Inner Harbor
Although much of Baltimore's business takes place along Charles Street, the city's focal point for tourism is the Inner Harbor, home of the Baltimore Convention Center, Harborplace shopping pavilions, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium, National Aquarium, Pier 6 Concert Pavilion, and Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture. That said, Baltimore is also still a working deepwater port. Boats from all over dock just beyond the Domino Sugar sign. At the Inner Harbor seawall, it's not unusual to see naval vessels and tall ships and their crews from around the world.
Money-Saving Harbor Pass -- Baltimore's top tourism spots have teamed up with Harbor Pass. For $49, adults can visit the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, Port Discovery, and Top of the World Observation Level -- and ride Ed Kane's Water Taxi all day. Kids' passes are $35. The passes are valid for 3 consecutive days, but only one visit per location. They're also good for discounts at a few hotels and restaurants, an Orioles game, and other Inner Harbor attractions. Call tel. 877/BALTIMORE or visit www.baltimore.org to order passes; they're also available at the Inner Harbor visitor center.
Go West! Pass -- To encourage visitors to venture beyond the Inner Harbor, four museums have united to offer the Go West! Pass. This ticket, good for 6 months, is available at the Mount Clare Museum House, the B&O Railroad Museum, the Babe Ruth Birthplace, and the Sports Legends Museum. Passes cost $25 for adults, $22 for seniors, and $12 for children under age 13.
Only in Baltimore, Hon!
- Cannoli at Vaccaro's. All the desserts are divine, but the cannoli is a tradition. Skip dessert wherever you're having dinner and head straight to Little Italy afterward, or stop by the annex at the Light Street Pavilion.
- Seventh-Inning Stretch at Camden Yards. The crowd of 45,000 unites for a rousing rendition of John Denver's "Thank God I'm a Country Boy."
- Spring in Sherwood Gardens. This community garden at Highfield Road and Greenway Street, in the Guilford neighborhood of northern Baltimore, is out of the way and hard to find -- but it's an oasis in May, when the tulips are in bloom. You'll also go through lovely neighborhoods that tourists seldom see.
- View from the Glass Elevators at the Hyatt. Short of a harbor-view room, this is the best view in the city, especially at night -- and it's free.
- Water Taxi Ride to Fells Point and Little Italy. It's an inexpensive way to see the harbor -- and a great way to avoid the hassle of parking.
