Visit Port Discovery

FAQs

• How do I purchase tickets?

  Advance Tickets can be purchased and reservations can be made at https://tickets.portdiscovery.org/ in advance of your visit. For additional information regarding Port Discovery ticket policies and for information to help you plan your visit, explore our Plan Your Visit webpage.

   

• Are tickets/reservations required for admission?

  Tickets are required for admission, and advanced tickets are strongly recommended. Walk-up and day-of tickets are limited and are not guaranteed. Children under one year of age and museum members enjoy free admission but MUST reserve an arrival time as well. Your confirmation will be delivered electronically and will be valid for the date you selected only. You will need to show a matching photo ID upon arrival to the Museum. Once checked in, you will be given wristbands as proof of purchase that can be used for re-entry for the date that you have valid tickets for. For additional information regarding Port Discovery ticket policies and for information to help you plan your visit, explore our Plan Your Visit webpage.

• Do you offer any discounts or special pricing?

  Port Discovery’s Membership: Get a full year of access to Port Discovery Children’s Museum via a Port Discovery Family Membership, which typically pays for itself in just two visits. Learn more on our Membership page. If you visit the Museum and LOVE it you can apply all or a portion of your admission toward your membership. Just be sure to upgrade to a membership on the day of your visit to take advantage of this great deal. Please note: Admissions must all be on one transaction to take advantage of this offer.

  $10 Community Day: We offer a $10 Community Day where all admission tickets to the Museum cost just $10/ visitor (Members and children under one enter for free) during most months.

  Discounts for Military Members & Family: We offer free admission for military members each day of the year. Valid ID is required. We also periodically offer discounts to families of military members on certain days.

  PlayMakers Access Program: To help ensure that the price of admission is not a barrier to families, through Port Discovery’s PlayMakers program, any Maryland family that qualifies for nutritional assistance and is in possession of a valid EBT/Independence Card or WIC ID can visit Port Discovery for $5 per person (valid for up to 5 tickets per EBT/Independence Card or WIC ID) on any day the Museum is open to the general public. Learn more about the program and how to reserve tickets via the PlayMakers Program.

  Large groups (15+ visitors) are eligible to receive discounted admission to the Museum via our Group Visits pricing. Please visit our Field Trips webpages and/or contact Group Reservations at 410-864-2727 or email groupsales@portdiscovery.org for more information on our Field Trip Experiences and Group Visits. Please note: Advanced reservations are required for all group visits. Walk ups will not be accepted.

  Special Offers for Email Subscribers, Social Media & Partners: We occasionally offer special discounts on admission and membership via Port Discovery’s email newsletter, social media communities, and select partnerships. Sign up for Port Discovery’s email and follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

  Special Offers from Partner Restaurants: Several nearby restaurants offer special discounts to Port Discovery guests and members. Review details and restrictions here.

• Why are adults required to pay admission?

  A children’s museum is designed to benefit both children and the adults in their lives. We purposefully design experiences at the Museum to give children and adults opportunities to play together, to learn together, to make memories together – and to use play as an effective vehicle to help their children discover, learn, interact, and grow. At Port Discovery, we highly encourage adults – whether you are a parent, caregiver, teacher, chaperone, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or friend – to participate and interact throughout your visit. By participating in our programs, experiences, and exhibits alongside your child, you are in fact making the experience even more meaningful and rich for your children and for yourself – and you are learning skills and participating in activities that you can use in your daily lives.

• Why do you charge admission fees? What do they help support?

  Port Discovery is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting children, adults, families, and our community through playful learning experiences. Admission fees are collected to defray the cost of programming, exhibits, supplies, staffing, training, and the cost of the facility and its upkeep. The admission and other earned revenue are supplemented by philanthropy from our generous community of donors. These fees and contributions also allow us to provide critical services to our underserved community – including free and reduced-cost field trips, access programs, military programs, and programs for children and their families with disabilities and special needs.

• What is the Museum’s Photo & Video Policy?

  Museum staff occasionally take photos and videos at Port Discovery Children’s Museum. Entrance to the premises of Port Discovery Children’s Museum constitutes your acknowledgment and agreement that you may be photographed, filmed, videotaped or otherwise recorded by Museum staff or contractors in connection with the activities taking place on the premises.  All recordings are the sole property of Port Discovery Children’s Museum. Please read our full Photo & Video Policy for visitors, members, participants in birthday parties, scout adventures, field trips, group visits, and other Museum activities. 

• What is the Museum’s Admission Waiver?

  In consideration of being permitted to enter and to utilize the facilities, services and programs offered by Port Discovery Children’s Museum, ticketholder voluntarily agrees (1) to assume all risks and to accept sole responsibility for any injury to himself/herself, for any loss or damage, and (2) to release Port Discovery Children’s Museum and its employees for any claim or demands on account of any loss or injury, whether caused by the negligence of the Port Discovery or its employees, while Ticketholder is in, upon, or about Port Discovery’s premises or any facilities or equipment therein or participating in any program affiliated with Port Discovery. Ticketholder further agrees to hold harmless Port Discovery Children’s Museum and its employees from any claims based on any actions, omissions, or negligence of Port Discovery in connection with Ticketholder’s activities as described, including any claims relating to any communicable diseases, including COVID-19, as to which risks the Ticketholder acknowledges and voluntarily assumes.

  The Museum reserves the right to refuse admission, revoke membership, control occupancy, or eject/remove any person for any reason without refund, including violating the code of conduct or exhibiting unsafe, inappropriate, or disruptive behavior, or behavior likely to cause damage.

  Please review our Code of Conduct, Guest Expectations, and Admission Waiver ahead of visiting.

• What is the museum’s code of conduct? What expectations do you have of guests?

  t takes all of us to create a safe, smart, and magical place to play and learn! To ensure all visitors have a great and safe experience, we expect our staff, volunteers, visitors, and members to act responsibly and be considerate of others as we share this space. If you need assistance or see something odd, please let our Play Experts know how we can help. Thank you for doing your part to celebrate our community’s diversity and provide a safe environment of inclusion and respect, where all children and the adults in their lives can interact, play, and learn! Please review our Code of Conduct, Guest Expectations and Admission Waiver ahead of your visit.