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Baltimore Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Baltimore
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Baltimore Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Baltimore - As Maryland's biggest city and one of the USA's
busiest ports, Baltimore's position at the end of the Patapsco
River that feeds into Chesapeake Bay gives the city easy access to
the Atlantic Ocean and it became an important port and shipbuilding
centre. It was home to a large number of US Navy vessels as well as
the famously swift Baltimore clipper ships that destroyed or
captured many of the British merchant ships during the War of 1812.
Unlike Washington DC, Baltimore survived the vengeful attack by
Britain, and with the triumphant flying of the American flag over
Fort McHenry the country's national anthem, the 'Star-Spangled
Banner', was born.
Since its important role in
the Revolution, Baltimore has experienced a turbulent history. Its
fortunes have see-sawed from post-Revolution prosperity to a city
crippled by the violence of divided loyalties during the
North/South Civil War; from a railroad-rich 19th century to the
devastation caused by the fire of 1904; and the economic despair of
the Great Depression. Nicknamed 'Charm City' for
its fusion of small town hospitality and city finesse, Baltimore
combines an interesting mix of neighbourhoods, a diverse range of
attractions, and delicious seafood specialities of the Inner Harbor
that include the abundant Maryland steamed blue crabs. The distinct
neighbourhoods are an attractive feature of Baltimore, among them
the historic maritime district of Fells Point, the broad avenues of
wealthy Mt Vernon, the village ambiance of Little Italy and the
Bohemian neighbourhood of SoWeBo, or Southwest Baltimore. The
dividing line between the northern and southern US states runs
through the city and its southern heritage is visible in the wide
front porches of the houses, and the typically laid-back attitude
of its residents. The waterfront area and Inner
Harbor are the heart of this vibrant and growing city and has
become a major tourist destination featuring the World Trade Center
with its 27-storey high Top of the World Observation Level, the
National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, and the Port
Discovery children's museum covering everything from art to black
history and archaeology. There are also numerous restaurants,
hotels and shops, and the fact that it is still a working port adds
to its attraction. The water taxi service, besides providing an
efficient means of harbour transport, is an excellent way to
experience the waterfront and affords fantastic views of the city's
skyline.
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Baltimore
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Maryland Science Center
601 Light Street, Inner Harbor
www.marylandsciencecenter.org |
What is it? The new glass, steel and concrete structure
on the Inner Harbor houses the Maryland Science Center with five
storeys of interactive exhibits, an IMAX theatre, the world-famous
Davis Planetarium and an observatory. The Maryland Academy of
Sciences is one of the USA's oldest scientific institutions, dating
from 1797, and the institution remains focused on education. There
are imaginative and hands-on displays ranging from astronomy and
space travel, to dinosaurs and general science experiments. 'Your
Body: The Inside Story' exhibition explores the biological world
inside a human being and the challenges and advances in health
science through interactive exhibits are the focus of BodyLink,
while Newton's Alley offers dozens of hands-on experiments to
provide insight into light, magnetism, mechanics, sight, and sound.
The planetarium runs programs with stargazing at night and
sungazing during the day through the observatory telescope. Other
popular attractions include The Kids Room and the National Touring
Exhibit.
Hours of Operation: Sunday to Wednesday 10am to 6pm, Thursday to
Saturday: 10am to 8pm (summer); Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm,
Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 11am to 5pm (winter)
Phone:(410) 685 5225 (24-hour information line) |
2. National Aquarium
Pier 3, Inner Harbor, 501 E. Pratt Street
www.aqua.org |
What is it? The National Aquarium is Maryland's leading
tourist attraction, and one of the best aquariums in the world. It
was recently voted one of the top ten family attractions in the US.
Here visitors can tour the tidewaters of Maryland, the Pacific
coastland or a tropical rainforest without leaving Baltimore. The
permanent residents include sea horses, turtles, stingrays and
octopus. The aquarium offers much more than marine life: there are
several special exhibits like the Amazon Rainforest display with
Poison Dart Frogs, dwarf caiman, anacondas, sloths, colourful birds
and conehead lizards, as well as plants and fish. A sea cliffs
habitat features puffins and other north Atlantic sea birds, while
the Coral Reefs and Open Ocean tanks are walk-through displays
bringing visitors face to face with sharks and exotic fish. In
addition to the permanent exhibits, dolphins jump, wave and flip in
regularly scheduled shows at the Marine Mammal Pavilion. Visitors
can catch an underwater view from an atrium below the pool or watch
the tricks from the stands, but be warned: The areas marked Splash
Zone really are splash zones.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9am to 5pm daily, Fridays until 8pm (March to
June); Sunday to Thursday 9am to 6pm, until 8pm Fridays and
Saturdays (July and August); daily 10am to 5pm, until 8pm on
Fridays (November to February). Visitors may stay in the museum for
an hour and a half after closing time
Phone:(410) 576 3800 |
3. Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad Museum
901 West Pratt Street
www.borail.org |
What is it? The B&O Railroad Museum's roster of
rolling stock, historic railway buildings, and assortment of
memorabilia from stations and trains makes it a Mecca for
trainspotters, but even for those who are not train fanatics, this
is one of the best sights in Baltimore and is a fascinating place
for the whole family. Housed in the huge Roundhouse is an enormous
collection of locomotives, passenger cars, classic heritage trains,
mail cars and Pullman sleepers. A full-scale model of the first
locomotive, Tom Thumb is on display along with a red caboose from
1907. Other exhibits include posters, historic photographs and
newspaper cuttings, as well as a superb model railway, and numerous
interactive and entertaining exhibits. Some recreate experiments
from the 1830s such as sail-powered carriages, hand cranks and
propulsion using dogs or horses. The B&O was the first
railroad in the US, dating from 1827, and the museum is located on
the site of the first station in America.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm,
Sunday 11am to 4pm
Phone:(410) 752 2490 |
Baltimore
holidays - Top Events
1. Artscape
From 2007-07-20
To 2007-07-22
|
What is it? Maryland's major celebration of the visual,
literary and performing arts has been making headlines for nearly a
quarter of a century. Artscape in Baltimore involves local,
regional and national acts in a first-class schedule of dance,
theatre, opera, street performers and family fun, most of which is
free of charge. In addition a huge array of visual arts is on offer
from more than 200 artisans, craftspeople and cultural exhibitors.
The range covers everything from sculpture to 'art cars' and books
to ballet.
Where is it? Mount Royal Cultural Area |
2. Preakness Celebration
From 2007-05-11
To 2007-05-11
|
What is it? The United States racing circuit features
three main events, known collectively as the 'Triple Crown'.
Baltimore's Preakness Stakes is one of these (the others being the
Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes). So important is this race on
the city's annual calendar that the event has now become the
culmination of a week or more of festivities which make up
Preakness Celebration in May each year. Events include hot air
ascensions, block parties, parades, fun runs and a sailpast of tall
ships. The actual race is the grand finale when top three-year-old
Thoroughbreds compete for a million Dollar
prize.
Where is it? Preakness Stakes: Pimlico Race Course |
3. Baltimore Book Festival
From 2007-09-29
To 2007-10-01
|
What is it? Cultural Mount Vernon Place, the heart of
Baltimore, becomes a bibliophiles' paradise each September with the
staging of the Baltimore Book Festival, a celebration of the
literary arts. Famous authors are on hand for book signings and
there are poetry readings, cookbook and home and garden
demonstrations, live music, and bookstalls of more than 125
exhibitors.
Where is it? Mount Vernon Place |
4. Baltimore Marathon
From 2007-10-13
To 2007-10-13
|
What is it? Baltimore's renowned Marathon is a qualifying
race for the famous Boston Marathon, but the field is limited to
4,000 strongly competitive runners. The marathon is run each year
as part of a one-day running festival, including the marathon
itself, a half-marathon, relay race and kid's fun run. Part of the
reason for the Baltimore marathon's popularity is probably the fact
that the contestants run through the scenic part of this pretty
city, along the inner harbour waterfront area, through charming
Fells Point and historic Federal Hill.
Where is it? The marathon starts at the corner of Paca and Pratt Streets
and ends at Raven's Stadium |
5. SoWeBo Arts Festival
From 2007-05-01
To 2007-05-31
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What is it? The 20-year old Sowebohemian Festival is held
every Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. Coined a "Topsy Turvy
Excursion into Art and Music", the festival presents Baltimore's
largest music venue (40 + bands), a sizeable non-juried art
exhibit, puppet shows, glass blowing demos, outdoor sculpture,
kid's art and fun. The aim is to 'foster community development
through the promotion of art and music', by showcasing the talents
of neighborhood artist, musicians, and working
professionals.
Where is it? SoWeBo, around Hollins Market |
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