by Denise Calaman

Created on: March 03, 2009   Last Updated: March 06, 2009

Baltimore, the largest city in Maryland, has undergone a cosmetic and commercial facelift in recent years and has transformed into a modern, beautiful city of wonder, of education and fun. Baltimore now welcomes over 13 million visitors annually. Many of these visitors choose to visit in spring and summer, when the city is abuzz with both indoor and outdoor activities for people of all ages. There is so much to see and do in Baltimore that many visitors tend to keep coming back to visit again and again.

The Inner Harbor-

Baltimore lies on the Chesapeake Bay and one of its most visited attractions is the Inner Harbor, an open air market of sorts overlooking the bay. The Inner Harbor attracts a lunch crowd during the workweek but on the weekends tourists walk the waterfront as musicians play free concerts. There are many upscale restaurants and shops inside Harbor Place Mall, such as Phillips Seafood, but there are also a few fast food restaurants for the budget conscious. Take your food to go and you can sit outdoors on the balcony at Harbor Place and eat your meal looking out into the Chesapeake. There are other restaurants situated around Inner Harbor like Cheesecake Factory and the original ESPN Zone.

The most visited attraction at Inner Harbor and all of Baltimore is the National Aquarium. The non-profit National Aquarium houses over 560 species of animal, plant and marine life. You may buy tickets to the aquarium individually or take advantage of Baltimore's Harbor Pass. Harbor Pass gets you into four different Inner Harbor attractions for a discounted price. A Harbor Pass may be purchased at any of the individual venues and is good for one day.

The Maryland Science Center is one of the venues that you may visit for a discounted rate using your Harbor Pass. The Maryland Science Center is a place of amazement and wonder for people of all ages. The Center changes its exhibits quite often and as of the spring of 2009 plans to open an Under the Sea 3D exhibit. The Center is home to an IMAX theatre and has many Feel and Learn exhibits for children.

The Port of Discovery Children's Museum opened in 1998 at the Harbor and it is the third largest children's museum in the United States. The museum is geared towards younger children but people of all ages will enjoy the museum located near the Harbor Place Mall in the historic Fishmarket Building. The Port of Discovery Children's Museum can be visited for a discounted rate using your Harbor Pass.

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore-

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