Travel – Eat – Sleep

Although, I have never been to Baltimore, I hear its a great city. I usually write about places I have visited myself, but Zach @ zachstocks.com will be traveling next month to Baltimore. He read my article about attractions in New York and asked me if I would be willing to write about Baltimore and San Fransisco. Now San Fransisco I have visited and love it there. So that wont be a problem. I did some Research and came up with the following things to visit while in Baltimore, Maryland.

Downtown Baltimore offers a plethora of attractions that involve little spending or planning. The fact that many of these points of interest have an educational component is just great.

1. LEXINGTON MARKET – Lexington and Eutaw Streets – 410-685-6169.
For absolutely no money, you can enter the Market, walk around, watch butchers and fishmongers at work, and smell wonderful food cooking. You’ll get a feel for what doing the food shopping used to be like. Be warned: Leaving the Market without buying something will be difficult. Wonderful treats are everywhere, including roasted peanuts, peppermint puffs, thick deli sandwiches, pickled cauliflower, real lemonade, huge salads, steamed crabs, raw oysters and fresh baked goods. You also can have a fantastic meal for just a few bucks.

2. ST. MARY’S PARK – next to 600 North Paca Street
St. Mary’s Park, which once was home to old St. Mary’s Seminary, is an island of green and quiet in the city. You can walk, sit and enjoy the sun, collect leaves, watch squirrels load up on acorns, look for apple windfalls, bring a picnic lunch, and enjoy the singing of local birds – everything from sparrows to crows.

3. WASHINGTON MONUMENT AND MOUNT VERNON PARK – Charles and Monument
Streets – 410-396-1049.
This monument to our first president, while not so imposing as the one in Washington, is arguably more pleasing to the eye. The statue of Washington atop can be seen streets away, and the sight of the Monument at night as one travels up Charles Street always takes the breath away. The surrounding park and buildings appear to have been lifted from a 19th century European city. Fountains, flowers and statues provide points of interest – a particular favorite statue is at the North end near Madison – John Eager Howard, who donated the land for the Monument and park. Benches are available for rest and picnicking. The Monument is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, for a $1 per person, and while you might not want to climb the 228 steps, you can look at the displays inside at the base. Restaurants are located nearby. On a warm day, you might even hear music from the open windows in the Peabody.

4. WALTERS ART GALLERY – Charles and Centre Streets – 410-547-9000.
This museum is well worth the admission fee, but on Saturdays, if you arrive between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., or on First Thursdays, if you come between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., it’s free. Children will enjoy the displays of knights’ armor, the statues, the colorful paintings, the furniture, the many small and lovely trinkets – including FabergÈ eggs. The museum actually owns more 25,000 pieces of art.

5. THE DINOSAUR IN FRONT OF THE MARYLAND SCIENCE CENTER – Light Street
and Key Highway – 410-685-525.
Yes, this wonderful exhibit costs a bit of the green to get in, and you will want to take the children to it at some point. On our freebie trip, though, you and your children can enjoy a tete-a-tete with the really huge guy (or gal) outside. Discovered in China, Mamenchisaurus, some 72 feet long with a 33-foot neck, is the largest scientifically reconstructed dinosaur around. Don’t be alarmed by his or her size – this dinosaur ate strictly vegetarian.

6. THE LIGHT RAIL – 410-539-5000; 1-800-543-9809.
For the cost of a day pass, adults and kids over six (under six, free) can ride to their hearts’ content. See both stadiums, experience the stomach-churning turn and ride over water south of the Raven’s Stadium, ride over Lake Roland between the Falls and Lutherville stop, or just use it to get from one end of downtown to the other. It’s comfortable, rarely overcrowded (except on game days), and runs very regularly. Along the way are shops and restaurants that might make nice stops for the kids.

Many museums in downtown Baltimore offer regular free or reduced admission days, sometimes in conjunction with a special event (First Thursdays or the Baltimore Book Festival). For information on First Thursdays, call the Downtown Partnership at 410-244-1030. For a wonderful and thorough guide to walking around Baltimore, see Walking in Baltimore by Frank Shivers, available at most area bookstores.

Image Source: http://baltimore.org