luma1962

I would like to get info regarding attractions in Baltimore, Maryland. We will be in Baltimore staritng June 26 to July 3rd. Need info reg. Inner Harbour cheap accomodations, what can be visited, cheap places to eat. Also, is there public transportation between Baltimore and Washington DC ? Please advise sites of interest, museums, how long are they open until ? Should we drive from Baltimore to Washington ? Are there cheap parking places around attractions ?
Thank you.

bardo

I assume you have already done some Baltimore research. If not, start here and please come back with questions on specific hotels, attractions, or restaurants that you're interested in:
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...n=baltimore@20

If you are thinking of coming to D.C. as a day trip, you should drive to the DC suburbs and take the Metro (subway) into town. There is no cheap parking available close to the DC attractions. From Baltimore: Take I95 South, just past the exits for College Park there will be an exit for the Greenbelt Metro station. The Greenbelt Metro station is right off the Washington Beltway. Park there and use the Metro for your day in DC. Here's more info on the DC metro:
http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/default.cfm

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Assuming you have a car, I second Bardo's suggestion. If you'd prefer not to drive at all, or would be renting a car just to go to DC, on weekdays you could take a MARC train either from Camdem Yards (near the Inner Harbor) or from Penn Station (Baltimore) right to Washington's Union Station.
http://www.mtamaryland.com/schedules...c_schedule.cfm

On weekends, you could take Amtrak from Baltimore, but instead, I'd take the Light Rail to BWI ($1.35?), then catch the B30 Metrobus to Greenbelt Metrostation ($2.50), then take the Metro in from there.

smetz

If you're adventurous (assuming you're not from the area), I'd suggest trying some steamed hard crabs. The best place to go is called Bo Brooks (Boston St. in the Canton area), which has very good crabs, and a great view, since it is right on the Harbor. O'Brycki's is also a great crab house (1700+/- W.Pratt Street), but it does not have the view. Another nice restaurant would be Victor's Cafe, at the foot of President Street near the Inner Harbor, which has pretty good food, but an unbeatable view.

For attractions, the National Aquarium, MD Science Center, Baltimore Museum of Art, and Camden Yards for an Oriole game should all be pretty enjoyable. For an unusual experience, you could try the American Visionary Art Museum, which seems mainly to display works created by the insane! For exploring neighborhoods, try Fells Point, and Federal Hill - check out Cross Street Market while there. Be sure to go to DC, for the Smithsonian museums, White House, and Capitol.

smetz

Here's a parking tip that I find very useful - instead of parking in one of the lots or garages right around the Inner Harbor ($15-$20), try parking a few blocks east in Little Italy - east of President Street, south of Pratt - then you can get carry out ice cream at Vaccarro's, & eat it while you walk about 5-6 blocks over a series of foot bridges from pier to pier that will take you to the Inner Harbor. The bridges start on the west side of President Street opposite Eastern Avenue. You'll save $10 in parking, get a little exercise, see a few extra sights, and maybe you'll see a restaurant you like in Little Italy. Trust me, this a great way to go, as long as the weather is good.

To save a little on a hotel, you might try the Peabody Court on Cathedral Street, or the Tremont Plaza on St. Paul. Both would be a long but pleasant walk to the Harbor. Plus the Peabody Court, which is in Mount Vernon, is close to the Walters Art Gallery and Baltimore's Washington Monument. Several good restaurants nearby as well. After dark, though, take a cab if you're going anywhere outside the immediate neighborhood.

One last thing - the most popular restaurant of all in Baltimore (& has been so for 20-30 years)is a Spanish place called Tio Pepe's, on Franklin Street. It's a little pricey and always crowded, plus even if you have a reservation you'll wait 30-60 min for your table, but it's worth it. If you don't mind eating late, the best time to go is around 10:00 to 11:00 pm.

bgoldie

Luma,
I would like to second Smetz's suggestion about visiting the Visionary art museum, for a very unique museum experience. Also check out Edgar Allen Poe's house, which is now a museum. These are things that are very unique to Baltimore. Otherwise, you already have some very good suggestions.