Anyone visiting this fair city has to make sure they save at least a portion of one day for this wonderful aquarium. It is multi-leveled and includes many areas of interest, from sting rays and sharks, freshwater pond life, rain forests, the ocean, and…Read More

Anyone visiting this fair city has to make sure they save at least a portion of one day for this wonderful aquarium. It is multi-leveled and includes many areas of interest, from sting rays and sharks, freshwater pond life, rain forests, the ocean, and so on. You won't be disappointed or bored. The only thing that might put you off are the crowds, so arrive as early in the day as possible. They generally open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. Admission is $17.50 for adults, $9.50 for children, and $14.50 for senior citizens (60 and over). The Aquarium has its own food/snack facilities inside, or you can get your hand stamped to get something to eat in the Harbor area, and then return to finish your tour. It is self-guided, but there are special tours which you can pay extra for that take you behind the scenes of the Aquarium. These usually include breakfast or lunch. It will give you a chance to see the behind-the-scene workings and avoid some of the crowds, also. The Aquarium is located on Pier 3 at 501 E. Pratt St. in Baltimore. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time through TicketMaster or the Aquarium Ticket Center, up to 30 days in advance using the Automated Ticket Teller Machines, or at the Will Call window.    Close

Annapolis has a harbour full of sailing boats, infact it's a hugely popular thing in Annapolis. You can take several boat trips from the Quay or you can just walk around looking at the different types of boat. (This seems to be what the locals…Read More

Annapolis has a harbour full of sailing boats, infact it's a hugely popular thing in Annapolis. You can take several boat trips from the Quay or you can just walk around looking at the different types of boat. (This seems to be what the locals do). Also down by the water are several crafty shops, bars and the local speciality of seafood restaurants. If you want to just wander and stop to browse or have a drink now and again, this is the place to go.   Close

This is a very charming and relaxed town. It takes a bit of work to find authentic crab shack (Cantler's) but worth it. Take time to simply walk side streets to see architecture.…Read More

This is a very charming and relaxed town. It takes a bit of work to find authentic crab shack (Cantler's) but worth it. Take time to simply walk side streets to see architecture.   Close

Getting there is the "experience". If you like boat rides, it's delightful. You feel like you are going back in time when the ferry boat lands at the dock. The fun is taking a walk around the island. Not for everyone, but of interest to…Read More

Getting there is the "experience". If you like boat rides, it's delightful. You feel like you are going back in time when the ferry boat lands at the dock. The fun is taking a walk around the island. Not for everyone, but of interest to know that an area like this still exists in our fast-paced world. We happened to visit during an extreme heat wave and didn't get to explore all of the island, but I doubt there was a whole lot more to discover. Basically it is a really quiet spot to visit, but we found it interesting. Lots of seniors seem to make the trip for the afternoon boat ride and they usually include lunch at the Bayside Inn. We didn't eat there but believe the inn is owned by the folks who run the ferry.   Close

Whenever my family visits Ocean City we rent a condo for the week and avoid the hotels and motels, however, we have had friends who are visiting us for a day or so stay in this motel. It’s nothing fancy but is clean and reasonably…Read More

Whenever my family visits Ocean City we rent a condo for the week and avoid the hotels and motels, however, we have had friends who are visiting us for a day or so stay in this motel. It’s nothing fancy but is clean and reasonably priced. Being on 73rd street, it’s in a fairly decent part of town. Not too far from the boardwalk and other fun activities but not in the middle of all of the craziness either. The restaurant there is also a really great spot for breakfast. We normally make a point to go to “Generals Kitchen” at least once during a stay. It's pretty small and if you don’t know it you could skip right past it, but it is one of my favorites.    Close

The boardwalk is the main attraction of Ocean City. Go on the ferris wheel, go into the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum, eat 'boardwalk fries drenched in vinegar', play volleyball along the beach, take a boat tour and visit some beach towns (there is…Read More

The boardwalk is the main attraction of Ocean City. Go on the ferris wheel, go into the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum, eat 'boardwalk fries drenched in vinegar', play volleyball along the beach, take a boat tour and visit some beach towns (there is a difference between the ones in the north and south), visit some surf shops, and just enjoy the sand, the sun, and the relaxation of the beach itself!   Close

This was my first stop when I arrived to take my kids to eat the best fries in the WORLD!! They too are believers now. Second, we went to the end of the Boardwalk to fill them to the gills with junk, video games, and…Read More

This was my first stop when I arrived to take my kids to eat the best fries in the WORLD!! They too are believers now. Second, we went to the end of the Boardwalk to fill them to the gills with junk, video games, and rides, and we had a drink or two. It is funny to see how little has changed since I was a kid walking the boardwalk with my cup of fries.   Close

We headed into the Inner Harbor to see the tall ships that had come down to celebrate the USS Constellation's birthday. Anyway, the kids were all wound up with anticipation as we boated our way into the Chesapeake Bay. The perfect day was about to unfold,…Read More

We headed into the Inner Harbor to see the tall ships that had come down to celebrate the USS Constellation's birthday. Anyway, the kids were all wound up with anticipation as we boated our way into the Chesapeake Bay. The perfect day was about to unfold, at least for us. We saw some men wearing those orange life vests, and I thought to myself, "Two single guys and a day on the bay on a boat - and they chose to wear those ugly vests. TSK, TSK." But on the way back into the dock, I suddenly realized why. BOAT SINKING!!! I will post some of that boat action as well.   Close

Although I only spent one day in the inner harbour, I have set my sights on a return visit. It was beautiful. Baltimore is a small city but this adds to its charm. The inner harbour with its submarine and tall ship attractions, coupled with…Read More

Although I only spent one day in the inner harbour, I have set my sights on a return visit. It was beautiful. Baltimore is a small city but this adds to its charm. The inner harbour with its submarine and tall ship attractions, coupled with nice malls and lovely views, was great fun! the people are really friendly too.

My group held an elevator door for a man who took a moment to thank us. Upon hearing we were going to a baseball game, he gave us his raincheck tickets for the best box in the stadium! (Astonishing to say the least but amazing all the same!)

So if you like shopping, good food (I suggest The Cheesecake Factory here), and sightseeing all in the same area, go to the inner harbour in Baltimore!

If you would rather stay in a condo or townhome rather than a hotel, then Sunset Island is for you.We rented a 5 bedroom townhome that faced a canal on the northern side of the island. This provided room and privacy for everyone in…Read More

If you would rather stay in a condo or townhome rather than a hotel, then Sunset Island is for you.

We rented a 5 bedroom townhome that faced a canal on the northern side of the island. This provided room and privacy for everyone in the family. The cost changes as the season progresses, so check several weeks that might interest you before you make a final committment. Also remember that most of the condos and townhomes for rent in OC do not provide linens. You must bring your own linens, paper products and food (if you plan to eat some meals at "home") along with your personal products.

Sunset Island has many things to keep children happy: swimming pools, fishing pier, bayside beaches and an interactive fountain. Adults may enjoy these items also, and add the heated indoor pool and fitness center.

Some things to remember...children under the age of 2 are not allowed in the large pool AND they must wear plastic pants over their "swimmies" when going into the baby pool. Also, inflatables are not allowed in the main pool - only foam "noodles" and life guard certified life vests.

The townhomes have parking for 4 cars - 2 in the garage and 2 on the parking pad behind the garage door. It is a tight squeeze, but it can be done. Most of the owners provide some beach toys and inflatables for use on the three island beaches. Some also provide charcoal grills (but not the charcoal).

Our house had one "bedroom" on the first floor - really a den with a bed and no closet (but there was a chest of drawers for folded clothing - just no place to hang items). The second floor was devoted to the living area with kitchen, dining and living room, powder room and a front and back deck. The third floor had a master bedroom (but no closet for tenant use as both closets were locked by the owners) with a back deck, a hall bath and two bedrooms with twin over double bunks and twin trundles. The fourth floor had a second "master" suite with a small bath and small back deck. We had more beds than we needed for once.

Unpacking the clothing and making the beds took up most of the afternoon, and then it was dinner time and we headed to Waterman's Seafood Co., on Ocean Gateway.    Close