Day Trips to Baltimore, MD & Philadelphia, PA: Suggestions?

[mchames]

You guys have been great with Washington, DC suggestions, so how about Baltimore and Philadelphia. Next week (4/1-4/7), my DH and I will be bringing our DD6 and DD8 up to DC for spring break. We will be staying with my sister in Myersville, MD and were thinking of taking day trips to Baltimore and/or Philadelphia while we are there.

Baltimore: We were thinking of going to the Inner Harbor, the aquarium, Maryland Science Center and/or Port Discovery Center. Is that too much for one day? Are they all worth seeing? Are there other places we should go. Any suggestions on good places to eat? DH and I used to live in DC, but we haven't visited Baltimore in probably about 15 years.

Philadelphia: I have even less knowledge of Philadelphia since we have never been there. We were thinking of going to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin Institute and possibly Betsey Ross' house. Are there "tourmoblie" or "trolley" tours like in DC? If so, are they worth doing? Can we park in one location (we don't mind paying) and walk or take public transportation to the tourist attractions? Are there other not to miss attractions? Any suggestions on good places to eat?

I realize that we will not have enough time to do "in-depth" touring, but we're looking to just have fun and give our kids a taste of different cities. As a side note DD6's kindergarten class just finished studying American symbols and Patriotism. They finished the unit with a "Faux Fourth of July Picnic" and a Patriotic Symbols Parade. Two hundred kindergarteners marched the halls of the elementary school dressed in costume (DD6 was the Statue of Liberty, too bad we're not going to NY ) with Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA blaring while the older kids clapped and cheered. It was honestly the funniest thing I've ever seen. Needless to say she is awfully excited to be going this trip to see all the monuments and "history stuff" as she puts it.

Thanks in advance.
Mary

 

[Christine]

You know, I will probably be the "lone" dissenter here, but last week we went up to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. Hadn't been there in about 7 years. I was amazed out how it has kind of gone downhill. The buildings that used to have all the food were VERY disappointing. The aquarium was NOT worth the $15 admission and the new Australian exhibit was kind of a flop.

I'm sure Port Discovery is still great (as it was when we took the kids when they were younger) but my son is 11 now and not really into that sort of thing.

Overall, we were not impressed with it like we used to be (Inner Harbor that is).

 

[mchames]

Thanks Christine!

I need dissenting opinions as well. Like I said, it's probably been 15 years since I've been to the Inner Harbor. That's good to know about the aquarium. We have annual passes to the new aquarium here in Atlanta (which is pretty cool, by the way) and I wouldn't want to spend $15 a piece to see something we have at home if it isn't significantly different or better.

Anyone else? We're heading up Friday afternoon, stopping for a couple days in NC, so I guess I need to get all my plans in order. I usually plan vacations months in advance and have everything scheduled... but not this time. LOL

Thanks.
Mary

 

[Papa Deuce]

Philadelphia: I have even less knowledge of Philadelphia since we have never been there. We were thinking of going to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin Institute and possibly Betsey Ross' house. Are there "tourmoblie" or "trolley" tours like in DC? If so, are they worth doing? Can we park in one location (we don't mind paying) and walk or take public transportation to the tourist attractions? Are there other not to miss attractions? Any suggestions on good places to eat?


Mary

I have worked in the Historic area of Philly for the last 14 years. All those attractions are within several blocks of each other. They do have the trolleys. I have never done one. They also have "DUCK BOATS" that do land and sea tours from the Delaware River.

Ooop, Franklin Institute really isn't "walking" distance, though you could if you wanted to.... about 20 blocks from the historic area.

If you want to know more about restaurants, just give me specifics? That area of Philly is literally OVERFLOWING with restaurants. I think there are actually TOO MANY.

There is this big PURPLE bus called Philly Phlash.... it rides in a huge loop through areas of interest. You pay one price for the whole day.... I "think" it will even fo to the Franklin Institute.

As far as parking, there are MANY lots. Expect to pay up to $25 for a whole day, but usually more like $20.

Don't miss the BRAND NEW "Constitution Center".... also, just a couple of blocks from the historic area / Market Street.

EDIT: If in Philly, you really need to try a cheesesteak sandwich. The best ones really are NOT in the area of the historic stuff. I recommend Gianfranco's, at 3rd and Market ( a few stores north of Market ). And for the LOVE OF GOD, don't let anybody convince you that Cheese Whiz goes on a Philly Cheesesteak!

Pick a cheese, and add mushrooms, hot peppers, fried onions, ketchup..... but NO CHEESE WHIZ!

 

[tmt martins]

You know, I will probably be the "lone" dissenter here, but last week we went up to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. Hadn't been there in about 7 years. I was amazed out how it has kind of gone downhill. The buildings that used to have all the food were VERY disappointing. The aquarium was NOT worth the $15 admission and the new Australian exhibit was kind of a flop.

I'm sure Port Discovery is still great (as it was when we took the kids when they were younger) but my son is 11 now and not really into that sort of thing.

Overall, we were not impressed with it like we used to be (Inner Harbor that is).

Well Christine

Living a mear 5 min. from the Inner Harbor for the past 40 years (all of them ).I have to say ITA with you on all points .

The curator for the Australian exhibit was my BestFs older brother growing up and his basement had more and better displays and that was 25 years ago.
I do want to say that week is Opening week at Camden Yards and that it is one of the best ballparks in the world.So that might be an Idea.

You still have ESPN ZONE and some great eateries on that side of the Harbor but bring Money lots of Money.

 

[bigmerle1966]

Here are some web sites for some places in Baltimore.

Baltimore's Ride the Ducks http://www.ridetheducks.com/

Port Discovery http://www.portdiscovery.org/

Maryland Science Center http://www.mdsci.org/

Fort McHenry http://www.nps.gov/fomc/

Passport Voyages of Discovery http://www.passportvoyages.com/home.asp

This is a kind of ride, you sit in seats that are sitting on a movable platform with a big screen in front of you and the seat moves with the movie. The place is in the Power Plant, which has a book store, Hard Rock Cafe, a ESPN Zone and other things in it as well.

 

[NCRedding]

We always go to the Aquarium when we get to Baltimore, but that is more for my DH than for me--I think it is crowded and not worth the price of admission.

I LOVED port Discovery when we were there. We spent the entire day there, arriving at opening, and leaving at closing, with a short break for lunch. DD loved it also.

We also enjoyed the Science Museum. We did a Duck tour that was fun and informative.

Love Camden Yard, but DD hated going to the ballgame.

 

[LisaNJ25]

For Philadelphia we loved the zoo. I also went to Valley Forge.

We always have a great time at the inner harbor. You can buy the Harbor pass to save money on the attractions.

www.baltimore.org

 

[ckay87]

We are huge fans of the Franklin Institute. My boys are 10 & 13 and we've been going since they're little. We go once/year and they can never get enough. I would say, however, that a trip there will be an entire day, open-close. They close around 5pm. There was an amazing special exhibit there called Body Worlds, but I think this might be the end of it.

I would recommend Phila over Baltimore for the kids, but that's just IMO. Also, IMO...and I'd love to know if anyone agrees with me...navigating Philly is a living h**l. Piece of cake getting into the city, good luck getting out. Every year we get lost leaving the Institute. Always end up in Fairmount Park (I dunno), then have to follow the microscopic signs for 76. Get a good map. I've driven to/from enough cities, including NYC, so I'm no dummy, it's just something about Philly

 

[Cantw8]

I have worked in the Historic area of Philly for the last 14 years. All those attractions are within several blocks of each other. They do have the trolleys. I have never done one. They also have "DUCK BOATS" that do land and sea tours from the Delaware River.

Ooop, Franklin Institute really isn't "walking" distance, though you could if you wanted to.... about 20 blocks from the historic area.

If you want to know more about restaurants, just give me specifics? That area of Philly is literally OVERFLOWING with restaurants. I think there are actually TOO MANY.

There is this big PURPLE bus called Philly Phlash.... it rides in a huge loop through areas of interest. You pay one price for the whole day.... I "think" it will even fo to the Franklin Institute.

As far as parking, there are MANY lots. Expect to pay up to $25 for a whole day, but usually more like $20.

Don't miss the BRAND NEW "Constitution Center".... also, just a couple of blocks from the historic area / Market Street.

EDIT: If in Philly, you really need to try a cheesesteak sandwich. The best ones really are NOT in the area of the historic stuff. I recommend Gianfranco's, at 3rd and Market ( a few stores north of Market ). And for the LOVE OF GOD, don't let anybody convince you that Cheese Whiz goes on a Philly Cheesesteak!

Pick a cheese, and add mushrooms, hot peppers, fried onions, ketchup..... but NO CHEESE WHIZ!

OMG...what did you have to open that can of worms for EVERYONE knows it's Whiz and Wit.....and Geno's has the best Oh, OP...I always like to spend the day at Penn's Landing

 

[mom2boys]

My boys love the Maryland Science Center. I usually have to drag them out of Newton's Alley - lots of hands on exhibits. We haven't been to the Aquarium in years - we'd been waiting to see the Australian exhibit.
My kids like Johnny Rockets for greasy burgers & milk shakes -not cheap though. There is also a Cheesecake Factory & a Discovery Store. If you like sushi, our favorite place is a 15 minute walk from the Inner Harbor at the Cross Street Market in Federal Hill.
The Orioles idea is a good one. We belong to the DugOut Club and usually park near the Inner Harbor and walk to the stadium.
Fort McHenry is also near the Inner Harbor. We haven't made it there but it is open for tours. Fort McHenry is where Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner. It might be of interest to your little patriot.

Have a great time!

 

[TinkInPink]

the italian market, pats steaks at the end of the italian market, benfranklin house/museum the franklin institute city hall tower. the italian market is really neat ! (so is pats)! lol. also the aquarium is right across the river the camden aquarium (sp?). these are all places that me and my dad could think up in like 2 min we have been to these places and others many times, if you have any questions just ask

 

[Tigger&Belle]

When we were in Philly a few years ago we went to the Mint (where they make the coins) and my kids really enjoyed that.

I've gone to the Franklin Institute as a 5th grade field trip and I have not enjoyed it either time. Maybe it's just me and I can't say that I like MD Science Center a lot, either, but I do like it more than the FI. I LOVE the Boston and Pittsburgh science museums, though, so it's not as if I don't like science museums.

It's been awhile since I've been to the Balti Aquarium, so don't know what that's like now.

How about a baseball game in one of the cities? I don't think that the Nat's will be home, though.

 

[mchames]

Thanks everyone for all of your suggestions. I'm picking the girls up from school in about 15 minutes and we're hitting the road.

Thanks again.
Mary

 

[LisaNJ25]

Thanks everyone for all of your suggestions. I'm picking the girls up from school in about 15 minutes and we're hitting the road.

Thanks again.
Mary

have a great trip Mary,

Fill us in when you get back.