Annapolis v Baltimore

My husband and I are having a touring holiday in September starting in Washington, through Virginia and have booked all accomodation apart from last 2 nights. I can%26#39;t decide whether to spend 2 nights in Annapolis or one night in Annapolis and one in Baltimore. I wondered if it would be easier just to have a day trip into Baltimore as it may be a problem parking being a bigger city. Is there much to see in Baltimore? I would like to do some shopping so where would be best for that? We are departing from Dulles airport and looking at map I can%26#39;t tell which city would give me the most direct route. All suggestions gratefully received.

Annapolis v Baltimore

It may help your decision to understand that Baltimore is a much bigger city with all that big cities have to offer. You%26#39;ll find lots to do to keep you busy, especially if you stay in a hotel in the Inner Harbor area. Annapolis%26#39; tourist area is centered around it%26#39;s city dock and surrounding few blocks of historic area. It%26#39;s really a matter of personal preference whether you stay in one or the other. They are close enough that it%26#39;s probably not worth the time to pack up and change hotels. Parking is readily available in both places, although you%26#39;ll have to pay for it. As for shopping, I would much rather shop in Annapolis. Lots of cute, interesting stores along Main Street. If you like to wander around in the evening, I would also choose Annapolis over Baltimore. Neither city is particularly convenient to Dulles. Is your flight is in the morning on a weekday? You%26#39;ll need to factor in rush hour traffic. BWI would be a better choice.

Annapolis v Baltimore

We are flying back on a Saturday early evening and unfortunately we have already booked Dulles International so can%26#39;t change that. Can we get public transport from Annapolis to Baltimore and we could make a day visit without worrying about driving in large city?

We are flying back on a Saturday early evening and unfortunately we have already booked Dulles International so can%26#39;t change that. Can we get public transport from Annapolis to Baltimore and we could make a day visit without worrying about driving in large city?

I%26#39;m not familiar with public transportation from Annapolis to Baltimore. Maybe someone else will be able to help you. I can tell you that if you%26#39;re already comfortable driving around the DC/Annapolis area, driving into Baltimore won%26#39;t be difficult. Very basically, once you reach the Balimore beltway (695), you take Rt 295 into the city. Make a right turn on Pratt Street, drive a few blocks to the Inner Harbor and find a parking garage. You can walk around the Inner Harbor area where the National Aquarium is located, or you can take a water taxi to other tourist areas such as Ft McHenry or Fells Point.

It really depends on what you want to see. Baltimore is rather scruffy but has loads of character. It was once a major industrial port city but has been in decline for some time. (Although it is on the rise and people are coming back). It is a real working class city and looks like one. It is also quite ';diverse.'; There is a bit of a crime problem and some say it is the heroin capital of the US. That said, it is authentic and unabashedly real. The Inner Harbor is ok, the Aquarium is the main draw and worth seeing if you like that sort of thing. Camden Yards would be fun of there is an baseball game scheduled. There are some good restaurants and clubs if you wanted to go out. Maybe try some Pit Beef (Baltimore%26#39;s version of BBQ). Canton, Federal Hill and Fells Point are interesting places to stroll. Shopping in Baltimore isn%26#39;t great. Most people go to malls in the suburbs. Parking is a nightmare downtown. Please be careful in Baltimore as there are many desperate people there willing to rob you. You cannot leave anything in sight in your car. That is for real. Now, if you want a historic, quaint, sea-side town, with great dining and friendly people then Annapolis is for you. The town dates back to the 1600s which in the US is very very old. You still get a sense of colonial history in Annapolis, but it is really all about the Chesapeake Bay. There are sailboats everywhere and fun, dock side bars to drink and look at the water. Shopping is good and there are places to stay downtown that would give good access to the historic district. Take a tour of the Naval Academy. There is no easy public transport to Baltimore from Annapolis. Its about a 40 min drive and easy to find. So, if you want to see a real ';inner city'; US metro area Baltimore would be worth it. The city of Baltimore actually inst that big. If you want charm and history and a relaxed atmosphere, Annapolis if for you. If it were me, I%26#39;d stay both nights in Annapolis and take a day trip to Baltimore to see the Harbor, maybe a game, drive around a bit and head back to Annapolis.

Thanks, think I have been convinced to stay 2 nights in Annapolis and a quick day visit to Baltimore.

';It really depends on what you want to see. Baltimore is rather scruffy but has loads of character. It was once a major industrial port city but has been in decline for some time. (Although it is on the rise and people are coming back). It is a real working class city and looks like one. It is also quite ';diverse.'; There is a bit of a crime problem and some say it is the heroin capital of the US. That said, it is authentic and unabashedly real. The Inner Harbor is ok, the Aquarium is the main draw and worth seeing if you like that sort of thing. Camden Yards would be fun of there is an baseball game scheduled. There are some good restaurants and clubs if you wanted to go out. Maybe try some Pit Beef (Baltimore%26#39;s version of BBQ). Canton, Federal Hill and Fells Point are interesting places to stroll. Shopping in Baltimore isn%26#39;t great. Most people go to malls in the suburbs. Parking is a nightmare downtown. Please be careful in Baltimore as there are many desperate people there willing to rob you. You cannot leave anything in sight in your car. That is for real.';

This is one of the funniest posts I%26#39;ve ever seen on Tripadvisor...

I couldn%26#39;t disagree more! I%26#39;ve visited Baltimore many times in the last 15 years and really like the city. We even went for our anniversary in November and stayed at a quaint little inn on the water in Fells Point - the Inn at Henderson%26#39;s Wharf. It was one of the BEST places I have ever stayed. We stayed 2 nights and had plenty to do between the Inner Harbor area, Little Italy and Fells Point.

Our last day we went to Annapolis. Yes, it is charming and quaint and we enjoyed our day there, but husband and I both said we were glad we had spent the majority of time in Baltimore. The only thing that i felt was better in Annapolis was the shopping, but we were easily able to cover it in a day. I never once felt unsafe in Baltimore, it is just like any other large city, just be aware and you%26#39;ll be fine.

I agree with Irishfan - this is a very funny post! Just had to add my two cents.

Suzanne

I was a little dumbfounded when I read Burley Creek%26#39;s post, too. That isn%26#39;t my impression of Baltimore at all, but I guess everyone has their own experience with it.

I don%26#39;t know why I didn%26#39;t mention Fells Point in my original response. It%26#39;s such a fun place, especially at night.

';That isn%26#39;t my impression of Baltimore at all, but I guess everyone has their own experience with it. ';

But that was what I found so funny - not to beat a dead horse here, but I%26#39;m not sure that the person who posted that ';opinion'; of Baltimore really HAD any experience with it lol...or perhaps not any experience in the past 10 years?