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| TOP BALTIMORE AREA ATTRACTIONS |
| M&T Bank Stadium |
M&T Bank Stadium is the home to the Baltimore Ravens, Baltimore's National Football League franchise. Opened in 1998, M&T Bank Stadium is one of the newest and most state-of-the-art stadiums built. M&T Bank Stadium was originally known as Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards, until ISP PSINet acquired the naming rights in 1999, naming it PSINet Stadium. It then reverted back to Ravens Stadium in 2002 when PSINet filed for bankruptcy. In 2003 M&T Bank acquired naming rights to the stadium. Two other companies were in the running to be granted naming rights to the stadium; they were reportedly, Nextel and CarMax. Following the September 2002 death of Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas, public sentiment leaned toward renaming the then-sponsorless stadium after the Baltimore icon. However, the Ravens and the Maryland Stadium Authority held firm in their right to negotiate naming rights fees. In the end, a plaza on the stadium's northwest corner was named "Unitas Plaza", complete with a bronze statue of the Hall of Famer (in 2003, Towson University in the Baltimore suburbs named their home stadium, where the NCAA Division I-AA Tigers play, after Unitas).
Located in downtown Baltimore, the stadium is immediately adjacent to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles. The stadium is served by the Hamburg Street station of the Baltimore Light Rail.
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| Port Discovery |
| If the energy expended by the young guests of this Inner Harbor museum could be harnessed, the self-described "kid-powered museum" would indeed run without a monthly electric bill. A few hours here and even your big kids will nap on the way home. The three-story climbing structure will physically tire them, but the constant learning opportunities, cleverly disguised as play, will leave them mentally exhausted too. |
| National Aquarium in Baltimore |
| While not specifically designed for kids, this aquatic wonderland of exotic and native Maryland species fascinates kids of all ages. The youngest ones enjoy watching the swishing of the creatures in the softly lit tanks. Older kids and adults love the elaborate recreations of native habitats, particularly the most recent addition, Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes . |
| Six Flags America |
| A day at this Largo, MD amusement and water park is pure fun. There's very little educational content here, but sometimes that's just what kids need. Only 40 minutes southeast of Baltimore, Six Flags is open April through October, though its Hurricane Harbor Water Park is only open in the summer. With 100-plus rides, attractions and shows, everyone in the family – from the youngest toddlers to the biggest thrill-seekers – will go home happy, tired and looking forward to a return visit. |
| Maryland Science Center |
| This Inner Harbor attraction's exhibits, where kids reconstruct dinosaur skeletons, play a tune by ear or use a pulley to heave themselves to new heights, all teach by doing. And the shows pack in even more info. The Davis Planetarium puts on a fabulous star show, and the IMAX movies' 3-D effects leave audiences with wobbly knees. There's so much to learn here that most kids simply won't be able to retain it all – or likely even half of it. But that's okay because they will remember the fun. |
| The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore |
| Set in leafy Druid Hill Park, The Maryland Zoo exudes the old-fashioned charm of its 19th-century origins, amid its 21st-century makeover. With the Main Valley closed since 2004, visitors now take a tram to an entrance near the polar bears' digs. The African Journey is where you can visit the elephants, giraffes, lions, chimpanzees, cheetahs and more. A boardwalk meanders through The Children's Zoo and Maryland Wilderness, allowing a close-up view of the animals. |
| Mount Vernon |
| Known as Baltimore's cultural district, Mount Vernon is a 15-20-minute walk from the Inner Harbor north on Charles Street about 10 blocks. Many attractions are included in the boundaries of this neighborhood such as the Washington Monument and Museum (the first memorial to George Washington), Walters Art Gallery, The Peabody Conservatory of Music, and the Enoch Pratt Free Public Library. |
| Camden Yards – Home of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team |
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a baseball stadium located in Baltimore, Maryland , which was completed in 1992 to replace the aging Memorial Stadium . It is the home field of the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball . It was the first "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s, and remains one of the most highly praised. It is situated in a picturesque location at the southwest corner of downtown Baltimore close to the Inner Harbor . The year 2007 marks Camden Yards' 15th birthday.
Historically, Oriole Park at Camden Yards is one of several venues that have carried the " Oriole Park " name for various Baltimore franchises over the years. |
| PowerPlant Live! |
| Power Plant Live! is a collection of bars and clubs in the Inner Harbor section of downtown Baltimore, Maryland . It was developed by the Cordish Company and opened in phases during 2001 , 2002 , and 2003 . The $30 million project includes loft offices on the upper floors. The attraction provides a new nightlife and entertainment district for downtown Baltimore and is located along Market Place at the site of the failed 1980s Brokerage retail complex, adjacent to the Port Discovery children's museum (in the old Baltimore Fishmarket). Power Plant Live! includes restaurants , bars, comedy clubs, dance clubs, dueling pianos, and other concepts. |
| Inner Harbor |
| Since its renovation in 1980, the Inner Harbor has become a bustling place for tourists and natives alike to shop, dine, drink, and be entertained. The two pavilions offer shops such as The Discovery Store , various clothing boutiques, Baltimore souvenirs, and numerous specialty shops. Across the bay, Barnes and Nobles has a three-story location in the renovated power plant complete with a coffee bar to warm up at during the colder months. |
| Federal Hill |
| Just a short walk from the Inner Harbor lays the historic neighborhood of Federal Hill. When the federal Constitution was ratified, the residents held a boisterous celebration and parade on the hill that overlooks Baltimore and as a result, Federal Hill was born. In 1875, Baltimore acquired the hill and it is now a park with a cannon as a reminder of the Civil War. |
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