Sight guide · Baltimore · United States
Visiting B&O Railroad Museum
In the 1884 Mount Clare roundhouse, a 22-sided building with a soaring wooden roof, the museum displays one of the largest collections of historic locomotives in the country.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Matthew Binebrink, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
B&O Railroad Museum is a museum in Southwest Baltimore, Baltimore. Allow 2–3 hours; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Southwest Baltimore
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- kids, history and rainy day
- Best months
- March–May
About B&O Railroad Museum
In the 1884 Mount Clare roundhouse, a 22-sided building with a soaring wooden roof, the museum displays one of the largest collections of historic locomotives in the country. Train rides run on the first mile of commercial railroad track in America, laid in 1829.
Tip: Check the schedule for the short train ride, included with entry on most days, and look up at the roundhouse's roof.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–3 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Southwest Baltimore.
Best time to visit B&O Railroad Museum
B&O Railroad Museum is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- May: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, busy crowds.
- March: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- April: 19°C (66°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Baltimore has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
B&O Railroad Museum is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen National Aquarium and Historic Ships in Baltimore.
- No. 12 of the 18 sights in our Baltimore things-to-do list.
- One of the picks in museums in Baltimore.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Baltimore.
- A family favourite in Baltimore with kids.
If you like B&O Railroad Museum
- National Aquarium — Inner Harbor, 3 hours
- Historic Ships in Baltimore — Inner Harbor, 2–3 hours
- Fort McHenry National Monument — Locust Point, 2 hours
- Baltimore Museum of Art — Charles Village, 2–3 hours
Staying near B&O Railroad Museum
Where to stay in Baltimore compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at B&O Railroad Museum?
Plan 2–3 hours.
+Is B&O Railroad Museum free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit B&O Railroad Museum?
March–May, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Check the schedule for the short train ride, included with entry on most days, and look up at the roundhouse's roof.
+Do I need to book B&O Railroad Museum in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is B&O Railroad Museum good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Baltimore. Baltimore's Inner Harbor is built for families, with the aquarium, the science centre, Port Discovery and historic ships all within a short walk.