Best Places To Take Family Photos In Baltimore

When taking a photo of the family, you want to choose a backdrop that makes the photo beautiful so that years later it is still an unforgettable picture of an unforgettable experience. When one thinks of Baltimore, it is not the location of iconic photography destinations like Mount Rushmore or the Grand Canyon, but there are a few photogenic gems that are not as well known but can still create a gorgeous surrounding for any photographic experience. Check them out below.

Federal Hill Park
300 Warren Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 396-7900
www.baltimore.to/FederalHill

When one thinks of snapping a family picture in a big city, the first idea that pops to mind is a photo from the top of a giant skyscraper with the entire city sprawling out as a backdrop. Sadly, most of the tall buildings in Baltimore do not have terraces upon which tourists may take photographs. The closest exception would be the Baltimore World Trade Center, however the top floor is enclosed, so while the view is fantastic from the window, it won't show in a photo. Thankfully, anyone who likes may visit the beautiful Federal Hill Park. This hilltop park sits only a short distance from the Inner Harbor and affords a beautiful view of the entire metropolis in the background while the rippling water of the bay graces the foreground. Or, if a fantastic view of the city isn't your thing, the park itself has a number of beautiful sites perfect for a good photo.

Rocky Point Beach And Park
2200 Rocky Point Road
Essex, MD 21221
(410) 887-2818
www.baltimorecountymd.gov

Rocky Point is a premier location for outdoor adventure in Maryland. Offering an expansive beach on the bay with seasonal swimming, copious picnic areas, camping and nature trails, the scenery and opportunities for family photos abound. This would be a great place to take the family on a picnic or camping adventure, and take a photo-log of the day's activities. Or invite the extended family for a reunion or get together, enjoy all of the activities the day offers and be sure to snap a lot of pics!

Patterson Park
27 South Patterson Park Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 276-3676
www.pattersonpark.com

A favorite recreational location of Baltimore residents and visitors alike, Patterson Park attracts people because of its tennis courts, pool, dog park and jogging paths. While the park has a number of gardens and scenery, if you're going to shoot a beautiful family photo, you absolutely have to include the famous Patterson Park Pagoda. Built in 1890, this observational tower has a distinctly Asian feel about its architecture and the beautiful gardens and cherry-blossom tree that surround it, making it a splendid sight from practically any angle, and this includes from one of the terraces of the tower, which is open for the public to climb.

Related: Best Spots For A Picnic In Baltimore

Ripley's Believe It Or Not
301 Light St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
(443) 615-7878
www.ripleys.com

Beautiful outdoor scenery, city panoramas and classic art is all good and well for some families, but sometimes you want something a bit more unique and quirky to reflect the nature of your family as you photograph them. This is where Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum in Baltimore comes into play. Renowned world-wide for its broad variety of weird and crazy attractions, Ripley's has no qualms about visitors snapping as many photos as they like. In fact, according to the website, it has "...many spots which are picture perfect opportunities for fabulous family photos." Find one of the "unbelievable" displays, line the family up and go nuts with your camera.

B&O Railroad Museum
901 West Pratt St.
Baltimore, MD 21223
(410) 752-2490
www.borail.org

The railroad has a long, rich history in Baltimore, and the B&O Railroad Museum has done an exceptional job of collecting and preserving that history. With its exhibits including fully preserved train engines and cars from models spanning the eras, the opportunities for family photo backdrops are wide open. They include miniature train sets and other exhibits geared specifically towards the interests of children, so your kids can get a good photo as well. The museum allows photography for personal use, just make certain to get permission if you plan on posting the pics online.

Related: Best Places In Baltimore To Take Family Photos

Joel Furches is a freelance writer and researcher for The Examiner and Logos Software, and also manages his own catalog of writing on Hub Pages. Joel is on the board of directors for Ratio Christi. He has a bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Education.