Autumn is a fun season at Port Discovery Children’s Museum in downtown Baltimore – and this year is an especially good one, with the opening of new exhibits and exciting events. We caught up with Port Discovery President and CEO Carter Polakoff to learn about what’s new at the museum.
This fall is a busy time at Port Discovery, starting with the recent opening of Brick City. What is that new space all about?
Brick City is a new exhibit space devoted to all things LEGO! Brick City invites children and their families to build their dream city of the future. In the short time Brick City has been open, we have seen families putting real imagination in building tall skyscrapers, colorful brick parks, and more all with LEGOs. Brick City is part of a special initiative with the LEGO® Playful Learning Museum Network, and will be on view at the museum through Spring 2026.
The new Galactic Builders exhibit is slated to open later this month – what can kids and their parents expect from that exhibit?
Galactic Builders invites kids to explore the realm of engineering and physics through a vibrant space-themed play area. This exhibit encourages children to think like scientists and engineers by testing parachutes, building rovers, and launching rockets, all in a playful, creative environment.
SKIES will also open later in October. What are some highlights of that exhibit?
SKIES is a fully immersive, low sensory, calming exhibit themed on the daily sky rotation between the sunrise and sunset, and the curiosity invoked by our planet’s ever-shifting cloudscape. The design of this quiet play zone will incorporate the colorful movement of clouds and the cycles of the sun and moon. The exhibit spaces will include reading nooks, a soft resting zone, and pillow/blanket fort building activity.
What would you recommend for parents planning a visit to Port Discovery – any tips or tricks for how to make the most of a visit?
Great question! We recommend allowing 2-3 hours for a visit, as there is so much to do on our three floors of exhibits and activities. We recommend checking our event calendar to see if there is a particular Storytime, musical, or activity that you want to be sure not to miss.
We offer free lockers if you don’t want to carry your bags around, and we have a seated snack area. Also know that Port Discovery has kids-meal-deal partnerships with several nearby restaurants, so you can take a break for lunch and then come back for more fun – your ticket is good for all-day!
Our website offers more tip and information: https://www.portdiscovery.org/visit/
What else is coming up at Port Discovery this fall?
The highlight of the fall is our spooky Halloween-themed Community Day on Friday, October 31. It’s a double treat that day since it is only $10 admission all day and the Museum will be activated full of Halloween-themed games, ghost stories, and crafts, culminating with a costume parade! Visitors are welcome and encouraged to dress up in their spookiest gear!
Learn more here: https://www.portdiscovery.org/event/10-community-day-13-2/
When organizing your Port Discovery visits this fall, don’t forget to plan for parking. Located just steps away from the museum, at 55 Market Place, Harbor Park Garage is an ideal parking location – and you can even reserve a space ahead of time. The garage is open 24/7 and is safe, clean, and well-lit. For more information about Harbor Park Garage, including special rates for Port Discovery visitors, visit: https://harborparkgarage.com/parking-nearby/port-discovery-childrens-museum-parking-venue/