A day at BWI before visit, things safe to do?

justdoit19

justdoit19

Proud parent of an ANG, USNA X2, and a MidSib
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DS will be arriving a day early for a sports visit. He is travelling alone. Anyone know safe things he could do with his day? We are not local, never been to the area. Searching the internet is overwhelming. Anyone have ideas that know the area? He is staying at an BWI airport hotel, would have to find transportation as well. TIA (and nervous momma...)
 
BWI is the airport and if he is staying at one of the Airport hotels there is not many things of interest within walking distance. Where is he staying exactly? Cities are inherently more dangerous then suburbs. Baltimore can be a very dangerous city unless he stays around the inner harbor. I would suggest someplace very close to Baltimore harbor on Pratt St. The Renaissance is nice and not too expensive. Just tell him not to wander too far from the tourist trap areas and he will be fine-- If he wanders off a few blocks too far he will be travel into some pretty rough areas. If he is staying in Annapolis he will be fine as it is a beautiful little town with almost everything within walking distance. I do not think he would be staying in DC but if he is someplace close to National Mall (Smithsonian Museums could keep someone busy for an entire week and they are free entry) would be best. I would suggest printing a map for him in advance with spots that may interest him wherever he is staying.
 
Can he stay in Annapolis? There would be a lot more to do. He could Uber from BWI to Annapolis.
 
The plan was for him to stay at a hotel at (near) the airport that was suggested by the Coach...I suspect reasonable rates? The hotel will provide free shuttle to/from the airport (the next day, where he will be picked up by academy staff). As he is underage for hotels, we are going to stick with this hotel as they have worked with us already, making allowances for him to be there alone underage. So what I was wondering is if there is a train or something he could take somewhere to sight see? Are the Washington malls out of the question? I know he will already be doing some Annapolis adventuring as part of his recruiting trip. I for SURE do not want to send him anywhere questionable. Also not fond of Uber (young, alone...blah blah blah). Would prefer anonymous mass transit. Maybe he should just chill at the hotel?
 
My DD was a prospective athlete as well and they told her to use Springhill Suites when she did an overnight. It is much closer to downtown Annapolis. She was allowed to stay there as an underage minor as well. It however is probably a little on the higher end as far as cost.
 
One COULD get to DC from the airport by taking Amtrak from BWI to Union Station and then taking the Metro to the Mall and other tourist sites in DC. I would not suggest your DS attempt it alone as it's not intuitive, quick or even cheap. Suggest getting a taxi or Uber to the Inner Harbor (and stay in immediate vicinity as others have said) or hang out in his hotel. Baltimore is not a walk-around town and a few blocks in the wrong direction can (as with any major city) spell big trouble.
 
THANKS for input...exactly what I was looking for! The internet is only so helpful haha. Will look into the other hotel!
 
NovaGrad said:
My DD was a prospective athlete as well and they told her to use Springhill Suites when she did an overnight. It is much closer to downtown Annapolis. She was allowed to stay there as an underage minor as well. It however is probably a little on the higher end as far as cost.
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To be clear, he would be able to explore on foot?
 
I agree with others though that the best place to be would either be the inner harbor of Baltimore or Annapolis. I wouldn't recommend going to D.C. as it is a long train ride.

If he takes a train, I suggest not Amtrak. Instead take the MARC train. You can get from dc to Baltimore for less than 10 dollars.

In the inner harbor there is plenty to look at and tons of neat stores . There are many ships and the national aquarium also available to visit for a price. Annapolis is Annapolis. Definitely somewhere to hang out in if he wants to do Christmas shopping or just stroll around. Highly reccomend both places.
 
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