Events (1993) Call (410) 837-INFO for more up-to-date list
March 14: St. Patricks Day Parade
March 24-April 4: Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus
April 9-11: International Gem Show, Convention Center
May 7-16: Preakness Celebration (parades, festivals, etc.)
Info: (410)837-3030
May 15: Preakness Stakes, Pimlico Racetrack
Info: (410)542-9400
July 13: Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Camden Yards
July 24: Chicken Clucking Contest, Broadway Market
Visitor Information
General information about sightseeing, lodging, events, etc. is available free of charge by contacting:
Baltimore Office of Promotion
34 Market Place, Suite 310
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 752-8632 - Human
(410) 837-INFO - Recordings, touch-tone options
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Getting To Baltimore...
Air
Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Airport is 7 miles south of the city off either the Baltimore-Washington Parkway or I-95. The airport is very clean, modern, and well-organized with plenty of parking adjacent to the terminal.
International flights are availble from London on USAir, from Frankfurt on USAir and Icelandair, from Oslo, Stockholm, Luxembourg, and Reykjavik on Icelandair, from Mexico on Mexicana, from Amsterdam on KLM, from Jamaica and other Caribbean destinations on Air Jamaica, from Canada on Air Ontario, and to other destinations via charter flights (contact your travel agent for info).
Domestic flights are available from every major U.S. city via USAir, United, American, Delta, Continental, America West, Northwest, and TWA.
Bus service is available to downtown Baltimore or Washington, taxis are available at the airport, and all major car rental companies maintain fleets and rental counters at the airport. Bus/shuttle van service is available to most destinations in city for $8 1-way or $12 round trip, info on shuttle service is available by calling (410)859-7545.
BWI Airport: (410) 859-7100
Air Jamaica: (410) 859-1760
American Airlines: (410) 850-5800
Continental Airlines: (410) 337-2061 Delta Airlines: (410) 768-9000
Henson Airlines: (410) 850-4897
Icelandair: (410) 859-0660 or (800) 223-5500 KLM Royal Dutch Airlines: (800) 777-5553 Mexicana Airlines: (410) 859-8526 or (800) 531-7921
Northwest: (800) 225-2525
TWA: (410) 338-1156
USAir: (410) 727-0825
United Airlines: (410) 850-4557 or (800) 631-1500
Train
Amtrak service is available at Penn Station and at BWI. Penn Station is located in the central city at 1500 North Charlest Street at Mt. Royal Ave. Marc train service is available to Washington DC from either Penn Station or Camden Yards. The Camden Yard Station is located at the stadium near the Inner Harbor.
Amtrak: (410) 539-2112 or (800) 872-7245 Marc: (410) 291-4264 or (800) 325-RAIL
Bus
Greyhound Trailways serves Baltimore at the Downtown terminal at 210 West Fayette Street between Howard Street and Park Avenue, and some buses stop at the Baltimore Travel Plaza at 5625 O'Donnell Street off I-95 at exit 57. Greyhound: (410) 744-9311 or (800) 528-0447
Car
If you're driving to Baltimore, the major roads into the city are I-95 from any destination on the East Coast, I-83 from central Pennsylvania and upstate New York, I-70 from any point west of the city, I-97 from Annapolis or Maryland's eastern shore, and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway from Washington DC.
b) Getting Around...
Rental Car
If you are visiting only Baltimore and are staying in the Inner Harbor area, you may not want the hassel and expense of a car, otherwise a car will extend your range. Rental companies are located at the airport and in downtown with other locations throughout the city and suburbs
'Local Tip': The best maps of the city are those produced by Alexandria
Drafting. These are available at most convenience stores
for about $7. Pick one up if you'll be driving.
'Local Tip': Routes to tourist sites are marked by square blue and green
signs.
Alamo: (800) 327-9633, at BWI (410) 850-0197 Avis: (800) 331-1212
Budget: (800) 527-0700, at BWI (410) 859-8500, Downtown (410) 837-6955 Hertz: (800) 645-3131, at BWI (410) 850-7400, Downtown (410) 332-0015 National: (800) 227-7368
Thrifty: (800) 367-0700, at BWI (410) 768-4900, Downtown (410) 783-0300
MTA Bus
Baltimore's Mass Transit Administration (MTA) runs buses throughout the city and into the suburbs. There are 76 bus routes in the city. Buses run 24 hours a day, subways run Mon-Sat 6am-midnight and Sun 11am-7pm. Base fare is $1.10 plus zone/express charges. For information and schedules, contact MTA at (410) 539-5000
Metro
Baltimore's subway system is fairly small, going from the downtown area to the northwest suburbs. Fourteen miles of subway track are operated by MTA in addition to several miles of light rail (trolley) track that opened last year. Light rail service is available from the northern part of the city, down Howard street to the new stadium. Schedule and fare information is available by calling (410) 539-5000.
Foot
If you are planning to be in Baltimore for only a short period and are primarily interested in sites in the Inner Harbor area, foot is the best way of getting around. You can easily walk to the Orioles' stadium, the Arena, the Maryland Science Center, the National Aquarium, the Baltimore Convention Center, and a wide range of restaurants and hotels, in addition the shops of the Inner Harbor Pavilions and the Gallery in the Stouffer Hotel. Water taxis are also available to take you across the harbor or over to the Fells Point area.
Water Taxi
Water taxi service is available to various destinations on harbor, including Inner Harbor Promenade, Fells Point, Federal Hill. Tickets cost $3.25 per adult for an all-day ticket or $2.25 for children. Info: (800) 658-8947
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Many of Baltimore's prime tourist attractions are in the Inner Harbor Area. This is also where the Baltimore Convention Center and Festival Hall are located, so many out of town visitors coming to Baltimore for special events will find themselves in this area. There are many attractions in the Inner Harbor area, a large number of hotels, many fine restaurants, and easy transportation into, out of, and around the area.
Things to See...
Inner Harbor Area
National Aquarium, Pratt Street at Pier 3 Modern aquarium that has become a model for other cities. Includes a huge tropical rainforest in roof area, a coral reef with a 350,000 gallon tank containing sharks, turtles, and other fish, and a new marine mammal exhibit containing beluga whales. This is one of the most popular attractions in the harbor area, especially for families with children. Admission Charge: Info: (410) 576-3810 'Local Tip': The aquarium is open Friday evenings and admission after 5 p.m. is typically only a couple dollars.
Top of the World, World Trade Center, Pratt Street Panoramic view of the harbor and city, displays describing local history and industry. Good photo opportunity. Admission Charge: Info: (410) 837-4515
U.S.S. Constellation, Pratt Street at Pier 1 Oldest Navy vessel, in service since 1797. Admission Charge: Info: (410) 539-1797
Baltimore Maritime Museum, Pratt Street at Pier 3 Tour ships anchored at the pier. Ships include U.S.S. Torsk, a World War II submarine that was the last U.S. vessel to sink a ship in WWII. The Lightship Cheseapeake, and the U.S. cutter Taney, which was at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. Kids love the sub. Admission: Info: (410) 396-3453
Pride of Baltimore II, Inner Harbor Promenade Tall two-masted schooner. Open for tours on weekends, when in port. No charge, but donations encouraged. Info: (410) 625-5460
Maryland Science Center, 601 Light Street at Key Highway Exciting science displays from energy through dinosaurs. Museum features an IMAX theatre and a planetarium. Great place for kids. Admission Charge: Info: (410) 685-5225
National Museum of Ceramic Art, 250 W. Pratt Street Open Tues-Sunday. Info: (410) 837-2529
Baltimore City Life Museum, East Lombard and Front Street Several historic sites/homes, including:
* Carroll Mansion: Home of Charles Carroll, signer of Declaration of Independence, upper class home.
* Center for Urban Archaelogy: Short video on how archaeologist work on urban digs.
* 1840 House: 19th century home of wheelwright John Huntchinson, intended to give visitors feel for row house of period. Furnished with period reproductions.
* Brewers Park: Site of 18th century brewery. Closed Mondays. Admission Charge: Info: (410) 396-3523 'Local Tip': No admission charge for City Life Museum on Saturday mornings, 10am-1pm.
Also near this location:
* Shot Tower where lead shot was made
* Star Spangled Banner House & War of 1812 Museum
Closed Sundays. Info: (410) 837-1793
Baltimore Convention Center and Festival Hall, Pratt Street Large groups frequently meet at the convention center, which is also used for trade shows, large community festivals, etc. The Convention Center hosts various regularly-scheduled events, including an Auto Show in January, a Ski Show in October, a Travel & RV show, and a Boat Show, among others. Info on these is available from the City's Promotions Office (see section I(b), above).
2) Around Town...
Fort McHenry, Fort Avenue Site of key naval bombardment by British during war of 1812 that inspired Francis Scott Key to write national anthem. Operated by National Park Service. Info: (410) 962-4290
B & O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt Street at Poppleton St. Located in 19th century railroad roundhouse, this is another kids favorite, though it's a 'must see' for any train buff. Many restored engines, most operable, in the roundhouse with more in the yard. The model train setup on top floor is great. More than 100 locomotives. Admission Charge: Info: (410) 237-2387
Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive (off North Charles at 31st Street) Comprehensive art gallery with frequent special exhibits. Recent exhibits have included baseball art, Northwest Coast Indian art, art deco, etc. Closed Monday. Admission Charge: Info: (410) 396-7101 'Local Tip': Thursday is Museum Day with free admission all day.
Walters Art Gallery, 600 N. Charles at Centre Street Collections include an old masters collection, Renaissance sculture garden, decorative arts, and jewelry. More than 30,000 works in regular collection. Occasional special exhibits. April-June 1993 will feature only U.S. exhibit of the works of impressionist Alfred Sisley. Closed Mondays. Admission Charge: Info: (410) 547-9000 'Local Tip': Free admission hour on Saturday, 11am-noon. (Wouldn't count on it during Sisley exhibit.)
Babe Ruth Birthplace and Baseball Museum, 216 Emory and Pratt Streets See where Babe Ruth was born and lived as a kid. |
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