Baltimore/DC/Annapolis help

[kddani]

We're going to Baltimore this weekend to visit my brother and his wife, and we're taking the baby. We're trying to figure out something for all of us to do on Saturday. Normally not a problem (we're easily entertained) but we're going to have the baby (who is about 5 months old) and it's going to be hot! Baby can't be out in the heat for too long.

We're trying to find something stroller/baby friendly (well-behaved friendly - she loves being out and about and VERY rarely fusses - we're lucky!) and indoors.

Last time my husband and I were in DC, we did the Spy Museum and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

We're willing to go to DC or Annapolis (my husband has never been to Annapolis) or stay in Baltimore (we've done the Inner Harbor and can't fathom paying $25/pp for the National Aquarium), but as much as I'd love to wander around outside, it is just not a good idea for the baby.

Any suggestions?

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by kddani

We're going to Baltimore this weekend to visit my brother and his wife, and we're taking the baby. We're trying to figure out something for all of us to do on Saturday. Normally not a problem (we're easily entertained) but we're going to have the baby (who is about 5 months old) and it's going to be hot! Baby can't be out in the heat for too long.

We're trying to find something stroller/baby friendly (well-behaved friendly - she loves being out and about and VERY rarely fusses - we're lucky!) and indoors.

Last time my husband and I were in DC, we did the Spy Museum and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

We're willing to go to DC or Annapolis (my husband has never been to Annapolis) or stay in Baltimore (we've done the Inner Harbor and can't fathom paying $25/pp for the National Aquarium), but as much as I'd love to wander around outside, it is just not a good idea for the baby.

Any suggestions?

Ok....well not much to do inside...but...If you don't want to do the Harbor, you always have Fells Point which is a lot less packed than the Harbor and has some really nice eateries.

You can try Annapolis and I would recommend going early because it gets crowded fairly quickly.

Also as an out of the way spot, Old Ellicott City is nice especially if you like the antique shops and there is a nice brewery restaurant (kid friendly!) that is there...try their crabcakes!!

If you do come to DC and don't want to go to the Smithsonian, try hitting Georgetown (again go early) or the Smithsonian. Also, the tidal basin by the Jefferson Memorial is pretty good if you DO decide you want to walk and if you can find a shady spot, it's ok..BTW try the National history museum as it's just been redone and reopened.

Also try this link http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/dc-museums.html

[Drolefille]

There's a (much cheaper) national aquarium in DC, though I don't know anything about it. And several other Smithsonian museum that would keep you inside and still entertained.

The Baltimore NA was AMAZING but yes, really expensive but it was so worth it for me at the time.

Wish I knew more, I've only just visited Baltimore and been in and out of DC a few times.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

There's a (much cheaper) national aquarium in DC, though I don't know anything about it. And several other Smithsonian museum that would keep you inside and still entertained.

The Baltimore NA was AMAZING but yes, really expensive but it was so worth it for me at the time.

Wish I knew more, I've only just visited Baltimore and been in and out of DC a few times.

Dc Aquarium Website - http://www.nationalaquarium.com/

[GMUBunny]

The DC Aquarium is great and much less expensive than the Baltimore Aquarium. I personally thought the BA sucked. The exhibits were lacking, admission was too expensive ($22 PER PERSON to get in, plus $18 to park), and you can't take strollers into the aquarium itself. You have to put your child into a backpack and carry them through the entire place. It was horrible. The DC Aquarium may not seem as fancy as the BA, but I think it was a better value.

[kddani]

Originally Posted by GMUBunny

you can't take strollers into the aquarium itself. You have to put your child into a backpack and carry them through the entire place.

Ick. That's terrible. One would think an aquarium would be a family-friendly place. No strollers? No thank you! I am not a fan of wearing my baby (maybe because I don't have a fancy expensive carrier thing- just a cheapy) - and she's getting heavy. And the price has gone up - it is $25 for an adult now! That's a ton for any kind of museum/zoo/aquarium sort of thing.

I'll look into the DC aquarium though. Too bad the Supreme Court isn't open on Saturdays.

I misspoke- we did the American History, not the Natural History. That's a possibility.

[Still BLUTANG]

aww, i would vote for annapolis hands down, but can't recall anything off the top of my head that's indoors.

BMore has a really cool pop culture museum Geppi's Entertainment Museum and then you have the little shops around the harbor and fells point.

good luck & have fun this weekend, whatever you decide to do!

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by kddani

Ick. That's terrible. One would think an aquarium would be a family-friendly place. No strollers? No thank you! I am not a fan of wearing my baby (maybe because I don't have a fancy expensive carrier thing- just a cheapy) - and she's getting heavy. And the price has gone up - it is $25 for an adult now! That's a ton for any kind of museum/zoo/aquarium sort of thing.

I'll look into the DC aquarium though. Too bad the Supreme Court isn't open on Saturdays.

I misspoke- we did the American History, not the Natural History. That's a possibility.

Oh Natural History's great! I was so proud of myself for making it through the whole thing before it closed. I outlasted the local friends. Unfortunately the butterfly house was closed when I was there (specifically for the 2 weeks that I was in the area, I was so annoyed), but otherwise amazing exhibits unless easily traumatized by dead and stuffed animals.

[ADqtPiMel]

The Newseum is currently my favorite DC museum -- I take all of my visitors there and they've all loved it. It also has a really great view from the roof and a tasty restaurant attached.

[GMUBunny]

Originally Posted by kddani

Ick. That's terrible. One would think an aquarium would be a family-friendly place. No strollers? No thank you! I am not a fan of wearing my baby (maybe because I don't have a fancy expensive carrier thing- just a cheapy) - and she's getting heavy. And the price has gone up - it is $25 for an adult now! That's a ton for any kind of museum/zoo/aquarium sort of thing.

I'll look into the DC aquarium though. Too bad the Supreme Court isn't open on Saturdays.

I misspoke- we did the American History, not the Natural History. That's a possibility.

Our son was 16 months old at the time we went and it was awful having to carry him around the aquarium. I've never been told that I couldn't take a stroller in a museum/aquarium/zoo before. It was too late to leave at that point, though. We'd already paid for admission and couldn't get our money back. The aquarium down here in Virginia Beach allows you to wheel your kids around every exhibit. I recall seeing strollers in the aquarium in Monterey, CA when we were there years ago, too. I don't know what they're thinking in Baltimore, but I personally think they need to have every staff member haul around a toddler for a few hours in a backpack just to see how ridiculous they're being about banning strollers.

[alum]

The Udvar-Hazy Aeronautical Museum is worth the parking fee. Since it is part of the Smithsonian, there are no admission fees. It is very close to Dulles Int'l which is a good bit west of DC on the Fairfax/Loudon County line. Most of it is stroller-friendly (except the control tower).