When you visit the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland, you will find lots of things to see and do. To help launch your adventure in “Charm City”, here are (2) of the most popular sites you will want to visit with great attractions for both kids and adults alike.
At one end of the harbor is the Baltimore Aquarium. The Aquarium receives more than 1 million visitors annually from around the world. This popular attraction contains five levels and two impressive pyramids made of glass which showcase the more than 5,000 species of fish, marine mammals, birds, reptiles that make their home here. There is also an entertaining seal pool, a tropical rain forest complete with piranhas, and the ever-changing “special exhibits”.
Daily scheduled dolphin shows are among the aquarium’s popular events. Be prepared to get wet if you are lucky enough to get a front row seat. You will be amazed at their brilliance and intelligence. This is a show that everyone one will leave with a HUGE smile on their face..
A short walking distance away on the opposite side of the harbor stands the Maryland Science Center. The Maryland Science Center is a private, non-profit organization that attracts more than half a million visitors a year. The Science Center has received many awards including the best Indoor Family Recreation Spot which makes this perfect for a family outing. The Center is known for its interactive exhibits, which provides for fun and interesting hands-on learning for kids of all ages.
There are various “showcase” exhibits, such as the Titanic exhibit and the Dinosaur Exhibit, that stop at the Science Center for a month or two, which keeps the museum offerings fresh. The staff is also very friendly and knowlegeable about what is going on in the Center.
While you are exploring the Science center make sure to take in one of the IMAX films. It’s a motion picture experience that will totally immerse you. With a screen 4 stories high, and a state of the art sound sytem, the IMAX Theater experience is so realistic that viewers feel as if they are part of the film. Some of the latest shows have been 3-D and give you an experience of being in the movie itself.
The Planetarium, which is located in the Science Center is another must-see. It’s a wonderful way for anyone from kids to seniors to learn all about the magical world of astronomy. This show is chock full of information about our skies which will have you leaving the show, asking for more and wondering where the time went.
There are lots of restaurants within walking distance featuring menus filled with the best local seafood in the area. And if you are not a fish fan, you will be thrilled to find other cuisines from burgers and pizza to Indian fare and everything else in-between. Make sure you leave room for dessert, as you will find mouth-watering pastry shops and even see fudge made right before your eyes.
Baltimore has transformed its waterfront into one of the most visited destinations in the country. The Inner Harbor has something for everyone’s interests. Timewise, plan on spending the whole day, or more if possible. The Inner Harbor is a FUN and entertaining place for the whole family to visit.
Archive for July 20th, 2008
For many travelers, good food is a key part to enjoying your island vacation, which makes the French Caribbean a great place to book your next trip, because here, you can sample some of the best French cuisine and blend of specialty dishes in the Caribbean. In addition to the stunning sugary-sand beaches and the gleaming azure Caribbean Sea, the region of the French Caribbean is also known for its mouthwatering food. The islands of the French West Indies have inherited their motherland’s love for food and cooking, producing succulent traditional French dishes as well as a blend of cuisine influenced by many other cultures.
Culture of Cuisine
The French Caribbean islands are infused with rich influences from people of many different nationalities, including African, Chinese, Dutch, Indian, Spanish, and French. This infusion of cultures lends a unique flare and a distinctive appeal to the recipes from islands such as Martinique, Guadeloupe, and St. Martin, making these islands well-known and highly visited destinations among travelers who appreciate a standout dining experience.
Because the islands in the French Caribbean feature people different ethnicities from around the world, the famous cuisine of the French West Indies not only consists of authentic meals of French influence, but also innovative Caribbean dishes, such as Creole-style meat and seafood, that are specific to each of the individual islands in the French Caribbean.
Different Tastes
The individual islands in the French West Indies each have their own specialty dishes, so depending on what kind of food you’re in the mood for, you may want to find out what kind of recipes a specific island is known for. For instance, Martinique is considered by some to have the most traditional French flair in the Caribbean. Martinique’s restaurants often feature an array of seafood dishes, such as lambi, which is conch, or blaff, a boiled fresh fish with oysters and fresh-water crayfish. This wonderful island is the perfect place to turn your vacation into a totally gastronomic experience.
Guadeloupe is famous for a wonderfully zesty salad called feroces d’avocat that is made with avocados, cassava, and salted cod. And, for some of the best desserts in the Caribbean, vacationers may want to head to the French territory of St. Martin, where you can indulge your sweet tooth with tasty pastries, banana flambe, and many more specialty treats.
Enjoying different foods accompanied by fine French wines can be a fun and gratifying way to spend your vacation in the French Caribbean. And why not indulge in the rich culture and cuisine of these amazing islands? You’re sure to have an unforgettable experience at local restaurants and eateries that feature such a wide spectrum of fare amid wonderful French West Indies vacation spots.
