I think I remember that someone on here is from Maryland... is it Lisa? Or someone else?
I just found out yesterday that DH and I will be going to Baltimore twice this year. He is going to have surgery at Johns Hopkins.
Anyways, the first trip up there will be in July for a consultation and we are planning on turning it into a long weekend vacation. We'll be up there for four days... one of those days we hope to go down to DC to see some friends.
Do you have any recs of things to do/see in Baltimore? Places to stay and eat? We will have K with us and so any baby-friendly activities would be great! TIA!
Re: Is someone on here from MD? Lisa?
Its been over 10 years since I've been there. But when I went, I really enjoyed the inner harbor area and going to a baseball game at Camden Yards. We went to DC one day as well, and the train ride was very quick and easy.
Don't want to be nosy, but hope your DH's surgery is nothing too serious and it goes well.
Yay MD!!!! Yep, that's me! I actually used to work at Hopkins! (Hope everything is ok with your DH too)
Ok, what to do - geez, there is SO much and a lot is kid friendly. First note, Hopkins itself is NOT in a good part of the city (as is the case with most hospitals) so just remember that (although, in fairness, it's been 8 years since I worked there and I know they were doing some things to clean up the area).
So, the Inner Harbor is the big tourist spot in the city. Tons of restaurants, shopping, etc. While I haven't been there, Port Discovery would probably be fun for K. https://www.portdiscovery.org/ I love the aquarium there - it's awesome - https://www.aqua.org/. There is also the Maryland Science Center - but that's probably better suited for slightly older kids - https://www.mdsci.org/. All three of these places are within walking distance of eachother.
Fells Point is another really fun area just east of the Inner Harbor (you could still walk there from the Inner Harbor). They have done a TON to that area since I moved away - again, lots of restaurants, shops, etc. but I can't think specifically of any kid specific places there.
As for restaurants, there are lots of chain's there - Cheesecake Factory, Hard Rock, but my favorite is ESPNZone - if you go there you MUST have the cookie sundae - it's to DIE for! Another place I went last time I was home and was great is called Miss Shirley's - yum! Also, seafood, specifically crabs are big there - so if you like crabs, hit Phillips of someplace like that.
If you are a baseball fan, Camden Yards is an awesome park, even though the O's suck... If they are in town, you can probably get bleacher seats for $5 and if K doesn't cooperate, you're not out much money!
There are plenty of nice hotels right in the Inner Harbor area and now in Fells Point too - just be weary of going too far out from that general area.
If you have a free day to spare and have never been to Annapolis, I would definitely recommend going there. You can tour the Naval Academy, walk around the Harbor, they also have an outdoor theatre there. I LOVE Annapolis.
Wow - sorry for the novel.... I love my hometown! If you have any more specific questions, PM me and we'll exchange numbers and I'll gladly give you more insight = )
Thanks everyone!
DH said there is a couple of nice hotels in the Harbor area that also offer Hopkins discounts. So, we are thinking that we'll stay in that area. Question - what is public transportation like in Baltimore? Will we need to take a taxi from the hotel to the hospital, to the restaurants, etc? Or are things in the Harbor area pretty easily accessible by foot?
(I'm also trying to figure out if we need to bring a carseat. I am thinking we will, although I don't know how often we will be taking a taxi. We do plan to go by train to DC and I would love it if I didn't have to haul around a carseat around DC for a day.)
Also.. yall asked about DH's surgery. When DH was a kid he had a brain tumor that crushed his hearing bones. He's had four reconstructive surgeries - this will be his fifth. (The last surgery he had was at St. Vincents two years ago... the one that Brooke (loyo) came and sat with me through while she was about 8 months pregnant. I've never forgotten that favor, Brooke!)
To make a long story short, he's deaf in one ear. The last surgery didn't work and so we are going up to Baltimore to a specialist.
natural m/c and d&c at 10 weeks - 1/24/2014
DX w/ hetero C677t and A1298C MTHFR - 3/4/2014
Well, Hopkins isn't the #1 rated hospital for nothing = ) I sure hope that his surgery goes well and they are able to give you some answers and hopefully fix the problem!!
To answer your other questions:
DH said there is a couple of nice hotels in the Harbor area that also offer Hopkins discounts. So, we are thinking that we'll stay in that area - yes - can't go wrong with the Inner Harbor area
Question - what is public transportation like in Baltimore? Will we need to take a taxi from the hotel to the hospital, to the restaurants, etc? Or are things in the Harbor area pretty easily accessible by foot? Everything in the "Inner Harbor" area is definitely within walking distance. If you fly in to BWI, you can take the Light Rail system to the Inner Harbor (I know it stops at Camden Yards and other places in the city) - don't know if you'd want to if you have alot of luggage, but it is an option. https://mta.maryland.gov/services/lightrail/ The Metro also runs directly in to Hopkins (drops you off underground) so if your hotel is close to a metro stop, you could do that also. https://mta.maryland.gov/services/subway/ That said, the Inner Harbor is not walking distance to Hopkins
(I'm also trying to figure out if we need to bring a carseat. I am thinking we will, although I don't know how often we will be taking a taxi. We do plan to go by train to DC and I would love it if I didn't have to haul around a carseat around DC for a day.) I hear you, I hate lugging around a carseat... Depending on where you stay, you could get away with not having to take a taxi, and hence no need for a carseat.
I guess I have to come out from lurking now...I used to post on the AL nest boards but those kind of died off so I read somebump boards now. You may remember me from the AL knot boards (bamabride2008).
Anyways, we live in Baltimore currently and will gladly answer any questions you have about getting around in the city. My best friend just came to vist with her 9 month old so I had to navigate with a baby for the 1st time. Honestly, at the Harbor you can walk everywhere. Baltimore is very block-to-block so I wouldn't just take off walking past the Harbor. The taxis are fine to take and we have a new free bus that runs down at the Harbor. Do not take the MTA busses; they're just not safe. And honestly, I wouldn't take public transit to Hopkins. It's not the best area and the public transit isn't always the safest.
I totally agree with pp...you should take a day trip to Annapolis if you can. DH is from there and we go just about every weekend. It's beautiful and has tons of great places to eat. Downtown is very walker friendly and the shops are precious!
For DC you can safely take the Metro anywhere you need to go. There's a lot to see so you wouldn't be able to do everything in a day.
I hope you guys have a safe trip and I'll be praying for your DH! Don't hesitate to ask any questions about the area!
Mrs. Merlin - I recognize you! Good to see you on here!
Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I may have more questions as the time gets closer.
natural m/c and d&c at 10 weeks - 1/24/2014
DX w/ hetero C677t and A1298C MTHFR - 3/4/2014