Baltimore is a popular tourist destination in Maryland, in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States of America, near Washington, D.C. It is perhaps most famously known as the city where Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics for the Star Spangled Banner, and today has become a major centre for tourism and travel. It lies on the juncture of the Chesapeake Bay. With continuous nightlife, temperate climate, and plenty of hospitality, any time of the year is a great time to visit.
Source: Wikitravel. A list of contributors is available at the original article on Wikitravel.
Baltimore Information
Population: Approx. 652,000
Time Zone: CMT -5
Languages: English (official), Spanish, Native American
Currency: American Dollar ($USD)
Currency Exchange: Purchase your USD cash and travellers cheques before you leave Australia
Electricity: 110v - 60Hz
Baltimore Climate
Baltimore lies within the humid subtropical climate zone, and weather is primarily affected by three factors: its proximity to a warm marine estuary, its low elevation, and the wall of mountains to the west and northwest.
Summers are humid and hot, but not extremely so, with highs reaching the high 80s to low 90s Fahrenheit and lows in the 60s to low 70s. Winters are cool to mild and moist, with highs in the upper 40s to low 50s, and lows in the 30s and 40s. It is almost never below 10°F in the city proper.
Light snow can sometimes fall in winter, although some years there is no significant accumulation and once every 4 or 5 years a coastal storm can dump over 8 inches on the city. Spring and fall bring pleasant temperatures in the 50s-70s(°F), and southern breezes.
Baltimore Airport
Name: Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport
Address: Maryland, 21240-0766 USA
Distance to city: 16km
Partner Airline: Delta Airlines operates from terminal A, B, C, D and E
Car Rental: Great choice of hire cars at mates rates from our car suppliers
Transfers: Shuttle buses are widely available outside the ground transportation area
Taxi: The taxi stand is located just outside of the baggage claim area of the Lower Level of the BWI Marshall terminal
Source: Wikitravel. A list of contributors is available at the original article on Wikitravel.
Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore
3 Star Property
Conveniently located in the heart of downtown, the Radisson Plaza Hotel Baltimore combines the historic charm of a bygone era with all the amenities and facilities of a modern hotel. The hotel, built in 1928, is the city's only historic landmark hotel. Each of the 439 guest rooms features free high speed wireless access, iron and ironing board, telephone with voicemail, cable television, coffee maker, hairdryer and complimentary USA Today on weekdays.
Hilton Garden Inn Baltimore Inner Harbor
3 Star Property
Situated 10 miles from the Baltimore Washington International Airport with an easy access to I-95, I-83, and I-395, the Hilton Garden Inn Baltimore Inner Harbor Maryland Hotel is 50 miles from the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and 65 miles from Washington DC Dulles. The hotel is on the east side of Baltimores Inner Harbor. It is within easy walking distance to downtown Baltimore Convention Center, Camden Yards, Ravens Stadium, National Aquarium, Fells Point, Little Italy, and the Inner Harbor restaurants and shops. The hotel offers deluxe accommodations, friendly service, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Intercontinental Harbor Court
5 Star Property
Decorated like the home of a well-traveled English explorer, Intercontinental Harbor Court offers European style and elegance with modern amenities. With landscaped interior courtyards and a rooftop terrace, the Intercontinental Harbor Court features a modern brick exterior and cobblestone courtyard entrance, oak paneling, marble floors, brass chandeliers, and the tara-style curving grand staircase. The award winning Hampton's features seasonal American cuisine. Caf?? Brightons offers casual dining. For cocktails, cigars, and live jazz, try Explorers Lounge. Room service is available 24 hours a day. The hotel also offers racquetball, yoga, fitness center, tennis, concierge, child care services, dry cleaning, shoe shine, massage and facial treatments, florist, parking garage, and nine meeting rooms.
Hyatt Regency Baltimore
4 Star Property
This newly renovated 14-story hotel is located in the heart of downtown on the Inner Harbor. Linked by skywalk to the Convention Center and Harborplace pavilion, it is within walking distance to National Aquarium, Oriole Park at Camden Yards and PSI NET Stadium, and just 12 miles from Baltimore/Washington International Airport. The hotel has two restaurants, an outdoor pool, sundeck, health club, putting green, tennis courts (outdoor), half court basketball. There are two golf courses nearby.
Holiday Inn Inner Harbor
3 Star Property
Holiday Inn Inner Harbor is located three blocks from the famed Inner Harbor attractions, across from Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and approximately eight miles from Baltimore/Washington International Airport. This location is also within walking distance of the Babe Ruth birthplace, Lexington Market, Maryland Science Center, ESPN Zone, Hard Rock Cafe, and B&O Railroad Museum. A little further are Great Blacks in Wax Museum, Fort McHenry, Baltimore Zoo, and Walters Art Gallery.
Dining
A wide variety of dining options can be found in Baltimore, but no visit to Maryland is complete without a sampling of the local favorite: steamed crabs! Though by and large the crabs no longer come from the Chesapeake Bay (they are shipped from North Carolina, Louisiana, and Texas due to overfishing of the Bay), it remains a popular summertime activity to spend the afternoon with family and friends at a crab feast. Often crabs are accompanied by steamed shrimp, corn on the cob, and beer.
The market place, near the harbor, is full of fresh seafood and food bars. But for a more local experience, head to the neighborhoods surrounding it: Little Italy, Fells Point, Federal Hill, Canton, Mount Washington, etc. all feature both local and international cuisine.
Canton Square offers a diverse selection of good restaurants, but one of the standouts is Nacho Mama's (2907 O'Donnell St). Fun atmosphere, good Mexican food, and many "priceless artifacts" representing everything Baltimore. There is also the must-see Greektown, which hosts a wealth of authentic Greek restaurants and coffeehouses.
Source: Wikitravel. A list of contributors is available at the original article on Wikitravel.
