Baltimore’s Inner Harbor offers something for everyone

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Written by LINDA HARKCOM

Whether you are looking for a getaway with your significant other, a weekend away with the guys or the gals or a family-friendly fun day, the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore has something for everyone.

Aaron Cuison, director of marketing for the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, said the Inner Harbor is unlike any other urban waterfront in the world. He said there is much to see and do just a short stroll from the water’s edge.

“Inner Harbor and the adjoining waterfront neighborhoods are the perfect place to spend the day shopping in boutique stores, visiting museums, browsing farmers markets, playing in one of the many parks, enjoying the scenery and trying out the local cuisine,” Cuison said.

National Aquarium

One of the biggest attractions at the Inner Harbor is the National Aquarium, a nonprofit organization focused on changing the way humanity cares for oceans.

“Through unparalleled exhibits, science-based education programs and hands-on field initiatives, we are creating a new community of hopeful conservationists, driven by our mission to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures,” National Aquarium Director of Sales Nora Campbell said in an email interview.

According to Campbell, the National Aquarium welcomes more than 1 million guests annually.

“The National Aquarium is home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species. Guests will experience dozens of unique aquatic habitats – from a northern Australian river gorge to an Indo-Pacific reef to a tropical rainforest – all interconnected by the binding force of water,” Campbell said.

The most popular attraction, Campbell said, is the award-winning Blacktip Reef exhibit, which guests can experience from multiple vantage points, including an underwater viewing area.

“The reef habitat is buzzing with aquatic life – sleek Blacktip Reef sharks cut through the water’s surface as rays gracefully glide and stunning fish dart

between branches of colorful coral,” she said.

One of the aquarium’s other popular attractions, the Upland Tropical Rain Forest, is scheduled to reopen this fall. Campbell said it was closed in March so the 684 panes of glass that make up the iconic pyramid enclosing the exhibit could be replaced.

“As guests walk along the path of the Upland Tropical Rain Forest, they will find themselves immersed in the sights and sounds of one of the most biologically diverse habitats on Earth. Tropical birds fly, poison dart frogs hop, sloths hang and golden lion tamarin monkeys scamper among thousands of rainforest plants in a re-creation of one of the world’s most rapidly disappearing habitats,” Campbell said.

One thing that many people might not know is the aquarium offers several tours and experiences that take guests behind the scenes for a deeper dive into life there.

“From tours of our Shark Alley catwalk to private aquarium sleepovers and tours of our state-of-the-art Animal Care and Rescue Center, there is a way for everyone to learn more about how aquarium staff cares for our animal residents 365 days a year,” she said.

Maryland Science Center

One of the other major sites that brings people to the Inner Harbor is the Maryland Science Center. Spokesman Chris Cropper said in an email interview that about 300,000 visitors come through its doors each year.

Cropper said the attraction has three floors of hands-on exhibits, including dinosaurs, the human body and outer space. He said the center also has world-class theaters, including a digital planetarium and five-story screen theater. Guests can see live science demonstrations throughout the day.

“People love the interactive nature of our exhibits. We are purposely lowtech, with an emphasis on not having computer screens all over the building. Our planetarium features live tours of the night sky so visitors can take in a show, then put what they learned into practice when they look at the night sky in their own backyard. The Kids Room is just for kids 8 and under and features a huge water-play exhibit,” Cropper said.

The science center isn’t just for kids. Cropper said it hosts events designed just for adults, including Grown-Up Field Trips and Happy Hours featuring the science behind brewing and winemaking.

Rash Field Park

If you are visiting the Maryland Science Center with children, Cuison said Rash Field Park is a must-see destination.

“With its Adventure Play, featuring two wooden towers reaching over 30 feet in the air, and the BGE Nature Park, featuring gardens of native plants, fallen logs and secret pathways, it’s the perfect stop to let your child burn that extra energy,” Cuison said.

He said the park is the perfect start to take a walk or scooter around the promenade that connects five vastly different neighborhoods.

“Once you circle around Inner Harbor, you can explore Harbor East, Harbor Point and Fell’s Point, or vice versa,” Cuison said. “The best part is that no matter where you start on the promenade, you can always take the water taxi to where you need to be.”

The Inner Harbor is teeming with activities all year long, including kayak tours, street performers, and free fitness and wellness classes like yoga, line dancing and HIIT (high-intensity interval training), to name a few. There are also several events, such as the Baltimore by Baltimore (BxB) festival, a music and makers festival series held the first Saturday of every month from June to November.

“Inner Harbor is also host to Baltimore’s best events and seasonal attractions. Everyone looks forward to Harbor Harvest in autumn, the Inner Harbor ice rink in winter and all the various events held throughout the year,” Cuison said.

How about those O’s?

Baseball fans can plan their trip to the area to include an Orioles home game at Camden Yards. The ballpark is only about a 12-minute walk west of the Inner Harbor.

“If you plan to go to an Orioles game, make a day out of it,” Cuison suggested. “Get the full Baltimore experience before you lose your voice cheering from the stands. Take a water taxi ride and explore one of Baltimore’s top-rated restaurants, tour the historic ships that line our harbor, relax in West Shore Park or visit the new Broadway Market for great seafood and the best ice cream in the city.”

For more information about things to see and do at the Inner Harbor, go to waterfrontpartnership.org.

For more information or to buy tickets to the National Aquarium,go to www.aqua.org; and for details about or tickets to the Maryland Science Center, go to mdsci.org.