Interesting Attractions around Beltsville

Hi, I am planning on visiting Beltsville Maryland in two weeks. I need ideas on what are the main attractions around, Baltimore, Washington, Annapolis, etc.

I already know the main attractions in Washington, and about the aquarium in Baltimore, but I have couple days more to spend around, so I want to know what else is there to visit.

Any suggestions? PLEASE!

Interesting Attractions around Beltsville

Well, Beltsville doesn%26#39;t have much in itself but here is a list of places all within a 20 minute drive that might be interesting.And you will have to drive to all of these but it%26#39;s a pretty easy place to navigate except during rush hour times when traffic is bad you might get frustrated.

1. Nasa Goddard Space Center in Greenbelt, MD

2. Laurel, Md: Laurel Park Race Trak

3. Annapolis, MD: just an historic city that is pretty nice to walk around to the nice shops, maybe visit the Naval Academy and the Historic MD capital Building. Lovely waterfront and nice restaurants.

Interesting Attractions around Beltsville

Thanks for the reply Mrs Maryland.

I have another question, is Bush Gardens too far, or are there any other parks like that around?

An attraction where you can go and come back on the same day?

Busch Gardens will be about 2 hours away. Just between Richmond and VA Beach.

Six Flags America (www.sixflags.com) is about 25 minutes away from Beltsville in Largo, MD. It isn%26#39;t the greatest of the six flags parks and frankly I don%26#39;t like it. But if you want to check it out go ahead.

Also Kings Dominion is straight down I-95 about 1.5 hours away from Beltsville www.kingsdominion.com. It%26#39;s a little better than the Six Flags park and it%26#39;s cheaper as well.

Hershey Park is about 1.45 min-2 hours away in Hershey, PA

Mrs Maryland thanks for all the info and the prompt answer too.

I just have another question. Since I have only 3 days, I am planning on spending on e in Washington, one in Baltimore (altough in Baltimore I only know about the aquarium) and one somewhere else. This is a trip of 5 younge people, so that%26#39;s why the park sound very attractive!. But I want to know what do you suggest for that third day, which of these park is the best or is there any other place we should visit?

I visited the Bush Gardens website and noticed they came out with a new rollercoaster which called my attention, but I really want to hear from you or from people who live in the are or have visited so I really get the most out of my 3 days there.

Thanks, thanks, thanks

Honestly, The Busch Gardens in Williamsburg isn%26#39;t that great.

So...... I would probably choose either Hershey Park (www.hersheypark.com) or Kings Dominion. Kings Dominion has a new water park and Hershey Park has a new boardwalk which includes a water park and several other rides. And Hershey Park is also more adult friendly and kid friendly as well. Something for all ages. I think that%26#39;s a good idea to do something different each day.

I don%26#39;t know much about Baltimore other than probably the Aquarium, Camden Yards, That Train Museum (can%26#39;t think of the name but I believe it%26#39;s one of the ones from Monopoly :-) !!

and the Inner Harbor area. But if you have any questions about DC more than happy to help.

Hershey Park you can get to in just under 2 hours so that isn%26#39;t a long drive at all. It%26#39;s very easy to get to from Beltsville.

You might want to consider doing a dinner and show at Medieval Times in Hanover. I don%26#39;t know how far it is from Beltsville but, I know it isn%26#39;t farther than Baltimore. Medieval Times offers a 2 hour and set 4 course meal for $50 plus for adults and $37 plus tax for those under 12 which is a little pricey but you are getting a 4 course meal with that. Young people tend to enjoy the show because they have to eat all the food with their hands and get to yell and scream all they want during the show.

In regards to Baltimore, there is also Fort McHenry, a revolutionary war fort that became famous during the war of 1812. The British bombarded it in an attempt to attack the city of Baltimore. It was during the bombardment that Francis Scott Key wrote the lines to the Star Spangled Banner which ultimately became our national anthem and the bane of singers every where.

You could see if the Baltimore Orioles are playing during your time here and maybe try to catch a game if they are. They play in Camden Yards.

In regards to Annapolis, I can%26#39;t tell you anything about it as I haven%26#39;t made it there myself. It%26#39;s on my list of things to do.

I hope that helps a little at least. Cheers!

Yeah, Meidival Times is about 25 minutes from Beltsville. Just take the BW Parkway until you get to Hanover/Airport. It%26#39;s at the Arundel Mills, Mall.

I agree that Kings Dominion is better and closer than Busch Gardens. KD is where all the locals area travellers go.

If still looking for something, you might absorb yourselves in some Maryland history and try a visit south to Historic St. Mary%26#39;s and Calvert County Maryland. You can visit St. Mary%26#39;s City, the first capital of Maryland (also nearby St. Mary%26#39;s College of Maryland), the watermen%26#39;s community of Solomon%26#39;s Island with the Calvert Marine Museum for Tidewater Maritime History including a Screwpile Lighthouse. There are a handful of other lighthouses in the area, including Piney Point, Cove Point, and Point Lookout. This area is often over looked but is one of the areas rich with history and a is only a short drive from the DC area.

There is a lot to do in Washington. And some things are in different parts of DC off the mall. Like the National Cathedral, which is very impressive and the National Zoo, which you could spend a day at, and I am not the zoo type of person and still loved it. It is a whole lot better than the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Plus it has the Pandas! And is free! Go down to Alexandria and Mount Vernon. The only things I could see doing up in Baltimore is the National Aquaurium in Baltimore ( the much better national aquarium, very big, the one in DC isn%26#39;t worth visiting) and Fort Mchenry. Also, the B%26amp;O Railroad Museum is really neat if you like trains. Even if you don%26#39;t ,still worth checking out. Annapolis is nice. Drive 450 out of Annapolis and check out the overlook of Annapolis and the Maryland WWII Memorial. The National WWII Memorial is in DC and definetly check that out. Either go up in the Washington Monument or the Old Post Office Tower on Pennsylvannia Avenue. The Old Post Office is nice if you have already done the Washington Monument. It has no crowds, you can go up whenever you want, it is free, and dosen%26#39;t take a long time. Plus, it is open at the top instead of the little windows in the Monument and it has a different perspective. I mentioned the national cathedral, there is also a observation level in there too. The National Postal Museum next to Union Station and Union Station itself are worth checking out. The National Air and Space Annex by Dullus Airport in Chantily,VA is definetly worth checking out. The new National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle,VA near Quantico is really cool also. It is probably about the same distance as the Air and Space Annex. The Smithsonian Museums in DC are great also. You could also take a capitol tour through the capitol building. You don%26#39;t need reservations (you can%26#39;t) or to contact your congressman. Just get to the ticket stand early and buy tickets. The washington monument is the same way, but you can buy tickets online the night before. The capitol tour you only see a few rooms, but you see the major highlights (the rotunda, statuary hall, the crypt, the old supreme court chamber). And again it is free. Mostly all things that I mentioned in DC are free. (National Air and Space at Dullus Airport has a 12 dollar parking fee, mount vernon is 13 dollars a piece). Rest of the things are free. All the baltimore places cost. The B%26amp;O Railroad Museum and the National Aquarium in Baltimore are very expensive. Fort Mchenry charges a small fee unless you have a national parks pass. If you really want to take a excursion, take the 90-120 minute drive to Shenandoah NP for some beautiful mountain scenry and outdoor activities. Being in Beltsville, you are convienient to the Beltway and the metro stations. It might be worth your while to buy a daypass for metro. Don%26#39;t attempt to drive to DC if you have not done it before. There is no parking. Take metro, it is not very expensive and considering a lot of the stuff is free. Plus it is usually faster than driving even though you have to stop at each station. The National Cathedral is not convient to metro, but probably is only a mile walk from the zoo. Otherwises, you might have to drive there. There is parking there unlike the mall area, but it is limited, so go early and not on sunday. There are all kinds of attactions in DC other than the main attractions.

Good Luck!

Safe neighborhood??

Can anyone from the Baltimore area help me out? My brother-in-law booked 2 rooms at the Quality Inn (1401 Bloomfield Ave). We just needed a place to sleep (getting in around 10:00 p.m. and out by 9:00 a.m. the next day) and he couldn%26#39;t see paying a higher premium. Not a problem, except I%26#39;ve read lots of on-line reviews and most speak of very poor room conditions (living and dead roaches and other bugs, mice and rat holes) and quite a few mentioned the location as being in an unsafe neighborhood. Can anyone who knows the area (and possibly the facility) give me some information. I don%26#39;t want to question his choice since money is a real issue with them and they won%26#39;t let us help out, but neither do I want to walk into a nightmare. Thanks!

Safe neighborhood??

What kind of rate is your brother paying, any idea?

The neighborhood isn%26#39;t the best, it%26#39;s just off the Interstate on the outskirts of the city. I don%26#39;t know much about the hotel but the reviews here on TA, while not very good, are also not very current...

Within 7-8 miles you could be in the BWI Airport area and could check there for properties, there are lots of budget properties in that area and a list is at bwiairport.com.

(Having said all that, if you%26#39;re really just getting in at 10:00 and leaving the next morning, how bad could it be?)

Safe neighborhood??

Thanks for your reply. We really are getting in around 10 at night and plan to leave no later than 9:00 the next day, so i%26#39;m not concerrned with amenities as much as with safety. I ';googled'; and found lots of reviews that talked about doors that would not close/lock, tough neighborhood, bugs and 1 or 2 that mentioned rodents... that%26#39;s when I decided to post the query here, where I%26#39;ve always gotten good information. As for the room rate, with tax it%26#39;s about $135 - I think he said it was $114 a night. Thanks again.

The White Marsh area has several reasonably priced hotels for under $200 a night, and it is a much nicer area. White Marsh is also right off I-95 but it is northeast of the city rather than southwest of the city (Bloomfield).

If you just need a place to sleep and aren%26#39;t concerned with being near any attractions, you might be better off at one of the airport hotels. There are a number of options on the standard travel sites showing better prices than you got at the QI and you wouldn%26#39;t have to worry about the neighborhood.

Are you just passing through Baltimore, or are you actually looking to do something in the city?

If you%26#39;re just passing through along I-95, you can do better about 20 minutes south of town where you%26#39;re not spitting distance to either Baltimore or Washington (search for hotels around Laurel, Md.). Or 15 minutes north of the aforementioned White Marsh area, look for hotels in Bel Air.

You will save a bunch or find a nicer place for the same money in these areas just by driving a few extra minutes. If you don%26#39;t have a need to be close to the city, why pay for the privilege?

I wouldn%26#39;t stay there- I agree w/ the above poster- stay somewhere a little firther out if safety is your #1 issue.Otherwise, I%26#39;d find a nice B%26amp;B in FederalHill, Conton, or Fells Point (safe areas near the water) if I wanted to save $.

I never feel safe at night and even day in baltimore unless I am right around inner harbor. A lot of the city is run down except for inner harbor and fells point areas. I would stay near BWI like somebody else suggested. That is not a great area you are talking about. It is across from a hospital. It is on the verge of a bad neighborhood. Plus to get to Inner Harbor, if you don%26#39;t take I-95, and go Wilkens Ave into the city, it is very bad neighborhoods. No trees, no grass, all concrete, and very run down. It is the ghetto. I don%26#39;t even feel safe driving in a car through there. What do you plan on doing in baltimore? Sightseeing, buisness, family matters? I live in the columbia area and am only 20 minutes to baltimore. BWI is even closer. I would not stay in the city except for Inner Harbor. Probably the quality inn is not much more convienent than staying around BWI. That is just my opinion.

day parking in Baltimore Inner Harbor

Will be driving in from Annapolis for a day trip mid week in late June.Where is a good place to parking that is centerly located? Is there any train service into baltmore from Annapolis?

day parking in Baltimore Inner Harbor

I checked the MTA website (http://www.mtamaryland.com/index.cfm) and it looks like there isn%26#39;t any train service from Annapolis to Baltimore. There is a bus service that will take you from Annapolis to Baltimore. If you don%26#39;t want to ride the bus the whole way, the bus service stops at the Light Rail Cromwell Station which you can then take into Baltimore.

Concerning parking that is centrally located in Baltimore, the only parking I%26#39;m familiar with is the parking at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel. It costs $23 a day to park there. The hotel is within a block of the Inner Harbor. There might be better deals out there.

day parking in Baltimore Inner Harbor

';Will be driving in from Annapolis for a day trip mid week in late June.Where is a good place to parking that is centerly located?';

There are pay lots all over downtown, almost every office building and hotel has one. The closer you get to the harbor the more expensive you%26#39;re likely to find the parking.

I think the $23 rate posted is quite high for Baltimore, probably because it%26#39;s in a hotel and in one of the better hotels in town at that.

Take the light rail from Cromwell Station. It is not far from Annapolis. Just take Route 50 west to I-97 north to exit 16 and head south for a half mile and it should be there on the right. I think a day pass is 3 dollars a person. The ride takes about a half hour and get off by the Convention Center. You are close to inner harbor.

I don%26#39;t think there is any train service from Annapolis. there maybe a bus service. Good luck!

beauty

How safe is Baltimore?

We are from Miami and are planning on visiting Baltimore. I usually am the one being ask this question about my city, but now I m the one asking. lol.. How safe is Baltimore? I will be staying in the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront. How safe is this area? I will travel with my wife and 5 year old.

I understand most big cities have some danger, but is the danger unbearable? I plan on visiting the Aquarium, catching a game at Camden Yards, maybe the oo, the train museum. What do you think? Honestly. Is it safe to go there with a family? If so, can you walk or should you always take a cab. I plan on having a nice breakfast everyday, seeing some of the sites, eating out and being back to the hotel bfore 8 or 9 pm.

Any help you can give me is appreciated. Thank you!

C from Miami

How safe is Baltimore?

';I understand most big cities have some danger...';

I think you already know the answer to your question, which is likely the same as what you give to those visiting Miami. The attractions appealing to tourists are generally not located in the ';war zones';--the areas known for gangs, drugs, poverty, etc. If they were, they wouldn%26#39;t survive for long. Exercise big-city common sense wherever you are, and you should be fine.

Baltimore certainly has sections rivaling Opa Locka, Overtown, Carol City, etc. in your hometown, and these skew the city%26#39;s high crime rate. It%26#39;s very hard to stumble onto these areas unintentionally, they are far off the safe, beaten tourist path.

The area stretching from Camden Yards east to your Marriott and beyond (Fells Point) is entirely on the tourist path and walkable, if you have the legs to walk it.

The B%26amp;O railroad museum is the only attraction you mention that%26#39;s slightly off the path and I%26#39;d suggest taking a taxi or driving there. In small part because of the gentrifying neighborhood, in larger part because of the distance from the rest of the major attractions.

Enjoy your trip!

How safe is Baltimore?

ditto on all of the above. You actually could even walk to the B+O museum though it is a good walk. Even though it is out of the ';tourist '; area I think you would be fine. I work downtown and I have a co-worker who lives in the new townhomes next to the museum and we walk to her house from work everyday. Ii depends on your comfort level and time of day you are going.

I have to agree. tubman nailed it! Baltimore is a wonderfully diverse city with a host of things to do. Enjoy yourself, enjoy the Inner Harbor, Camden Yards (even if you don%26#39;t make a game the ballpark itself is a must see.) and all the other ';touristy'; things on your list. Use your common sense and walk to your hearts content.

the only destination you mentioned that might be a bit difficult...is the zoo. it%26#39;s a bit of a ways from the harbor and you do NOT want to attempt walking to it. cab would be fine...but i%26#39;m not sure how easy it would be to get a cab back.

The Zoo is struggling financially, unable to draw crowds by being so far from the rest of the city%26#39;s attractions (4 miles from the Harbor) that get all the attention. Without the crowds, they can%26#39;t fund top-quality attractions; without the attractions, they can%26#39;t draw the crowds. It%26#39;s a vicious cycle. Funding by the state has also been cut substantially, and facilities are deteriorating.

In short, the long-term prognosis for the zoo is grim (closure is talked about fairly frequently) and it shows. I was there a few years ago and it was a little depressing seeing so few people in there on a bright, sunny weekend.

I would only recommend the zoo if you%26#39;ve never been to one and don%26#39;t have one where you live. Also think about a side trip to D.C. just an hour away, which has a great zoo. Like most everything else that people go to D.C. to see, admission to the zoo there is free.

The National Zoo in DC is great, my kids loved it there and you can%26#39;t beat a fun free zoo! I agree it%26#39;s worth the hour trip down to DC.

Suzanne

visited there three years ago downtown by the ballpark, yes it is safe, so safe, I%26#39;m return for another O%26#39;s game this month. Walked seven blocks from my hotel to the ballpark last time, safe, just make sure you know your surroundings and always alert, anywhere, not just where ever you are visiting.

very depressing about the zoo. it%26#39;s been a long time since i%26#39;ve been there, but i KNOW the directors have been trying SO hard to keep it going... what a shame.

Don%26#39;t worry about crime but be prepared to be asked for money a lot.

Like all the posters say--Use COMMON sense! Don%26#39;t flash your money in public. Don%26#39;t leave camera%26#39;s, purses, wallets, loose cash, other vaulables in your car in plain site. If you are walking somewhere and you start to get nervous TURN AROUND.

ALL cities have problems and crime area%26#39;s. You should have a great time but if you act like an air headed tourist you may be setting yourself up. Also, make sure your hotel room door locks correctly. Don%26#39;t let strangers into your room.

Now before you start thinking, ';OMG!! It IS dangerous in Baltimore!'; These suggestions can apply to ANY city, town or location.

ie

which way to go/where to stop on Fri. fr/Williamsburg to NY?

(posted this on DC, VA and here. just read post about 301 from Annapolis and now thinking that may be bad idea on Friday too?

any help is appreciated.)

We%26#39;re heading home from Williamsburg to NYC on a Friday and want to stopover for a night along the way to break up the drive back. Hoping to leave at noon but are afraid of awful traffic going towards DC (or is it only bad coming out of DC?). We%26#39;re tempted to go see Virginia Beach/Chincoteague but that also seems like a bad idea trafficwise.

Can anyone suggest an alternate route/idea for a stop? Hwy 301 to Annapolis? Or a nice area off 95 that%26#39;s south of DC before traffic jams? If we skip our AM plans and leave earlier, then would we avoid bad traffic if we got to DC by 2pm?

It would be nice to stop somewhere interesting but not absolutely necessary. We just don%26#39;t want to spend too much more after a week of vacation and need to get home by Saturday night. Thanks again for all help. We would be lost without Tripadvisor!

which way to go/where to stop on Fri. fr/Williamsburg to NY?

Well leaving from Williamsburg on a Friday at noon will get you to the Maryland/VA sections of 95 outside of DC around 2:30 pm. No traffic, only the construction crews cleaning up their mess.

However if you did want to take 301, I wouldn%26#39;t pick that up until you get to Caramel Church Road where it says last exit for 301or just after Kings Dominion or the Henry Nice Bridge. That would be nothing but smooth sailing coming from that direction. You will hit a few lights and then a lot of lights once you get into Waldorf, MD. Oh and you have to cross a 2 lane bridge that isn%26#39;t divided just as you cross over into Maryland from Virginia.

Now since you are headed to NY. You will end up running into some traffic in Baltimore and points further North because of the time of Day. So if you did want to stop the night, you could stop in Baltimore maybe and head out early Saturday morning and then make it to NY in 3 hours. That would be a better idea.

which way to go/where to stop on Fri. fr/Williamsburg to NY?

Thanks MrsMaryland for your advice. So if we head for Baltimore for the night then, which way should we go? 95 thru dc? or 301?

Do you recommend Baltimore vs Annapolis for this stopover?

Coming from Williamsburg on a Friday afternoon, you could go either way.

If you want a more small town, lights, then a big shopping district and lights then go 301. If you just want to get there take 95. And I find during those hours that it is faster taking the BW Parkway into Baltimore. Much faster IMO. You would pick the Parkway up on 95 just after Rt. 450

Baltimore vs. Annapolis hmmmmmmm If you stay on the Inner Harbor I would go with Baltimore. And then head out at 95 which is right there so you won%26#39;t have to travel too far off. Nothing wrong with Annapolis but for one night with kids, I think they would like the atmosphere of the Inner Harbor. (If you have kids)

Hope this helps.

Yes, 2 kids. Baltimore sounds like a good idea. Thanks very much for your help!

Best beach for surf fishing and relaxing?

We are about to celebrate our 31 wedding anniversery. I love to read and walk on the beach. Husband just wants to surf fish. Any ideas. We will be going the first of August.

We will be going to Baltimore for a few days so I really do not want to drive along ways.

Thank you for any input.

Knoxville, TN

Best beach for surf fishing and relaxing?

Well there is plenty of fishing in Baltimore, this is prime season for Rockfish (striped bass) but not really surf fishing. There are charter boats to go on. This is the Chesapeake Bay not the ocean so yes it can get rough (I was reading your other post) out there but nothing like a rough day out in the ocean. If hubby is set on surf fishing your best bet is Assateaque Island about 3 hours southeast of Baltimore this right outside Ocean City a very popular resort town here. What area are you staying in?

hotels in or near Salisbury Maryland

Does anyone know about The holiday Inn Express in Salisbury-Delmar ?

Is it a decent hotel for an overnight stay? We are heading to Virginia Beach early the next morning...

If not, what is a good alternative?

hotels in or near Salisbury Maryland

It is a very new hotel that was just built last year (2005). The hotel has an outdoor pool, business center, and exercise room. A continental breakfast consisting of a variety of breakfast items (including delicious cinnamon rolls) is served each morning, which is an added value. Be sure to visit the hotel%26#39;s webpage at www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hd/ddroh if you haven%26#39;t already done so.

hotels in or near Salisbury Maryland

I just stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn and it was nice! See my review which should be posted shortly...