We are taking a road trip to Baltimore for a wedding this June. We plan on hitting D.C., but are looking for other great places around Baltimore or on the way from Chicago. Anyone been to something really neat that is a must-see? We do have some little ones - 2, 4 and 10. Thanks for any ideas!
Inner Harbor in Baltimore is always fun. There's Port Discovery for the kids. The Aquarium is terrific.
In DC, there are the Smithsonian museums, the ZOO, museums you pay for like the Newseum and the Spy Museum.
we used to live there and I must say that if you're going to be around the Balt/DC are then you MUST stop in Annapolis for one day! it's so gorgeous. lots of shops, amazing food, boats, water and the Naval Academy.
DC museums are all FREE and so is the zoo!!! so take advantage! The Spy Museum is also very neat for little ones.
If you're in DC for a little while I highly suggest going to Mt. Vernon (just over the river by Alexandria), which is the plantation George Washington lived on. it's beautiful, historic and kept up so well!
Baltimore has a WONDERFUL aquarium on the inner harbor that i miss so much bc my kids loved it. there's also a great science museum right there in the same inner harbor, with a lot of great restaurants. You can also take a trip to see/visit Edgar Allen Poe's home and grave sight.
All the suggestions are great. Port Discovery is great because the kids can touch everything. I was just going to suggest, that a lot of the places listed for Baltimore used to be in the Entertainment Coupon Books when I lived in the area 5 years ago. It maybe worth going on their website to find out, most of the books are on sale right now for $15, but the savings may totally outway the cost. (www.entertainment.com). I just googled the trip, and for the most part it looks like the same way I drove from Alexandria, VA to South Bend, IN. Unfortunately, there isn't much to see or do until you get into Maryland. It's not easy with the kids, but there is an outlet mall in Hagerstown, but I would just wait until you get Baltimore for stuff to do.
The Smithsonian is great and you might also enjoy Arlington National Cemetery...if you go, don't miss the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier...it will give you goosebumps, especially reading the "qualifications" of those soldiers.
The National Aquarium at Inner Harbor is AMAZING! It truly is worth the price of admission. Inner Harbor itself is pretty neat with lots of cute shops, restaurants, etc. We also really enjoy the Baltimore Zoo. It is never very crowded, but has tons of neat exhibits. Other than that, beware of Baltimore. It is quite a rough place to be if you are in the wrong parts of town!
They'll LOVE the aquarium in Baltimore. Also, in D.C., the Museum of American History is really neat for both adults and little ones. They have Dorothy's slippers, Kermit the Frog and other Muppets there as well as other kids' show things.
I lived in Baltimore for 6 years and worked right downtown in the Inner Harbor. I definitely agree with the other posters that you *must* see/walk around the Inner Harbor. Definitely visit the Aquarium--it is hands down the best I have ever been to and it has the most amazing stingray and shark exhibit. My son remembers it from when he was only 4. Federal Hill is right across from the Inner Harbor and you can take a water taxi which is a fun experience for kids and can provide a little bit of history and offers an amazing view of the bay and boats. The American Visionary Art Museum is right down there as well and it is awesome though your kids may or may not be interested in that kind of thing. Port Discovery is within walking distance and is another great kid activity but I don't know that I would fill my time with that--it is somewhat generic and not anything special to Baltimore/the east coast. Have such a great time!!
The National Air and Space Museum is awesome!
use http://www.randmcnally.com - the trip planner section is totally free and so GREAT! I have used it to explore 31 states since 2001 (my older daughter was 2 then and we decided that she would visit all 50 states before she was in college, she is at 31, her sister who is now 8 1/2 has done 28 states)
