to the Walters Art Museum to peruse the four magnificent floors of art and culture. You'll find a masterful collection from Monet, to Faberge, ancient art from China, Greece, Egypt, the near east, as well as the Americas. This museum is free and offers crafts and activities for kids to enjoy as well.
21. Enjoy free admission to the Maryland Historical Society Museum on the first Thursday of every month! Learn about the history of the toys children played with throughout history, take the opportunity to dress up in colonial clothing, view a variety of artifacts and engaging dioramas, and immerse yourself in the civil war exhibit. Visitors can enjoy an interesting mix of history and art all in one visit.(Photo Credit: Maryland Historical Society Museum)
22. Check out the Bromo Seltzer Art Tower, which gleefully boasts studio spaces for visual and literary artists and theatrical performers. From 11am-4pm on Saturdays, the Arts Tower invites visitors to enjoy the artists’ studios as free guests. View the 15 floors of artwork as you walk the stairwells and check out the museum inside.
23. When visiting Baltimore, check to see if Fells Point is hosting one of its' famous Art Loop Tour. Take a walk along the cobble stone streets and enjoy free art shows, openings, and events. Some galleries even serve wine and hors d'oeuvres.
24. Head on over Patterson Park and Pagoda and view Baltimore from the third floor observatory within the quirky pagoda which is a centerpiece of the park. Walk, jog or bike on the smooth pathways that meander throughout the park. There are plenty of athletic fields, playground area and rinks to keep visitors happy and healthy year round.(Photo Credit: Authentic Baltimore)
25. Embark on a hike along the Gwynn Falls Trail through Leakin Park. Outdoor enthusiasts can biking, hiking, fishing in the stream, picnicking, birdwatching, and simply enjoying nature while visiting the busy city of Baltimore.
26. As you hike through the Gwynn Falls Trail, don't miss a free ride on the Chesapeake and Allegheny Live Steamers trains in Leakin Park on the Second Sunday of each month! This treat is available from April to November. Take a neat little train ride around the park driven by a conductor from the Non-Profit Live Steam Club.

(Photo licenses were purchased from Shutterstock unless otherwise credited)