Celebrate Baltimore! » Baltimore Attractions

Where the Inner Harbor Meets Baseball History

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:52:48 +0000

Baseball fans make their pilgrimages as much as any religious group, and Baltimore is one of the most important stops on a fan’s list. While Baltimore’s Inner Harbor has been celebrated for decades, the crown jewel of the area may be Camden Yards, home of the Orioles, which opened in 1992.A classic-style ballpark with all the modern amenities, Camden Yards in many ways began the revival of baseball stadiums around the major leagues. Cities like Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Houston and Cincinnati have all followed suit and tried to evoke the Golden Era of baseball as Camden Yards did.However, there are many things about Camden Yards which cannot be duplicated. For one, Camden Yards has an old warehouse as its backdrop, one which legend (and a good deal of fact) has identified as the stomping grounds of none other than George Herman ‘Babe’ Ruth. Ruth haunted this neighborhood as a child, and Baltimore’s famous son still the most important figure in baseball history lives on in the imagination of every fan that walk through the gates at Camden Yards.If you visit Camden Yards, you might wonder where the gates are at all. The most unique feature of this ballpark is the way fans enter. Ticketholders pass through the gate one block away from the stadium which serves as the de facto entrance. Once you are on this street, you pass in between the warehouse on the left and the stadium itself down on the right. Fans literally walk off the street and down into an open Camden Yards, in stark contrast to all of the ascending which is normal for fans at a stadium.Is Camden Yards the best stadium in baseball? While new Yankee Stadium has all the glamour, Fenway Park and Wrigley Field all the history, Camden Yards has combined the two so well you can say it’s the best modern ballpark in the classic, and definitely one of Baltimore’s treasures.

Museums, Museums, Museums

www.celebratebaltimore.com — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:19:07 +0000

Museums are boring… right? It’s time to scratch that thought and form a new opinion; you’ll have to check out Baltimore’s spunky museums to see for yourself.Babe Ruth MuseumIf you think Babe Ruth is a chocolaty peanut treat, you don’t belong here. The Babe Ruth Museum honors the legendary baseball player and 500 Home Run Club member, Babe Ruth. Check out “The Great Bambino’s” mitt, stare in wonder at his old jersey and gawk over his unprecedented records. As if Babe’s baseball greatness isn’t enough, wander over to the Sports Legends Museum and view the Oriole’s Hall of Fame.Great Blacks in Wax MuseumMaybe you’ve been to the wax museum in New York and seen the lifelike wax statues of celebrities. The Great Blacks in Wax Museum is similar to the celeb studded wax museum, but it is infused with a meaning more profound than simple entertainment. Walk through the good and bad times African Americans have faced in history and get lost in the realistic sights. Cringe at the sight of Hannibal, view Harriet Tubman up close and personal, take a picture with Malcolm X, sway to the tunes of Bob Marley, see Dr. Martin Luther King, gawk at the realistic President Obama and much, much more.American Visionary Art MuseumThis culturally rich museum presents the opportunity to build your own robot. In addition to a great place for events, receptions, and meetings, the museum showcases a wide variety of exhibits that include, but are certainly not limited to: “We Are Not Alone-Angels and Other Aliens,” “Love: Error and Eros,” “Wind in my hair” (concerning the human wish to fly), “High on Life” (about addiction), and “The Marriage of Art, Science, & Philosophy.”

Spend a day under the sea

admin — Mon, 24 May 2010 20:53:54 +0000

Tired of the walking world? The National Aquarium in Baltimore is home to over 16,500 animals, all on display for your viewing pleasure. Whether you want to walk around and sight see, sit back and enjoy a show, get your hands wet with creatures under the sea, or learn how to make the earth a better place, the National Aquarium has the right exhibit for you.DolphinsYou may have heard they’re the smartest mammals on earth (besides humans of course), but who knew intelligence could be so entertaining? The National Aquarium’s show Our Ocean Planet takes you on a journey through the seas, from a dolphin’s perspective. Sushi anyone?4-D Immersion CenterThree dimensions are simply not enough for the National Aquarium’s productions. As you sit back and relax, you get to enjoy the show with your eyes, ears, nose, and body. Feel the spray of the ocean as a whale surfaces, smell the open sea, and lose yourself in the amazing sights the ocean has to offer. The only downside: your movie theater experience away from the aquarium will never be the same.AnimalsWho knew so there was such variety among us? Check out Australian animals, colorful amphibians, breath taking birds, diverse fish, numerous invertebrates, warm-blooded mammals, and slithery reptiles, you won’t know where to start first. The National Aquarium has animals from all over the world in all shapes and sizes.

Set Sail on the Harbor with Urban Pirates

admin — Mon, 24 May 2010 20:51:58 +0000

Looking for something different and exciting to do in the Baltimore area? Urban Pirates is the place to go. Offering fun adventures for adults, families and children, Urban Pirates is located in historic Fells Point. The Urban Pirates ship, Fearless, is 52 feet long and is designed to carry up to 49 passengers. This vessel is even coast guard certified. Founded in 2008 by three moms from the area, Urban Pirates is designed to offer a variety of experiences for all ages.Family cruises are an hour and a half long and include face painting, dress up, and even a little treasure as well as an hour spent out on the water. Family cruises cost 20 for ages 3 and older and 10 for children under 3.Urban Pirates also offer Adult B.Y.O.G (bring your own grog) cruises every Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. for 25 per person. This hour long cruise is a great way to relax with friends and your drink of choice all while watching the beautiful sunset of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. If you’re looking for a unique birthday party idea for your child, Urban Pirates also offers a variety of party packages. Urban Pirates has been featured on MSNBC as can be seen with directv.

The Birthplace of the National Anthem

www.celebratebaltimore.com — Wed, 12 May 2010 17:17:26 +0000

If you’re planning a trip to Baltimore, whether with family, friends, or on business, you won’t want to miss the historic Fort McHenry National Monument. Located off I-95, Fort McHenry is considered to be the birthplace of the national anthem. The star-shaped fort is also known for its role in the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. It has become a tradition that a new flag made for use by the United States must first be flown over Fort McHenry. Additionally, the first flag containing 49 stars and the first flag containing 50 stars was flown over the fort and are still being flown onsite today. The fort was named after James McHenry, who served as the United States Secretary of War from 1796 to 1800.The fort was used as a prison during the civil war. Using your wireless internet you can now go online and look at the prison records from Fort McHenry.The fort grounds are open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The visitor center also opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 4:45. Visitors can also view a video presentation that chronicles the history and significance of the fort. The last video presentation begins at 4 p.m. each day. Extended summer hours can be found online at http://www.nps.gov/fomc/planyourvisit/hours.htm.