Tour the Inner Harbor and More in Baltimore, Maryland
As a busy city and the largest city in the state of Maryland, Baltimore attracts many tourists each year from around the world. The city also attracts many businesses. As a major seaport in the United States, Baltimore is conveniently located near major markets of the Midwest. Its most popular area is the Inner Harbor, a beautiful waterfront along the East Coast where there are many restaurants, stores, and attractions.
Baltimore also boasts charming historic neighborhoods, which are located around the Inner Harbor area. Each neighborhood has its own personality, cuisine, and history to offer. Some of the interesting neighborhoods include Little Italy, Fell's Point, San Gabriel, and St. Anthony. Fell's Point is Baltimore's oldest section and resembles an Old English neighborhood with quaint shops and decorative cobblestone streets. Visitors also enjoy spending a day at East Harbor, a busy waterfront that also features shops and restaurants.
Baltimore's metropolitan area has a population of about 2.6 million residents, with an estimated 640,961 living in the city as of 2006. It is the largest city in the Baltimore-Washington metro area, and the 20th largest city in the nation. Baltimore became a city in July 1729 and gets its name from the founding proprietor of the Maryland Colony - Lord Baltimore. Lord Baltimore's name actually came from a place called Baltimore in Ireland. Baltimore was once primarily an industrial town, but today represents more service-oriented businesses. The largest employers today are Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins University.
Baltimore Attractions
Baltimore offers much to see and do throughout the year. Probably one of the most popular attractions for family vacationers is the National Aquarium (www.aqua.org/). The National Aquarium is located in the Inner Harbor area and attracts about 1.6 million tourists per year. It features attractions such as the rooftop rainforest, the dolphin display, multiple-story shark tanks, and a large central sting ray pool. Kids love seeing all the sea creatures such as butterfly stingrays, green sea turtles, and tarpon. The aquarium also has many reptiles, arthropods, and amphibians. There are two main buildings adjoined by a bridge/walkway.
Another popular place for families is the Maryland Zoo, which is located in Druid Hill Park. It features lots of interesting animals including snow leopards, penguins, cheetah, leopards, lions, elephants, porcupines, cranes, vultures, red ruffed lemurs, and many others. The zoo also has a Maryland Wilderness section with a Children's Zoo. Some of its attractions include The Bog, The Stream, Giant Tree and Slide, and The Farmyard. There's a Polar Bear Watch where visitors can see the bears underwater from certain viewing areas.
The National Historic Seaport of Baltimore is another great attraction. It is the oldest seaport in America - over 300 years old. Individual, group, and school tickets are available. Those who love whales will want to take a ride on Mystic Whale Cruises. It visits Baltimore to sail overnight in the Chesapeake Bay.
Lacrosse sport fans can tour the Lacrosse Museum and National Hall of Fame (www.uslacrosse.org) to see highlights from 350 years of lacrosse history. The museum features rare arts and photos, vintage uniforms and equipment, trophies, sculptures, artifacts, and memorabilia.
At the Historical Electronics Museum, one can see a collection of electronics that have been created for our nation's defense. Admission is free, and the exhibits include the technologies used to make the electronics as well as commercial products that have been developed as a result of these technologies. Another unique museum is Geppi's Entertainment Museum, which features exhibits and items from American history. It focuses on pop culture in toys, media, and comic characters that have appealed to children for decades.
Some other museums to check out are Gallery Imperato, the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park Museum, the Fire Museum of Maryland, the Evergreen Museum & Library, the Contemporary Museum, the Watermark Gallery, and the Baltimore Public Works Museum.
Laurel Park racetrack is the host track for the horse races called the Maryland Million. It offers live simulcast and Thoroughbred racing from around the United States. The Cylburn Arboretum is a public garden with a nature preserve that covers more than 200 acres. It has several miles of nature trails that wind through the scenic piedmont forest. There's a man-made wetland area as well as a historic mansion.
Golfers can enjoy a game of golf at any number of courses in the area. Some great courses include the Baltimore Municipal Golf Corporation, the Beechtree Golf Club, the Bulle Rock Golf Course, Compass Pointe Golf Courses, and Mountain Branch Golf Course.
Excitement for All at Baltimore's Inner Harbor
The Inner Harbor offers fun for everyone with a variety of cultural, dining, and entertainment experiences. Visitors can see amazing panoramic scenes of the city's skyline from the harbor's Observation Level of the World Trade Center. The harbor hosts many street performances and has a hopping nightlife. The National Aquarium is located within the harbor along with many other major attractions. At Harborplace and the Gallery, in the heart of Inner Harbor, there are many places for shopping, dining, and waterfront entertainment. Baltimore Harbor Cruises makes available relaxing sight-seeing cruises, moonlight tours, dinner cruises, crab feasts, and even the enchanting Pirates of the Inner harbor, which is a family pirate show.
The Maryland Science Center is located at Inner Harbor and features a planetarium, hands-on exhibits, and an IMAX theater. While visiting the harbor, folks can take a ride on a water taxi to see Fort McHenry, where they can learn about the Battle of Baltimore. The Baltimore Maritime Museum, located at Piers 3 and 5, offers a glimpse of the Inner Harbor's main treasures - the USS Torsk, the Lightship Chesapeake, and the USCGC Taney. Museum visitors also receive a discount to tour the USS Constellation, which is the only ship from the Civil War that's still afloat today.
While touring the attractions of the Inner Harbor, visitors can enjoy dining at a number of restaurants. Restaurants carry a variety of gourmet cuisine, seafood, ethnic food, and more.
Other things to see and do in Baltimore include touring the Mount Vernon Cultural District, Westminster Hall & Burying Ground, Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore, a major league baseball game with the Orioles, St. Jude Shrine, Segs in the City, Ride the Ducks of Baltimore, and Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament.
Stay at the Inner Harbor
For a comfortable, convenient stay in the Inner Harbor, try Harbor Magic Hotels (www.harbormagic.com/). Harbor Magic consists of three boutique hotels located in or around the Inner Harbor. Each offers an amazing Baltimore harbor experience without having to go very far. The hotels are the Pier 5 Hotel, Admiral Fell Inn, and Brookshire Suites. Pier 5 Hotel is on the waterfront and offers vibrant harbor views. It is served by two of Baltimore's best restaurants - McCormick & Schmick's and Ruth's Chris-Pier 5. The Admiral Fell Inn is an exquisite hotel with gorgeous 18th-century furnishings, fireplaces, Persian rugs, and hardwood floors. Brookshire Suites offers more contemporary rooms with spacious living rooms and a separate bedroom in each suite.
No matter what your desire for a perfect getaway, Baltimore will not disappoint you. Baltimore brings beauty, history, and culture to one place with never-ending entertainment and enjoyment for the entire family.