Saturday Day Trip--What's Good for an Introductory Visit? (Baltimore, Eden: 2013, how much)

[ElijahAstin]

Greetings, Baltimoreans!

My girlfriend and I will be visiting your fine city this Saturday. Other than spending a few hours in the Inner Harbor a few years back (and passing through via car and train on various occasions) I haven't had a whole lot of exposure to Baltimore, so I wanted to consult with real people (as opposed to some tourist trap website) on what to do.

We'll be coming in from Harrisburg late morning. So far our only plans are to walk around the Inner Harbor, visit the National Aquarium, and eat dinner at Roy's at 7:30. What are some fun and interesting things to do (and/or neighborhoods to see) in/around the Inner Harbor in the interim? Better question: what will we have time to do?

Thanks for all your help in advance!

[cdmoore125]

I've saved these links from previous posts and websites I've run into:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-50thingstodo-pg,0,2334279.photogallery[/url]

Photos: 25 things to do in Maryland this summer slideshow - Baltimore Business Journal

visiting Baltimore...what to do?

George Hobica: 9 Reasons To Visit Baltimore This Spring (Or Anytime)

[nurider2002]

There is a Carribean festival in Clifton Park this weekend. Would definitely be a different perspective of the city from the Harbor. Or, you might want to experience one of the city's parks (Druid, Patterson, Robert E. Lee) are all nice and unique from one another.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by cdmoore125

I've saved these links from previous posts and websites I've run into:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-50thingstodo-pg,0,2334279.photogallery[/url]

Photos: 25 things to do in Maryland this summer slideshow - Baltimore Business Journal

visiting Baltimore...what to do?

George Hobica: 9 Reasons To Visit Baltimore This Spring (Or Anytime)

Which of these things are close to the Inner Harbor? I want to be able to pay for parking once and be done with it.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by nurider2002

There is a Carribean festival in Clifton Park this weekend. Would definitely be a different perspective of the city from the Harbor. Or, you might want to experience one of the city's parks (Druid, Patterson, Robert E. Lee) are all nice and unique from one another.

Stopping at a park on the way to the Inner Harbor is an idea. Which of them would you recommend? Druid Hill seems cool.

[KLynch10]

Check out Fort McHenry, a great national park with a lot of history. You can take the free Charm City Circulator there from the Inner Harbor. Also worth checking out the view from atop Federal Hill Park... which is in the Inner Harbor.

[JamPilot]

I agree with KLynch10, I would definitely check out Fort McHenry. In my opinion it's underrated and overlooked on the national scale, and maybe even the local scale as well. It's not only a cool fort with a lot of historical significance and a state of the art visitor center with a surprisingly good 10 minute movie, but also serves as a nice waterfront park. I was just there last week for the 4th of July (during the day) and had a great time

[J_Lurk]

1) Park at the Little Italy Garage at 400 S Central Ave (at Bank St) or at the garage at 501 S. Eden Street for $3.
2) Walk to Fells Point and take the Water Taxi to Ft. McHenry, or walk to Harbor East and take the Water Taxi to the Rusty Scupper stop to get to the American Visionary Art Museum. Buy a day pass on the water taxi.
3) Take the water taxi back to the National Aquarium and spend the afternoon there.
4) Walk to eat
5) Walk back to your car

Personally I'd do Ft. McHenry and the American Visionary Art Museum over the Aquarium, but since you already said you wanted to do the Aquarium I'd pick one of the other two. The Water Taxi offers the best views, though it is certainly more expensive than the Charm City Circulator, but since now you know where the $3 garages are you can use the money that you were going to spend on parking .

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by J_Lurk

1) Park at the Little Italy Garage at 400 S Central Ave (at Bank St) or at the garage at 501 S. Eden Street for $3.
2) Walk to Fells Point and take the Water Taxi to Ft. McHenry, or walk to Harbor East and take the Water Taxi to the Rusty Scupper stop to get to the American Visionary Art Museum. Buy a day pass on the water taxi.
3) Take the water taxi back to the National Aquarium and spend the afternoon there.
4) Walk to eat
5) Walk back to your car

Personally I'd do Ft. McHenry and the American Visionary Art Museum over the Aquarium, but since you already said you wanted to do the Aquarium I'd pick one of the other two. The Water Taxi offers the best views, though it is certainly more expensive than the Charm City Circulator, but since now you know where the $3 garages are you can use the money that you were going to spend on parking .

I don't think I'd do the aquarium again and again, but I feel like it's almost obligatory for a first real visit.

Ft. McHenry sounds cool too. How much is the water taxi though?

I like that itinerary though--gives us time to explore the Inner Harbor a bit, and perhaps even spend some time at Federal Hill Park before going to dinner.

[deeliz]

I think the water taxi is around $8-10 for unlimited rides all day. Someone can correct me if I am wrong, been a couple of years since I've ridden it.