Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, next to the Pier 6 Concert Pavilion, is within walking distance of dozens of restaurants The Little Italy area has over 25 Italian restaurants. Grille 700, focusing on fresh, local ingredients; Kozmo's Lounge with light snacks; and a deli, all in the hotel, let you dine without too much effort. The smoke-free hotel has an indoor swimming pool and a fitness center. All summer, enjoy concerts at the pavilion.
The National Aquarium in Baltimore features hundreds of marine animals, a dolphin show and an exhibit on the Amazon River Forest. "Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes" features lizards, flying foxes, crocodiles and lorikeets. The family-friendly institution has touch tanks and interactive stations, but it gets very crowded and can overwhelm young visitors. Save time and buy tickets online.
The family-friendly Maryland Science Center has a planetarium, IMAX theater and young children's discovery area, "K.I.D.S Room." Throughout the museum, interactive exhibits invite discovery. "Follow the Blue Crab" lets you further study the Chesapeake Bay, with live terrapins, crabs and native fish, and "Energy Efficient Car" has a full-size see-through car that you can make more efficient using touch screens. Lie on a bed of nails in "Body: The Inside Story," or hear the sounds of your body digesting different foods.
Since you are staying on the water, explore the Historic Ships in Baltimore. This collection includes the "US Sloop-of-War Constellation," the "US Submarine Torsk," the "US Coast Guard Cutter Taney," and the "Lightship Chesapeake." You can explore the ships, go below water on the sub, and see exhibits on life at sea from the mid-19th century to the mid-1980s. Uniformed crew members aboard the ships answer questions and, at different times daily, fire a Parrott rifle.
