I didn't get anything done Friday or Saturday (although Allie, Karen (Allie's mom) and bridesmaid/wedding planning All-Star Lindsay were burning through tasks) because I was of course away for Bachelor Party: East Coast with a rowdy bunch (though not quite as rowdy as Towson).
Here's a photo of us outside Dogfish Head Brewery:
It was a fun weekend. We didn't do that many organized activities, but the time just hanging out kind of blew past. I do have to say like my Midwestern friends, these guys did not let me win the poker tournament. (It's OK, my skill level makes it hard to do).
I also turned 29 over the weekend, but I've been so busy I didn't really celebrate the B-Day so I guess I will just continue to be 28.
Of course with all this stuff going on I haven't loaded a lot of details up here in the past week. Fortunately, Vicki, my mom, helped me by grabbing these capsules of some Baltimore attractions. Just Google any of them that catch your interest to find out more. I will get the right side of page with other tourism stuff cleaned up hopefully by Wednesday early a.m.
Tourism info for Baltimore:
www.ci.baltimore.md.us/
www.baltconvstr.com/
www.baltimore.org/
Inner Harbor
From breath-taking panoramic views of the skyline from the Observation Level of the World Trade Center to the up-close and personal experiences of street performances happening spontaneously at the waterfront, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor offers more to see and do than you might imagine and it’s all within walking distance!
Harborplace and the Gallery
Located in the heart of the Inner Harbor on Pratt Street, Harborplace and The Gallery offer unique shopping, diverse dining and a variety of entertainment right on the picturesque waterfront.
Baltimore Harbor Cruises - by Spirit Cruises
The Ladies (Bay Lady and Lady Baltimore) offer year-round lunch, brunch and dinner cruises, plus crab feasts, and moonlight tours in the summer. The Prince Charming offers narrated sight-seeing tours four times a day from April to October and all are available for private charter. Join them on a Thursday evening to experience Pirates of the Inner Harbor. It's the most interactive and unique family pirate show that ever set sail!
Maryland Science Center
Let your senses and your mind wander as you experience the numerous sights and hands-on activities at the Maryland Science Center. Featuring an IMAX theater and a planetarium, it's sure to please everyone.
Baltimore Aquarium
The National Aquarium in Baltimore houses sharks, dolphins, rays and tropical fish among the more than 16,000 creatures in naturalistic exhibits, including a walk-through rain forest, an exciting live-action dolphin show and a new Australian exhibit.
World Trade Center
Seeming to hover 405 feet directly over top of the harbor, the World Trade Center in Baltimore offers the best view of the city in every direction from the “Top of the World” Observation Level on the 27th floor. Constructed in 1977, its 32 floors make up the world's tallest equilateral 5-sided building.
Fort McHenry
A water-taxi ride away, you can learn about the Battle of Baltimore and the nation's history by visiting Fort McHenry. Fireworks conclude Flag Day and Defender's Day celebrations. And special events include living history weekends where the Fort McHenry Guard performs demonstrations.
Ed Kane's Water Taxi
For the perfect transportation in and around Baltimore's Inner Harbor, the water taxi is an affordable solution. Located on Lancaster Street, one price buys unlimited rides for the day and group discount rates are available. Native Baltimore residents and frequent city visitors often opt for the frequent floater annual pass.
Baltimore Maritime Museum
Located at Pier 3 and Pier 5, be sure to see the treasures of Inner Harbor by touring the USS Torsk, the USCGC Taney, the Lightship Chesapeake and more. Visit the Maritime Museum and you’ll receive a discount for the USS Constellation, the only Civil War ship still floating today.
Inner Harbor Restaurants
Elegant gourmet cuisine, ethnic foods from around the world and plenty of fresh seafood from Maryland's Chesapeake Bay abound. Come sample a taste of Baltimore at one of the many Inner Harbor restaurants.
ESPN Zone
The prototype restaurant/entertainment venue sits right in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Great banks of video monitors teeming with live and vintage sportscasts--- There are more than 150 monitors, including a high definition big screen for optimal viewing --- accompany a menu that runs squarely American, you know, burgers and pizza for the kids, a Cobb or an Apple and Walnut Salad for mom, and ribs, meatloaf or a grilled pork chop for dad. Snag a padded lounger in "The Screening Room" to dine while watching the big game on a 16-foot video wall. Afterwards, head upstairs to "The Sports Arena" to work off the calories in a 10,000 square-foot wonderland of video and sports-simulation games, such as ESPN Baseball and NBA 2Night, along with air-hockey tables, batting cages and interactive basketball. The formula works; the place is usually mobbed.
Baltimore Orioles
A visit to Camden Yards is just minutes away and, if you're a true baseball fan, be sure to see the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame exhibit and the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum located nearby.You can also visit the Sports Legends Museum which offers 22,000 square feet of artifacts and interactive exhibits, transforming Camden Station into one of the most spectacular sports museums in America.
Baltimore Ravens
Get in on the spirit of the Purple and Black when you attend a Baltimore Ravens football game at the M&T Bank Stadium just a short distance from the Inner Harbor.
Power Plant Live!
A block away from Baltimore's Inner Harbor is Power Plant Live, a premier dining and entertainment district that features a variety of restaurants and nightclubs surrounding a common plaza. There is also outdoor seating which often features live performances.
Fort McHenry
Located off I-95, just southeast of Baltimore's Inner Harbor, the star-shaped Fort McHenry was designed by Frenchman Jean Foncin and named after James McHenry. McHenry served as Secretary of War from 1796 to 1800 and supported construction of the new fort.
During the War of 1812, the brick fort defended the Baltimore harbor and stopped a British advance into the city. Surrounded by water on three sides, Fort McHenry was far enough from Baltimore to provide protection without endangering the city. It was the valiant defense of the fort by 1,000 Americans that inspired Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and amateur poet, to compose the Star Spangled Banner, originally entitled Defense of Fort McHenry.
During the civil war, Fort McHenry was used as a military prison from 1861 to 1865. The National Park Service's Civil War Soldiers and Sailors system now allows visitors to search Fort McHenry's prison records online.
Administered by the National Park Service in 1933, Fort McHenry is the only area of the National Park System to be designated both a National Monument and Historic Shrine. Fort McHenry is open to the public year round and offers visitor programs and special events that highlight the park's history.
Baltimore Aquarium
Opened in 1981, the Baltimore Aquarium is world-famous and undoubtedly Maryland's leading tourist attraction. Whether you're an educator, a student or simply a visitor wanting to look at the magnificent exhibits, the Baltimore Aquarium in the Inner Harbor has a lot to offer.
Housing more than 16,000 creatures, the Baltimore Aquarium exhibits a variety of species in their naturalistic habitats. You'll find animals such as stingrays, sharks, sea turtles, bullfrogs, phytoplankton, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, puffins and thousands more. You can also catch an up-close view of dolphins as they leap and tumble with the Baltimore Aquarium trainers in the live-action Dolphin Show.
Baltimore Museums
American Visionary Art Museum
This national museum and education center highlights the outstanding original works of art created by intuitive, self-taught artists.
Attraction & Ticket Information | Phone: 410-244-1900
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum
This fascinating, fun place for kids, families and lovers of history and American railroading features the most comprehensive collection in the Western Hemisphere.
Attraction & Ticket Information | Phone: 410-752-2490
Baltimore Museum of Art
Now offering permanent free general admission, Maryland's largest art museum features an internationally renowned collection of 19th century, modern and contemporary art.
Attraction & Ticket Information | Phone: 410-516-5589
Baltimore Opera Company
Enjoy fully staged grand operas featuring international singers, directors and conductors.
Attraction & Ticket Information | Phone: 410-727-6000
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Featuring award-winning Music Director Marin Alsop, the symphony performs classical, pops, family, summer and holiday concerts showcasing world-renowned artists.
Attraction & Ticket Information | Phone: 410-783-8000
CENTERSTAGE
This professional theater presents a variety of home-produced plays, from Shakespeare to August Wilson, Sondheim to Shaw.
Attraction & Ticket Information | Phone: 410-332-0033
Contemporary Museum
This unique museum promotes the art of our time as both educational tool and catalyst of progressive social change in Baltimore and surrounding areas.
Attraction & Ticket Information | 410-783-5720
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
This 18th-century brick fort defended Baltimore harbor during the War of 1812 and is the
birthplace of the American national anthem.
Attraction Information | 410-962-4290
Maryland Historical Society
Discover the history of Maryland and America at the home of the original manuscript of the"Star-Spangled Banner," Tench Tilghman's revolutionary war uniform and Benjamin Banneker's almanac.
Attraction & Ticket Information | Phone: 410-685-3750, x 321
The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum
America's first wax museum of African American history and culture features more than 100 life-size and lifelike wax figures.
Attraction & Ticket Information | Phone: 410-563-7809
Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture
This museum highlights the history and accomplishments of Maryland's African American community, featuring exhibitions, resource centers, a cafè and a gift shop.
Attraction & Ticket Information | Phone: 443-263-1801
The Walters Art Museum
Now offering permanent, free general admission, this world-class museum offers 55 centuries of art, including Egyptian mummies, medieval armor and 19th-century masterpieces.
Attraction & Ticket Information | Phone: 410-547-6000
The Lexington Market
400 W Lexington St. 8:30 -6 p.m. Monday - Saturday
Old as the nation itself, Lexington Market has been a wonderful Baltimore
tradition since 1782 at the original site it occupies today, on Lexington Street,
between Eutaw and Greene Streets.
OK, I am getting late for work. Go A.L. tonight! And props to Justin Morneau for winning the HR Derby despite no one cheering for him (I swear I was hard at work and only had it on in the background).
-- Nate
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