I read the suggestions in a previous thread about what to do in Baltimore on the weekend. We'll be there, staying in Columbia, next weekend. We'll be sightseeing with my 96-year-old mother-in-law whom we push in a wheelchair.

Is the aquarium a possibility? I read something about not bringing strollers but I cannot imagine that they don't have at least one elevator.

What about the other suggestions such as Fell's Point or Fort McHenry?

Other ideas? Last visits we went to the Walters Gallery, Inner Harbor, and a plant conservatory near the zoo. She enjoyed them all, but really is happy just to get out and about. It was too hot for the zoo that visit.

Thanks for your help!

I am a volunteer at The Aquarium and I can assure you that we have exceptional accessibility for all mannners of disabled visitors. You will be given our "Accessibility Guide" which has a detailed map of the elevator locations,and there are plenty of helpful volunteers to assist you if you need additional help.

On a nice day Ft McHenry would be a good choice. I just checked on the NPS website since the way we got there would not work with a w/c (water taxi to old school bus to Fort) - seems it is driveable and there is also a bus - which I assume would be w/c accessible since that the is the norm in US cities. Website says Fort and grounds are w/c accessible - which is how I remember them. (As a rehab nurse, I notice these things).

Fort is actually quite interesting. There is a long path all the way around the grounds that might be a bit much to do pushing a w/c, but plenty to see without doing that walk in a more central location. Nice view of the Harbor from the Fort - so if it good weather and part of the reason is to just get out and about, good choice.

Not so sure about Fell's Point - sidewalks can be a bit narrow and bumpy if pushing a w/c - but it has been a couple of years so hopefully locals can update if that is not the case.

Thank you both for your input. My husband would enjoy Ft. McHenry, so that's a great idea for a dry day. The aquarium also would work, rain or shine. Mersingary, can you recommend a time of day that it might be less crowded? It is a holiday weekend of sorts, Columbus Day.

My cousin suggested the Visionary Art Museum, so if we're at the Inner Harbor, we might drop in there.

Having been to the Aquarium many times, I can say it does get VERY crowded on the weekends so we learned to always get there when it opens. Mersingary may know if there are lulls during the day.

The Visionary Art Museum is amazing. It is a unique concept and has some very cool pieces. When I last went there was a 5 ft boat model of toothpicks, a 6 foot human sculpture made of colored electrical wire, a collection of whirly-gigs, as well as many other unique pieces.

Have you been to the BMA? They have an impressive Matisse collection and are wheelchair friendly as I recall.

The B&O Railroad Museum is also fun. I've only been there once but I recall it all being all on one level with smooth floors/ sidewalks. Indoor and Outdoor exhibits.

We usually eat at Hunan Manor or Tomato Palace Restaurants when in Columbia. We haven't found any non-chains that we like there. Have you?

If you have any interest in architecture & it's nice weather-
The Baltimore Basilica was designed by Latrobe who also designed the US Capital.
The Peabody Institute has a very cool library (near The Walters ) which is open to the public. Here is a pic -

here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peabody_Institute_Library

Just a last thought.
I don't know what kind of wheelchair your MIL has but ....I spent this past summer wheeling my FIL to drs appts , dinner, etc.. & I initially rented a regular wheelchair. After struggling with SILs to get it in and out of my car, I rented an ultra-lite chair which was amazingly easy to assemble/disassemble and lift.

I wish I'd bought an ultra-light chair two years ago! Luckily my husband will be there to help get the HEAVY chair into and out of the trunk. Where did you rent the chair? I'll try googling for it.

I love all your tips, especially the railroad museum. We eat at Tomato Palace or Clyde's or at the Sheraton. When I go out with my cousin, we have Indian or Vietnamese, both not in Columbia but nearby. We also pick up stuff at David's health food store at Wilde Lake.

I think it was something like American Home Medical supply but we learned of it through FIL's physical therapist . PT at Howard County might know where they have one locally. It's a dream compared to the big one-pop off the tires and plop it in the trunk

Where do you eat Vietnamese? I know of a couple of Indian Restaurants on the other side of I29 but i haven't been there.

Some companies will not short-term rent ultra-lite wheelchairs since they can not be folded like regular chairs - wheels must be taken off. Actually quite easy to do, but a little intimidating to some people. Also, the seating is a little different and somewhat more individualized - so make sure you get the right size (matters more with this type of wheelchair). Also, seating surface/cushion is different - and not sure if they rent the gel cushion usually used with these.

As long as my hubby will be there, we'll just stick to the heavy chair. Eyemom, I'm not sure where the Vietnamese restaurant is but I think it's in the same area as the Indian restaurants (which are quite good, I think). I just recall it's in one of those strip mall type places and there might be an ice cream or frozen yogurt shop there too. My cousin drives.

judyb & eyemom - judy is probably thinking of the stretch of restaurants along Snowden River Parkway just to the north/east of Brokenland Parkway. There are several small strip centers on the left side of Snowden River that have more than one Indian and Vietnamese restaurant. Our favorite Indian is Akbar, and one Vietnamese place is called An Loi, while the other is Pho Dat Thanh (I think that's the one near the ice cream shop). Neither of the vietnamese places are very fancy.

By the way - if you like sushi, there's a sushi restaurant on the same terrace as Clyde's called Sushi Sono, that is very good.

The aquarium has reduced prices on Friday after 5 PM.
All basic Aquarium admission tickets are $8.00 for entry at 5 p.m. or later. Fees may apply for special exhibits and shows.
If you are in town at that time it is usually less crowded. Of course there will be no dolphin shows then, but there is still an underwater window where you can see them.

http://www.aqua.org/specialneeds_accessibility.html
This link should answer any questions you may have regarding accessibilty.