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THINGS TO DO IN/AROUND BALTIMORE AND D.C.
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This is by far not a comprehensive list, or even a good one. Its just here as a reference of stuff we've done, or want to do, so people who come and visit can make plans ahead of time.
- Dave and Buster's
Restaurant (similar to a Chili's or Friday's) and arcade in one place. It's very large, and unlike Jillian's is nearly smoke-free all the time. It's also slightly cheaper, but still not a bargain :) Located just outside the Capitol Beltway off Rt. 355, in White Flint mall.
- Smithsonian Institute and Museums
My personal favorites are the Air and Space Museum, Museum of Natural History, and Museum of American History. Natural History has a wonderful exhibit on gemstones, as well as dinosaur fossils. Air and Space has displays about every major accomplishment in flight or space exploration; it is currently being refurbished, and is a bit cramped until mid 2002. American History currently has most of a cold-war era submarine inside on the top floor; very cool. The Pictures section has shots from all three museums, which are all along the National Mall (and thus very close to each other).
- D.C. Metro
Not a thing to do, per se, but a way of doing things. The best way to see D.C is on foot and the Metro; bring your car in at your own risk. I usually drive to Greenbelt station on the green line (coincidence? I think not) and take that to wherever I need to go. Its cheap ($2 average each way), and you can get day passes if you go after 9 AM on weekdays - $5, all you can ride for the day.
- Hockey - Washington Capitols
The Caps play at the MCI center. Take the Metro :) Games are $15-75 per seat, but there are lots of special nights (like Family Night, which is $80 for four people with food and Caps hats (Caps caps?). Order online and just pick them up at the window; thats the easiest way.
- National Zoo
A decent zoo, best visted during good weather (it is mostly open to the elements). Near a lot of good eating, and fairly close to two Metro stops - the one labeled "National Zoo" is actually a little farther away than the closer stop :) Its also free, but I always leave a donation. See the Pictures section for some pictures of the exhibits.
- Monuments and Buildings
I will expand this section once we complete our walk-around tour of DC. For now, accept the link above, which is a map of DC tourist attractions and monuments. For those you can enter, expect a pretty hefty wait - my understanding is that the Washington Monument gives out all its tickets for daily tours by mid-morning. You can walk between things, which is quite doable - especially if you use the Metro system for the big hops, you can get a guided tour bus (for about $18/day) or you can drive. Don't drive.
- Inner Harbor
The Inner Harbor is located just off Interstate 95, near both Camden Yards and PSINet Stadium. There is just so much to do in the Inner Harbor. The National Aquarium is in the middle of it (below), Hard Rock Cafe, ESPN Zone (kind of like a Dave and Busters or Jillians, but sports themed - excellent food too), a three story Barnes and Nobles, the USS-Torsk (a submarine you can tour), the USF Constellation (an old sailing-vessel), more places to dine than you could ever hope for, shopping, and sightseeing. We usually drive into the city, and park in a closeby parking lot - the farther you go from the harbor, the cheaper parking is, but the riskier parking gets ... plan on about $15 for a day trip.
- National Aquarium in Baltimore
A large and extensive aquarium, with lots to do. In addition to the regular exhibits, the aquarium las a large walk-around/through tank (its cylindrical, and hollow, so you can both look in and out of it), a dolphin show, and more. Plan to buy tickets two hours or so in advance, but you get a scheduled time to go in (so you don;t have to wait around in line), and the rest of the Inner Harbor is available for to walk around while you wait.
- Fort McHenry
Home of the Star Spangled Banner. This overlooks the Inner Harbor (a good place to put a fort, if you ask me). I personally haven't been there, but it should be an interesting place to go.
- Fells Point
Fells Point is an historic area of Baltimore, which boasts two main attractions - excellent antique shops (rivaling Historic Frederick), and lots of taverns, pubs, and bars. Another place to explore when the time presents itself.
- Baseball - Baltimore Orioles
The O's play at Camden Yards, which one passes on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive on the way to the Inner Harbor. Most people drive in, as there is no Metro Subway in Baltimore. Parking isn't cheap - typically it is expensive on nights of games - but the games themselves are much less expensive than football or hockey.
- Football - Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens play at PSINet stadium, in Baltimore. The Ravens get their name from Baltimore's legacy as the birthplace (and final resting place) of Edgar Allen Poe. Football games are expensive - $75 a seat is typical - and expect lots of soldout games to see the SuperBowl 35 Champions.
- Baltimore Zoo
I have been told this is a better zoo than the D.C. National Zoo. You do have to pay to get in, but it isn't much - and the website has a printable discount coupon (worth $1 off the last time I looked). Its about ten minutes northwest of the Inner Harbor along Route 83 North.
- Annapolis
Yes, yes, a broad topic, I know. In Annapolis proper, there is so much to do - walk around the main town streets shopping and sightseeing, see the Capitol buildings, the Naval Academy, and more. Just outside the town center, there is Annapolis mall, home to the second best movie theatre in the Baltimore/D.C. metro area, RennFest (because I can't spell Renaissssancce), and more. Just over the Bay Bridge (east of Annapolis) are some great seafood places, as well as sailing and fishing.
- National Cryptologic Museum
This is located next door to No Such Agency (shhh, its a secret). The hours are kind of limited, so check the webpage before you go. Try to get either a guided tour or the headphone tourguides, because even though the museum isn't very large, its packed with stuff. AAAA guided tour is better, because they will usually tell you things not on the "official" headphone tours. Among other exhibits, there is a German Enigma machine you can touch and use (the only one if its kind you can touch, and one of only three places you can see an Enigma).
- Arundel Mills
Its just plain huge. Near the intersection of Rt. 100 and 295, it is a "mile-long" shopping mall - home to my favorite movie theatre, Muvico Egyptian 24. Lots of eateries and shopping. Wear good shoes. Secret Driving Hint: When you take the exit off 100 East, don't enter the first mall entrance - drive around to the back, where there are no lines, ever, and lots of parking.
- Maryland RennFest
This is just plain awesome. Starting in mid-July, and running through mid-October (weekends only), this exhibition features lots of live performers, great food (usually pretty inexpensive), costumes, shopping, more food, really cool activities, and food. Get there early for good parking spots; its located off Rt. 97, near Annapolis.
- Historic Ellicott City
A nice historic downtown area, with a little bit of everything in it. Comic book shops, antique stores, ice cream, eateries, mice little pubs like the Judge's Bench, and more. gTo get there, take Rt. 32 to Rt. 29 north, to Rt. 4
- Historic Frederick
Another nice historic downtown area. Frederick excels in antique shops and the like; in my limited experience, this is the area to go if you want to find antiques. Nearby is good shopping, as well as food and dining.
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THINGS FAR AWAY BUT WORTH THE TRIP
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- Gettysburg National Military Park
Located in aptly-named Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, this park is huge. While we haven't fully explored it, we would like to in the future. What little we saw was very moving - there are driving-tours of the battleground, showing local monuments to various regiments and forces, important points in the battle, and historic markers, as well as guided tours and walking tours. Plus, outside the Military Park is a more touristy-sort of area to walk around in. North of Frederick by about forty five minutes or so.
- Deep Creek
Deep Creek is in western Maryland, where it is wooded and calm and serene (making you believe you are no longer in Maryland). There is a lot to do, from hiking and camping, to fishing, boating, rafting, swimming, and lots more. To get there, just get on Interstate 70 heading west, and don't stop.
- Ocean City
I have yet to go, but this is where everyone and their aunt goes during the summer. I know this, because I have waited on Rt. 50 in front of the Bay Bridge, trying to get somewhere else. I have been promised a trip here in the near future; we shall see :)
- Six Flags America
An amusement park, near D.C. All amusement parks got lumped under "way the heck out there", mostly because I am lazy. Tickets are much cheaper if I can get some through work - just ask ahead of time.
- King's Dominion
King's Dominion is an amusement park in Virginia, south of D.C. by about forty-five minutes. Tickets can be less expensive if I purchase them through work, so just ask ahead of time.
- Hershey Park
Of all the amusement parks listed, I like Hershey the best - there is much more to do than just ride rollercoasters all day. The park hosts a dolphin and sea lion show, a small zoo, and of course tours of Hershey Chocolate. Once a year, where I work buys out the park (usually the first week in October), and vastly undersells tickets at cheap rates - the result is a great time with a lot smaller crowd and virtually no lines.
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