Baltimore Aquarium or Washington D.C.

[pigletof4]

We are going to a wedding in September in the Harrisburg area. We were thinking of leaving a day early to go the Baltimore Aquarium, but the more I think about D.C. is only about 2 hours more. Which would you do? My husband and I have done both, but our children haven't done either. The kids will be 9,7,2 at time of travel. We will only have one day to do this. TIA.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

We are going to a wedding in September in the Harrisburg area. We were thinking of leaving a day early to go the Baltimore Aquarium, but the more I think about D.C. is only about 2 hours more. Which would you do? My husband and I have done both, but our children haven't done either. The kids will be 9,7,2 at time of travel. We will only have one day to do this. TIA.

I would do Baltimore..I live in DC, but in September the weather will still be nice and its a lot closer to PA... You could do the Aquarium, paddleboats, boat tour, the Science Center, Port Discovery would be great for your younger two, http://www.portdiscovery.org
I think for a quick one-day excursion this would be a closer /better option. DC would be fun, too..but everything is so spread out...B-more, everything is in the Inner Harbor. HTH

 

[LisaNJ25]

For only 1 day I would do Baltimore. You can go to the aquarium and over to the science center. I love just hanging out at the Inner Harbor, going to Ft. McHenry or taking the boat over to Fells Point.

 

[Marthasor]

I vote DC!! I think the Smithsonian Museums are AMAZING! You could also see some of the monuments and the National Archives are great for kids too. We took my step DS's there two years ago and they loved seeing the Declaration of Independence. I'm not sure where in PA you are from (I'm originally from Lancaster) but for a shorter day trip have you thought about Hershey, Philadelphia or even the Amish countryside in Lancaster - just some ideas. I've been to Baltimore a number of times and personally don't like it. I think going to our nation's capitol is just really special.

 

[Mkrop]

I was going to mention Hershey as well, although check the website to see what the hours are since you dont mention what day you are going to see if they are still open.

We love the Baltimore Aquarium too. Just make sure you are aware that they dont allow strollers. I dont know how your 2 year old does walking through all that.

I hated Port Discovery, we went when DS was 5 and we ahd the baby in the stroller. Well it is one of those indoor climbing place and there are exits on many floors. DS went in and we had no idea where he was going to come out. Dh went running from floor to floor, there wasnt much I could do bc of the stairs. In order for me to go anywhere I had to take an elevator with the stroller. I would never go back there again.

 

[NJFabFour]

A vote for D.C.! Althought the Inner Harbor is great, offering a lot to see and do, our kids (as well as DH, uncle, and myself!) found the Aquarium to be a huge disappointment! The kids kept asking, "So they only have a few little fish here? Is this it?" Yes there were a couple of stingrays and a very few other displays but nothing compared to Living Seas at Epcot (or Boston's aquarium for that matter)! My kids enjoyed D.C. as toddlers (they could climb up and down steps at Lincoln Memorial all day! ) more than they did the National Aquarium as 5 year olds!

 

[TexasBee]

I *love* DC (my hometown) but it's worth more than a day. I'd do B'more.

 

[LaraK]

DC is about an hour south of Baltimore, but getting into the city is a bit of a pain, the subway may be a better bet.

There are pros and cons to both. As someone else pointed out, no strollers in the Aquarium in Baltimore. We love the Science Center up there....of course, you have to pay to go to anything in Baltimore (and pay to park). In DC all the attractions are free. Another DC attraction that will be nice then is the Zoo. Good weather usually in September...free entrance but you pay to park if you're not a member.

You could come out to my home town, but it's more of an adult destination (unless there's a Navy game that day, that's a fantastic experience to watch the mids march in).

I grew up in DC...work in Baltimore. I'm partial to DC honestly, but understand the allure of the Harbor as well.

 

[FFXDSNADDICT]

I'll be very honest my answer is going to be bias! I live about 6 miles from D.C. and it is one of my favorite places on earth..(other then WDW) However Baltimore is wonderful but other then the aquarium I've never really found it alot of fun. D.C on the other hand has so many things that you can do. For the ages you listed for your kids they may like the National Zoo. Over the past couple of years they have been doing massive refurbs and its even better then before. Plus they have an area with sea life so you could "kill two birds with one stone" The museums are always fun and if you are heading down in September the US history building will just have opened back up. Its been closed for almost two years while they redid the entire building. The pictures online look amazing. www.smithsonian.com
Lots of wonderful places to eat... Chinatown, ESPNzone (SO MUCH BIGGER then the one at Boardwalk), Hard Rock Cafe.
If you have anyquestions about getting around or anything else feel free to pm me Im aways willing to answer questions about my hometown!

 

[ldo]

DC really needs at least a long weekend. With your kids' ages, they would LOVE Port Discovery and you could make nearly a day of that, but add to that the Aquarium and that's what I would do.
Save DC for another, longer trip--it is a fabulous place for kids.

 

[pigletof4]

Thanks everyone for the replies. We'll have to think about the aquarium as Allyson still rides in a stroller. Maybe I can talk dh into an extra day and do DC. We aren't going to WDW this year so maybe that would do for now. I would love to do a week, but dh is self employed and kids are just starting back to school to do it that week.