Local
Activities
Baltimore is full of fun and interesting sites. It is centrally
located and only a short distance from Washington DC, northern VA,
and PA.
Maryland
1-800-543-1036
www.maryland.gov
Captain John Smith first explored Maryland in 1608. Since that time
the state has furnished the nation with some of its most brilliant
diplomats and patriots. Famous Marylanders include Benjamin Banneker,
Francis Scott Key, Edgar Allen Poe, Upton Sinclair and Babe Ruth.
The bravery of Maryland troops in the Revolution won the state its
nickname, "The Old Line State." Named after Queen Henrietta Maria,
wife of Charles I of England, Maryland is the eighth smallest state
in the union with a total area of 10,460 square miles.
Two hundred Europeans settled Maryland in 1634 and the state has
flourished ever since. Maryland was the seventh of the original 13
states to ratify the Constitution April 28, 1788. In the War of
1812, a British fleet attempted to seize Fort McHenry in Baltimore.
During a 25-hour bombardment Sept. 13-14, 1814, American troops
successfully defended the fort, inspiring Marylander Frances Scott
Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner, which later became our
national anthem. The historic sights of Maryland are a great
attraction for tourists and residents alike. Call 1-800-543-1036 for
Maryland tourist information.
Annapolis
410-974-3400
www.annapolis.gov
Founded in the mid 17th century, Annapolis has been the capital of
Maryland since 1695. It was the first peacetime capital of the
United States. Since 1845, it has been the home of the U.S. Naval
Academy. Tours are available at the State House, where Congress
ratified the Treaty of Paris in 1784 that officially put an end to
the American Revolution, just weeks after receiving George
Washington's resignation. The State House, built in 1772, is located
in the center of Annapolis and was the first capitol of the United
States. Today, it is the oldest state house still in legislative use
in America.
United States Naval Academy
121 Blake Road
Annapolis, Md. 21402
410-263-6933
www.nadn.navy.mil
Visit the U.S. Naval Academy and walk the grounds of the
world-famous higher institution for U.S. Naval officers and home for
approximately 4,500 midshipmen and women. Established in 1845, the
academy displays parades, concerts and other various events every
year during "Commissioning Week," finishing off with midshipmen
graduation in late May. The Naval Academy Museum features 300 years
of American Naval history. The center is open daily. Guided walking
tours of the grounds are offered through the visitor center.
Baltimore
410-396-3835
www.ci.baltimore.md.us
The original town of Baltimore was founded in 1729, but it wasn't
incorporated until 1796. Baltimore was named to honor the title of
Maryland's founding family, the six Lords Baltimore. It was a tiny
village of 200 homes in 1768 when it became the Baltimore County
seat. The city grew and became an important shipbuilding center
where merchants prospered and the city's port flourished. The city
was separated from Baltimore County and given status equal to that
of the counties in 1851. Baltimore was the third largest city in the
nation by 1860 and today is the 13th largest. It is one of only two
independent cities in the United States. With a world port,
government offices, significant medical and educational
institutions, and major tourist attractions, Baltimore is one of the
most important cities on the East Coast.
Neighborhoods in Baltimore include Federal Hill, Fells Point,
Little Italy and Mount Vernon Place. The popular neighborhood of
Federal Hill was named for a huge celebration the residents held in
honor of the ratification of the federal Constitution. The cannon on
the hill overlooking the Inner Harbor is a reminder of the Civil
War, when federal troops seized the railroads and occupied Baltimore
and Annapolis to keep Maryland in the Union and to prevent
Washington, D.C., from being surrounded by Confederate states.
Among Baltimore's literary landmarks is a house lived in by Edgar
Allan Poe, who died in Baltimore in 1849. He is buried in
Westminster Cemetery, where Baltimore teachers and schoolchildren
erected a monument to him with money collected in 1875.
Fort McHenry
East Fort Avenue
Baltimore, Md. 21230
410-962-4299
www.nps.gov/fomc
This historic site, located in south Baltimore, features a replica
flagpole on the 1814 site that inspired Francis Scott Key to write
the words that later became our national anthem. The fort, named
after James McHenry, Secretary of War from 1796 to 1800, also
features guard rooms, officers' quarters, barracks, and cannons from
the War of 1812 and Civil War periods.
The Fort McHenry guard, in historic attire, re-enacts life at the
garrison on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Guided tours are
conducted daily from mid-June to August. Special exhibits are
available for those people who are visually or hearing impaired, and
the visitor center has an exhibit area featuring a film. Open daily
except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
Inner Harbor
Pratt Street
Baltimore, Md. 21202
800-543-1036
www.harborplace.com
Spend the day in Baltimore's Inner Harbor and witness first-hand
what makes Baltimore one of the greatest cities on the East Coast.
Offering everything from exquisite dining and endless shopping to
adventurous nightlife. Many sights await visitors at the Inner
Harbor.
Maryland Science Center, Davis
Planetarium and IMAX Theater
601 Light Street
Baltimore, Md. 21230
410-685-5225
www.mdsci.org
Located in the inner harbor, the Maryland Science Center makes
science fun for children and adults alike. The center features
exhibits about the Chesapeake Bay, hands on scientific experiments
and more. The IMAX Theater features a five-story high screen and 38
surround sound speakers. Admission is $7 for military members,
students and seniors; $9 for others. Check with ITT, 1235 Taylor
Avenue, for discount tickets or call 301-981-4413.
National Aquarium in Baltimore
501 East Pratt Street Pier 3
Baltimore, Md. 21202
410-576-3800
www.aqua.org
Visit the Nation's premier aquarium, the National Aquarium in
Baltimore. With an exciting all-new Dolphin Show "PLAY!" now open
and more than 10,500 marine and freshwater animals, this is one stop
that you can't miss!
Journey deep into the heart of the Amazon River Forest, come face
to face with the stunning creatures that make a home in the Atlantic
Coral Reef, glance into the eye of a menacing Shark in our Open
Ocean exhibit, and so much more! Best time to visit is before 11
a.m. Discount tickets may be purchased through recreation/ticket
offices on local military bases.
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
333 West Camden St.
Baltimore, Md. 21230
410-685-9800
www.theorioles.com
Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the beautiful baseball-only facility in
downtown Baltimore, became the official home of the Orioles April 6,
1992. Oriole Park is state-of-the-art yet unique, traditional, and
intimate in design. It blends with the urban context of downtown
Baltimore while taking its image from baseball parks built in the
early 20th century. The ballpark seats 48,876. A light rail system
brings fans directly to the park.
Port Discovery
The Kid Powered Museum
35 Market Place
Baltimore, Md. 21202
410-727-8120
www.portdiscovery.org
Ranked by Child magazine as among the top five children’s museums in
the country, Port Discovery offers ever-changing, interactive fun
for the whole family. Kids can climb up Kidworks, a three story
urban tree house, use real tools to make inventions in R&D Dreamlab,
travel back in time to ancient Egypt in Adventure Expeditions, be
part of an interactive game show in MPT Studio and more. Open year
round except for holidays. Admission charged.
Washington, D.C.
202-789-7000
www.dchomepage.net
The District of Columbia, named for George Washington and
Christopher Columbus in 1791, is the seat of the federal government
and the nation's capital. This 63-square-mile city boasts a
population of more than a half million residents with hundreds of
sights and points of interest that attract visitors from around the
world. The city's climate is described as humid subtropical with the
temperature in winter averaging 34 degrees and 77 degrees during the
summer, although these are subject to wide fluctuations.
Maj. Pierre L'Enfant designed Washington D.C. in 1791. It was the
first city planned for a specific purpose. L'Enfant laid out the
city around numerous circles and squares connected by straight
boulevards. The layout has often been described as reminiscent of a
series of wagon wheels. This design, often described as brilliant,
allowed for growth; however L'Enfant could not have foreseen the
advent of automobiles in a nation of more than 230 million
people. Four sections make up Washington northeast, southeast,
northwest and southwest. Any address is always followed by an
abbreviation of the appropriate section of town: NE, SE, NW and SW.
Washington has one of the most comprehensive and attractive
public transportation systems on the East Coast, with Metro at the
top of it all. The Metro not only connects the numerous sights in
the city with each other, but the subway also branches out to parts
of Virginia and Maryland. For more information regarding the Metro
or to find the closest stop to a particular sight, call
202-637-7000.
Jefferson Memorial
900 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, D.C. 20024
202-426-6821, 202-619-7222
A monument to our third president, this 19-foot bronze statue stands
beneath a rotunda inscribed with passages from the Declaration of
Independence and Jefferson's other famous writings. Open daily
except Christmas. Park rangers are in attendance from 8 a.m. -
midnight.
John F. Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts
2700 F Street N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20566
800-444-1324, 202-467-4600
www.kennedy-center.org
Overlooking the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the nation's
busiest arts facility presents more than 3,300 performances each
year for audiences numbering more than 2 million. The Kennedy Center
continues to fulfill his vision by producing and presenting an
unmatched variety of theater and musicals, dance and ballet,
orchestral, chamber, jazz, popular and folk music, and multi-media
performances for all ages.
The Kennedy Center contains the Opera House, Concert Hall,
Eisenhower Theater, the Terrace Theater, Hall of Nations, and the
American Film Institute Theater. The Millennium Stage presents free
performances in the Grand Foyer every night at 6 p.m. Open daily for
public viewing, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. For group tour information, call
202-416-8341. Shuttle available from Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro.
Lincoln Memorial
900 Ohio Drive, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20024
202-426-6841
www.nps.gov/l.nc/home.html
The classic Greek temple memorial is located at West Potomac Park.
This grand memorial overlooks the Reflecting Pool. Inside, the
19-foot marble statue of the 16th president is flanked by
inscriptions of his Gettysburg Address and his second inaugural
address. Open daily, 8 a.m. - midnight. The nearest metro, Foggy
Bottom-GWU; walk eight blocks south along 23rd Street N.W.
National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Avenue. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
202-673-4717
www.natzoo.si.edu
Highlights include the Great Flight Cage, Amazonia and the Great Ape
House. Visit creatures ranging from giraffes to boa constrictors to
big cats to the new panda bears. Open daily, except Christmas. From
May 1 - Sept. 15 - animal buildings are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and
the grounds are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. From Sept. 16 - April 30,
animal buildings are open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and grounds open 6
a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. Closest Metro is Cleveland Park or Woodley
Park-National Zoo.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
202-456-2121
www.whitehouse.gov
Construction on this hallowed residence began in 1792 and ended
amongst much patriotic fanfare in 1800. Though never inhabited by
George Washington himself, the White House was nevertheless
conceived by the Father of Our Nation as a Holy Fortress from which
to guard against the tyranny of "big government" and "social
programs."
The President’s house is one of the most popular sights in D.C.
Only the public rooms on the ground floor and the state floor may be
visited, and the hours are limited. The White House may be closed at
various times due to security concerns and special events. Nearest
Metros are Farragut West, McPherson Square or Metro Center.
Virginia
1-800-VISITVA
www.virginia.gov
Virginia has a total area of 40,767 square miles and enjoys a
climate described as mild and equitable. The temperature in Norfolk
averages 41 degrees in the winter and 76 in the summer.
Named by Sir Walter Raleigh in honor of Queen Elizabeth, the
Virgin Queen of England, Virginia was the 10th of the original 13
states to ratify the Constitution, June 25, 1788. The Europeans
first established a permanent settlement in Jamestown in 1607.
More Things to Do
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Gettysburg
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Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Dutch Country
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