Here are five of Baltimore’s best happenings for families this summer:
National Aquarium’s Blacktip Reef Exhibit (opens July)
The exhibit replicates a healthy reef in the Indo-Pacific region, the tropical region where the Indian Ocean connects with the western and central Pacific Ocean. The 13,500 square foot tank will open with 15 species, including blacktip reef sharks, stingrays, and a 400-pound green sea turtle.
To put the tank’s size into context, the average US house is no bigger than 3,000 square feet. Eventually, the self-contained 260,000-gallon coral reef ecosystem will be home to approximately 80 different species. Daily shark feedings will likely be the most interesting time to visit.
Free events at the Inner Harbor
- Urban Beach Bash Series – most Sundays there’ll be a DJ, a bar, food trucks and a Waterfront Kids Zone where children can take part in balloon tosses, obstacle courses and games.
- Waterfront Wellness Series – most Saturdays and Sundays at West Shore Park there’ll be yoga, boot camp, CrossFit and Zumba classes. These public classes are suitable for all skill levels and are taught by local professionals in the wellness industry.
Urban Pirates
The replica pirate ship The Fearless sails around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor on hour-long interactive adventures. Family trips are all about dressing up, talking, singing and dancing like a pirate. Young and old shipmates search for treasure, and blast enemies with their water cannons.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights see adult-only hour-long BYOB booze cruises. These are much like the family trips, except everyone’s suitably lubricated on copious amounts of their own grog. Shiver me timbers.
Breakfast with the Animals at Maryland Zoo
Each breakfast involves one type of animal. Breakfasts are available with chimps, penguins, elephants and giraffe. Sessions are unique to each animal, though generally they involve assisting keepers in their preparation of the animals’ food and having pictures taken in extra close proximity to them.
Some sessions allow visitors to feed the animals, while others prohibit contact. Advance booking is necessary.
Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum
Occupying the house in which the “greatest baseball player ever” was born, this museum tells the story of the legendary slugger Babe Ruth.
Exhibits include uniforms, bats, balls, gloves, memorabilia, and photographs. One of the most interesting features of the museum is its “O” Say Can You See: The Star Spangled Banner in Sports film.
Cheap Flights To Baltimore
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
