John Hopkins Area & Info (Baltimore: hotels, transfer, live in)

[rural lady]

I have to come down to JH for a day, I will be driving from PA, i think i will end up coming in at I 83 the JH people said to call them re hotel discounts, has anyone used their hotel system? expensive?

It seems the hotels by the water are very expensive which I figured anyway, how far away is a decent clean hotel? a best western? are they expensive the BW's?

If i stay on the outskirts of JH where could I stay and could I get some kind of bus to get there, what do you have there, a subway, bus etc? I haven't been on a bus in years. Is a cab the way to go?

I want this as hassle free as possible, as I will be a wreck by the time I get to the outside of city limits and the traffic starts

I plan on getting there 2 days ahead of time so I know where the H I am going.

What is nice to go there and see?

A resturant (not expensive-no lobster etc.) I'm more of a diner type person.

Also was going to go to the smithsonian, but I see it is a bunch of different buildings, how far is DC from Baltimore, and how long to drive their, I will need a hotel there also, or should I go to a DC forum for this.

Any help appreciated, thanks

[carolott]

If you're coming from PA down 83, sounds like you probably live near my mother.

Hotels here are surprisingly expensive, but you might be able to book a room through one of the online sites that offer steep discounts. I've never used JH's system, but see what kind of deal you can get through them. If you're downtown, you'd be near some decent restaurants and attractions.

DC is about an hour from here -- you could take the MARC train to Union Station and get on the subway there. From the Red Line, transfer at Metro Center to the Orange Line, and get off at the Smithsonian stop. When you come out of the subway, you will be on Independence Avenue, SW. From there, it's a very short walk to most of the large Smithsonian museums. You could drive, but it's a bit of a pain once you get to DC -- there's nowhere to park half the time, especially in the spring and summer (peak tourist season). The subway is cheap, efficient, and safe -- and the MARC train is, too...for the most part.

Baltimore has some excellent art museums, the Museum of Industry, and the Aquarium. The Inner Harbor is also a great spot for people-watching.

The only Best Western I know of is far away, and I wouldn't send my worst enemy there.

[rural lady]

I saw a best western on the outskirts of town near below 695 intersecting with 70, the rates were not as bad as in town, also was looking at a days inn near rt 40 east, what a pain this is looking for hotels, geez when i was younger, no problem, i could call and look all nite.

don't you like the best westerns?

I'll call JH tommorrow, thanks for your help I really appreciate it.

[carolott]

Originally Posted by rural lady

I saw a best western on the outskirts of town near below 695 intersecting with 70, the rates were not as bad as in town, also was looking at a days inn near rt 40 east, what a pain this is looking for hotels, geez when i was younger, no problem, i could call and look all nite.

don't you like the best westerns?

I'll call JH tommorrow, thanks for your help I really appreciate it.

If it's the Best Western off Security Blvd., no -- it's a transient hotel and quite the dump.

[Streetchie]

The best moderatley priced hotel downtown is the Days Inn on Lombard. You can usually get a room for around $135 a night.

[medfieldbum]

Dear Rural Lady---I would strong suggest that you contact the JH folks and follow their recommendations as to hotel/transportation.

Some hotels run shuttles to Hopkins, however, you didn't say which Hopkins you were going to: the Homewood undergraduate campus in North Baltimore or the medical campus in East Baltimore. And it sounds like you are biting off a lot for a one day visit and not really sure where or how to go, then you'd like to go to DC too. It might be too much to do in one visit for you.

[rural lady]

i was actually going to stay in balt for 3 days, then on to dc, rates from jh 101.00, 3 nites 303.00 not for me, well i just may drive down the day before hand, spend 1 nite and head home,

with those rates, i'd rather drive down, park in jh lot or near it & sleep in my suv, with gas prices etc, a dam greyhound can get me there for 60.00 RT

With 2 of us it's costing over 1200.00 and no doubt more, oh well my doc visit i thought could be a little leisure turned into a nightmare.

the Comfort Inn at Catonville had rate of 85.00 thats the best I can do, maybe 3 nites I can't figure it out.

I'll either rough it and do a greyhound (which I really don't want to do) go to the doc and get the next bus out. Saves gas and money

When you think about it, thats really a shame the cost to go to a doctor, hotels etc. , I am not on a health plan.

Its just the world we live in, thanks for the replies

[rudy_d]

There's a Best Western on the east side of town, much closer to JH, at the travel plaza off of I-95. I met someone there once and it seemed pretty decent. There's also a greyhound station there.

[rural lady]

thank you rudy, i will check it out

[baltimore's best]

Originally Posted by rudy_d

There's a Best Western on the east side of town, much closer to JH, at the travel plaza off of I-95. I met someone there once and it seemed pretty decent. There's also a greyhound station there.

That B-W is pretty nice and there's a Sbarro and Mcdonalds up there. It's easy on and off 95.