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Accessibility Guide to Baltimore

Visitors of all abilities are welcome in Baltimore. Find out more about accessible museums, historic sites, attractions and more.
O

ur beautifully diverse city is deeply committed to welcoming visitors of all abilities into our historic districts and dazzling waterfront. We know that more than 1 in 4 U.S. adults report having a disability and we want all of you to be able to easily access all our city has to offer. Read on to dig into accessible travel in Baltimore.

Please Note: Baltimore businesses are constantly changing and adapting to provide the best possible experience for visitors of all abilities. We hope this guide is helpful as a starting point in your planning, but we highly recommend calling the destination you wish to visit in advance to be up to date on all accommodations that are currently offered.

History, Heritage & Culture

Historical landmarks, while extraordinarily beautiful, have features that have been problematic for visitors with disabilities to fully appreciate. Baltimore historic sites are finding new workarounds and discovering innovative possibilities for tours and exploration so that all guests can enjoy Baltimore’s compelling history.

Fort McHenry

Fort McHenry is the birthplace of our national anthem and the site of a contentious battle during the War of 1812. This historic site features ADA compliant automatic door openers, loaner wheelchairs, free accessible parking spaces, spacious accessible restrooms, wide, open indoor exhibit areas, closed captioning and braille reference guides. ASL interpreters can be requested for tours. Walkways are paved and smooth. Find more accessibility information here.

Bonus feature for outdoor enthusiasts with mobility disabilities: Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the fully accessible, paved Fort McHenry Seawall Trail that offers spectacular views of the Patapsco River and shaded portions along the trail. The 0.9-mile loop trail has one moderate hill while the rest of the trail is flat.

fort mchenry paved paths

Fort McHenry

Star-Spangled Banner Flag House

The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House is the home where the garrison flag flown over Fort McHenry during the British bombardment was sewn. The museum has metered parking next to the building and a parking garage across the street. This site is located just a few blocks from the Inner Harbor, near bus and metro stops. Accessibility highlights include ADA compliant automatic door openers, handicapped accessible restroom stalls, wide exhibit spaces and lobby area, and a braille guide of exhibit scripts and braille flag. Walkways are paved and smooth. Chairs will be offered to visitors who have trouble standing for long periods of time during tours. Benches are located in the garden area. ASL interpreters can be requested for tours. The museum was recently approved for a grant to become Kulture City certified for sensory inclusivity.

Did you know? U.S. citizens with a permanent disability are eligible to obtain a free lifetime America the Beautiful National Parks Pass, which provides entrance to national park attractions, including Fort McHenry and the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House.

Baltimore Heritage

Baltimore Heritage is non-profit historic preservation group that offers tours and has worked with groups with various types of disabilities and offers wheelchair accessible bus tours. They can also assist in finding accessible parking near the tour. Check out their free app, Explore Baltimore Heritage, to create your own self-guided tour. Virtual programs with closed captioning are available on the Baltimore Heritage YouTube account.

B&O Railroad Museum

As home to the largest collection of historic early American locomotives and rolling stock, the B&O Railroad Museum offers a world of accessibility for train enthusiasts of all abilities, including free sensory kits, sensory days, social narrative programs and free accessible parking in the museum lot. Museum pathways and buildings meet ADA guidelines, and the passenger train can accommodate two wheelchairs per train ride. Find more accessibility information here.

Two B&O trains inside the B&O Railroad Museum facing into the center museum chamber.

B&O Railroad Museum

Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum

Once home to the famed writer, the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum is a small historic site that offers braille guides and audio guided tours via a mobile app. For those who cannot climb to the second floor, virtual tours are provided for free.

National Great Blacks In Wax Museum

The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum provides a wheelchair friendly front entrance, loaner wheelchairs on a first come first serve basis, and limited free parking and designated accessible spaces in front of the museum (these spaces are standard curb spaces on the left side of one-way streets.) The museum can provide ASL Interpreters, audio descriptive tours, closed captioned videos and audio tours upon request. Call the museum at least two weeks in advance to request an ASL or oral guided scheduled tour. Find more accessibility information here.

The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum

The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum

Historic Ships in Baltimore

In the Inner Harbor there is one accessible ship you can tour, the USS Constellation run by Historic Ships in Baltimore, which has an elevator leading to the top where you can use the safe and sturdy accessible ramp to wheel across and onto the ship. A lift chair takes visitors with mobility disabilities up and down the stairs between the top two decks. Virtual tours are also available online. Find more accessibility information here.

Irish Railroad Workers Museum

Dedicated to Irish immigrants of the mid-19th century, the Irish Railroad Workers Museum is comprised of two historic row homes with four steps to enter the buildings. Programs are offered via streaming and virtual tours. Written resources are provided in the museum and guests who are blind or have low vision are welcome to touch items in the exhibits. The museum is quiet with no loud noises or flashing or bright lights. Street parking is available nearby.

Jewish Museum of Maryland

Exhibit at the Jewish Museum of Maryland

Jewish Museum of Maryland

To learn more about Jewish history and culture, the Jewish Museum of Maryland is wheelchair accessible, including the courtyard, galleries, audio-visual production studio and bathrooms. The museum provides a loaner wheelchair on a first come, first served basis. Seating is located throughout the lobby, courtyard and galleries. The Lloyd Street Synagogue and B’nai Israel Synagogue both require steps to enter, but the museum provides a virtual video tour. Assisted Listening Devices are available for guided tours. Transcripts of audio used in exhibits, large text guides for exhibitions, and ear protectors and earplugs are all available at the front desk. Street parking and parking in the free city-owned lot across the street is available. A loading zone in front of the museum can be used for picking up and dropping off. The Jewish Museum of Maryland also offers free admission to visitors with disability identification and personal care assistants. Find more accessibility information here.

Maryland Center for History and Culture

The Maryland Center for History and Culture in Mount Vernon is home to centuries of history and art from Marylanders. It’s wheelchair accessible in all public visitor areas. Ramps and elevators provide access to each floor. A wheelchair lift for the H. Furlong Baldwin library is available upon request. Deaf and hard of hearing directional signage is found throughout the building and accompanying object labels. Live and recorded virtual public programs include subtitles. Sensory-friendly experience bags are located at the front desk and a sensory-friendly box is located on the third floor Children’s Reading Corner. ADA accessible street parking is available on Park Avenue and Centre Street a short distance from the main entrance. Find more accessibility information here.

Arts, Theater & Live Entertainment

Baltimore is a destination where everyone of all abilities can appreciate the beauty of eclectic art collections, uplifting musical symphonies and theatrical performances that speak to the soul of human existence. See our list below to find your next accessible arts and entertainment experience.

American Visionary Art Museum

Explore art by untrained, outsider artists at the American Visionary Art Museum which is wheelchair accessible, with closed captioned videos with written transcripts and written descriptions of the exhibitions for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Loaner wheelchairs are available at no charge, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Accessible metered parking is available on Covington Street and Key Highway. Find more accessibility information here.

Two people look at an interior exhibition at AVAM in Baltimore.

American Visionary Art Museum

Baltimore Museum of Art

At the free Baltimore Museum of Art, visitors with mobility disabilities should use the East Lobby accessible entrance and elevators to all levels of the museum. Accessible restrooms are located on the first and third floors. Visitors can enjoy tactile experiences, large print labels, magnifiers, visual descriptions, tactile QR codes and braille labels. All in-gallery videos provide open captions, enhanced transcriptions or sound descriptions. Auditorium programs offer CART captioning and seating ushers, as well as ASL interpreters upon request. The BMA’s redesigned Joseph Education Center provides a quiet room with soft seating, dimmable lighting, fidget devices, drawing journals and ear defenders in sizes for adults and children. Advisory language is used for all videos containing flashing lights, spinning visuals and other patterns that may affect photosensitive visitors. Accessible parking spaces are available in the museum lots.

People looking at art in gallery

Baltimore Museum of Art

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Interior of the Meyerhoff symphony hall

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at the Meyerhoff

The home of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the exquisite Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, is accessible. Wheelchair seats are located on the Orchestra floor, accessible from the main entrance, available via reservation. Ushers are happy to assist patrons using mobility aids. Elevators take patrons to any level of seating. Hearing loop systems are provided. Clear signage at all BSO concerts notifies patrons about special lighting or production effects that might affect people with sensory sensitivities. Accessible parking is available in the area immediately surrounding the Meyerhoff, Symphony Center Parking Garage, or patrons may be dropped off and picked up in the Box Office circle in front of the Meyerhoff lobby doors.

Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower

All levels of the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower in the Bromo Arts & Entertainment District are accessible by elevator and set up to make sure guests with mobility disabilities can access every floor of history, art studios, and art galleries in the building, with the exception of the building’s historic clock room, which is only accessible by stairs. Accessible street parking is available.

CFG Bank Arena

The CFG Bank Arena in downtown Baltimore is an ADA compliant entertainment venue where you can see national artists and performances. Key features include accessible seating and restrooms on all levels, ASL interpreters upon request and assistive listening devices. Team members have been trained to assist people who are blind or have low vision and sensory sensitivities. ADA-compliant parking locations are close to the arena. Find more accessibility information here.

CFG Bank Arena club level

Enjoy the club level at CFG Bank Arena.

The Charles Theatre

The Charles Theatre in the Station North Arts & Entertainment District shows first-run specialty films, Hollywood movies, foreign films and cinema classics in a historic building that has wheelchair accessible seating and restrooms, and provides assistive listening devices, audio descriptive headsets and closed captioning devices. Street parking is available as well as accessible parking spaces in the garage across the street. Find more accessibility information here.

Everyman Theatre

Everyman Theatre puts on high quality plays from an ensemble of regional performers and is committed to affordability and accessibility for all. The theater providing access and accommodations for mobility, hearing, and visual disabilities, programming warnings for patrons with sensory sensitivities and touch tours, available upon request. There is a drop off zone in front of the building on Fayette Street. Find more accessibility information here.

Hippodrome Theater at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center

The Hippodrome Theater provides accessible entry, restrooms, elevators, open captioning, ASL and audio-described performances so you can enjoy touring Broadway shows, musicals and other performances. A parking garage is connected to the theater. Find more accessibility information here.

Horseshoe Casino

Horseshoe Casino is conveniently located near all the sports action at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium, and next to Topgolf. The casino is wheelchair accessible in the players’ areas, restrooms and restaurants. Elevators stop on each floor and there are plenty of accessible parking spaces in the adjacent parking garage near the main entrances.

Illusions Bar & Theater

Illusions Bar & Theater in Federal Hill provides live magic shows every weekend with wheelchair accessible seating, restrooms and ASL interpreters with advance request. There are no loud sounds, flashing lights or fog, however, performances are interactive, and the performer uses a microphone so their voice will amplify on speakers. Accessible parking spaces are located two doors down from their front entrance with additional accessible spaces in the lot a half block from the venue.

Keystone Korner

Enjoy live jazz performances at Keystone Korner, an ADA accessible club and restaurant in Harbor East with an entry elevator, seating and some seats near the stage and speakers for patrons who are hard of hearing or have low vision. TV monitors also help patrons enjoy an improved visual or hearing experience. Accessible parking spots can be found around the corner on Aliceanna Street. Guests requiring accessible accommodations should arrive as early as possible. Find more accessibility information here.

Walters Art Museum

woman, child and service dog looking at art

The Walters Art Museum offers accommodations for people with disabilities.

The stunning Walters Art Museum goes above and beyond to make sure that visitors of all abilities can access and fully absorb the extraordinary museum collections. The museum provides access and equipment to assist with mobility, hearing, sight and sensory disabilities. The Walters is a KultureCity Certified Sensory Inclusive venue. All staff, volunteers, and docents are trained in sensory systems and best practices for sensory inclusion. Find more accessibility information here.

Science, Nature & Kid-Friendly Attractions

Baltimore is full of accessible kids’ spaces, experiences for families, and accessible parks and trails that welcome everyone to enjoy wide-open spaces, accessible playgrounds and much more.

Port Discovery Children’s Museum

Port Discovery Children’s Museum in the Inner Harbor is an inclusive, accessible environment for children of all ages and abilities. Website accessibility allows guests to move about the website and read the content in a way that benefits their abilities, including a visual enhancement setting, screen reader feature and seizure safe profile. Port Discovery’s entrances are fully accessible and an elevator provides access to all floors and exhibits. A majority of the museum is barrier-free, and spaces can be adapted to accommodate varying age levels, developmental levels and abilities. Sensory Friendly Mornings are designed to provide guests with disabilities an opportunity to enjoy the Port Discovery experience in a sensory-modified setting, including limited admission and sound and lighting adjustments. You can even “build your own sensory kit,” with noise cancelling headphones, fidget toys, weighted blankets and more. Harbor Park Garage is located directly next to the Museum, or visitors may be dropped off near the front entrance via the circular driveway in front of the museum. Find more accessibility information here.

SS Friend Ship at Port Discovery Children's Museum

Port Discovery Children’s Museum

Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore offers pre-visit planning guides, sensory bags and noise-reducing headphones. At the main gate, you can take a free mobility shuttle, or rent wheelchairs and mobility scooters. ASL interpreters are provided at large event stages and interpreters can be provided upon request for pre-reserved zoo experiences such as the penguin encounters. Daily live keeper chats and penguin feeding narrations help guests who are blind or have low vision learn about the animals, as well as volunteers available for questions. Front line staff and physical facilities are certified by KultureCity to assist guests with sensory sensitivities. The recently renovated parking lot features a fully ADA compliant parking area next to the main gate. Find more accessibility information here.

National Aquarium

An example of the items found in a sensory bag at the National Aquarium.

An example of the items found in a sensory bag at the National Aquarium.

See thousands of aquatic animals at the National Aquarium in the Inner Harbor, which is fully wheelchair accessible and provides free wheelchair rentals at the stroller check for guests with mobility challenges. An accessibility guide is also available and includes a specially designed wheelchair/stroller route and other helpful information for guests. There are several resources for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing, or blind or low vision, including assistive listening devices and printed scripts, ASL interpreters (with advance notice), audio wireless tours, docent guides (with advance notice) and tactile items. The Aquarium is a KultureCity certified Sensory Inclusive organization, and also offers social stories. Guest Relations, located on Level 1 of Blue Wonders behind the bubble tubes, provides space if a guest needs a quiet moment away from the crowds. Guests may be dropped off at Gunther Circle, which is directly in front of the Aquarium. The nearby Lockwood Garage has designated accessible parking spaces. Find more accessibility information here.

people looking at animals in the water

National Aquarium

Maryland Science Center

Explore three levels of interactive and educational science exhibits at the Maryland Science Center, which embraces inclusiveness and accessibility. The a fully wheelchair accessible center offers various accommodations for science enthusiasts with disabilities. Accessibility aids include braille exhibit guides, large print and sensory accommodations like weighted lap covers and tactile toys. Closed captioning is available for select IMAX films. Find more accessibility information here.

parent and child looking at dinosaur skeleton

Maryland Science Center

Carrie Murray Nature Center

Head to Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park to play in and with nature at the Carrie Murray Nature Center. The building is wheelchair accessible with one level, no stairs and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms. A short trail on a gentle incline leads from the building to the aviary, which is mulched but not paved. The park trails are rugged and not accessible, however there are paved trails at Winans Meadow and Hutton Avenue. Animal ambassador exhibits have written placards with information on each species/individual. Staff are happy to help show people around and verbally introduce ambassadors to visitors. The nature center has overhead lighting and lots of natural light. It’s usually quiet on Saturdays, weekdays can be noisier due to the preschool in session. There may occasionally be strong smells from cleaning products and tank enclosures. Accessible parking can be found right next to the building.

Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens

The interior of the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens located in Druid Hill Park is ADA accessible and has accessible restrooms, but the exterior gardens are not accessible. The conservatory provides an audio tour for guests with low vision. One loaner wheelchair is available at the front desk.

Cactus garden from afar inside of The Rawlings Conservatory in Baltimore.

The Rawlings Conservatory has a number of botanical gardens and climate rooms to explore.

Cylburn Arboretum

For a more outdoorsy accessible adventure, the Cylburn Arboretum is a 200-acre property with sidewalks and paved paths that connect all the buildings on the property. One of the ADA compliant trails allows access to the formal gardens, with benches along the way. Spacious accessible restrooms are located in all buildings. The greenhouse restroom stays open while the property is open. Accessible parking is conveniently located along the paved sidewalk. Find more accessibility information here.

Wide shot of Cylburn Arboretum

Explore the Cylburn Arboretum grounds with your furry friend!

This guide was written in collaboration with Jacqueline Duda, a health and travel journalist and disability advocate who often shares her own experiences with disabilities.