Baltimore area

[michael_s]

My 14 year-old son and I are flying into Batltimore
Our plane lands at 10 a.m. Were meeting another group who's plane doesn't arrive until 4:30 that afternoon.
Anything to do near the airport, or a short cab ride away? Is there mass transit?

[macphanatic]

There's a train from BWI into Baltimore. Not sure where the station is downtown, as I've never gotten off at that station. If you can get to the inner harbor, it should be a good day for walking around. There's an aquarium right on the harbor.

[Tofer]

The downtown station is Penn Station (not to be confused with the NYC Penn station), and although it is still a good distance from the harbor area, I also suggest heading there.

The public transportation in Baltimore is pretty crappy, unfortunately. If you do get to the harbor, I also suggest the aquarium, and you might have time to make a good visit if all the to/from airport logistics work out. There is also a decent science museum, and of course the seafood is delicious, and you can get it just about anywhere around there.

-Tofer

[Gutenberg]

Take the light rail from BWI to Camden Yards. You could then tour the ballpark if you like, or walk about a half mile east to the Inner Harbor, where there is the Science Center, which is very cool, the National Aquarium, which is very cool, or the Hard Rock Cafe, which is very loud. The Sports Legends Museum by the ballpark is nice. Walk another half mile east from the Inner Harbor and you can have lunch in Little Italy.

Edit to add: I hope you have a wonderful time in our city. It's a great place to live.

[zero]

Go to the Camden Yards train stop as Gutenberg mentioned, not Penn Station. It is easier (and safer).

[$tevie]

Like Gutenberg, I'd suggest taking the Light Rail to the Camden Yards stop, or the Convention Center stop which is also right next to Camden Yards.

If you can get into the tour of Oriole Park, I highly recommend it. It's really fun and quite interesting.

The Inner Harbor is a few blocks to the East from the ballpark, and there's plenty to do over there, just be advised that it is for the most part all pricey (For example, I personally would not pay $21.95 to go into the Aquarium if I had only an hour to spend there. And sometimes the wait can be 90 minutes or more. Although don't get me wrong, it is a fabulous place if you've got the time for it!) I think it's nice just to walk around the harbor if it's a day like today. The World Trade Center on Pratt Street has a 27th-floor observation deck called Top of the World that would also be very cool today. Now I feel like sneaking out of the office and heading down that way...

[mikebw]

wow, I had no idea there were so many Baltimorians on the forum. I'm about 30 miles south near DC, but still.

[Gutenberg]

Actually we call ourselves Baltimorons.

[MacMagus]

Not enough time for the aquarium IMHO, but shopping along the Inner Harbor makes for a pleasant afternoon and there's plenty of places for lunch in that area.

Your son might want to hang out at ESPN Zone for lunch and video games. They've got excellent competitive racing games there.

For a cheap ride, I'd call a hotel in the harbor area to see if they've got an airport shuttle doing regular trips. If you're staying at one of those hotels, that's all the better.

[$tevie]

[quote Gutenberg]Actually we call ourselves Baltimorons.
LOL, you took the words out of my mouth.