I posted this on the DIS on 12/31/05--I hope it helps-------->
"Well, we went to see the Australia Exhibit this week. I have to agree with the others. I was not very impressed. The Member's Entrance is a waste, since it is not very big and it winds outside. FAR outside. It was so backed up. Non Members were admitted faster. Also, the exhibit is very narrow and, well, while the scenery is beautiful, the attractions are quite boring. I saw one lizard. I thought they would focus on some other animals from the region. Of course they had fish, but really, not much different from the other aquatic creatures in the main aquarium.
Our highlight of our trip was the Maryland Science Center. Someone asked about it in this thread and I will say, we needed a full day to do everything. Our children LOVED it!! They currently have a circus exhibit and the kids got to walk a tightrope (with a harness of course). It was fabulous. It wasn't a large exhibit, but the children had so much fun dressing up like clowns and guessing which animals belonged to what poop (Um, yes, you read that right! ). It was so much fun.
We did all the ships, the lighthouse and the submarine. Nice employees on all!
We saw Santa Vs. The Snowman on IMAX--Beyond cute!!!
We stayed at the Hyatt (the mirrored hotel that overlooks the harbor) and got bumped to their Regency Club Level! We got connecting rooms, one for DH and I and one for the kids and we only paid $70 per room via Priceline! When we were bumped at check in, they told us that the lounge was closed for rehab, but they gave us vouchers for free drinks and appetizers at the Bistro 300 restaurant and bar located on the third floor. We were pleasantly surprised to say the least.
Also, although they are chain restaurants, our two favorite meals came from Legal Seafood and McCormick & Schmidt. Both were very accommodating to children and both had fabulous specials. We did the obligatory rounds to Hard Rock and ESPN, and the meals were just so-so, but the kids loved the atmosphere, so that made it worthwhile. Edo Sushi (in the Light Street Pavilion, I think) was just ok, but the service was wonderful. The breakfast buffet at the hotel was very nice, but the service was poor.
We go to Baltimore once a year and this was probably our best trip yet. The kids are getting older (6,6,7) and easier to travel with. They seemed to appreciate the tours more and, again, the Maryland Science Center was a big hit!
Sorry this post is so long, but I hope it helps others that may want to visit Baltimore. "
"Well, we went to see the Australia Exhibit this week. I have to agree with the others. I was not very impressed. The Member's Entrance is a waste, since it is not very big and it winds outside. FAR outside. It was so backed up. Non Members were admitted faster. Also, the exhibit is very narrow and, well, while the scenery is beautiful, the attractions are quite boring. I saw one lizard. I thought they would focus on some other animals from the region. Of course they had fish, but really, not much different from the other aquatic creatures in the main aquarium.
Our highlight of our trip was the Maryland Science Center. Someone asked about it in this thread and I will say, we needed a full day to do everything. Our children LOVED it!! They currently have a circus exhibit and the kids got to walk a tightrope (with a harness of course). It was fabulous. It wasn't a large exhibit, but the children had so much fun dressing up like clowns and guessing which animals belonged to what poop (Um, yes, you read that right! ). It was so much fun.
We did all the ships, the lighthouse and the submarine. Nice employees on all!
We saw Santa Vs. The Snowman on IMAX--Beyond cute!!!
We stayed at the Hyatt (the mirrored hotel that overlooks the harbor) and got bumped to their Regency Club Level! We got connecting rooms, one for DH and I and one for the kids and we only paid $70 per room via Priceline! When we were bumped at check in, they told us that the lounge was closed for rehab, but they gave us vouchers for free drinks and appetizers at the Bistro 300 restaurant and bar located on the third floor. We were pleasantly surprised to say the least.
Also, although they are chain restaurants, our two favorite meals came from Legal Seafood and McCormick & Schmidt. Both were very accommodating to children and both had fabulous specials. We did the obligatory rounds to Hard Rock and ESPN, and the meals were just so-so, but the kids loved the atmosphere, so that made it worthwhile. Edo Sushi (in the Light Street Pavilion, I think) was just ok, but the service was wonderful. The breakfast buffet at the hotel was very nice, but the service was poor.
We go to Baltimore once a year and this was probably our best trip yet. The kids are getting older (6,6,7) and easier to travel with. They seemed to appreciate the tours more and, again, the Maryland Science Center was a big hit!
Sorry this post is so long, but I hope it helps others that may want to visit Baltimore. "
