Get ready to explore, play, and discover together!

Discovery Quest is a citywide adventure for families, designed to help you experience the very best of Baltimore’s museums, cultural spaces, and places for learning. Each stop is a chance to try something new.

Start your journey by picking up a free Discovery Quest booklet at any participating location. Inside, you will find space to collect stamps, reflect on your visits, and follow along as your adventure unfolds across the city.

There is no right place to begin and no one way to explore. You might spend one day building, another day meeting animals, and the next diving into art or history. However you choose to move through Discovery Quest, each visit adds to your story and creates new opportunities to learn and play together.

Where will you go first?

Program Details

How Does It Work:

  • Visit any of the 14 participating locations with your Discovery Quest passport booklet.
    • No booklet yet? Pick one up at any participating site while supplies last.
  • Complete the Quest activity at each location.
  • Stop by the designated stamp hub to collect your stamp.
  • Reach milestones along the way to earn collectible charms.
  • Keep exploring until you have visited all 14 locations and collected all four charms.
  • Once you have earned all 4 charms, head back to Port Discovery to receive a surprise prize!
    • Program runs from June 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026

Please note: Participating locations include both free and paid admission sites. Be sure to check each location’s website for ticketing details and any available discounts.

Discovery Quest Partners

American Visionary Art Museum

The American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) is the Congressionally designated museum for self-taught, intuitive artistry. Located along Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, AVAM reimagines the museum experience as a vibrant exploration of human imagination, where monumental sculptures, intricate works, and kinetic installations fill each space with energy and wonder.


Passport Hub | Visitor services desk in Main entrance building

Discovery Quest Partners

B&O Railroad Museum

The B&O Railroad Museum—the birthplace of American railroading—invites you to explore the story of America through the lens of the railroad. It features historic trains, iconic sites like the Mt. Clare Station and Baldwin Roundhouse, one of the world’s most significant collections of railroad artifacts, and an award-winning exhibit on the Underground Railroad. It offers a fun and engaging experience for all ages.


Passport Hub | Museum Gift Shop

Discovery Quest Partners

Baltimore Museum of Art

The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) is a major cultural institution in Maryland founded in 1914. It features a sprawling 210,000-square-foot neoclassical building designed by John Russell Pope and houses a world-renowned collection of 95,000+ objects spanning 5,000 years of human creativity.


Passport Hub | Museum Welcome Desk

Discovery Quest Partners

Baltimore Museum of Industry

The Baltimore Museum of Industry (BMI) interprets the diverse and significant human stories behind labor and innovation in Baltimore. Through exhibitions, tours, and programs, the BMI cultivates a sense of belonging and inspires visitors to think critically about the intersection of work and society, all while recognizing the dignity of work.


Passport Hub | Front Desk

Discovery Quest Partners

Jewish Museum of Maryland

The Jewish Museum of Maryland is a participatory museum and cultural hub engaging Jewish history, culture, and creativity, with a campus anchored by two historic synagogues. Through exhibitions, public programs, and rich collections, we invite visitors to connect, contribute, and imagine with us.


Passport Hub | Front Desk at the Main Entrance

Discovery Quest Partners

Maryland Center for History and Culture

The Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC) collects, preserves, and interprets the history, art, and culture of Maryland. Originally founded as the Maryland Historical Society in 1844, MCHC inspires critical thinking, creativity, and community by exploring multiple perspectives and sharing national stories through the lens of Maryland. As the oldest operating nonprofit cultural institution in the state, MCHC houses a collection of 7 million books, documents, manuscripts, and photographs, and 350,000 objects in its Museum and Library located in Baltimore. MCHC also serves as a leading center of Maryland history education through its onsite school tours, student research center, Virtual Field Trips, Traveling Trunks, online digital learning resources, and professional development opportunities for teachers.


Passport Hub | Lobby Front Desk

Discovery Quest Partners

Maryland Science Center

The Maryland Science Center is an interactive science museum that specializes in human-powered exhibits and programs for children, families, science enthusiasts, and educators who value the freedom to explore. We strive to make science accessible, fun, and memorable for everyone.


Passport Hub | Ticketing Desk, located in front harbor lobby

Discovery Quest Partners

Maryland Zoo

Maryland Zoo, celebrating 150 years, is nestled on 135 acres in Druid Hill Park. Experience a wild day at the Zoo. Meet animals eye-to-eye, explore the savanna, pose with a penguin, and encounter many other wild animals all in one day. Admission includes unlimited train and carousel rides, penguin feeding narrations, education stations, free parking and much more.


Passport Hub | Zoo's Main Entrance Gate

Discovery Quest Partners

National Aquarium

Consistently ranked one of the nation's top three aquariums, the National Aquarium immerses guests in award-winning habitats featuring thousands of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. With a mission to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet, the National Aquarium provides a space for people to discover wonder and create special memories all while learning about our blue planet.


Passport Hub | Visitors can come to our information desk on Level 1 of the Pier 3 building, just prior to the entrance to Blue Wonders.

Discovery Quest Partners

Port Discovery Children's Museum

Located in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Port Discovery Children's Museum has served over 5.5 million visitors as one of the mid-Atlantic’s leading children’s museum since 1998. With 80,000 square feet of exhibits and programs, Port Discovery provides unique opportunities and high-quality experiences that make play accessible, educational, and fun for all.


Passport Hub | Box Office or SnugBooks (Port Discovery Location)

Discovery Quest Partners

Reginald F. Lewis Museum

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum documents, interprets and preserves the complex experiences, contributions and culture of Black people in Maryland. The museum serves as a catalyst for sustained change by providing programs, exhibitions and bold conversations that educate and challenge.


Passport Hub | Front Desk Ticket Office

Discovery Quest Partners

Star-Spangled Banner Flag House & Museum

The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House is a National Historic Landmark and historic house museum in Baltimore, Maryland. The Museum preserves the historic 1793 structure and interprets the life of Mary Young Pickersgill, a nineteenth-century female entrepreneur and the craftswoman of the flag which flew over Fort McHenry and inspired the National Anthem.


Passport Hub | Front Desk. Families can also earn a secondary prize completing the Flag House Scavenger hunt

Discovery Quest Partners

The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum

The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum is a unique, nationally recognized wax museum in Baltimore, Maryland, dedicated entirely to preserving African American history. It uses life-sized wax figures and dioramas to showcase unvarnished, often neglected facts of Black history, ranging from ancient African civilizations to the present day.


Passport Hub | Ticket Booth

Discovery Quest Partners

The Walters Art Museum

The Walters Art Museum brings people of all ages and every background together for enjoyment, discovery, and learning. The museum’s collection spans more than seven millennia, from 5000 BCE to the 21st century, and encompasses 36,000 objects from around the world. Admission is always free.


Passport Hub | Centre St Main Entrance, Visitor Experience Desk
american visionary art museum
B&O Railroad Museum
Baltimore Museum of Art
Baltimore Museum of Industry
Jewish Museum of Maryland
Maryland Center for History and Culture
Maryland Science Center
Maryland Zoo
National Aquarium
The National Blacks in Wax Museum
Port Discovery Children's Museum
Reginald F. Lewis Museum
Star-Spangled Banner Flag House & Museum
The Walters Art Museum

Discovery Quest Block Party

We are ready to kick-off the Discovery Quest adventure with a special evening celebration at Port Discovery Children’s Museum!

Join us on June 5th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM to start your journey. Guests will receive their free Discovery Quest booklet, take a passport photo, and enjoy a fun-filled evening exploring the museum. It is the perfect first step in an adventure that can take you from building and art to animals and history across the city.

Admission is just $5 per person. Come celebrate the start of your Discovery Quest and discover where your journey will take you!

purchase tickets

2026 Discovery Quest Partners

Port Discovery Children's Museum

Discovery Quest Email Sign-Up

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Discovery Quest FAQs

  • How do I get my Discovery Quest passport?

    You can pick up a Discovery Quest passport for free at any of the participating organizations, while supplies last.

    The passport booklet itself is free, but it is not a pass for free admission. Participating organizations have their own admission policies. Some locations are free to visit, while others may charge an entry fee.

    We recommend checking each organization’s website before your visit to learn more about admission details, hours, and any available discounts or special programs.

  • Is there a fee to participate in the Discovery Quest?

    There is no fee to get the Discovery Quest booklet. The passport booklet is available at participating organizations, while supplies last.

    Discovery Quest includes a mix of free and paid attractions. Some participating organizations may charge admission, and fees can vary by location.

    We recommend checking each organization’s website for the most up to date information on admission, hours, and any available discounts or special offers.

  • How do I get a charm?

    Getting a charm is part of a fun, tiered milestone adventure! Each time you visit a place, you’re making progress toward earning a special charm.

    Here’s how it works:

    • Milestone 1: Visit 2 places
    • Milestone 2: Visit 5 places
    • Milestone 3: Visit 9 places
    • Milestone 4: Visit all 14 places

    As you reach each milestone, you’ll unlock a new charm to celebrate your progress.

  • How do I collect stamps?

    When you visit any participating organization, you can earn a stamp. Some locations may require admission or have an entry fee, and some may ask you to find the answer to a question or complete a fun activity during your visit before receiving your stamp.

    Each stamp brings you one step closer to reaching your milestones and earning special charms, so enjoy exploring and discovering something new along the way!

  • Can I earn more than one stamp per location?

    Each participating location counts once toward your progress and milestone tracking. You will receive one stamp per completed visit. Some locations have created special stamps/stickers that you can add to your additional stamp page.

  • Is there a time limit to complete Discovery Quest?

    The quest is currently scheduled to end on December 31, 2026 so we encourage everyone to try to visit as many locations as possible.

  • What if I lose my passport booklet?

    If you lose your passport booklet, you can request a new one from a participating organization. Please note that previously earned stamps may not be able to be replaced.

Discovery Quest | WBAL TV June 2026

“We’re thrilled to launch Discovery Quest for families across our city! This is your invitation to get out, explore, and follow your curiosity through Baltimore’s incredible museums. This year, 14 museums have come together to bring Discovery Quest to life—and from here, who knows where it will go.  At Port Discovery, we believe play brings people together, and this is what it looks like when a city shows up for its children and for play!”

Carter Arnot Polakoff, President & CEO
Port Discovery Children's Museum
American Visionary Art Museum
B&O Railroad Museum
Baltimore Museum of Industry
Star-Spangled Banner Flag House
Jewish Museum of Maryland
Reginald F. Lewis Museum
Maryland Center of History and Culture
Maryland Science Center
Maryland Zoo
Port Discovery Children's Museum

This project has been made possible by the generous support from the Joseph & Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds, Lilly Endowment Inc., Baltimore Community Foundation, Barbara K. Shapiro, and the William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, creator of the Baker Artist Portfolios at BakerArtist.org.