Of The World’s Hottest Destinations (NAPSA)—Long ago nicknamed Charm City becauseof its friendly, unpretentious citizenry and picturesque neighborhoods, Baltimore is famous for its shin- ing Inner Harbor, Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, rich maritime heritage and colorful local characters. Beneath the city’s seafood cuisine and Inner Harbor lies a wealth of cultural treasures, family attractions and a collection of eclectic neighborhoods that can only be found in Baltimore. Baltimore’s museums and attractions are starting to gain recognition on both national and global scales as Frommer’s, the world’s leading travel guide publisher, named the city one of the top 10 up-and-coming summer destinations in the world for 2005. Baltimore also ranks 11th on American Style Magazine’s top 25 large artcities list. From the openings of new museumslike Sports Legends at Camden Yards and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, the largest of its kind on the East Coast, to the upcoming expansions at the National Aquarium in Baltimore and the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, Baltimore is always evolving and offering new experiences to its visitors. Excitement aboundsin this city and from the 25th birthday celebration of Harborplace to the annual ethnic festivals that celebrate the city’s diversity—there is always something going on downtown. ~~ Leslie Doggett, president & CEO of the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association, sees Baltimore as the “world’s best-kept secret.” She adds that “Baltimore is a city with an intense spirit and a knackforselfrenewal and now is a perfect time for visitors to get to know thecity and learn what makes it stand out on a globalscale.” It’s a good idea to start your visit at the new Baltimore Visitor Center (401 Light Street) where you can enjoy an 11-minute video that provides a great overview about what to see throughout the region. You can ask one of the trained information specialists to help you plan your stay so you don’t miss a thing. Whether you are looking for an evening at the theater or a day with the family, they can help to point you in the right direction and assist with booking hotel and restaurant reservations; they can even sell you tickets to more than 25 of the city’s top attractions. For more information, visit www.baltimore.org or call 1-877BALTIMORE.
