Day in Baltimore
By Susan Weissman
Day in Baltimore
Day in Baltimore Neighborhoods
Baltimore is the Rodney Dangerfield of the East Coast. Not as cutting-edge as Manhattan and short of the political intrigue of Washington, it rarely gets the respect or attention it deserves. But "Charm City," as locals call it, is a mix of grit and refinement. Vestiges of the past mingle with modern development, creating a vibrant waterfront city with a fascinating history, charming neighborhoods and eclectic culture
HUD created Reverse Mortgages like a Suitable and Exceptionally Regulated Contemplate to offer older American Homeowners over 62 greater financial security.....
Today, Baltimore is home to 650,000 residents. With 18 hospitals and two medical schools in the vicinity, it's not surprising that the city's main industry is health care, followed closely by tourism. By the end of 2004, the city had hoped to welcome at least one luxury hotel. Insiders thought it would be the Ritz-Carlton, but it looks like the Four Seasons will win out. Groundbreaking is on hold until the fall, with the opening of the city's first super luxe hotel scheduled for spring 2006.
In May of this year, the Baltimore Convention and Visitors Association opened a $5 million visitors center at the northern end of the bustling Inner Harbor. The 8,000-square-foot facility allows visitors to get instant information about events and attractions from touch screen kiosks. Reservation staff is on hand to assist guests with lodging and dining recommendations. An 11-minute film called Baltimore Experiences provides a quick overview of Charm City highlights.
Borrowers retain the title to their home with the loan being repaid when the last surviving borrower dies, sells the home or no longer lives in the home as a principal residence, he said. Under the federally-insured program, a borrower can live in a nursing home or other medical facility for up to 12 months before the loan becomes due.
The concept appealed to Marion and Judy Grebner of Glasford, who recently arranged a reverse mortgage with the Hopwood agency.
When you bought your home, you offered less than you were willing to pay, right? .....
In the same month, the $35 million expansion of the Maryland Science Center was unveiled. The museum is now completely interactive and features special attractions including an IMAX theater and a replica of the world-famous Davis Planetarium.
Other notable developments in the year ahead include the opening of the East Coast's largest museum devoted to African-American history, the reopening of the B&O Railroad Museum and the multimillion dollar expansion of the National Aquarium.
The most interesting development may be the city government's campaign to lure disgruntled Washingtonians northward to a smallish city where traffic is gentle and homeownership is affordable. But if a visit to the city leaves you longing to call it home, contact a realtor pronto. Prices are definitely on the rise.
A nighttime stroll along the Inner Harbor — This six-block waterfront promenade is the entertainment hub of the central city. Roll up your sleeves and feast on Chesapeake Bay blue crabs at popular seafood houses such as Phillips (a Maryland institution) and Legal Sea Foods or the M&S Grill along the way. After that, take a turn in the fresh air amidst 160 shops and 41 restaurants, the USS Constellation, street performers and inviting nightlife. Adding to the fun at the end of the Inner Harbor — near the Civil War Museum — is the James Joyce Pub and Roy's Place. The latter is a branch of super chef Roy Yamaguchi's Hawaiian fusion chain. For a change of pace, extend your tour by hitching a ride on the water taxi, which will take you to historic Fell's Point and back for $6. Kane's Water Taxi: 800-658-8947; www.thewatertaxi.com
Take yourself out to a ball game — You don't have to be a die-hard baseball fan to enjoy a tour of Camden Yards, a jewel of a ballpark that combined the charm of an old-time park with the amenities of a modern stadium when it was built in the early 1990s. Located a few blocks south of the Inner Harbor, the park offers daily tours at various times throughout the year, except when day games are scheduled. Tickets are $5 for adults, and $4 for kids and seniors. (Related item: Out on the town in Baltimore). 333 W. Camden St.; 888 848-BIRD; orioles.mlb.com.
Feel a surge of patriotism — Reflect on what it means to be an American as you gaze on Baltimore Harbor from Fort McHenry, the star-shaped fortress turned museum from which Francis Scott Key watched the British attack Baltimore during the War of 1812. The experience inspired Key to write The Star-Spangled Banner. With the huge flag flying overhead and the spray of sea air, few experiences are as emotionally charged. The museum is open every day except Christmas and New Year's Day. Flag ceremonies take place daily at 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The park is located in South Baltimore, across the Inner Harbor from Fell's Point. Admission is $5 for visitors over 16. 410-962-4290; www.nps.gov/fomc.
The real estate cycle, like the business cycle, refers to the activity of the real estate market as it reacts to the forces of supply and .....
Culture? We've got culture! Baltimore's most popular museum is the Baltimore Museum of Art, which houses the Cone Collection of Modern Art — a world-renowned collection including works by Matisse, Picasso, Renoir, Degas, Cezanne and van Gogh. To mark the museum's 90th birthday this year, the 15th-to-19th-century European art collection has been reinstalled in the opulent galleries of the Jacobs Wing. The museum, a quick cab ride north on Charles Street from the Inner Harbor, is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults and free for kids under 18. Admission is also free from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. the first Thursday of every month. Acoustiguide audio tours are free as well, on a first-come, first-served basis. 10 Art Museum Dr.; 410-396-7100; www.artbma.org/home.html.
The Baltimore Museum of Art is impressive, but don't ignore the Walters Art Museum, especially if you're interested in antiquities. The Walters features ancient Greek, Roman, Asian and Renaissance art in the Center Street Building, where galleries resemble Victorian drawing rooms. A new wing added in the last year houses an illuminated manuscript gallery and rotating exhibits. Current exhibits include the John and Berthe Ford Collection of large-scale sculpture, highly detailed Tibetan painting and Indian miniatures and "Art of the Ancient Americas," a long-term showcase of works from major ancient American cultures including Mayan, Aztec and Incan. Of special interest is a Raphael Madonna — the first Raphael to enter an American museum. The museum, located 10 minutes northeast of the Inner Harbor, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Beginning in April, the museum will be open every Friday night of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., featuring live music, gallery tours, and adult art activities. Admission is $8 for adults, and kids under 17 are free. Admission is also free from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday. 600 N. Charles St.; 410-547-9000; www.thewalters.org.
Hey mom, there's Flipper! The biggest draw for kids is the National Aquarium in the Inner Harbor, which hosts more visitors annually than any other city attraction. A major expansion is under way that promises an exciting new Australian habitat exhibit and outdoor waterfront park by the summer of 2005. If you're traveling with youngsters, they'll enjoy the recently revamped interactive dolphin shows and the rainforest exhibit, where howler monkeys leap through the trees to the accompanying shrills of exotic birds. The newest attraction is Shark Quest, an interactive show that demystifies one of man's most feared predators. You can also arrange premium tours that allow for a behind-the-scenes glimpse of day-to-day life at the aquarium. One even allows visitors to join a slumber party outside the shark tank. The aquarium is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (open until 8 p.m. Friday). Tickets are $17.50 for adults and $9.50 for kids 3-11. 501 E. Pratt St., Pier 4; 410-576-3833; www.aqua.org.
Wanna see your hair stand on end? You can do this and more weird stuff at the newly expanded Maryland Science Center, located at the north end of the Inner Harbor. Fascinating for young and old alike, the facility got a $35 million overhaul this year. The latest exhibit is "Discovering Chimpanzees: The Remarkable World of Jane Goodall" (through January 2004). Admission is $15.75 for adults and $11.25 for children under 12. The ticket price includes access to the Hayden Planetarium, Dino Hall, Demo Stage and all current exhibits. 601 Light St.; 410 685-5225; www.mdsci.org.
Copyright 1998-2005 BaltimoreHUDHomes.com all rights reserved. We are not a government agency. We are a private company. This site is not affiliated with or owned, operated or sponsored by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), FHA, VA or any Government agency]
[
Equal Opportunity] [Disclaimer][Privacy Policy] [Fair Lending][CSS]
Theme: Mollio Type F (modified for Baltimore HUD Homes by Carlos Sagastume)
Contents: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
