Baltimore Inner Harbor on a Budget

[phall0106]

Hallboy and I will be making a trip to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore in June. It's a free bus trip there and a day on our own. It's somewhat mandatory that we go (long weird story that I'll not go into on the board), so we'll go, however, Baltimore isn't exactly known for being an inexpensive city. That doesn't change the fact that we're on a strict budget. Looking at some of the attractions there (the Aquarium, the Science Center), we could easily drop some signifigant bucks in one day, if we had it, which we don't.

Any suggestions for something inexpensive that will occupy the day for Hallboy and I that's within close distance to the Inner Harbor?

[FairyChatMom]

Ride the Water Taxi. It's $9 per person for all day. You can check out the inner harbor from the harbor, get on and off as much as you want. Plus you get coupons for savings in restaurants and shops along its route. Ride it to Fell's Point and look around. Exteriors and other parts of Homicide, Life on the Streets was shot there. My sister tends bar at one of the pubs - PM me and I'll tell you which one, tho I can't be sure she'll be at work when you're there. There are also some reasonable places to eat there.

There's the Baltimore Maritime Museum - tours of 2 ships, a sub, and a lighthouse. I don't remember what it costs, but I don't think it was to obscenely expensive.

You could also climb up Federal Hill and take in the view. People watch.

I love the Inner Harbor.

[krisolov]

Fort McHenry probably fits the bill, and I can certainly second Fells Point for food and drink. Little Italy is also adjacent to the Inner Harbor. Unfortunately food and drink cost $; so Fort McHenry is my default recommendation.
If you're adventurous there's Babe Ruth's birthplace, Edgar Allen Poe's grave, the Bromo Seltzer tower, the Shot Tower, a drive across the Key Bridge overlookng the Beth Steel yards, and maybe a visit to some prototypical Baltimore neighborhoods like Hamden, Dundalk, Pig Town, Greek Town, etc... .

[GingerOfTheNorth]

The Walters Museum is free now. So is the BMA, but that's uptown a ways.

[robardin]

Are you already a member of any museum closer by to you? Check the back of the card, it may participate in a reciprocal membership program. On my last visit to Baltimore, I found that, as a member of the Long Island Children's Museum, I get reciprocal complimentary admission to both the Maryland Science Center (through its ASTC affiliation) and to the Port Discovery Children's Museum (through its ACM affiliation), which was a nice bonus to having become a member of the LICM.

How old is Hallboy, and will it be just the two of you? If it's an all day trip, what do you plan or have budgeted for food (lunch/dinner)?

[phall0106]

Originally Posted by robardin

Are you already a member of any museum closer by to you? Check the back of the card, it may participate in a reciprocal membership program. On my last visit to Baltimore, I found that, as a member of the Long Island Children's Museum, I get reciprocal complimentary admission to both the Maryland Science Center (through its ASTC affiliation) and to the Port Discovery Children's Museum (through its ACM affiliation), which was a nice bonus to having become a member of the LICM.

How old is Hallboy, and will it be just the two of you? If it's an all day trip, what do you plan or have budgeted for food (lunch/dinner)?

Hallboy is 14 and not into sports, and would rather be tortured with sharp objects than spend the day in a museum reading the exhibits. It is a day trip. The bus will drop us off at the Inner Harbor and will pick us up at 4:00, so I'll really only need to plan for lunch. I haven't set a budget, since that's part of the problem--everything seems so expensive and our budget is tighter than tight. (Really, I wouldn't even be going if it wasn't mandatory.)

GOTN, how far is "Uptown a ways"? It doesn't look that far on the map.

[Mama Zappa]

Originally Posted by phall0106

Hallboy is 14 and not into sports, and would rather be tortured with sharp objects than spend the day in a museum reading the exhibits. It is a day trip. The bus will drop us off at the Inner Harbor and will pick us up at 4:00, so I'll really only need to plan for lunch. I haven't set a budget, since that's part of the problem--everything seems so expensive and our budget is tighter than tight. (Really, I wouldn't even be going if it wasn't mandatory.)

GOTN, how far is "Uptown a ways"? It doesn't look that far on the map.

Can you pack lunches? That would free up a bit of cash for other stuff, though of course part of the charm of the various places others have listed is the chance to try the food.

Anyone know of any good places that do the "dump a bushel of cooked crabs on the table" thing? I ate at one such, years ago, and it was fun - but I don't remember where it was and someone else paid so I don't know the cost. It was a very easy walk from the harbor.

[An Arky]

I know museum exhibits may not be his thing, but this one's different...the Baltimore Public Works Museum only costs $3 and is in the Inner Harbor Area, with a Water Taxi landing nearby.

[phall0106]

Originally Posted by An Arky

I know museum exhibits may not be his thing, but this one's different...the Baltimore Public Works Museum only costs $3 and is in the Inner Harbor Area, with a Water Taxi landing nearby.

Hey! This is COOL! I would like it. Thanks, Arky!

I'm not packing lunches, I don't care how broke it make us.