Baltimore, MD

Baltimore’s incredible skyline and historical waterfront has attracted visitors and artists from all over the world. The city’s history blends seamlessly with today’s modern day architecture. The cultural Downtown District has taken on a life of its own with the Inner Harbor’s family friendly attractions, lodging, restaurants, and outings all within walking distance. The breathtaking views and bubbling energy will leave every visitor wishing for more time in town.

Baltimore is a city with a remarkable past that extends itself back to the American Revolution. The city’s location on the Patapsco River, and its close proximity to the Chesapeake Bay, enabled Baltimore to thrive as a bustling seaport. Cargo arrived here from all over the world because it could easily be shipped to the Midwestern markets. Baltimore soon became a predominant shipping and manufacturing center thanks to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroads. The city’s good fortune helped it survive the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904 with minimal damage and no outside assistance to recuperate what was lost. Today, the city flourishes with a well-developed health, finance and business sector.

Family Fun

Visitors cannot miss the Cylbum Arboretum, so start your visit here. A former private estate, the park is a whimsical preserve, including the beautiful arboretum and extensive collection of flowers and foliage. If a step back in time sounds intriguing, visit the home of American poet Edgar Allen Poe and then venture over to Mount Vernon Place to climb the steps of the Washington Monument. Enjoy a picnic lunch or quiet respite in Patterson Park, also a great opportunity for biking or walking along the smooth pathways. The park also has a lovely boat lake for the whole family to enjoy and they host several festivals during the summer and the fall.

A day at the National Aquarium is an under-water experience visitors won’t soon forget. Within the two buildings of the aquarium there are fish from Maryland, stingrays, tarpon, green turtles, dolphin displays, shark tanks, a rooftop rainforest and other species of fish. There are several exhibits that are worth taking the time to explore such as the Dolphin Encounter, Sharks Behind the Scenes and the Rainforest Sleepover. Each exhibit is designed to give visitors a hands-on experience of the marine life.

The Maryland Science Center will entertain the kids for hours. The complex has a planetarium, an observatory, an Imax theater, dinosaur skeletons and much more. Some of the exhibits are Follow the Blue Crab, Dinosaur Mysteries, Newton’s Alley and Your Body the Inside Story. There’s also a kid’s room where the youngsters may participate in hands-on activities.

Train connoisseurs of all ages will be thoroughly enchanted at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum. The site includes one of the oldest collections of railroad artifacts and equipment. The Museum features Storyville Station story time, Steam Days when it operates two historic steam trains, Thrift Tuesdays with half-price admission, and an annual Kid Fest with music, train rides, entertainment, and more.

Baseball fans young and old won’t want to leave Baltimore without first catching a game at Camden Yards. Considered to be the most beautiful of the newer generation of ballparks, Camden Yards boasts a gorgeous natural grass field and an ideal location near many other city destinations, including Inner Harbor. When the team is out of town, ballpark tours take visitors through club level suites, the press level, and into the Orioles dugout.

Cultural Outings

First Thursday Concerts in the Park are held each month at Mount Vernon Place. Hang out on the grass, enjoy some beverages and snacks, and listen to the music as you unwind after a busy day.

A Baltimore Ghost tour is a hauntingly good time. Tours take patrons back to a time when the rowdy seaport was full of life and mischief, so stick close to the group as you walk through haunted shops and residences. Tickets are $13 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under.

A one of a kind of experience can be explored at the Geppi’s Entertainment Museum in the downtown historic district. Take a walk thru the history of Pop Culture. Visitors and collectors are delighted with the memorabilia and collectables from the era. There are first edition comic books, newspapers, toys and Disney collectibles from 1928-1945. The American Visionary Art Museum is located on the South Shore of Inner Harbor. The art lover will find it very interesting that the museum offers a different perspective on art. The relationship of art to the human condition is the theme for the exhibits. Baltimore Maritime Museum, located on Inner Harbor, is the proud home of several national historic landmarks. The USCGC coast guard cutter was the last fighting ship to survive Pearl Harbor and the USS Torsk was a 10th Class Submarine. The Lightship Chesapeake is well worth a tour. The Baltimore Museum of Industry is a historic view of life in the cannery and garment lofts of the 1900’s. Visitors leave with an understanding of what it took to produce the food, clothing, machine and print shops during the early 1900’s. The museum also offers guided tours and hands-on activities for the kids.

Shopping & Food

The historic seaport of Inner Harbor is the entertainment Mecca of the downtown area. At Harborplace there is plenty of great shopping in the many specialty shops. When it comes to food, visitors can sit back and enjoy the view while dining at one of the superb waterfront restaurants. Try the blue crab, it’s a Maryland specialty that most restaurants offer. If authentic Italian food is your desire, then check out the restaurants in Little Italy. The city also hosts ethnic food and art festivals every weekend from June through October.

LINKS

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