adeewebstr

We're going to be in Baltimore for an weekday afternoon in late June. What, in addition to the Aquarium, would be fun for a 12-year-old boy? Do you take a water taxi to Fort McHenry? What about the sailing ship - I can't think of the name? I saw something about duck tours - is there a web site for that?

TioGringo

Just one afternoon? Well, then I'd probably stick around the Inner Harbor area --- maybe go up to the top of the World Trade Center, or stroll around the shops of the pavilions then head over to the Maryland Science Center (always kid popular!)

Yes, you can take a water taxi to Fort McHenry ($3). Schedules & info are at:
www.thewatertaxi.com

Is your son into baseball? If so, a trip to Camden Yards or the Babe Ruth museum could be de rigeur...

Have fun!
Mark
www.tiogringo.com

rb_travelerxATyahoo

There's a train museum that I think just reopened (wintertime roof collapse awhile ago) You have the aquarium, science museum, ESPN & HardRock Cafe. The ship (Constellation??) and sub look interesting, but I've not done them. I understand there's a small but decent BB museum at Camdem Yards.

bluestructure

Yes the B & O Railroad Museum, after being closed for nearly 2 years because the roof fell in during the infamous president's day storm. It is now reopened. It's a great museum affiliated with the smithsonian institution. They actually have a grand re-opening ceremony in May. Ever since it opened, it's been better than ever and has rcvd so much fame across the globe. If your son loves trains, esp model trains then he'll love this place. Check out there website, www.borail.org , it's about a 10 min walk west of Camden Yards area on Pratt Street. Admission is 12$ / 6$ for 12 & under.

Also the Maryland Science Center is another great option as well as the taxi over to Ft Mchenry. For only 1 afternoon, I would just pick 1 or 2 things and enjoy.

adeewebstr

Thanks so much - makes me wish we had more time, but we're just spending a night with friends on our way to Rhode Island.

gail

I might skip the Aquarium unless you are both into that sort of thing. Eat lunch at ESPN Zone - most 12 year old boys will like both food and sports atmosphere. To get to Ft. McHenry you take water taxi and then they put you on a shuttle bus for a very short ride to Fort. One of my teens liked it, the other labeled it boring.

Or do a Duck Tour. Great overview of the city and also fun.

Tour of Orioles Park/Camden Yards is also good. So I would suggest lunch and then pick history, Duck tour or baseball theme.

charming

He would probably enjoy going aboard the USS Constellation, a tall ship built during the civil war. It's docked right in the Inner Harbor: http://www.constellation.org/

Also, Fell's Point has a walking Ghost Tour that he might enjoy:
http://www.fellspointghost.com

He'll definitely want to make a stop at the ESPN Zone as well.

Bill_I

In addition to the USS Constellation, there is a WWII submarine that you can go through, & also a lighthouse ship. When I have been at the inner harbor, going through those 3 ships & grabbing something to eat (like some fresh Maryland crab cakes) that can take up most, if not all of an afternoon. IMHO, I think it would be the same if you actually are going into the Aquarium. Depending upon the length of the line to get in, you can sometimes wait up to 45 minutes to an hour to get in. You could also spend the whole afternoon at Ft. McHenry, walking in & around it & on top of the ramparts & seeing the introductory movie. Again, IMHO, you could do more than 1 of those activities in a day, but for an afternoon, just one of those combined with a meal will take up most of an afternoon, if not all of it. My boys have been on the ships, & to Fort McHenry a couple of times & they really liked it & filled up their time exploring. Haven't been in the Aquarium because everytime we have been there, the line to get in was too long. But we have spent some time around the outdoor seal pool.

adeewebstr

Thanks - I knew there was a tall ship there, but I couldn't think of the name. I didn't know about the sub and the lighthouse ship, but that sounds just right. Are they all in the same area?

bluestructure

You can get lots of info & purchase tickets for just about anything at the new Baltimore vistor center at the Inner Harbor. It opened last summer, here's there website. http://www.baltimore.org/visitors/v_vc.html

Also, here is a list of ships from all over the world that come to Baltimore to dock. Ships old/new from all over the world stop in Baltimore all the time. Check which date you'll be in town! They all dock at or very close to Inner Harbor area. http://www.sailbaltimore.org/02ships.htm

The USS Torsk and Lightship Chesapeake are the 2 ships Bill was talking about, with the USS Torsk being the Submarine. They are located near Pier 3/4 at the Baltimore Maritime Museum. It consists of 3 ships actually, the other one is a Coast Guard Cutter Taney which is the only war ship that saw action during bombing at Pearl Harbor. Check out their website for more info, http://www.baltomaritimemuseum.org/

If you need any more info let me know! There is lots of stuff that a 12 yr old will very much enjoy in Baltimore, I'm sure he won't forget the experience.

adeewebstr

Thanks so much for the websites. I wish we had more than part of a day - maybe we'll stop again on our way back from Rhode Island!