• Have a party in Maryland.Maryland State Flag image by dwight9592 from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
  
  The state of Maryland is home to the very first dental school in the United States (the University of Maryland), Assateague Island's wild running horses, the United States Naval Academy and Havre de Grace, the decoy capital of the world. The black-eyed Susan state also offers quite a bit of activity options for celebrations, including entertainment and party spots to fit just about any occasion.
  
  

Maryland Science Center

• Enjoy a little bit of learning along with your party at the Maryland Science Center, home to an IMAX movie theater, planetarium and touch-and-feel science exhibits. Parties are held Saturdays and Sundays, with a 10-person minimum and 100 person maximum. Parties include museum entrance, one IMAX movie, a private party room rental for one hour, goodie bags, birthday cake, pizza, non-alcoholic beverages and paper table goods. The Maryland Science Center recommends birthday parties be reserved at least two weeks in advance.
  
  The Maryland Science Center's Observatory may also be rented for adult festivities, which includes a private planetarium guided tour. Rentals include a maximum of 30 people, with a minimum charge if the party is less than 10 people. The Observatory is only available with good visibility; rain may affect rentals.
  
  Maryland Science Center
  
  601 Light St.
  
  Baltimore, MD 21230
  
  410-779-1624
  
  mdsci.org
  
  

Pirate Adventures

• Take your party out onto the treacherous open seas with the Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake. A pirate ship waits to entertain your party guests with face painting, pirate clothes, treasure maps, messages in bottles, water cannons and treasure chests. The ship sets sail daily six times from sun up to sundown and offers discounted rates Monday through Friday for swashbucklers in groups of 30 or more.
  
  Reserve the entire boat for a party, which includes a 75-minute cruise, plus 30 minutes before embarking for face painting and dress up. Three party packages are available: the basic Calico Jack rate of just the sailing; the Captain Kidd package, which includes an eye patch, skull bandana and party bag for each child; and the Blackbeard package, which includes time in the indoor party room on the dock and table goods. Printable party invitations and thank you notes are available on the Pirate Adventures website.
  
  Pirate Adventures
  
  311 3rd St.
  
  Annapolis, MD‎ 21401
  
  410-263-0002‎
  
  chesapeakepirates.com
  
  

National Aquarium of Baltimore

• Become a party animal when you join 16,500 other animals at the National Aquarium of Baltimore for an event. The venue offers party options for groups between 10 and 2,500 guests, such as a seated dinner for 300 guests in the marine mammal pavilion and a standing reception for up to 130 guests in the underwater viewing area. Events may be scheduled throughout the Aquarium's operating hours but must finish by 11 p.m. to ensure animal safety. The facility has its own catering company which may be used to supply anything from appetizers to cakes to full meals.
  
  The Aquarium offers both rotating and permanent exhibitions. In August 2010, the facility featured a "Jellyfish Invasion" exhibit, interactive dolphin show, "Wild Extreme" animals from Australia and 4-D immersion movies. Making their home at the Aquarium are salamanders, bullfrogs, puffins, skates, crabs, dolphins, river turtles and cardinalfish.
  
  National Aquarium of Baltimore
  
  501 E. Pratt St.
  
  Baltimore, MD 21202
  
  410-576-3800
  
  aqua.org