<p>Hey guys can anyone give me any advice? We’re going to DC/Baltimore in July to visit Catholic and Loyola. Plan is to drive down and go to Catholic on Thursday and Loyola on Friday. Hubby and son are going to Camden Yards Friday night, then we’re heading home Saturday. We were going to stay near Camden Yards, but there’s not much availability and what is available is priced very high. I was thinking of staying somewhere a close drive from Baltimore, but I have no sense of direction. I was looking at hotels in Annapolis and I realized that I have no idea if that’s practical, but I’d love to stay near the water since this is the only family “vacation” this year. we’re looking for a suite or a hotel that might do a roll-away, but that’s not a big deal. Can anyone let me know if Annapolis is practical for this trip or if there is anywhere else we might stay (will have a car) that might have nice things to do for D and me while the guys are watching baseball?</p>
<p>Annapolis is a gorgeous little town, very touristy, very boaty, lots of shops and restaurants. It’s about 30-45 minutes to Baltimore, depending on traffic. It would be a fun place to hang out on foot while the baseball fanatics are doing their thing. But the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore is also a lot of fun. It also sort of qualifies as “staying near the water!”</p>
<p>When looking for hotels in Baltimore, you need to be <em>very</em> careful about neighborhood as it goes from safe tourist areas to <em>not OK</em> very quickly. </p>
<p>I personally would stay in Baltimore and visit Annapolis, rather than the other way around. </p>
<p>I go to Baltimore several times a year for both trade shows and sporting events – and have stayed both downtown and out near Hopkins. My most recent hotels have been the Days Inn, the Inn at the Colonade (near Hopkins, not far from Loyola), and the Sheraton. We also stayed at a Courtyard on the east side of the Harbor that was nice.</p>
<p>That’s what we were originally planning to do, but we apparently waited too long to reserve because I’m having the devil of a time finding availability for three beds. I’m going to check out the hotels you mentioned, though. Thanks!</p>
<p>When I was in B’more last April, it was the day of a Oriole’s game … and the place was just packed. You might have better luck at the Doubletree Inn at Colonade – across the street from Hopkins’ Homewood Field. It’s my H’s favorite hotel in Maryland!</p>
<p>ZM’
Check hotel websites directly; many have specials where kids under 18 stay free. We would make do with 2 double beds and forego the rollaway.</p>
<p>We can’t sleep in that configuration. Because of everyone’s gender! We’re all funny sleepers, so we’d drive each other nuts.</p>
<p>If you are having no luck with the downtown hotels in Baltimore (and there are some beautiful, expensive, new hotels, lots to do and see, very good restaurants) you might try the suburbs. Marriott’s Hunt Valley Inn is close to the Light Rail, which will get the guys directly to Camden Yards. Many people take Light Rail to ball games; it is safe, but slow.</p>
<p>Sadly, there is no water in Hunt Valley, but there is some lovely shopping at the Town Center, and room prices are probably more palatable. Other hotels in that general area are Courtyard and Embassy Suites.</p>
<p>The Inn at the Colonade would be great, and it is very close to Loyola College. Probably the best of both worlds if the downtown hotels are prohibitively expensive.</p>
<p>If you can find a good hotel deal (keep looking) the hotels that have been mentioned above (Sheraton, and the Marriott east of the harbor) are great. Rennaisance Harborplace hotel is good also.</p>
<p>Also check closer to the airport in Elkridge, Columbia and Severn. These are all outside of the city of Baltimore but very easy to get to from both areas. I live between Baltimore and DC so if you need more information, please let me know.</p>
<p>We just booked the Hampton inn near Camden Yards. I had tried yesterday and it had no availability, but today it did. Phew!</p>
<p>Justthismom, can you give me any advice (I have no sense of direction, it’s like a learning disability for me) on how realistic it might be for my daughter and I to stay near Camden Yards and walk to either Little Italy or Fell’s Point? Most grateful!</p>
<p>Walking to Little Italy or Fells Point during the day is no problem, though Fells Point is a bit of a walk. There is a water taxi service that runs all over the harbor area and stops at Fells Point and Little Italy. There are pick up points on the walkway near the Light St Pavilion at HarborPlace. Hope you enjoy our town.</p>