Best Activities For Kids In Baltimore Over Thanksgiving Weekend
The family may still be recovering from the Thanksgiving feast, but the kids are already bored with three full days of vacation left. After all, that need to get out of the house after a whole day cooped up inside can make anyone a little stir crazy. Thankfully, there's plenty to do in Baltimore, like preparing for the upcoming Christmas holiday, enjoying winter sports and doing indoor activities should the weather not cooperate. Take the whole family or just drop off the kids at any of these fun activities below. Either way, everyone will have such a great time that the weekend will be over before you know it.
Christmas Village In Baltimore
Inner Harbor
501 Light St.
Baltimore, Md. 21230
www.baltimore-christmas.com
Lights, Christmas trees, live music and the added bonus of delicious homemade waffles and gingerbread – children will love the cheery atmosphere and cozy holiday feel of the Christmas Village located at the West Shore Park in the Inner Harbor. Kids can experience the sights and sounds of a German Christmas market with the traditional wooden-style huts, plus find gifts, toys, sweets, ornaments and so much more at the 60 vendor booths. The opening ceremony with the original Christkind from Germany takes place during the Thanksgiving weekend. Check the website's event calendar for an up-to-date schedule of this and other activities to take place.
Mt. Pleasant Ice Arena
6101 Hillen Road
Baltimore, Md. 21239
(443) 984-4075
www.mtpleasanticearena.com
With a chill in the air and Christmas just around the corner, it's time to visit Baltimore's most popular ice skating rink, Mt. Pleasant Ice Arena. Open Friday and Saturday evening from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., there are plenty of opportunities for kids to go with the family or be dropped off to hang out with friends. Admission with skate rental is only $6 – an affordable option for a few hours of priceless entertainment. The ice rink provides a friendly, clean atmosphere for children and parents are welcome to join the fun, too.
The Charles Theater
1711 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, Md. 21201
(410) 727-3464
www.thecharles.com
First opened in 1939, The Charles Theater of Baltimore offers the ultimate movie fanatic experience – an ideal place for older kids and teenagers to unwind after a busy holiday. Through a combination of rich history and distinct architectural surroundings, this cinema makes you feel like you're in a movie before the lights even go out. At reasonable ticket prices, the theater runs unique films including first-run specialties, foreign, classics and Hollywood movies. It's "sibling theatre" - The Senator - is also a great option with a similar historic atmosphere and original movies that will entertain for hours.
Related: Best Movie Theaters In Maryland
National Aquarium
501 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore, Md. 21202
(410) 576-3800
www.aqua.org
There are lots of reasons to pay a visit to the Baltimore Aquarium on the holiday weekend, starting with a dolphin sleepover on Friday night. For kids 8 years old and up, this one-of-a-kind slumber party includes exploration of behind-the-scenes areas, a trip to the Dolphin Discovery Lab, a walk on the shark catwalk and a dreamy backdrop of dolphins swimming underwater to fall asleep to. On Saturday and Sunday, kids can also participate in a 9 a.m. dolphin encounter and at 1:30 p.m., an up-close-and-personal shark encounter. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the aquarium's website or by calling.
Ye Haunted History Of Olde Ellicott City Ghost Tour
8267 Main St.
Ellicott City, Md. 21043
(800) 288-8747
www.visithowardcounty.com/ghost-tours
With Halloween just a month ago and kids learning about American history in school for Thanksgiving, Ellicott City's ghost tours are a thrilling experience to wrap up the season – and the Thanksgiving weekend is the last chance to participate in 2013. On Friday and Saturday starting at 8:30 p.m., the tour guide will visit sites where unusual and spooky occurrences have happened, and relate eyewitness accounts of paranormal activity that have taken place in the town. Be sure to arrive 15 minutes early and bring a camera to try and catch ghostly evidence on your own. This activity is not recommended for kids under 6 years old.
Keri Ann Beazell is a Baltimore writer following the latest developments in arts and culture, natural wonders, lifestyle and pets. She enjoys promoting thought-provoking discussions, education, new ideas and smiles among readers. Follow her online at Examiner.com
