baltimore

decides2dream · April 2009

recommedations?

places to go, eat, drink...things to see and do, etc. tis our first time actually ever stopping in baltimore, will be there saturday thru tuesday for the 06.15 show...and want to make the most of our little vacation! hubby is totally interested in history, i am into art....we both love just being outide, exploring...and sure, eating, drinking....cool bars and restaurants......always important!

share any tips you've got!

we already booked our hotel, close to the inner harbor...about 3 blocks away i believe. we will have our car, but we far prefer walking around. also, anyone who's been to the venue, feel free to share thoughts too.

looking forward to the trip and ed!

The Champ · April 2009

The Orioles will be playing at home that weekend against Atlanta. You can catch a game Saturday night or Sunday afternoon...the ballpark is beautiful and it's thought to be one of the best in baseball..anyway, have fun!

Travelar · April 2009

There are quite a few suggestions in the Porch under the Baltimore 2 thread... I'm sure you can get some ideas there.

decides2dream · April 2009

TrAvELAr wrote:

There are quite a few suggestions in the Porch under the Baltimore 2 thread... I'm sure you can get some ideas there.

yesi know...i've read/participated in that thread and have it bookmarked. however, i just thought i'd ask here as well, have a different thread b/c the purpose of THAt thread on the porch was more of a rollcall who was going, about the show, etc....with a smattering of info mixed in. just thought a thread simply ABOUT baltimore would be helpful to me, and perhaps others going as well.

champ...yes, everyone keeps saying things like that. hubby and i have zero interest in baseball. thanks anyway tho!

iluvcats · April 2009

I don't go to baseball games either.

did anyone suggest the aquarium at the inner harbor? i bought tix once and never went.

decides2dream · April 2009

iluvcats wrote:

I don't go to baseball games either.

did anyone suggest the aquarium at the inner harbor? i bought tix once and never went.

nope.
most of the suggestions over the porch were in regards to hotels and/or resturants/bars, and different areas to be in. i thought there were some cool things to see/do in baltimore...an aquarium would be good! hubby would definitely like that, and especially good if any one of the days the weather is less than nice. i told a few people at work yesterday that i was taking a trip down to baltimore in june and they all asked......why? :? :P

iluvcats · April 2009

I hope you did not tell your co workers you are coming to B'more to see Ed. I wouldn't. I don't want ppl to know my business.

I noticed in Speedy's Easter thread that you like wine. I've never been to one, but MD has wineries you can tour.
You can have wine and cheese for $15, I believe. Not in B'more, maybe 40 minutes away.

decides2dream · April 2009

iluvcats wrote:

I hope you did not tell your co workers you are coming to B'more to see Ed. I wouldn't. I don't want ppl to know my business.

I noticed in Speedy's Easter thread that you like wine. I've never been to one, but MD has wineries you can tour.
You can have wine and cheese for $15, I believe. Not in B'more, maybe 40 minutes away.

depends who asked.
to the young associates, i did tell em ed.....for the director who asked, i simply said we were going to a concert, thus planned a trip around it.

i am fairly private overall in life period, and definitely at work.....but sure, innocuous details, depending on the audience, i'll share.

i DO love wine! and i do love doing the winery thing too. we've done it here on the island and upstate NY. maybe when we leave baltimore to head home, might be a possibility, but otherwise.....really want to just explore baltimore. we're arriving on saturday and leaving on tuesday, so really, sunday and monday are only FULL days in the city.....so those 2 days i would like to walk wherever we go and explore, and sure hit up a few spots.

if you have the name of a good winery nearby, perhpas i can google it and see if we can fit it in - thanks for the suggestions! told hubby to do some research a nd see what he might like to do...but of course he hasn't yet. :P

meme · April 2009

The Baltimore aquarium is supposed to be one of the best in the world. I went and had fun, and I am not much of an aquarium person. Besides, it is in the inner harbor area, close to your hotel and to a lot of nice restaurants

The Champ · April 2009

meme wrote:

The Baltimore aquarium is supposed to be one of the best in the world. I went and had fun, and I am not much of an aquarium person. Besides, it is in the inner harbor area, close to your hotel and to a lot of nice restaurants

Agreed, enjoyed the aquarium as well..

KR10 · April 2009

The Inner Harbor is truly a beautiful place. My brother lives in Baltimore and I try to get there at least once or twice per year.

Here are a few suggestions:

Even if you dont like baseball, check out Camden Yards. If there is a game you should go. It is one of the most beautiful ball parks in MLB. By the way, try the Boog Powell's BBQ beef pit (found behind the outfield near the Eutah Street entrance to the park). If there is not a game, go there for a tour of the ball park.

I have heard that the Babe Ruth Museum is really cool as well.

Definatley go to the Aquarium. It was stated by someone before (and I am not into that stuff at all) but it really was cool.

For night life there are a bunch of bars in Power Point Live (right near the Inner Harbor - definately within walking distance). I got hammered there by myself a few years back after an Orioles game and had a great time.

There are the typical places like ESPN Zone and the Hard Rock Cafe right in the Inner Harbor.

If you like Irish Bars try a bar called James Joyce right near the entrance to the Little Italy section (again within walking distance to the Inner Harbor).

Fell's Point is also a great little area with a bunch of bars one right after the next. I would recommend taking a cab from your hotel to Fell's Point. Just a recommendation as Baltimore is not exactly the safest city.

Have a great time. I always enjoy myself when I go to Baltimore.

RW81233 · April 2009

I lived in Bmore for 3 years and here's my suggestion for history and art...
Start at the inner harbor and walk North on Charles Street towards John's Hopkins and Loyola and Towson. Along the way you will hit a few art museums, plenty of antique shops, and several cool off-the-beaten path restaurants. I do suggest Tio Pepe's for dinner one night...it's a little pricey but some really cool stuff. Also, on/around Charles Street is the Brewers Art which is nice and has some cool microbrews, as is Iggie's pizza (BYOB which is fun). As for more history and art there is also the Black's in Wax museum. If it's nice you should walk up Federal Hill then water taxi it to Fort McHenry (some cool history stuff there). Near MLK Blvd. you can see Edgar Allen Poe's final resting place, and across town in Fells Point/Canton you can do some cool ghost walks and see where actual pirate ships would come and lay siege to the town...leading to the various ghost walks you could go on in the evening. If you choose to do wineries Boordy Vineyards is just North of the City (20 minutes or so) off of 695 and has some fun stuff to drink and often has summer concerts where you can learn various dances if you are daring.

Unfortunately, in the last year, my favorite pub The Wharf Rat across from the convention center has come under new management (and hence no longer allowing for the drink fest it used to be for me anyway). Finally and at the risk of being crass and overgeneralizing, if you want history and the real B'more STAY AWAY from the Inner Harbor. It's basically where white people go to pretend to experience Baltimore, but it is quite literally designed to visually and spatially separate visitors from experiencing the real Baltimore. That said, Canton, Fed Hill, and Fells Point are similar in that respect, but they also offer much more in the way of historical context. The Inner Harbor is just a rich suburban playground. Have fun, and if you have any other questions let me know.

RW81233 · April 2009

RW81233 wrote:

I lived in Bmore for 3 years and here's my suggestion for history and art...
Start at the inner harbor and walk North on Charles Street towards John's Hopkins and Loyola and Towson. Along the way you will hit a few art museums, plenty of antique shops, and several cool off-the-beaten path restaurants. I do suggest Tio Pepe's for dinner one night...it's a little pricey but some really cool stuff. Also, on/around Charles Street is the Brewers Art which is nice and has some cool microbrews, as is Iggie's pizza (BYOB which is fun). As for more history and art there is also the Black's in Wax museum. If it's nice you should walk up Federal Hill then water taxi it to Fort McHenry (some cool history stuff there). Near MLK Blvd. you can see Edgar Allen Poe's final resting place, and across town in Fells Point/Canton you can do some cool ghost walks and see where actual pirate ships would come and lay siege to the town...leading to the various ghost walks you could go on in the evening. If you choose to do wineries Boordy Vineyards is just North of the City (20 minutes or so) off of 695 and has some fun stuff to drink and often has summer concerts where you can learn various dances if you are daring.

Unfortunately, in the last year, my favorite pub The Wharf Rat across from the convention center has come under new management (and hence no longer allowing for the drink fest it used to be for me anyway). Finally and at the risk of being crass and overgeneralizing, if you want history and the real B'more STAY AWAY from the Inner Harbor. It's basically where white people go to pretend to experience Baltimore, but it is quite literally designed to visually and spatially separate visitors from experiencing the real Baltimore. That said, Canton, Fed Hill, and Fells Point are similar in that respect, but they also offer much more in the way of historical context. The Inner Harbor is just a rich suburban playground. Have fun, and if you have any other questions let me know.

P.S. Full disclosure I lived 4 blocks from the inner harbor as part of the B'more Westside restoration project which essentially allowed up and coming suburbanites to come live in the city for a bit, and said favorite bar of mine bordered the Inner Harbor. So, essentially, I'm not above the Inner Harbor thing, I'm just trying to direct someone who probably isn't looking for that to more 'cultural' places.

decides2dream · April 2009

awesome, awesome, awesome information and suggestions...thank you! i think the aquarium will be a must-see...and i truly appreciate the art and history suggestions, definite plus for hubby and me, our likes. also like the restuarnat suggestions! if anyone thinks of anything else...always feel free to suggest more, many choices is always a GOOD thing.

OceansJenny · April 2009

I SUGGEST THE AQUARIUM!

I'm a baltimorian born n' raised (baltimore county, but whatever).

Stuff to do!!:
AQUARIUM
AQUARIUM
Walk the harbor, go through the little shops n' stuff
Eat at a Seafood place - it will be expensive but it will be good Maryland seafood! (disclaimer: Phillips Crabs are not really Maryland, they are mostly Alaskan crabs (boo sell outs))
AQUARIUM
The Science Center has an IMAX which might have some cool shows. OR just visit the science center (not only for kids!)
Camden Yards is always fun! (can find cheap tix, ppl are always selling)
AQUARIUM
Theres a Babe Ruth Museum if you're into baseball, also a Sports Museum but it's really only about teams in Maryland so you may not be interested in that...
Uhh... Aquarium? Don't forget to go to a dolphin show!

Thats what I usually look to do when I go downtown (which is what I was assuming you were looking to do). Out of the harbor is a different story... don't go down any wrong streets! (but seriously, if you have major time to kill, I can point out some stuff in Baltimore County).

Good luck, have fun, let me know if you want more activities!

decides2dream · April 2009

hey jenny...

so do you think we should hit up the aquarium?

already put it on the *list* as a must-see!
baseball truly is not our thing, but given the history of camden yards, i'll ask hubby if he's interested in checking it out...but he most definitely will NOT be interested in attending a game, and i love him for it! :P

so we are coming down from long island, bout a 3.5 hour drive...so say we have a half day saturday, full days/nights sunday and monday - ED MONDAY! - and half day tuesday. how long you think the aquarium would take? exploring inner harbor? what else *should* we do?

and specific restaurant suggestions - always welcome. definitely will be hitting up seafood....and i think someone recommended a mex place earlier - love mex food, so that's a given!

also, i keep reading to be *careful* at night.....don't walk down the *wrong* streets...so um, what areas should absolutely be avioded? and yes, i am a NYer, work in manhattan, and i feel perfectly *safe* there..sure a few dodgy areas, but you think baltimore is more dangerous/shady? do please share...

and thanks again all, this thread is really shaping up with some awesome, specific suggestions!

iluvcats · April 2009

did you see the aquarium's site, it says to buy your tix online!
http://www.aqua.org/

as for the wineries, I know of some that are west of b'more, probably too far from where you'll be

but i have never been to any. i don't get out much.

PJaddicted · April 2009

Such a nice city! My parents lived near there for many years. I love the Aquarium, http://www.aqua.org/ I highly recommend it! But animals are my thing. The zoo http://www.marylandzoo.org/ has some nice things about it, but it has some dated parts, unless it has been upgraded in the last few years. There is also lots of art museums that hubby and my oldest son went to a couple of different ones over the years, not sure of the names though. http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=UTF-8&gf ... sults&cd=1 Good food, Phillips Crab House http://www.epictrip.com/Phillips-restau ... yland.html right on the water down in the inner harbor, nothing like the Maryland Crabs and very cold beer! Longwood Gardens is in PA....GORGEOUS PLACE! You could route your trip and see it on the way in or out http://www.longwoodgardens.org/TheGardens_1_3_2.html

Have a great mini vacation!!!

Spot In The Sky · April 2009

decides2dream wrote:

recommedations?

places to go, eat, drink...things to see and do, etc. tis our first time actually ever stopping in baltimore, will be there saturday thru tuesday for the 06.15 show...and want to make the most of our little vacation! hubby is totally interested in history, i am into art....we both love just being outide, exploring...and sure, eating, drinking....cool bars and restaurants......always important!

share any tips you've got!

we already booked our hotel, close to the inner harbor...about 3 blocks away i believe. we will have our car, but we far prefer walking around. also, anyone who's been to the venue, feel free to share thoughts too.

looking forward to the trip and ed!

hey- PM me if you need help finding a place to stay at a good rate- since ill be in town that day cause im going to both shows i can get you a room at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore which is in a great spot for like $101.70.

decides2dream · April 2009

PJaddicted wrote:

Such a nice city! My parents lived near there for many years. I love the Aquarium, http://www.aqua.org/ I highly recommend it! But animals are my thing. The zoo http://www.marylandzoo.org/ has some nice things about it, but it has some dated parts, unless it has been upgraded in the last few years. There is also lots of art museums that hubby and my oldest son went to a couple of different ones over the years, not sure of the names though. http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=UTF-8&gf ... sults&cd=1 Good food, Phillips Crab House http://www.epictrip.com/Phillips-restau ... yland.html right on the water down in the inner harbor, nothing like the Maryland Crabs and very cold beer! Longwood Gardens is in PA....GORGEOUS PLACE! You could route your trip and see it on the way in or out http://www.longwoodgardens.org/TheGardens_1_3_2.html

Have a great mini vacation!!!

awedsome post - thank you!
as i said, the aquarium is definitely on the agenda. i know they recommend buying tix online, but we may just wait....not 100% what day we want to go and such. that longwood gardens looks spectacular and i LOVE visiting gardens like that, as does hubby....so see if he's up to adding it to our return home. a wee bit out of the way, but looks like it could be worth it.

spotinthesky...thanks for the offer! however, one of the first things i did after securing our tix was book our hotel. got a great rate w/ sheraton b/c we're starpoint members and they have a special promotion going on, so all good.

CJMST3K · April 2009

Spot In The Sky wrote:

hey- PM me if you need help finding a place to stay at a good rate- since ill be in town that day cause im going to both shows i can get you a room at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore which is in a great spot for like $101.70.

PM sent!

baltimore

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