Port Discovery or B&O Museum

weezie825 · January 2013

Have you been to either or both? Which is better? Do you have any comments?

We plan to go one of these places with my brother's family when they are in town in a couple weeks. I was working to arrange a group tour of Port Discovery, but just saw that the reveiws on YELP aren't very good. It says that Port Discovery has gone down hill...B&O Railroad museum has much better reviews.

Any thoughts from TB/TN?

KathrynMD · January 2013

how old are the kids?

I've been to both and I will give you my thoughts -

B&O Museum - was alot of exploring old trains outdoors and not really kid-geared. It wasn't super interactive and unless you/your kids are really into trains, its not that great.

Port Discovery - OK - lots of things to explore, but also it has a GIANT multistory climbing apparatus in the middle of the museum - it is super tempting for DD also packed w/ much older kids - so I felt like I had to follow her and keep an eye on her and it was quite difficult for me to manage it. Thankfully, my 11 yo niece was there and she kept up w/ DD easily.

Have you looked at Science Center? I love that they have a very safe, contained "baby" area, but also a really good, large, spread out kids section - that has good stuff for toddlers/preschoolers, but also pretty cool stuff for 8,9, 10 yos - and its all contained in one area - plus of course the larger museum.

weezie825 · January 2013

Thanks Kathryn! The Kids are 7, 5 (x2), almost 3 (x2) and 8 months.

Ragdolls · January 2013

We haven't done Port Discovery since I've heard similar things. Science Center and Aquarium are both a blast - though of course you can't bring strollers into the Aquarium (they rent back carriers). My kid is beyond train obsessed, so we love the B&O Museum - but I don't know how huge a hit it would otherwise be.

jnealet · January 2013

There is a kids play area at the B&O that could keep D1 entertained for hours. But beyond that, there isn't a whole lot to do.

She loves Port Discovery and all the climbing stuff but also the other play areas.

The Aquarium is fun but EXPENSIVE! We got a membership because if we wanted to go more than 2x a year, it costs less to get the membership (and D2 is still free).

fignewt74 · January 2013

DS and I go to both all the time. He is 4 and LOVES the B&O Railroad museum, but he really loves trains in general. I brought my niece and nephew (3 and 1/2) and they both really liked it too. Make sure you do the train ride if you go there.

Port Discovery is MY favorite though. There is so much to do for all age groups! We especially love the water room and the cafe! But DS and I are usually there during the week, and I am 1:1 with him, so it is not too much to handle. I'm not sure what people mean about it going downhill. We have been going for about 2 years, and I haven't noticed much difference in that time...

Both are good choices, but I would probably vote PD.

cookinitup · January 2013

I liked port discovery - a bunch of my BMB moms got together there when our kids were 7 or 8 months old - they were crawling around at the time. They have a baby/infant room which was great. My mom was supposed to take DS there the other weekend but the plan was scraped due to DS being a mess from teething. We'll definitely go back. The indoor climbing thing looks like it would be a lot of fun for older kids.