Baltimore's Inner Harbor - what's to do and see there?

[Deb in IA]

We are going there next weekend for our nephew's wedding reception. (He got married two years ago in a very small private ceremony, and is having the formal reception now. Just so people don't think we are just reception-crashers without attending the wedding . . . )

Anyway, we are staying at the Hilton Garden Inn on S. President Street.

We will have a couple of days there after the reception, and was wondering what we should do and see. And where to go to eat!

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[ziggystardust]

I went there for a day trip last summer (in MD for a wedding as well).

The harbor itself is gorgeous. Take the duck tour, those are always fun and enjoyable. Tons of restaurants in the area, my friends that go down there often love a lobster place on the other side of the harbor. I forget the name but you can see it clearly from where you will be. It basically gives you a great view of the whole area when you're eating.

We walked around and found edgar allen poe's grave. which was very nice to see.

Go to Fells point, great restaurants, great walking around type neighborhood. If you take the duck tour, you pass thru it.

I will tell you, my uncle, who lives in MD was very concerned for us girls wandering around that area at night. He actually called up my father to express his concern. It can be shady on the side streets. the harbor itself is fine.

HAVE FUN!

 

[JessicaR]

We had great fun here one night last year!
http://www.powerplantlive.com/

The Aquarium is very nice. It can get REALLY crowded though. We went early and didnt have a problem. We also had a great time in the science center - kids didnt want to leave.

We had an excellent meal at Aldo's - Little Italy area.
http://www.aldositaly.com/

Have a nice time, enjoy the wedding!

 

[Snoozan]

We did a walking tour of the ships/sub/lighthouse that are in the harbor. You can buy a pass to get into all or just some of the ships. Very interesting.

 

[Deb in IA]

Thanks for some great tips!

Aldo's looks yummy!

We will try to do the duck tour and the harbor tour. And I'd like to see the Edgar Allen Poe grave too!

 

[emma'smom]

And I'd like to see the Edgar Allen Poe grave too!

That's at Westminster Hall on Fayette and Green. You can see his grave outside and also tour the crypts.

Note- It's also a beautiful catering hall (and the site of my wedding reception 15 years ago!).

 

[sue1013]

We went to Baltimore in November. DH had a class for 2 days so I explored the city during the day. I'm a walker and used to NYC, Baltimore I felt was a small very walkable city I was all over. The aquarium was ok Dh and I did that one evening but I'm not much into aquariums. The first day I took a trolley tour that gave me an idea where things were that I would want to go spend more time seeing. I really enjoyed Lexington Market or I should say eating my way through the market. Fells Point was nice too.

 

[Deb in IA]

Hmmm. Trolley tour sounds like a great idea too!

Reading all the stuff about food is making me hungry! Fortunately, we all love seafood.

Can anyone tell me if soft shell crabs are in season? DH and DS love them!

 

[Nik's Mom]

We were just there a couple of days ago. There was so much to see, that I wish we had an extra day.

The aquarium was great. I suggest getting there early. We got there at 9am and it was pretty empty. We toured about 1/2 of it with very little people around. By 10am, it was pretty crowded.

There are several boats to tour, as well as some paddle boat rentals. Lots of good restaurants are around. We ate at ESPN one night. There is also a Five Guys Burgers there. The burgers were really good!

If you are a baseball fan, check to see if the Orioles are in town. The ball park is within walking distance. The Yankees were in town and we were surrounded by their fans at every turn.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

the tickets for the Aquarium are by times of entry. You might want to get them ahead at the website, especially if you are counting on getting in first thing in the am (or simply want to pick you entry time). Otherwise, you get a ticket for the first available time and have to come back at that time.

 

[Ohiodislover]

Thanks for some great tips!

We will try to do the duck tour and the harbor tour. And I'd like to see the Edgar Allen Poe grave too!

Duck tours is now closed in Balto. But there are still other tours you can take.

Can anyone tell me if soft shell crabs are in season? DH and DS love them!

Yes



You will be close to Little Italy, Fells point (both have great restaurants), and Fort McHenry. There are also boats in the harbor you can tour.

ESPN zone is closing soon. I can't remember the exact date.

Our favorite restaurants in/near the harbor

Paza Luna

http://pazzaluna.us/

Fogo De Chao

http://www.fogodechao.com/home/

Tio Pepe's

http://coloquio.com/coloquioonline/tiopepe.htm

McCormick and Schmicks.

http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/

Mo's Seafood and Pasta Factory

http://www.mosseafood.com/index-5.html

 

[melanie18]

Reading this thread inspired me. I've wanted to stay overnight in Baltimore for the last several summers and never seem to get there. I went on Hotwire and got a great rate at the Hilton in the Inner Harbor and we're staying next Saturday night!

Keep those suggestions coming!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Fort McHenry, home of the Star Spangled Banner, is not far from the Inner Harbor and very interesting.

 

[Deb in IA]

Reading this thread inspired me. I've wanted to stay overnight in Baltimore for the last several summers and never seem to get there. I went on Hotwire and got a great rate at the Hilton in the Inner Harbor and we're staying next Saturday night!

Keep those suggestions coming!

We are going to be there too!

If you see a crazy wedding reception family, that is us!
The reception is actually at the World Trade Center, about 5 blocks from the hotel.

 

[mickeylove2]

Power Plant Live
Port Discovery Children's Museum- if you have kids
Maryland Science Center
Maritime Museum
Fort McHenry
Spirit of Baltimore lunch and dinner cruises
Harborplace- shopping
Aquarium with dolphin show
Baltimore Zoo isn't at the inner harbor by it is relatively close by
Water Taxi- just neat to do
Orioles and Ravens stadiums
1st Mariner Arena- they host different events i.e. Cirus, concerts, sporting events etc
Poe house and musuem
ESPN Zone is closing this week I beleive
Hard Rock Cafe


Have fun!

 

[FF/MEDIC MEL]

ESPN closes in about 8 minutes to be replaced by a Dick's Last Resort.
Do not eat any seafood around the Inner Harbor, overpriced and not good.
Try Regi's in Federal Hill for a great dinner.
If your adventurous go to Lexington Market about 10 blocks north of the Harbor. A Lot of riff raff but they wont bother you. Get a crabcake from Faidley's seafood.
Cross Street Market in Federal Hill for fresh Oyster's at Nick's.
The Museum of Industry in South Baltimore.
A new boat ride called the SeaDog just opened this year.
Fells Point for shopping and people watching along with Harbor East.
The USS Constellation
Federal Hill

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Fort McHenry, home of the Star Spangled Banner, is not far from the Inner Harbor and very interesting.

DH and I used to live about an hour from Baltimore and went often on the weekends. Course that was 20 years ago! Recently, we have gone for a weekend the past 3 or 4 years to see the Red Sox play the O's. We were just there in June.

We took the water taxi for the first time and went to Fort McHenry. The ships coming in and our of the harbor were fun to watch. Had lunch in Fells Point which was very nice. The water taxi is $10 per person to ride all day so a bit cheaper than some of the boat tours and you can get on and off. It made for a fun day.

The Rusty Scupper is the big seafood restaurant across from the main part of the Harbor. The water taxi will take you there as well. We aren't big seafood eaters so we have never been. I would imagine that you do pay for the location so it may be overpriced.

 

[Deb in IA]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[dizkids]

I just found this link. I was planning on Duck Tours and ESPN zone with a group...so much for both of them.

Will be in Baltimore next week with middle/high school kids for the TSA (Technology Student Assoc) National convention.

I just checked the link for Seadogs! Thanks for posting. It looks fun.

Can someone tell me what ages would be good for the Maryland Science center. I will have DS8 and DD11 with me as well.

Thanks!