Destination attractions things to do in baltimore

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Whether youre planning a trip or youve just moved to the area and are looking for some entertainment, Baltimore is the place to visit for a multitude of attractions and activities. This lively city is filled with a diversity of tourist sites that will delight travelers and newcomers alike, regardless of their interests. When you next have a bit of leisure time, head out to Baltimore and explore the possibilities. Here are some suggestions for fun stops that you may want to make during your trek through the city.

The National Aquarium in Baltimore is a wonderful source of educational entertainment. One of the highlights of the aquarium is The Dolphin Show C a great opportunity to watch and actually interact with the dolphins as they play. There are also a number of fascinating exhibits, which include Wings to the Water, Maryland: Mountains to the Sea, Surviving through Adaptation, Puffins, Amazon River Forest, Upland Tropical Forest, Atlantic Coral Reef, The Open Ocean, The Marine Mammal Pavilion and a Life-Size Humpback Whale Model. Among the 10,500 inhabitants of the aquarium are the Blue Poison Dart Frog, Scarlet Ibis, Striped Burrfish, Rosyside Dace, Giant Pacific Octopus, Golden Lion Tamarin, Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin and the Diamondback Terrapin. The facility offers a number of programs and special events, which may change on a monthly basis. Some of these include sleepovers, breakfast with the animals, fossil digs, canoe trips and holiday events. You wont want to miss this spectacular site, but be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes C theres a lot of ground to cover.

The American Visionary Art Museum fosters the spirit of imagination and creativity in those who are touched by its many unique works of art. One of the main attractions is the colorful 55-foot tall sculpture known as The Whirligig. This colossal wind-powered artwork stands outside of Sculpture Plaza and has become a very popular attraction for visitors. The Wildflower Garden houses wooden structures C of a rather unique design C which the artist has labeled as a meditation chapel and wedding altar. Climbing vines have been introduced into the presentation, creating a fascinating natural display. Past exhibits have included We Are Not Alone: Angels and Other Aliens, The Geller Effect Art Car, Golden Blessings of Old Age & Out of the Mouths of Babes, High on Life, The Art of War and Peace, and Treasures of the Soul: Who is Rich? The museum is closed on Monday, as well as on Christmas and Thanksgiving, and is well worth the trip. This is a truly unique collection of visionary artwork that must be viewed at a leisurely pace in order to be fully appreciated.

If youre a Civil War buff, youll want to take a tour onboard the USS Constellation C the only ship from that era thats still afloat. Open year-round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day, this breathtaking sloop is host to thousands of visitors who trek through her interior in the company of knowledgeable guides. Choose from among a variety of tour packages, which include The Ship as a Machine Tour C visitors are given the opportunity to see how the ship was prepared for a voyage through this interactive learning experience; and The Restoration Tour C visitors are given highlights and information about the renovation process which took place after the vessel was docked in Baltimore, as well as the technologies that were utilized to guide the renovation toward its successful completion. An abundance of special events are also offered, including presentations on various slavery scenarios, onboard medical attention practices and much more C and if youre looking for a unique way to ring in the new year, celebrate New Years Eve on the USS Constellation. With champagne, a twilight menu, cannon firings and a spectacular fireworks display, you wont want to miss it.

For a day of relaxation and natural beauty, be sure to visit Cylburn Arboretum C a 207 acre nature preserve and park. From the beautiful array of seasonal flowers that line the driveway and stretch across the expanse of the lawn, to the numerous trails and gardens that are ideal for a peaceful stroll, the arboretum will take your breath away with its splendor. Guests may either explore the grounds at their own leisure or arrange for a guided tour. Among the numerous gardens, youll find Garden of the Senses, Heritage Rose Garden, Formal Garden, Dahlia Garden, Three Sisters Garden and the All-American Selections Garden, plus many more. In addition, youll also have the opportunity to explore the variety of City Backyard Gardens, which include Shady Garden, Butterfly Garden and Free State Daylily Garden, to name a few. A plethora of trees, wildflowers, trails and greenhouses are available for your enjoyment, as well as a bog C complete with a footbridge. Comfortable walking shoes and a camera are certainly needed when visiting this site.

Mount Vernon C a historic district that presents itself as the citys cultural center C offers a wide variety of activities and events, as well as memorable sites and tours of the area. Known for its superb architecture and numerous shops, Mount Vernon will provide a day (or more) of sightseeing enjoyment, including Baltimore School for the Arts, Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center, Mughal Gardens, Basilica of the Assumption, Museum of Incandescent Lighting, Bedazzled, Stagecoach Saloon and many more. If youre looking for a great restaurant, be sure to try Brass Elephant, Gallery Sandwich Shoppe, Never on Sunday or The Peabody Caf. Nighttime entertainment is offered by The 13th Floor, Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, The Charles Theater, Theater Project, The Spy Club and The Depot Nightclub. Guided walking tours are also available, but for those who prefer not to participate in a tour that requires a great deal of walking, trolley tours can be booked for the purpose of exploring the district, as well. You can spend an entire vacation discovering the various establishments at Mount Vernon, so try to include adequate time on your itinerary C otherwise, you wont be able to fully appreciate all that this beautiful historic neighborhood has to offer.

Hunters of antiques and collectibles will want to pay a visit to Another Period in Time C a congregation of more than a dozen dealers that have set up shop in this shared location. Amassed under one roof is glassware, fine arts, furniture, jewelry, porcelain, toys and more. Among the many treasures, youll find sculptures, pottery, salt cellars, Victrolas, doorstops, necklaces, mechanical banks, dolls, sports memorabilia and a great many other items. As if thats not enough, there are numerous other antique and collectibles shops in the same neighborhood. Included among the plethora of neighboring shops are J&M Antiques, Karmic Connection, The Antique Man, The Dutch Iris, The Bowery of Antiques, Saratoga Trunk and Silk Road. It could easily take more than a day to go through all of these shops C especially if you spend time examining a variety of items, so its best to plan on extra time in the itinerary, and wear comfortable walking shoes, as well.

The Baltimore Maritime Museum is a wonderful attraction for those who are interested in ships and watercraft related items. A visit to this marvelous site will offer tours of several vessels, including the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Taney C after having participated in the search effort for Amelia Earhart in 1937, the Taney survived the attack on Pearl Harbor and was finally decommissioned in 1986 after 50 years of service. Also present is The Torsk C a WWII Tench class submarine. After destroying the last of the enemy warships, the Torsk was credited with having made the greatest number of dives by a submarine (11,884). The Lightship Chesapeake helped guide mariners to safety for nearly 40 years by marking the entrances to the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. Youll see the 7 Foot Knoll Lighthouse, as well C this screwpile lighthouse (the oldest of its kind) gave service to mariners for 133 years before being moved and restored. The Lighthouse Keeper is honored for having rescued nearly a half dozen sailors in 1933. Youll love touring through these historic landmarks and getting a glimpse of what life must have been like aboard these floating museums.

While youre in Baltimore, make a point to visit The Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry. This fascinating tourist spot will give you a look at the history of dentistry in an interactive setting. The interior is positively gorgeous and is filled with impressive C and sometimes humorous C exhibits which include 32 Terrific Teeth, The Marvelous Mouth, Oral Orbit, Terrific Tooth Tales and Branches, Bristles & Batteries: Toothbrushes Through Time, as well as a number of others. The museum also offers numerous programs for groups and a gift shop which sells items related to dentistry, such as vintage posters, molar stools, books, gifts and whole lots more. The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesday, as well as major holidays, but invites visitors to take a self-guided tour on Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. If you never thought that dentistry could tickle your funny bone, then youll be delighted by this most impressive museum.

In addition to these attractions, Baltimore has an abundance of monuments and ethnic neighborhoods that will add extra flavor to your vacation plans. For more information on these and other sites, contact the Department of Tourism or your local travel agent.