Downtown Baltimore Hotel Unveils List of Family Vacation Destinations

Created by a Baltimore native and “Navigator,” the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel's list of top 10 attractions guides Baltimore family vacations to fun.

Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) July 18, 2011

No one loves Baltimore more than John Dumler, so he's perfectly suited for his job as “Lead Navigator” at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel. The recently launched "Navigator By Renaissance®" concept introduces a well-connected local insider to share their recommendations on all the fun and exciting things to do, and where to go to seek out undiscovered experiences. Now, thanks to this list, guests staying at this downtown Baltimore hotel can experience the best Maryland's largest city has to offer.

As a fifth generation Baltimorean, John learned to love the city's history and heritage from his parents and grandparents. He is well-acquainted with the area, its attractions and its residents. Because everyone can't live in the great city of Baltimore, John loves to show guests the best places in Baltimore to sip, savor, shop and see. After working with the Inner Harbor hotel team, his recently revealed personal recommendations include not only the top tourist spots, but also places that won't be found in any guidebook and some that even locals might not know about.

Baltimore family vacations flourish throughout the year. The vibrant Inner Harbor and surrounding neighborhoods offer a fantastic playground of sporting venues, historical sites, hands-on museums, family-friendly dining and entertainment, and much more.

John shares his Top 10 attractions for families in Baltimore that will delight kids of all ages:
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore: Home to more than 1,500 birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles displayed in natural settings replicating their native habitats. Featured programs include the Polar Bear Watch, Breakfast with the Animals, Feed a Giraffe, and the award winning Children's Zoo.

Urban Pirates: Pick a pirate name, don some pirate gear, learn a few pirate expressions like “shiver me timbers” and begin a pirate adventure aboard the pirate ship Fearless, which sails from the waterfront in Historic Fells Point.

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine: Site of the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812 that inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Tour the historic buildings, armories and battlegrounds. A daily flag changing ceremony and special holiday programs are conducted at the fort.

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum: Recognized as the birthplace of American railroading, the B&O Railroad museum and its 40 acre campus feature the oldest and most comprehensive collection of American railroading in the world with nearly 200 pieces of locomotives and rolling stock. Train rides are offered on select days. http://www.borail.org

National Aquarium Baltimore: Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the National Aquarium reveals the wonders of the aquatic world with 16,000 animals and more than 660 species. Top attractions include the dolphin show, the 4-D immersion theater, the tropical rainforest, and the Jellies Invasion.

Maryland Science Center: Not just for science geeks, the center includes a 3-D IMAX Theater, the Davis Planetarium, and hands-on exhibits about dinosaurs, the human body, the Chesapeake Bay, earth and space, green energy and more. http://www.mdsci.org

Port Discovery Children's Museum: Ranked among the top 5 children's museum in the US by Child Magazine. Interactive and ever changing educational exhibits and programs designed especially for ages 2 to 10, allow children to play and learn at the same time.

Baltimore Ghost Tours: Ghosts still live in the old seaport of Baltimore. Several of the older neighborhoods have quite a history and Baltimore Ghost Tours takes great pleasure in regaling haunting tales of the early residents and visitors. Hear spine-tingling stories about the spirits that linger in the sailing village of Fells Point or the upscale barrio of Mt. Vernon. http://www.fellspointghost.com

Historic Ships in Baltimore: Baltimore is a sailing town and on display here are some of the most fascinating vessels ever to ply the Seven Seas such as the US Sloop-of War Constellation, US Submarine Torsk, US Coast Guard Cutter Taney, and the Lightship Chesapeake. Included in the collection is the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse which guided ships to the entrance of the Baltimore Harbor for 130 years.

Geppi's Entertainment Museum: Take a trip through 250 years of American pop culture, revisiting childhood memories of G.I Joe, Barbie & Ken, Batman, Spiderman, Mickey Mouse and much more. Exhibits feature over 6,000 artifacts including toys, dolls, games and comics from the late 18th century to today.

For more top picks from John on the best places in Baltimore to savor, sip, shop and see this week, visit Renaissance Hotel's Navigator program at the downtown Baltimore hotel.

About the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace

The Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel is a Four Diamond jewel located on Baltimore's famed Inner Harbor. With a distinctive design featuring modern urban sophistication, the hotel offers 586 guestrooms and 34 suites feature unprecedented comfort and modern amenities including flat panel televisions, iPod docking stations, and improved high-speed Internet connectivity. The property is located near the Baltimore Convention Center and just steps from the Baltimore Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, and 120 dining and shopping options. This hotel's Watertable restaurant/lounge and Ground Floor Cafe have become local favorites, offering an all-natural menu with stylish twists on the season's finest ingredients. For additional information, visit http://www.RenaissanceHarborplace.com.

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