Baltimore, Maryland budget trip

[Ava]

Check out the Maryland Science Center. We went there over Christmas vacation (I'm from the Baltimore area & still have a lot of family there) and my 6yo loved it. It is geared older than Port Discovery so your 9yo will enjoy it too. It also participates in the ASTC reciprocal admission program for science centers/museums; if you are members of a science center or museum in your area, you may be able to get free admission to the MD Science Center. List of participating museums: http://www.astc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Passport-Program-List-29pg-12pt-font1.pdf

There are also some very cool historic ships docked in the Inner Harbor that you can tour. I believe there is a package deal to tour all of them, or you can pay separately if you just want to see one or two.

 

[Thinking]

Science Center is very good for kids.

Short drive to Ft McHenry -- also a great place for kids and cheap to visit.

None of the restaurants at inner harbor are very good.

Take a short walk along the water to Fells Point. Some good restaurants there. coopers tavern is not too expensive and they have great Maryland crab soup to start with.

 

[Ngwira]

You could visit the Science Center, Fort McHenry, Ripley's Believe It or Not and there is a pirate adventure (Urban Pirates) in Fells Point that is awesome! You can easily take the water taxi to Fells Point. I would definitely skip Port Discovery with a 9 year old. My son went there when he was 4. I can't imagine taking him there now at 8 almost 9. You're in Baltimore, definitely try some seafood! It may be more of a splurge but you can't beat our crab cakes (or steamed crabs or crab dip or crab soup.) And Little Italy is fantastic! Our favorite is Sabatino's. There are lots of little restaurants in Fells Point. (It's nice during the day for kids but more of a bar scene in the evening.) There's the Horseshoe Casino downtown now. Obviously, can't take the kids but in case an adult wants to get out.

Thanks for all the tips.

 

[Ngwira]

First of all the riots were in a very small area despite what the media said. I am in Baltimore weekly, my son lives near the inner harbor, as long as you use the same common sense precautions you use in any city you will be fine.
The kids will enjoy the water taxis. The science museum is very cool . Museum of industry is near the fort. You can find lots of places to eat in the inner harbor. We like James Joyce in the harbor east area near little Italy for a good meal. If baseball is in season catch an go's game.

Thank you. Not that it matters, but I am a minority. I was a little bit taken aback by all the mentions of the race riots. We are going to the touristy area, not the ghetto. But, I digress.

 

[Ngwira]

There is a Bubba Gump's restaurant in the inner harbor which is fun. Also (not cheap) Cheesecake Factory, Hard Rock Cafe, and at the other end of the spectrum, a Noodles and company. If you want an entertaining and really weird museum idea, the Ripley's Believe it or Not is in the inner harbor too. We went with the kids a couple years ago (they were 11 and 13 or 10 and 12, I don't quite remember) and it was unusual to say the least.

Thanks. The Ripley's Museum has a groupon but it expires 5 days before we go. Sucks!

 

[Ngwira]

My DD went to the Baltimore Museum of Industry on a field trip last year and asked to go back for her birthday this year. I'll be honest, on our own it was not as much fun as when we did the field trip - that had an interactive part that they only do with groups, but it was still interesting. Not too much interactive stuff to do and lots of reading at the displays, my 5 year old was pretty bored. I wouldn't expect to spend more than 2-3 hours there. The science center is great, my kids love it. If you have a membership to a science center where you live they reciprocate. The zoo is also nice. As for restaurants there is a little asian counter service place across from the aquarium that we like. It's over by Hard Rock and Dick's Last Resort. It's called Blu Bamboo I think? There is also a Chipotle there and a ton of chain restaurants in the malls right on the harbor both counter and table service.

The cannery section of the BMI was what we did on the field trip, but was closed when we went on our own. The other sections you walk in each room and see what industry was like in that specific time, but there is nothing there do if that makes sense, besides read about it. I will also add they have a lot of old semi-dangerous equipment out that you are not supposed to touch, but is not roped off per say. I was constantly redirecting my 5 year old away from breaking or getting hurt on things.

Thanks. I looked at the museum's website and because we are going on a Saturday, there will be guided tours, which is perfect. We also only plan to spend a few hours there. We would like to walk around the Inner Harbour since our Friday is jam packed with activities.

 

[Ngwira]

Definitely stay close to Inner Harbor especially at night (which others have echoed). We really liked that area. There's a Bubba Gump, Cheesecake Factory, another big seafood restaurant (sorry, I can't remember the name), and lots of other things to do all in that area. I think we ate at Dick's last resort which is more geared towards adults. We did the Sea Dog tour, it was a speedboat tour, maybe 30-45 mins.. Not too expensive if I recall and totally worth it, we loved it! There's also a Leinenkugel Beer Garden not too far from there which was fun (Although again probably geared towards adults).

Thank you!

 

[Ngwira]

Phillips Crabhouse or McCormick & Schmicks

We have a Mccormick and Schmidt's in Philly and one that closed near us. I don't think it'd be good value to eat there with the kids. Now DH and I have eaten there alone on date nights.

 

[Ngwira]

Bubba Gumps has, quite frankly, disgusting food. Pass on it.

I live near Baltimore and have driven through some pretty bad areas, but have never felt unsafe. The harbor area is fine.

If your kids like trains, they might enjoy the B&O Railroad Museum:

http://www.borail.org

Thanks for your reassurance- and the link.

 

[Ngwira]

Check out the Maryland Science Center. We went there over Christmas vacation (I'm from the Baltimore area & still have a lot of family there) and my 6yo loved it. It is geared older than Port Discovery so your 9yo will enjoy it too. It also participates in the ASTC reciprocal admission program for science centers/museums; if you are members of a science center or museum in your area, you may be able to get free admission to the MD Science Center. List of participating museums: http://www.astc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Passport-Program-List-29pg-12pt-font1.pdf

There are also some very cool historic ships docked in the Inner Harbor that you can tour. I believe there is a package deal to tour all of them, or you can pay separately if you just want to see one or two.

Thanks so much!

 

[smhogar]

Since you will have a car, you could check out the Canton Crossing area. There are a lot of restaurants there and the surrounding area. http://theshopsatcantoncrossing.com/

 

[Ngwira]

Since you will have a car, you could check out the Canton Crossing area. There are a lot of restaurants there and the surrounding area. http://theshopsatcantoncrossing.com/

Thanks.

 

[danygirl]

We like the brunch at the Rusty Scupper which is near the American visionary art museum and the museum of industry. The art museum is so sparkly.

 

[Ngwira]

We like the brunch at the Rusty Scupper which is near the American visionary art museum and the museum of industry. The art museum is so sparkly.

I'll check it out.

 

[kandt]

M kids really like the Maryland Science Center and Port Discovery. The Zoo isn't too far from the Inner Harbor. I am originally from Bellmawr!

 

[Busylady]

We were in Baltimore just for the day last summer. We went to the Inner Harbor and really enjoyed the water taxi rides. We toured a couple of the ships there and took the water taxi. We went to Locust Point and ate at a local place. I don't remember the name exactly - LP Boilers maybe? It was good. We walked from there to Ft. McHenry. It was a lovely day. We parked in a parking garage near the inner harbor. It was fine in the morning when we got there but when going back to it around 5pm it was feeling a bit more sketchy. And there were tons of police out in the late afternoon - not sure why.

 

[Ngwira]

M kids really like the Maryland Science Center and Port Discovery. The Zoo isn't too far from the Inner Harbor. I am originally from Bellmawr!

We live in Camden county. Voorhees to be exact.

 

[Zim]

I also enjoyed taking my DD to the Science Center. They usually have interesting temporary installments to keep it fresh. They also have an IMAX theater, so check what's playing.

We also really enjoy the Baltimore Zoo, if you have nice weather.

 

[Ngwira]

Bumped

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Why bump this thread? if your trip was over Easter, haven't you already visited?