If you're looking around and still can't figure out where the real "city" part of Baltimore City comes in to play, then the Inner Harbor awaits you. Definitely the flashiest part of town, the waterfront attracts all the crowds, tourists and traffic you need to beat your B'more blues.
The Harbor is a convenient hub of shopping and restaurants that's pretty rare in Baltimore. Bustling during the day and lit up beautifully at night, the Harbor has postcard good looks and lots to do in a little area.
Right on the harbor itself, the Baltimore Aquarium has seals outside, tons of sharks and fish inside and a hot dolphin show. The Maryland Science Center has mostly kid-geared exhibits, but the IMAX movie theater is awesome. Check out their NightMAX double features on the weekends if you want to avoid paying full Science Center admission.
Between the two attractions is paddle boating, a grinning old WWII nuclear submarine that you can tour and the two Harborplace Pavilions, filled with shops, restaurants and food courts. There, you'll find Hooter's, Planet Hollywood and, yes, the Cheesecake Factory. Everyone heads over there at least once in their Hopkins career, but be prepared to wait if you want to eat at prime hours. While you're waiting for a table, though, check out the infamous Fudgery for Baltimore's own rapping candy makers. They've got skillz.
Over at the Power Plant on Pier 5, there's ESPN Zone, Hard Rock Caf and a Barnes & Noble with the comfiest armchairs in Baltimore. Across Pratt St., the Galleria is one classy little mall. Two blocks off the Harbor and you've hit baseball and football territory: Oriole Park at Camden Yards and PSINet Stadium. "Baltimorons" love their baseball team through thick and thin. Plus, they're still basking in the glow of the Ravens' Superbowl victory last year.
Although most of the clubs right by the harbor have closed, once you're downtown, it's only a two-minute cab ride to the trio of Bar Baltimore, Have-a-Nice-Day Caf and Baja Beach Club. It's about five minutes to Little Italy and Fells Point, with Bohagers, Latin Palace and crazy Friday quarter bottles at Club 723.
In the winter, Rashfield Ice Rink opens up for some great outdoor ice skating by the Science Center.
The only pain in going to the Harbor is that Hopkins has no shuttle that goes there. You'll have to catch a cab or ride the MTA bus 61 from St. Paul St. if you want to head over. It's worth the effort, though. And, hey, you'll have something to say when you go home for break and people ask, "So, what'd you do in Baltimore?
