Make your first stop Baltimore, Maryland the Baltimore Visitor Center (877/Baltimore, 100 Light Street, 12th Floor, Baltimore, MD, 21202) conveniently located in the heart of the Inner Harbor near the Maryland Science Center.

The renovated 8,000-square-foot glass building offers incredible views of the city, and information about everything you want to see and do. The state-of-the-art center, open daily from 9am to 6pm, is a resource through which you can purchase tickets for major attractions and shows, including Baltimore Harbor Pass, a value-added combination pass to many of their most popular attractions. To find family-friendly accommodations, check out our list of moderately priced hotels below.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor

The Inner Harbor is a focal point for tourists who want to visit the National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Museum and take in an Orioles game at Camden Yards offers a huge choice of accommodations:

Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor
110 South Eutaw Street (at Pratt Street)
Baltimore, MD 21201

800/228-9290; 410/962-0202
Situated across the street from Camden Yards and a short walk to all the Inner Harbor attractions, this 524-room hotel offers an indoor pool with whirlpool. Check with them for special weekend packages.

Brookshire Suites
120 East Lombard Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
866/583-4162 or 410/625-1300
Offering 97 rooms and suites, this is a good choice for families needing to spread out a bit, especially if you bring Fluffy or Fido, who are welcome to come along. There is no pool, but there is an exercise room, and rates include a full breakfast.

Days Inn Inner Harbor
100 Hopkins Place (between Lombard and Pratt Streets)
Baltimore, MD 21201
800/DAYS-INN or 410/576-1000
It's a 2 or 3 block walk to the inner harbor from this well-priced hotel. A heated outdoor pool, fitness center, patio courtyard and TVs with Nintendo offer something for everyone.

Holiday Inn Inner Harbor
300-301 West Lombard Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
888/HOLIDAY or 410/685-3500
Also very close to Camden Yards and a short walk to Harborplace. Cool off in the indoor pool, or warm up in the sauna.

Hyatt Regency Baltimore
300 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
800/233-1234 or 410/528-1234
Stroll across the skywalks to the Inner Harbor or to the Convention Center from this glass-walled, elegant hotel, the first built in the restored Inner Harbor neighborhood. Like a resort in a city, there is an outdoor pool with a sundeck, jogging track, tennis and basketball courts and a health club.

Renaissance Harborplace Hotel
202 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
800/535-1201 or 410/547-1200
Part of the huge Gallery at Harborplace complex, the hotel shares space with an office tower and a shopping mall with restaurants. Very good-sized rooms accommodate families comfortably, and many rooms have excellent views. Amenities include an indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, courtyard and exercise facilities.

Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel
101 West Fayette Street
800/325-3535 or 410/752-1100
This huge hotels (707 rooms) is Maryland's largest and popular for conventions. There is an outdoor pool and pets less than 25 lbs. are welcome.

Downtown Baltimore

Tremont Park Hotel
8 East Pleasant Street
Baltimore, MD 21202

410/576-1200

Tremont Plaza Hotel
222 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
410/727-2222
Two all-suite properties with accommodations ranging from studios (with 2 beds and kitchenettes), to small suites (with a separate bedroom and living room with sleeper sofa, table and chairs, full bath and a kitchenette) to larger suites (with 2 full bedrooms, 2 baths, a living room with sofa bed, a dining area and kitchenette). Some units have full kitchens. The Park is pet-friendly for $25 per day.

Admiral Fell Inn
888 South Broadway
Historic Fell's Point
Baltimore, MD 21231
800/248-5086 or 410/422-7377
This historic property comprised of eight buildings (some dating from 1790) is at the center of the Fell's Point, America's oldest maritime community. Rooms in this boutique hotel are furnished with Victorian and Federal-style antiques and rates include a European-style breakfast. The Admiral Fell Inn is pet-friendly.

BWI Airport

Embassy Suites
1300 Concourse Drive
Linthicum, MD 21090
410/850-0747
This all-suite property located 7 miles from downtown, offers a separate bedroom and living room with a pull-out sofabed, and is a popular choice for families. Included in the rates is a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast and nightly manager's reception. Amenities include a pool, whirlpool and fitness center.

Read reviews of Baltimore, MD hotels on www.uptake.com in preparation for your trip.