Need some help re: trip to Inner Harbor

summerbridesara

I'm on my way out the door to work, but I need some help please.  I know a few of you have been to Baltimore and Inner Harbor.  I am planning on taking a day trip there very soon with my sister, cousin and Sophia.  I have NO idea what to do down there or where to go.  I need an actual starting address to enter into my GPS to get me there.  Is it mostly just walking around, taking in the water view?  There's an aquarium there right?  Please suggest anything fun and inexpensive AND baby friendly.  Also, any great websites to check out.  We're thinking about going next Thursday.  I guess it's only about a 1.5 hour drive from Mechanicsburg.

Thanks!

MizBiscuit

There is a ton of stuff to do down there. The 1st link should link in all the places that are close by. If you dont mind driving a little bit further north there is also the Zoo. As far as an address, figure out everything you want to do and find the closest parking garage and use their address. That way you dont get there and then have to find parking.

http://baltimore.org/about-baltimore/inner-harbor

http://www.marylandzoo.org/

TheLinkBride

Sounds like fun!  Now is tourism season in Baltimore, but the weather is pretty nice and it's a great time to see the Inner Harbor. 

The aquarium and the Maryland Science Center are right in the Inner Harbor.  You will want to park in one of the parking garages and then it's pretty easy to get around by foot.  I would recommend the Piev V Parking Garage on Pratt St.  It's right by the Inner Harbor.

There are lots of shops and restaurants in that area too.  We usually take a walk around the Inner Harbor and just relax.  The Galleria shopping area is right across the street.

If you have any question, feel free to ask.  I'm very familar now that I work downtown every day and spend time there.

pookielove

I'm not really a whole lot of help. When DH and I go, we mostly just wander around the Inner Harbor and check out the shops.  We went to the aquarium last time which was really cool and I think we ate at Eat Bertha's Muscles.  I hope you have fun whatever you end up doing!

jjenkins

I would definitely check out the Aquarium especially since there are other things right there that you can do too...there's shopping both across the street and in the Light Street Pavilion (I think that's the name!).  There are a lot restaurants in that area too including chains (ESPNZone, Hard Rock, Houlihan's, Cheesecake Factory, etc).

If you decide to go to the Maryland Zoo though I would drive and park there since its not exactly in the best area.

lindyanne

There is an aquarium. I didn't think it was that great but I'm sure with Sophia she'd love it. If you just get the aquarium, you can walk everywhere from there.  There's a lot of restaurants, little shops, ESPN Zone (I have fun there - not really baby friendly though). They have little paddle boats shaped like dinosaurs that you can take out on the water too and I think they have the "ducks" that drive around the city and then go out on the water.

Lauryn216

I LOVE the aquarium/Australia exhibit, but wouldn't call it inexpensive. The zoo, Port of Discovery Children's Museum (good for ages 2-10)

I would definitely find a parking garage close to Inner Harbor to make things easier.

I LOVE the Cheesecake Factory, but you can't make reservations and it's always packed. 

tmp-246476500003346

The Aquarium is definitely a little pricey, but I'm not sure what their children rates are, so your daughter might be able to get in for free.

 

bridz2be

I think the rates are up to $22 per adult now. I can't remember kids, but I would certainly hope that Sophia would  be free or close to it! Check out what exhibits are currently at the Science Center. They have all of their regular exhibits, but for example, last summer they had Body Worlds.

When we go, we also like to just walk around, visit one of the great restaurants and relax. I guess you might want something more structured with Sophia. I think the Science Center is less than the aquarium, so that might be a good starting point. I second Jen, if you're going to go to the Zoo, drive there and park. I wouldn't feel comfortable taking transportation there. It's not as nice as the Washington National Zoo, but still nice.

 Have fun!

Cortney81

I have only been to the acquariam, however I tend to agree with a pp that it was okay but wasn't exactly thrilling..lol....I would definitly check out the zoo, that might be a little bit more fun for Sophia! 

 Just a word of advice and I know some of you ladies go there often/live near there but be cautious when walking around inner harbor.  When we were there, our cell phone was stolen and my dh coworker was just there a few weeks ago and said he was followed and almost had his camera stolen. They backed off when he made a comment about them and they realized he knew they were behind him...practically on top of him. When we went to the cops they said that small crimes like that are more frequent and they try and target visitors.  Just be careful with keeping your things in your stroller or in pockets and such and keep a close eye on your surroundings!

 

Have a great trip though, its so nice down there!

KahunaChic

There is a parking garage attached to the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel across the street from Inner Harbor.  There is also shops attached to the Marriott too.  Sometimes they have shows (music, jugglers, etc) going on in the center of Inner Habor.

pepomntpat

lindyanne:

There is an aquarium. I didn't think it was that great but I'm sure with Sophia she'd love it.

Really?  You must be very hard to please.  The only complaint I have about hte Aquarium is how crowded it gets. It is awesome!

We also like to walk around and look at the shops. There are a few other things to explore like old ships, but I don't know how easy it would be to do that with a baby. It has been years since I looked at any of that stuff.  The Science Center is pretty cool too, though again it has been a long time since I have been there.

banbear2

Hey, I just wanted to let you know that several people have told me that you can't take a stroller into the aquarium.  I guess it's a space issue.  I'm not sure if you can leave one securely outside or not, you'd probably have to call to find out but I thought you'd want to know and not be surprised.

summerbridesara

Brandi, thanks for letting me know!  I will call and see.  That is so stupid if they don't let you take strollers in.  We wouldn't be able to then.  There is NO way I am carrying a 24 lb. baby around for a few hours.

TheLinkBride

I'm beginning to think that I've been there too many times since I know this but there is a coat check area and a stroller area.  Brandi is correct that you can't take them through the exhibits though, it can be narrow in some areas so they have a place for them at the entrance.

Futuremrssoll

I second The Cheesecake Factory! ?Yum! ?And you can sit outside and I believe you have a view of the Harbor. ?Lots of neat restaurants, and I do love the aquarium, but it is getting quite pricey these days. ?Townson is always a good stop too because of the shopping! ?Also there are good restaurants too!