Free booklet-based program connects 14 institutions and rewards kids for exploring Baltimore’s museums and cultural destinations
BALTIMORE, Md (June 1, 2026) — Port Discovery Children’s Museum today launches Discovery Quest, a new program that gives families a fun, easy way to explore Baltimore’s museums and cultural institutions together.
The free booklet-based program connects 14 institutions across Baltimore, inviting children and families to explore art, science, history and culture, while turning a single museum visit into an ongoing, citywide experience. Discovery Quest is free to join, but admission prices vary by institution, and standard admission applies at locations that charge admission.
Families can pick up a free Discovery Quest booklet at any of the 14 participating locations throughout the summer and continue collecting stamps through December 31, 2026. Each partner institution offers a unique stamp activity for children to complete during their visit. After completing the activity, children receive a custom stamp in their booklet. Once families have collected two stamps, they can redeem them for a collectible charm, with additional charms awarded at milestone visits for a total of four possible charms. Families who visit all 14 participating locations will also qualify for a special completion prize.
The Discovery Quest booklet serves as both a guide and a record of each family’s journey. It includes an illustrated map of participating institutions, reflection prompts, and dedicated pages where children can collect their stamps.
Port Discovery will celebrate the launch with a Discovery Quest kickoff event on Friday, June 5, from 5–8 p.m., when admission to the museum will be discounted to $5. Discovery Quest partner institutions will be on-site to meet families, share information about their locations, and help children get started with the free Discovery Quest booklet. The evening offers a low-cost way for families to start Discovery Quest, collect their booklet and connect with participating museums in one place.
Tickets to the June 5th Kick-off may be purchased here: Tickets-June 26 Community Night
Participating institutions include:
- 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
- Port Discovery Children’s Museum
- Reginald F. Lewis Museum
- Star-Spangled Banner Flag House & Museum
- The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum
- The Walters Art Museum
The program originated at Port Discovery Children’s Museum to extend learning beyond the museum’s walls and connect families to Baltimore’s broader cultural landscape. A child drawn to the museum’s STEM-based Galactic Builders exhibit, for example, can follow that curiosity at the Maryland Science Center.
“Discovery Quest is about something bigger than a passport or a summer program. It is about creating a shared Baltimore experience for children and families,” said Carter Polakoff, president and CEO of Port Discovery Children’s Museum. “This initiative brings our city’s museums and cultural institutions together around one simple idea: every child deserves opportunities to explore, discover, and feel connected to the city around them. Discovery Quest invites kids to follow their curiosity across Baltimore, turning each visit into the start of a bigger adventure and showing families just how connected, welcoming, and inspiring our cultural community can be.”
This pilot year of the Discovery Quest 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.
A dedicated Discovery Quest webpage provides details on each partner location, where to check in for stamps, FAQs and admission information. Two participating institutions offer free admission, while others require paid admission or advance tickets. Families are encouraged to check each location’s admission policy before visiting.
For more information, visit www.portdiscovery.org/DiscoveryQuest. Visuals to support Discovery Quest coverage are available here.
About Port Discovery Children’s Museum
The mission of Port Discovery Children’s Museum is to provide unique opportunities and high-quality experiences that make play accessible, educational, and fun for all. Since 1998, Port Discovery has served over 5.5 million visitors as one of the mid-Atlantic’s leading children’s museums. Our core programming includes exhibits and creative activities in our 80,000-square-foot museum; access programs for school groups, low-income families, and military families; educational programs for local school groups; and the At Play Learning Institute.
For more information, visit www.PortDiscovery.org or follow @portdiscovery on social media.
Media Contacts:
Deborah Greengold
dgreengold@portdiscovery.org
410-864-2684
Sara Warfield
sara@sarawarfieldcommunications.com
410-952-1271