Public Transit and walking in Baltimore

I need some advice on a trip to Baltimore in mid November.

Here are some of the basics of the trip:

1. Will be flying into BWI @9:30 pm.

2. Want to stay near Aquarium

a. We are considering staying at Hilton Garden Inn/Homewood Suites Inner Harbor OR Hampton Inn and Suites Inner Harbor (I have a free reward night)

4. Will leave for DC after visiting Aquarium

5. Travelers will be me, husband, and 18mnth daughter with a stroller.

Questions??

1. Public transit, shuttle, or taxi to hotel?

a. How scary is the bus at that time of day and area of town?

b. We will not have a car seat—Can we even take a taxi?

2. Which hotel is the best bet for a family going to the Aquarium?

3. How do we get to DC when we are done?

Thanks for your advice.

Public Transit and walking in Baltimore

I%26#39;m not sure what your budget is, but there are a few hotels right downtown, within close proximity to the acquarium and harbor place - Mariott, Sheraton, Hyatt, and others that i can%26#39;t think of right now. Public transportation is not Baltimore%26#39;s strong point, however with a stroller, it can be a pretty walkable city. You may also want to check out the Science center, which is in the same area as the Acquarium - i took my small children there recently and they had a great time in the children%26#39;s area. Depending on when you are going to DC, during the week there is the MARC train that goes from Baltimore%26#39;s Penn Station (a cab ride from downtown) to DC. DC has a fantastic Metro - one of the easiest to figure out (i%26#39;ve been on the NY subway, Paris Metro, London Underground, etc) The MARC train only runs during the week, but it is quick, convenient and cheap. Let me know if you have any specifics about what to do and where to go in Baltimore.

Public Transit and walking in Baltimore

Most of the hotels right in the inner harbor area would fit your needs. All are walkable to Aquarium. Hyatt, Renassiance, Marriott etc- not cheap though. The ones you mentioned would be fine also. With a baby, stroller and luggage I would take Super Shuttle or taxi from airport. You do not need a carseat for a cab- I work an inner city hospital and we send moms and babies home all the time in cabs with no carseat- go figure! I would suggest a cab ride to Penn Station- just a few blocks from inner harbor and take the train right into DC. If you are going during the week and will be heading back to Balto. by evening you could also consider the Camden Station stop of the MARC train.

Hilton Garden Inn/Homewood Suites Inner Harbor is closest to the Aquarium out of the two. And a MUCH better location. There are restaraunts, shops and Little Italy between this hotel and aquarium. Hampton Inn is on the other side of the Harbor and not the best locale if you ask me. I would not stay here if you want to be close to the Aquarium. Also if you stay at the Hilton, you are right at the harbor walk, a walking path along the harbor you can stroll along the marinas, restaraunts, condos.. There are several highly rated upsdcale restaraunts within a block of the Hilton and a Whole Foods if you need something in a pinch. It%26#39;s safer at night here too.

'; Hampton Inn is on the other side of the Harbor and not the best locale if you ask me. I would not stay here if you want to be close to the Aquarium.';

There are two Hampton Inns in downtown Baltimore, I%26#39;m ';guessing'; that your comments relate to the Camden Yards location, which is slightly less convenient for walking to the aquarium than the Redwood Street property, but still within walking distance for a presumably healthy couple with a stroller for the child. The neighborhood is not as lively as the area around HGI, but is not unsafe.