Baltimore, MD

[bamor]

Hi
I am hoping some of you can help me with a family trip to Baltimore, MD.
There will be 6 adults, 2 children and 1 infant total.
I think we've narrowed it down to the Homewood Suites Inner Harbor as we can walk to most attractions and Camden Yards from here (Red Sox vs Orioles) and the kitchen will be helpful with the infant.
Couple of questions:
Best budget way to travel from BWI to the Inner Harbor hotel (light rail, hire a van, etc)?
Discounts on the Aquarium tickets...would we be better off buying a Harbor Pass (will only have two full days to explore)?
Budget eats, any good restaurants on restaurant.com or if someone can recommend a few places? We would be within walking distance of Little Italy.
Any other ideas on what to see such as the Top of the World Observation Deck, Children's Museum, etc?
Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Goofy'slady]

I live here in B-more! I would visit the Children's Museum Port Discovery. ESPN Zone is great too. Plenty of games for kids of all ages and the food's not half bad either. My kids love to visit - although we don't go that often, we usually save it for a special ocassion like good report card or b-days. I love McCormick and Schmick's Grill (M&S Grill) check out the menu at http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/ and the Cheescake Factory is great too; only I would visit that one for lunch as it tends to get really crowded during the dinner hours - especially on the weekends.

The Aquarium is nice but very expensive if you don't have discount tickets. I've been worn out with the Aquarium so much so my daughter's pre-k class trip this Friday I bowed out on and made my husband go instead. I've done it sooo many times with my oldest daughther (who is now in 6th grd) so I'm burnt out. Science Center is really nice as well, don't forget to at least look into it.

In regards to your hotel - well I'm assuming that since you have a reservation Homewood Suites that you should be fine. There's no need for me to get a hotel downtown since I already live in the area but when my family stays in PA for our annual ski trip we stay at Homewood suites and we've always had wonderful things to say about them. Their a Hilton property so you should be good. Really any hotel in the downtown area will be nice - a little pricey but nice none-the-less.

Have fun!

T.

 

[sue1013]

I was there in November. The aquarium has special pricing I think it was 8.00 if you go in at 6. They close at 8 but 2 hours was plenty for me. We got there around 5 and the cashier told us about the 6 pm pricing.

 

[irish_trip_mom]

I've lived in the suburbs of Baltimore for 12 years and one thing I have vowed to do with my kids...but yet have to....is go to Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner. I guess it's dependent on how old your kids are, but I've heard nothing but great things. My kids LOVE the MD Science Center, actually we all really enjoy it. I have to agree with the PP about the aquarium....I've been burned out on it too, because we have to go every time out-of-town guests come. Yes, it's cool, but yes it's pricey and if it's a baseball weekend, it will be crowded. I assume you are coming in warmer weather if it's for an O's game.....Ride the Ducks is lots of fun and will give you a tour of the area by land and sea.

 

[andrews_dad]

I like Baltimore Zoo... we are members. We are members of Aquarium as well. It is pricey for what it is. I might look into that late-night admission deal posted above. Kid's Mus for the kids for sure.

Get to the game early to explore Camden. Boog's BBQ in right field. Watch the pitchers warm up in the bullpens in center, as teh fans as just a few feet above them. Top deck to see nice vistas of the city and the harbor.

Take the water taxi from inner harbor.

 

[Schmoodle]

Our favorites were always The Science Center, Port Discovery, and DS loved the Roundhouse Train Museum. If you like art, the Baltimore Museum of Art is great, not in walking distance though. I haven't been to the Science Center in a really long time, though - anyone else, is it still cool?

When will you be there? Baltimore Restaurant week is coming up, Jan 22 - Feb 7 - check the website for some good deals.

 

[zigzagzerr]

I would also highly recommend the Sports museum that is located right outside of Camden Yards -- it's great!