Going to Baltimore Aquarium...help

[Dismom914]

We r leaving next week and wondering where would be a good cheap place to eat while there. Going with a 7 yr old and at 10 month old. Thanks

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

You can eat in the aquarium or you can leave, they stamp your hand, and you can get right back in. There is a Potbelly sandwich place there on the harbor. There are tons of places on the harbor like my favorite, the Cheesecake Factory. But for cheap the sandwich place would be best.

 

[Dismom914]

Thank you...This is our try out road trip to see how my son is before we take him to Disney next yr.

 

[pooh4brains]

OT but related to the Aquarium - they do not allow strollers. Being a DISer you probably did your research and you already know, but I always remind people that they aren't allowed. If you don't have your own baby carrier, they will provide one.

 

[Doodlebug939]

We are going to the Baltimore Aquarium in June and I was wondering if you found any discounts there?

Also not to highjack but where to eat Crabs while we are there? We are staying at the Marriot Residence Inn near the harbor.

 

[scbelleatheart]

We rented a baby carrier/backpack for DS because we knew no stollers.
Whenever I go I have to go to Phillip's, Best crabcakes but pricey.
I'm a crab snob. My cousins catch them straight out of the bay and cook them with Old Bay. People in the MidWest do not know what good crab is until they have them fresh.

 

[beavismom]

There is a Noodles and Company in Harbor Place and they have the best Mac and Cheese there. Here is a link to the website www.noodles.com and you could also do a search for Harbor Place and see what other food is there.

 

[mickeytattoo95]

There is a Chipotle in the Inner Harbor too!

Best place for crabs, in my opinion, is Annapolis. Fells Point has some great places too though. If it's crab cakes you're looking for, go to Phillips, but if it's just crack 'em and eat 'em, anyplace with picnic tables covered in newspaper will be your best bet.

 

[karice2]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but Phillips has left the Inner Harbor. There are plans to build a Bubba Gump shrimp company. You can try the Rusty Scupper for a good crab cake. It is on the other side of the harbor but you can take the water taxi to get there.

The best place to get crabs has also closed,Obrycki's. It was so good it was listed in the 100 places to see before you die book.

I live in Baltimore and never go to the Inner Harbor but there are plenty of new places that have cropped up.

If you like Sushi, there is a place near Power Plant Live that gives you cotton candy with your bill.

 

[emma'smom]

We did the Aquarium in January and got a deal through AAA....saved about 10 bucks an adult and 2-3 per kid. We did take them over to Potbelly's because it was close by....not too pricey and relatively quick. There used to be a Fuddrucker's nearby--not sure if it is there any longer.

Harbor Place and the Gallery both have food stalls for a quick meal......

Haven't had crab cakes at the Harbor in years....but I agree (grew up in B-more, but now living in Ohio) that you don't know a decent crab cake until you've had a Maryland crab cake.

 

[stitchlovestink]

We rented a baby carrier/backpack for DS because we knew no stollers.
Whenever I go I have to go to Phillip's, Best crabcakes but pricey.
I'm a crab snob. My cousins catch them straight out of the bay and cook them with Old Bay. People in the MidWest do not know what good crab is until they have them fresh.

Agreed. Noone else crabs as well as Maryland does crabs!!

 

[GC&S]

We just went to the Aquarium on Sat. We ate at Potbellys - it got croweded real fast. There's a Hard Rock, Dicks Last Resort, an Asian place and Chiplotles. That's interesting about Phillips - we saw several people going in. We didn't as their posted menu was expensive.

We did not realize that if you want to see the Dolphin show, you can't go in until the show's posted time - so if you buy tickets for the 1130 show - you can't enter the aquarium until 1130. We just bought the general admission as the 930 show was sold out and we were traveling back to Ohio and didn't want to wait until 1130.

And while I'm sure it can be difficult for some people not to have a stroller, it was actually really nice not having to deal with strollers.

We really liked the aquarium (after we found the parking deck) and would love to return to Baltimore.

 

[vicki_c]

Obryicki's is closed? Oh no, and we never made it there since we've lived here. I guess you should take for granted that things will always be there! Darn. That means I'm definitely putting G&M on my "soon" list before something happens to it too!

And the Phillips here in Annapolis closed a few years ago (in fact, its successor Hells Point Seafood recently closed as well).

 

[Allabtprincesses]

Phillips is still there, they just moved to another building. They are where ESPN Zone used to be.

 

[Muddy Rivers]

Great thread. Anyone have any good ideas for a Friday afternoon lunch at Fells Point?

 

[CarpeDisney]

Lived in "Charm City" (aka Baltimore) about 8 years ago.

Our absolute favorite place for crabs was Bo Brooks. Its about a 10 minute drive from the inner harbor, in the Canton area (and if you're venturing out to Canton, there are a good number of reasonably-priced pubs and smaller restaurants on O'Donnell Street. Be sure to check out Nacho Mama's if you're in this area)

If you can, avoid eating in the inner harbor pavillion area as most of those places are going to be quite pricey.

Also, be sure to check out Little Italy (only a few blocks East of the Inner Harbor) for fantastic restaurants and pastry shops. Our favorites were Sabatino's, Chipiarelli's, and Aldo's.

 

[mickeytattoo95]

Also, be sure to check out Little Italy (only a few blocks East of the Inner Harbor) for fantastic restaurants and pastry shops. Our favorites were Sabatino's, Chipiarelli's, and Aldo's.

I second that!!! Little Italy has some of the best food ever! Be sure to grab dessert at Vaccaro's. It's amazing! http://www.vaccarospastry.com/menu.jsp

 

[MissionWDW]

I was born and raised in Baltimore....32 years now. I was cracking and picking steamed crabs at the age of 3.

For crabs, I agree with Annapolis or there are several places in Baltimore County that is all you can eat. I can't remember that last time we went out for crabs (usually bring them home), unless we are down Ocean City....then we do the all you can eat deal too.

I haven't been to the aquarium in a few years, but last time we went was during a snow storm. The kids had off school and we got the entire place to ourselves....it was great. Have fun!!!!

 

[Msmit002]

Mmmm. Vaccaros. Totally worth going to LI for dessert!

As for the Harbor, yeah, its a tourist trap with the prices to prove it but it's not horrible. Chipotle is a pretty good deal, if you like Chipotle. What is nice about HarborPlace and the Gallery is that there is so much variety!

The entire HarborPlace area is a mix of reasonable (ie Chipotle etc.) and fine dining and expensive (Fogo de Chao, Ruth's Chris, Mortons, Capital Grill etc.) Harbor East is very chic, and up and coming but not too 'family friendly' as it is more trendy and 'business expense account' friendly. But, there is a nice Whole Foods and I have been known to pop in and get lunch there.

Most important: take advantage of the free bus: Charm City Circulator. (charmcitycirculator.com) It is TOTALLY free and the various lines will take you throughout the downtown area so you are not limited to eating at the Harbor.

Have a great time visiting our city! Next time, bring the kids back and visit the Science Center!

 

[labdogs42]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but Phillips has left the Inner Harbor. There are plans to build a Bubba Gump shrimp company. You can try the Rusty Scupper for a good crab cake. It is on the other side of the harbor but you can take the water taxi to get there.

Phillips didn't move far: http://www.phillipsseafood.com/menus-and-locations/baltimore Thank goodness! That's my favorite place to eat down there. I'd be so devastated if they were gone!