Moms and teenagers coming to Baltimore at begining of May

My sister and I will be coming with 5 of our kids to a seminar in Baltmore on May 2, staying at the Holiday Inn, Inner Harbour. Is this a good place to use as a homebase, and is there something that is a can%26#39;t miss for kids who are 16-22? Never been to Baltimore before and are looking forward to it. We%26#39;re coming from Toronto and coincidentally the Blue Jays and Orioles are playing that weekend, but here in Toronto!! NEVER MIND!!!

Moms and teenagers coming to Baltimore at begining of May

What are your interests? You%26#39;re in a great spot to explore, easy walk to the inner harbor. Harbor is the tourist hub-- paddleboats, the aquarium, historic ships, shopping, eating, etc... you can take the water taxi over to historic fells point neighborhood for quaint shops and restaurants.

If you are a seafood fan, stop at one of the crab houses (Canton dockside is my favorite, bo brooks might be more scenic on the water). You could also take a 2 minute cab ride over to Federal Hill and have lunch at the Cross Street market for a true baltimore experience...

Moms and teenagers coming to Baltimore at begining of May

Thanks, Shannonziggy! Our interests range from sport nuts to gallery hoppers, so anything goes! Not sure the paddleboat scene will cut it with the 16 year old boys, but wandering a scenic area sounds lovely. What about museums or galleries? We%26#39;re there for a health seminar which will be all day Sat. but will be arriving Friday and leaving Sunday night. Is everything open on Sunday? ...and would there be any theatre we could catch Sat. night? Maybe we should jump on a City Bus Tour...would that be worthwhile?

Thanks again!

The Holiday Inn is a great place for a homebase to explore Baltimore. It%26#39;s within easy walking distance of the Harbor and Camden Yards. For the kids in the age-range you specified, the National Aquarium is probably the best place to start. I%26#39;m 29 and still love going there whenever I can. Beware though, it%26#39;s very expensive, but you might qualify for a group rate. I would call before I go there, or visit the website.

Beyond that, it really depends what your interests are. The Maryland Science Center can be hit or miss with teenagers, but might be worth checking out depending on the exhibits they have there. Ft. McHenry will be a short cab ride away and is on the water. A nice place to explore.

For the older kids, Fells Point and Canton is another short cab ride away -- both neighborhoods are filled with good bars and restaurants as well as shops.

If the Orioles are in town, I recommend checking out Camden Yards, it still is one of the nicest stadiums in the country despite being 17 years old.

And a trip to Baltimore would not be complete without a crabcake and Faidley%26#39;s in Lexington Market are among the best. Lex. Market is a few blocks up from the Holiday Inn, but be careful when walking there as the Market and surrounding area can be pretty sketchy at times. But... I have never had a problem there and Faidley%26#39;s has its own entrance. After your crabcake if you need something sweet, Berger%26#39;s has a stand nearby and I highly recommend their fudge-covered cookies.

Hope that helps! Enjoy Baltimore!

The Walters Art Museum is a good place to check out for art and history buffs, and should be within walking distance. The Baltimore Museum of Art is also a short cab ride away.

If anyone is into trains, the B%26amp;O Railroad Museum is also within walking distance.

I think Baltimore has a Duck Tour - a land/water tour bus.

Not sure about shows... it all depends on what is playing at the Hippodrome Theater.

Mirage52, thanks for all that great info! We%26#39;re looking forward to our stay!

The Aquarium sometimes has very reduced price admission on the first Friday of the month. You might want to check that out. Also, re: the B%26amp;O Railroad museum - really cool place, but the last time I was there (a long time ago) I wouldn%26#39;t have wanted to walk there. Previous poster may have better info, but the area west of the stadiums was always a bit sketchy when I worked down there. The museum, however, is a treat.

Definitely take the water taxi, if the weather is nice. A stop at Fort McHenry is a must.

Thanks, creekdweller 48! Is your dwelling really on a creek? Lucky you if so!

I think 16 year old boys would love a tour of Camdem Yards. They offer them daily. You get to go into the dug out, press box, etc.

For a unique museum experience, check out the Visionary Arts Museum. Although you%26#39;re not American, you may enjoy Ft. McHenry (birth place of the Star Spangled Banner); it%26#39;s a beautiful place to walk around. Cross Street Market is close to both and I prefer it to Lexington Market. Check out Nick%26#39;s Seafood stalls. Go to the aquarium; I think it is one of the best I%26#39;ve ever visited.