BALTIMORE HAS IT ALL!!
Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is an attraction in itself. Surrounding this urban waterfront park, you’ll discover a number of family-friendly places to visit. The National Aquarium features more than 16,000 animals, from sharks to a giant sea turtle, while the Maryland Science Center & Planetarium include two-story dinosaurs and interactive exhibits. The Port Discovery Children’s Museum features more activities for kids, and, a short ride away, the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park engages young and young at heart with the giraffe-feeding station and much more. And, if it’s the unexpected you seek, you’ll be talking about the oddities in Ripley’s Believe or Not! for weeks!
In addition to charming neighborhoods, travel on foot, Charm City street car, or by water taxi to casinos, restaurants, national monuments, and museums.
TAKE A HARBOR CRUISE
A few options are out there for taking cruises around the harbor. Watermark cruises offer harbor and beyond trips on the 65-foot big red boat. Cruises range from daily 45-minute narrated cruises to Saturday night, hour-long City Lights cruises. With Baltimore Spirit Cruises,the Inner Harbor Spirit offers interactive, narrated 50-minute sightseeing tours of Baltimore from April to October. The Baltimore Water Taxi can provide affordable transportation in and around the harbor, such as to Fort McHenry.
POWER PLANT LIVE!
If you’re ready to enjoy a night out on the town, Power Plant Live combines dining and entertainment in one location. Located one block from Inner Harbor, Power Plant Live’s restaurants include Havana Club, Joe Squared, Mex Tequila Bar, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and more. Feel like playing a game of pool or maybe some dancing? Power Plant Live includes several nightclubs including Angels Rock Bar, Howl at the Moon and Mosaic Nightclub & Lounge. This event venue also hosts a free live music series weekly May through October.
MARYLAND SCIENCE CENTER, IMAX & DAVIS PLANETARIUM
The Maryland Science Center features 14 full-size dinosaurs in Dinosaur Mysteries, an exploration of the day in the life of the human body in Your Body: The Inside Story; Newton’s Alley, with dozens of interactive activities; a national touring exhibit; and the five-story IMAX Theater. Other popular attractions include the Davis Planetarium, which reopened in 2013 with a brand new screen, seats, carpet, and control console. Beneath the 50-foot dome, become immersed in digital simulations of the sky and space. Planetarium shows feature themes of astronomy, space exploration and backyard observing.
THE BALTIMORE AQUARIUM
The National Aquarium in Baltimore is located in Baltimore’s famous Inner Harbor overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. It spans 250,000 square feet and has a water capacity of more than 2.2 million gallons. It is home to more than 17,000 animals from more than 750 species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals living in award-winning habitats. In fact, the brand new Blacktip Reef, a floor-to-ceiling exhibit that features blacktip sharks and an underwater viewing area, recently won the 2014 Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Significant Achievement Award in Exhibit Design.
MARYLAND ZOO IN BALTIMORE
Founded in 1876, the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is the third oldest zoo in the United States and is internationally known for its contributions in conservation and research. More than 1,500 animals are represented in the Zoo’s varied natural habitat exhibits in areas such as Polar Bear Watch, the Maryland Wilderness, African Journey and the award-winning Children’s Zoo. Beginning January 2, the Zoo will offer paid Penguin Encounters daily at 11 am and 2 pm. Penguin Encounters are 20-30 minute private tours with an Embassy keeper, special photo opportunities, and up-close penguin interaction. Encounters will be limited to 8 people per tour and tours are available on a first come, first serve basis. Visit the website for additional information.
STAR-SPANGLED BANNER FLAG HOUSE
Step back in time when you visit the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House. This historic home belonged to Mary Pickersgill. Mary made the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen a poem that later became our National Anthem. When the home, which was built in 1793, was sold to the city of Baltimore in 1927, it was established as a museum and offers a glimpse at Mary’s household as she would have seen it.
FORT MCHENRY NATIONAL MONUMENT
The Inner Harbor Baltimore has played a starring role in American history, including the Star Spangled Banner. At Fort McHenry, you’ll learn about the Battle of Baltimore and even experience living history weekends, where the Fort McHenry Guard performs demonstrations — all just a water taxi ride away from the Inner Harbor.
RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT
Ripley’s Believe It or Not’s Odditorium includes 10 galleries. Don’t miss the Marvelous Mirror Maze, 2,000 square feet of endless passages. Also onsite is Ripley’s 4D moving Theater, which offers a movie-going experience complete with digital effects, motion seats and 4-D real effects. The Odditorium is open 365 days a year.
HISTORIC SHIPS IN BALTIMORE
Historic Ships in Baltimore offers the opportunity for you to explore four impressive military vessels and celebrate more than 200 years of naval and maritime history. The collection includes the U.S. Sloop-of-War Constellation, the U.S. Submarine Torsk, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Taney and the Lightship Chesapeake, all within easy walking distance of each other.
SHOPPING, DINING & CASINOS
Located in the heart of the Inner Harbor Baltimore on Pratt Street, Harborplace and The Gallery offer tons of shopping, dining and a variety of entertainment right on the picturesque waterfront. Elegant gourmet cuisine, delicious Italian restaurants in Baltimore’s Little Italy, ethnic cuisine, and plenty of fresh seafood from Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay can be found at the many Inner Harbor restaurants and casinos.
In addition to charming neighborhoods, travel on foot, Charm City street car, or by water taxi to casinos, restaurants, national monuments, and museums.
TAKE A HARBOR CRUISE
A few options are out there for taking cruises around the harbor. Watermark cruises offer harbor and beyond trips on the 65-foot big red boat. Cruises range from daily 45-minute narrated cruises to Saturday night, hour-long City Lights cruises. With Baltimore Spirit Cruises,the Inner Harbor Spirit offers interactive, narrated 50-minute sightseeing tours of Baltimore from April to October. The Baltimore Water Taxi can provide affordable transportation in and around the harbor, such as to Fort McHenry.
POWER PLANT LIVE!
If you’re ready to enjoy a night out on the town, Power Plant Live combines dining and entertainment in one location. Located one block from Inner Harbor, Power Plant Live’s restaurants include Havana Club, Joe Squared, Mex Tequila Bar, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and more. Feel like playing a game of pool or maybe some dancing? Power Plant Live includes several nightclubs including Angels Rock Bar, Howl at the Moon and Mosaic Nightclub & Lounge. This event venue also hosts a free live music series weekly May through October.
MARYLAND SCIENCE CENTER, IMAX & DAVIS PLANETARIUM
The Maryland Science Center features 14 full-size dinosaurs in Dinosaur Mysteries, an exploration of the day in the life of the human body in Your Body: The Inside Story; Newton’s Alley, with dozens of interactive activities; a national touring exhibit; and the five-story IMAX Theater. Other popular attractions include the Davis Planetarium, which reopened in 2013 with a brand new screen, seats, carpet, and control console. Beneath the 50-foot dome, become immersed in digital simulations of the sky and space. Planetarium shows feature themes of astronomy, space exploration and backyard observing.
THE BALTIMORE AQUARIUM
The National Aquarium in Baltimore is located in Baltimore’s famous Inner Harbor overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. It spans 250,000 square feet and has a water capacity of more than 2.2 million gallons. It is home to more than 17,000 animals from more than 750 species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals living in award-winning habitats. In fact, the brand new Blacktip Reef, a floor-to-ceiling exhibit that features blacktip sharks and an underwater viewing area, recently won the 2014 Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Significant Achievement Award in Exhibit Design.
MARYLAND ZOO IN BALTIMORE
Founded in 1876, the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is the third oldest zoo in the United States and is internationally known for its contributions in conservation and research. More than 1,500 animals are represented in the Zoo’s varied natural habitat exhibits in areas such as Polar Bear Watch, the Maryland Wilderness, African Journey and the award-winning Children’s Zoo. Beginning January 2, the Zoo will offer paid Penguin Encounters daily at 11 am and 2 pm. Penguin Encounters are 20-30 minute private tours with an Embassy keeper, special photo opportunities, and up-close penguin interaction. Encounters will be limited to 8 people per tour and tours are available on a first come, first serve basis. Visit the website for additional information.
STAR-SPANGLED BANNER FLAG HOUSE
Step back in time when you visit the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House. This historic home belonged to Mary Pickersgill. Mary made the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen a poem that later became our National Anthem. When the home, which was built in 1793, was sold to the city of Baltimore in 1927, it was established as a museum and offers a glimpse at Mary’s household as she would have seen it.
FORT MCHENRY NATIONAL MONUMENT
The Inner Harbor Baltimore has played a starring role in American history, including the Star Spangled Banner. At Fort McHenry, you’ll learn about the Battle of Baltimore and even experience living history weekends, where the Fort McHenry Guard performs demonstrations — all just a water taxi ride away from the Inner Harbor.
RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT
Ripley’s Believe It or Not’s Odditorium includes 10 galleries. Don’t miss the Marvelous Mirror Maze, 2,000 square feet of endless passages. Also onsite is Ripley’s 4D moving Theater, which offers a movie-going experience complete with digital effects, motion seats and 4-D real effects. The Odditorium is open 365 days a year.
HISTORIC SHIPS IN BALTIMORE
Historic Ships in Baltimore offers the opportunity for you to explore four impressive military vessels and celebrate more than 200 years of naval and maritime history. The collection includes the U.S. Sloop-of-War Constellation, the U.S. Submarine Torsk, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Taney and the Lightship Chesapeake, all within easy walking distance of each other.
SHOPPING, DINING & CASINOS
Located in the heart of the Inner Harbor Baltimore on Pratt Street, Harborplace and The Gallery offer tons of shopping, dining and a variety of entertainment right on the picturesque waterfront. Elegant gourmet cuisine, delicious Italian restaurants in Baltimore’s Little Italy, ethnic cuisine, and plenty of fresh seafood from Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay can be found at the many Inner Harbor restaurants and casinos.
AUGUST 1-4, BALTIMORE FEATURES THESE AND MUCH MORE!
The Amazing Scavenger Hunt that turns Baltimore into a giant game board with this fun urban adventure quest. Experience your own Amazing race as you solve clues, complete challenges and enjoy the sights. Explore the Inner Harbor, Little Italy and other hidden gems.
Arts of Asia features one of the most exceptional collections of Asian art in North America at the Walters Art Museum. The dramatic display offers a rich exploration of artistic traditions from diverse cultures and regions across India, Nepal, Tibet, China, Korea, Japan, Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia. The stunning array of more than 150 works spanning 2,000 years includes 30 objects that have never been on view.
Baltimore Wicked History Tours takes you on back to when Fells Point was a colorful, dangerous place to visit, crawling with sailors, privateers, ladies of the night, and immigrants looking for a better life. Tempers ran hot with people who had nothing to lose and those looking to exploit them. But Fells Point had its bright spots with luminaries like Billie Holiday and Edgar Allan Poe roaming these historic streets.
Moon Dust (Apollo 17) will illuminate the Baltimore Museum of Art’s majestic Fox Court in August. The work, created by Spencer Finch is an impressive light installation consisting of 150 individual chandeliers with 417 lights. The chandeliers are hung individually from the ceiling and form one large, cloud-like structure. Although an abstract sculpture, the installation is also a scientifically precise representation of the chemical composition of moon dust as it was gathered during the Apollo 17 mission. Finch translated the diagrams of the chemical formulas of the contained molecules by using light bulbs in different diameters and basic customary fixtures with different arm lengths to create a three-dimensional scale model of the moon’s atomic makeup. The diameter of a globe corresponds to the size of an atom and thus represents a specific element, the small globes representing helium, the bigger oxygen. The overall effect is one of science translated into visual wonderment.
Arts of Asia features one of the most exceptional collections of Asian art in North America at the Walters Art Museum. The dramatic display offers a rich exploration of artistic traditions from diverse cultures and regions across India, Nepal, Tibet, China, Korea, Japan, Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia. The stunning array of more than 150 works spanning 2,000 years includes 30 objects that have never been on view.
Baltimore Wicked History Tours takes you on back to when Fells Point was a colorful, dangerous place to visit, crawling with sailors, privateers, ladies of the night, and immigrants looking for a better life. Tempers ran hot with people who had nothing to lose and those looking to exploit them. But Fells Point had its bright spots with luminaries like Billie Holiday and Edgar Allan Poe roaming these historic streets.
Moon Dust (Apollo 17) will illuminate the Baltimore Museum of Art’s majestic Fox Court in August. The work, created by Spencer Finch is an impressive light installation consisting of 150 individual chandeliers with 417 lights. The chandeliers are hung individually from the ceiling and form one large, cloud-like structure. Although an abstract sculpture, the installation is also a scientifically precise representation of the chemical composition of moon dust as it was gathered during the Apollo 17 mission. Finch translated the diagrams of the chemical formulas of the contained molecules by using light bulbs in different diameters and basic customary fixtures with different arm lengths to create a three-dimensional scale model of the moon’s atomic makeup. The diameter of a globe corresponds to the size of an atom and thus represents a specific element, the small globes representing helium, the bigger oxygen. The overall effect is one of science translated into visual wonderment.
