Budget Help for Baltimore Inner Harbor

[debbido71]

My husband plans on taking my 17 year old son and his friend to an Anime Convention at the convention center in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. It is happening the weekend of July 29-31. We have been researching hotel ideas and many places are already booked or are way out of budget price range.

They went last last year and we spent a little more than we wanted to, but they were able to stay very close to the convention center. This year I was thinking that maybe we could vacation in that area as a family for a few days and find somewhere within driving distance instead. This way we could drop the boys off at the convention and do things in the area during the day while they are there.

I was wondering if any of you had experience or ideas about budget friendly places to stay around that area? I look forward to hearing your suggestions.

 

[stefplus3]

We'll be there next weekend! My 11 yr old's lacrosse team is coming down from boston to play in maryland and also to watch the college games at Raven's stadium. We're staying at the Springhill Suites and our rate is $143/nt. I really did my research and this was a GREAT price (which I'm sure you know if you've been looking). We're just staying Saturday night and it's a suite so we'll have lots of space. Originally the entire family was going (5 of us) so we needed a suite but now it's just me and 2 kids so we're really going to have room to spread out. I'm thinking 2 tvs will be a plus!

The only negative is that we have to pay $32/day for parking....I think that's a given with the inner harbor hotels though.

 

[Suz D]

We're going there this weekend to see Les Mis. We're staying here...

http://www.harbormagic.com/brookshire/brookshire_default.asp

I can let you know how it is when we get back if you'd like.

 

[stefplus3]

Me again....if they're into sports and/or video games ESPN zone is really cool!

 

[KS_Disney_Dad]

You might want to check into the metro system there. You can stay further away from the city and take the metro for a few bucks and get dropped off right at the front of Camden Yards. Just an option if you're looking at cheaper hotels.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I love the Inner Harbor and grew up going there.

Last time we went I used hotwire.com and got a nice hotel right in the harbor.. I want to say the Hyatt..

 

[bluesaturn]

You might want to check into the metro system there. You can stay further away from the city and take the metro for a few bucks and get dropped off right at the front of Camden Yards. Just an option if you're looking at cheaper hotels.

I don't think the Baltimore metro line runs outside the city at all. I think the commuter train (MARC) does, and I'm pretty sure it drops off in front of Camden Yards. Also, driving into Baltimore is super easy, so you could stay outside the city if you don't mind paying for parking.

 

[wvjules]

Me again....if they're into sports and/or video games ESPN zone is really cool!

It is closed.

 

[KS_Disney_Dad]

I don't think the Baltimore metro line runs outside the city at all. I think the commuter train (MARC) does, and I'm pretty sure it drops off in front of Camden Yards. Also, driving into Baltimore is super easy, so you could stay outside the city if you don't mind paying for parking.

DOH! You are correct. Been awhile since I was there.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Lastminutetravel.com has the Sheraton Baltimore City Center for $88/nite for 3 adults. Hotel website says it's 2.5 blocks from convention center.

 

[csharpwv]

I travel to Baltimore for work ALL the time. Literally I am there more than I am home my wife says. I might as well be a Ravens and Orioles fan!

I just got back from Baltimore last night! HAHA

PLEASE, PM me I will be more than happy to help in any way I possibly can!

I would definitely suggest saying either at the Embassy Suites in Hunt Valley, MD or in the BWI Hotel District and taking Light Rail into the city.

The train ride from BWI is shorter than the one from Hunt Valley. FYI.

Nearly ALL of the BWI hotels have free shuttles to the Light Rail Station and a few of the hotels even have light rail passes included with your nightly rate.

There are SO many 'hidden' things to do in Baltimore that most people never think to do - and several of them are free!

It's a great city with tons of stuff to do!

If it's your DH and DS and DSF - then I would go with a Suite style hotel - a little more flexibility and a lot more room for DS and DSF to have 'their space'.

If you have any questions at all, please PM or just post back!

 

[debbido71]

Lastminutetravel.com has the Sheraton Baltimore City Center for $88/nite for 3 adults. Hotel website says it's 2.5 blocks from convention center.

Thanks. Just tried to look for this and it won't give me those kind of details until I book it. How did you find this out? All it says is "3.5-star hotel in Baltimore". Won't tell me the name of the hotel or its exact location. Is there some secret way to get this information on lastminutetravel before you book?

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Pretend that you are going to book the $88/night hotel by clicking on the "Bookit" tab. On the next page click on "Add Rental Car" then select a car size, then click on "Continue Booking". Scroll down a little way and the hotel name is presented. Then just book, but without the rental car, and you're all set.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Lastminutetravel.com reservations are cancellable for $25 up to 7 days before checkin date. If you find something cheaper you aren't hampered by a noncancellable reservation.

 

[debbido71]

Pretend that you are going to book the $88/night hotel by clicking on the "Bookit" tab. On the next page click on "Add Rental Car" then select a car size, then click on "Continue Booking". Scroll down a little way and the hotel name is presented. Then just book, but without the rental car, and you're all set.

YOU ARE MY HERO!!!

Just booked this for the $88 a night rate!!! My husband and son are going to be so excited!

Thank you sooo much!!

Everyone has been wonderful on this forum. I love the DIS!

 

[DisneyMissy318]

Hey Debbido ~

Scoot over! We're supposed to take my DD (13) to that same Anime convention - this looks like a great hotel - I've been trying to find something that will fit in our budget - and this is it! I too love the DIS!

We got our feet wet at Katsucon - held Feb 18/20 at National Harbor (closer to DC) - but were told that Otakon is MUCH bigger - I'm not sure how much MORE I can stand! Oh, the things we saw!

 

[debbido71]

Good Luck, DisneyMissy! Here is the link for the hotel itself if you want to see it before you book:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/rooms/index.html?propertyID=1765

I have not been to a convention, but like I said, my DH took the boys last year and he sent me pics from his phone all day. It looks like a very "interesting" event. It is right up my son's alley.

Just told the boys we have a hotel and they are thrilled!

 

[Fyrefly]

Otakon is fantastic, and kudos to you for driving your son and his friend. It's the biggest con on the east coast, and I've heard it really puts Katsucon to shame.

I can recommend the Baltimore Aquarium/Science Center and other touristy things, but one thing you may want to keep in mind is that there are are nearly 30,000 people at this convention. Be aware any restaurants from the convention center to the inner harbor will be VERY crowded, and the intersections (especially ANYTHING cheap) near the convention center especially will be clogged because there are so many pedestrians.

So be ready for delays and try to eat as far from the convention center as possible. I plan for delays as a regular attendee, but I can imagine people who go there that weekend just to have a normal vacation may get a little annoyed.

Parents in attendance may be interested to know that Otakon often runs several "Anime for Newbies" panels and parent-oriented panels. They are often a nice way of figuring out what is wrong with your child. Also the people there are so friendly, with a restriction not to leave the convention center (and extra money for as a consequence needing to buy overpriced food inside) and to keep track of my things, my parents let me spend the day there with just my friends when I was 13.

Your mileage may vary with your kid's maturity levels, but when it comes to nerds many of us look far worse than we are. Case in point, when I was 13 and parents were coming to pick me up, we got our signals crossed and I was waiting at the wrong entrance. My mom tried to talk to a convention center employee but she was just saying "There's freaks everywhere, I don't know." She then found the most heavily pierced guy she could find and got very thorough landmark based instructions as to which entrance I was at!

 

[debbido71]

Parents in attendance may be interested to know that Otakon often runs several "Anime for Newbies" panels and parent-oriented panels. They are often a nice way of figuring out what is wrong with your child.

Thanks. I will let my husband know. He did not actually go to the convention last year, just served as a home base for the boys to come back to in the middle of the day for lunch and breaks. But he may be interested in doing something like this. I am guessing he would actually have to purchase a ticket to the event though.

 

[DisneyMissy318]

They are often a nice way of figuring out what is wrong with your child.

Okay!! WAY too funny!

We tell her she's weird - and she says Thank You! My child certainly marches to her own beat! And I wouldn't have it any other way! We left Katsucon and went downtown DC for a little site seeing - she was wearing fur leg warmers, a tail and ears!! She didn't look out of place when she got dressed that morning - but she stood out a little in DC! Imagine that!

She's a great kid - my saving grace now - other than the fact that she's 12 (okay almost 13) is that she has a SEVERE needle phobia - so no piercing or tattoos in the foreseeable future!

Thanks for all of the info - we were told that Katsucon is a baby compared to Otakon!