Getting to Inner Harbor is easy. From Route 95 in Maryland, the ramp for Route 395/Downtown brings visitors right into the harbor area. The harder part is deciding where to spend the most time so each member of the family is satisfied. Check out these five attractions, all located within walking distance of one another, sure to please those of all ages.
Port Discovery Children's Museum
Otherwise known as "the Kid-Powered Museum", Port Discovery offers three exhibit floors designed in collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering. The center of the museum is a three-story rope structure filled with bridges, slides and tunnels.
With many permanent exhibits and several traveling exhibits, hands-on activities is the trademark of this museum. Activities are specifically targeted to school age children between the ages of 2-10, but people of all ages are welcome to participate. Admission (as of May 2010) is $12.95 per person, with children under the age of two free. Port Discovery is open year-round, except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The National Aquarium in Baltimore
The best way to explore the world beneath the water is to visit the National Aquarium in Inner Harbor. The aquarium offers hundreds of exhibits featuring over 16, 500 animals. This five-story aquarium includes a 335,000-gallon coral reef with hundreds of fish and an indoor open area with numerous sharks and sea turtles. Divers can be seen in the water feeding the sharks and interacting with the other sea life. In addition to the exhibits, the National Aquarium offers a dolphin show and a 4-D theater experience for an additional fee.
Admission (as of May 2010) is $19.95 for children ages 3-11 and $29.95 for adults. Tickets may be purchased online to avoid waiting at the on-site ticket booth. AAA members will find discount tickets through a AAA office. The aquarium is open year-round, except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The Maryland Science Center
With three levels of exhibits that cover earth science, life and physical science and outer space, this hands-on museum is filled with interactive experiences. Visitors can also expect traveling exhibits, an IMAX theater and planetarium shows, as well as various demonstrations by staff throughout the museum.
There are several pricing options, but families may want to consider purchasing an ASCT Passport, which may entitle cardholders to free admission to this, and many other science centers throughout the world. The Maryland Science Center is open year-round, except for Columbus Day in October, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Public tours of Camden Park, home of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team, offer access to the dugout, the club level suites, the scoreboard control room, and the press area. Tours are available during the regular baseball season, except when the Orioles play a home game. They last one hour and thirty minutes and four tours are offered each day. Tickets may be purchased in advance.
Harborplace and The Gallery of Baltimore's Inner Harbor
The heart of Inner Harbor, the Harborplace and The Gallery, offers a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment experiences. Nationally known retailers such as Wet Seal and Urban Outfitters mix with locally inspired shops. Over 70 restaurants, including Phillips Seafood, The Cheesecake Factory, McDonald's and Hard Rock Cafe' will please all types of diners. Street performers perform regularly in the outdoor ampitheater.
Visit Inner Harbor for a day, or several days, and enjoy the variety of attractions. From the Maryland Science Center to the National Aquarium and Port Discovery to Camden Yards, there is something for everyone at Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
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