Discover Baltimore's Charms
See trip details for Baltimore, Maryland, one of 30 suggested family trips from National Geographic.
“Whether you have history buffs, sports fans, jazz aficionados, or budding scientists in your family, they will find something to interest them [in Baltimore],” writes Shermakaye Bass for Traveler. Kick off your visit at the Inner Harbor, Baltimore’s main attraction, starting with the National Aquarium. To explore the harbor via water, take a ride on a water taxi, which stops at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. Viewing the bombardment of the fort in 1814, Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the tune that would become the National Anthem. Sports fans will want to head to Camden Yards to catch a game during baseball season and pay a visit to the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum. If you want to stay on the waterfront, check into the Admiral Fell Inn. The Holiday Inn Inner Harbor, near Camden Yards, is another good option.
Port Discovery, also located at the Inner Harbor, is a hands-on children’s museum, where you can get wet in the Wonders of Water exhibit, become a detective at Miss Perception’s Mystery House, or play soccer at the indoor field. The Maryland Science Center with its IMAX Theater and planetarium, also is a big hit. Phillips Seafood Restaurant at Harborplace serves award-winning crabcakes. For something different, though, head to Sabatino’s in Little Italy, where they serve huge portions of pasta and other dishes.
The Maryland Science Center’s observatory is open to the public every Friday at 7:30 p.m. You can see the moon, planets, and stars through the observatory’s computer-controlled telescope.
Information for the Orioles and Camden Yards: baltimore.orioles.mlb.com.
Based on articles from National Geographic Traveler and compiled by Stephanie Robichaux
Related Topics
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Meet the original members of the tortured poets departmentMeet the original members of the tortured poets department
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
Travel
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico
- Is this small English town Yorkshire's culinary capital?Is this small English town Yorkshire's culinary capital?
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest