The Admiral Fell Inn is a renovated urban inn located on Baltimore’s celebrated waterfront.

AML sent the Berkenstock family of Lansdale for a fun three day summer vacation to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Thinking of taking the kiddos on the road? Don’t worry about figuring it all out—below is the perfect three day Baltimore family experience planned out for you. Want more information on planning a summer family vacation to Baltimore? Check out visitbaltimore.org for a complete guide and details for your Inner Harbor experience. Or, visit their new website—bmorehappy.com.

Safe travels!

Day 1

The Admiral Fell in What?
Admiral Fell Inn
www.admiral-fell-inn.com
888 South Broadway
Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 522-7377

Located in Baltimore’s historic Fell’s Point, the Admiral Fell Inn is a renovated urban inn located on Baltimore’s celebrated waterfront. The Fell’s Point section of Baltimore is a jaunty water taxi ride across from the more famous section of Inner Harbor, but it’s not to be missed, especially if you prefer your lodging a little subdued. Fell’s Point itself is worth a trip, as its cobblestone streets are brimming with charming shops, boutiques, galleries, pubs, and restaurants.

With its spectacular setting on the Baltimore Harbor, the Inn is convenient to all of Baltimore’s major attractions. The lively and colorful district, founded in 1726 as the oldest waterfront community in Baltimore, is known for its old world charm and retains the feel of a European village with brick sidewalks and Belgian block streets. The historic Admiral Fell Inn has old world character and modern conveniences. The Admiral himself would surely have approved of air conditioning!

The kid in all of us will appreciate a pirate adventure aboard a real-looking pirate ship! Search for treasures and blast enemies with water cannons as you sail around the Inner Harbor!

Baltimore’s Booty
Urban Pirates
www.urbanpirates.com
410-327-8378

Johnny Depp and the Pirates of the Caribbean movies appear to have driven pirate popularity right off the big screen and into real life with the Urban Pirates. A pirate adventure aboard a real-looking pirate ship. Search for treasures and blast enemies with water cannons as you sail around Inner Harbor.

The crew of four salty dogs stays in character for the one-hour tour. All landlubbers are outfitted with pirate vests and waist sashes. The pirate crew then trains the new recruits in the ways of being pirate-y. And, the crew leads visitors in song and dance. When the ship comes under attack from a rival pirate, the new pirate recruits defend their ship with water cannons, soaking the attacking pirate and driving him off.

And if you think life at sea without toothpaste and teachers could rot a pirate’s teeth and brain, this crew will happily prove you wrong. They get all visitors involved in a challenging competition to build a boat out of a square of tinfoil, 4 popsicle sticks and a strip of duct tape. Teams have five minutes to build their best seafaring vessel. To win, it must not only float, but also hold cargo. The team with the boat that holds the most fishing weights before sinking is named champion (the record was an impressive 18 on this trip). Even better, Urban Pirates host adult only cruises in the evenings, which are BYOG (Bring Your Own Grog).

Dinner in a Ship-Shaped Restaurant
Captain James Landing
www.captainjameslanding.com

A ship-shaped restaurant, Captain James offers steamed crabs on the dock (in season) Baltimore-style, breakfast all day and every variety of food you can think of. Walk East on Boston Street or along the promenade to view new, urban redevelopment, The Can Company shops and eateries, boats and gorgeous views.

Monkey Bread at Miss Shirley’s is a must! www.misshirleys.com

Day 2

Breakfast in Wild Style
Miss Shirley’s
750 E. Pratt Street
www.missshirleys.com

Miss Shirley’s is a signature breakfast and lunch spot in downtown Baltimore—walkable from the Inner Harbor. You must try the Funky Monkey Bread! Located one block from the Port Discovery Children’s Museum.

Big Fins, Small Fish and a Missing Flipper
The National Aquarium
www.aqua.org

The National Aquarium venues together hold living collections that include more than 16,000 animals from more than 660 species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and marine mammals living in award-winning, naturalistic habitats.

The Baltimore Aquarium in the centerpiece of any visit to Inner Harbor. Home to more than 16,000 animals, the aquarium features the all-new 4-D Immersion Theater. Sharks, rays, clownfish (like Nemo!) and the giant sea turtle Calypso (pictured right) are just some of the wonders. Don’t miss the dolphin show. And jellyfish fans—you know who you are—must see the new exhibit.

Parents’ Choice
Maryland Science Center
www.mdsci.org

Named by Parents magazine as one of the country’s top 10 science museums, this is one of Baltimore’s premier locations. Enjoy three floors of hands-on exhibits, IMAX films, planetarium shows, kids’ room, observatory and more. Walkable from the National Aquarium—or take a water taxi to rest any weary legs.

Dinner with a View
The Rusty Scupper
www.selectrestaurants.com/rusty

Harborside Dining and Drink at Its Best...
The Rusty Skupper

The Rusty Scupper is an Inner Harbor institution and just a short stroll from the Maryland Science Center. Repeat visitors could no more skip the “skup” than avoid the aquarium. Renowned for their delicious Chesapeake Bay cuisine, The Scupper has been a popular dining experience since 1982—with romantic views of the Inner Harbor. If you’ve never had Baltimore crab cakes, this is the place to have your first.

Day 3

Funky French Toast
Blue Moon Café
1621 Aliceanna Street

Blue Moon is one of Fells Point’s most popular brunch spots. They say the captain crunch French toast tastes as unique as it sounds. You will enjoy fresh, flavorful food in a funky atmosphere at the Moon.

Stand in a Bubble
Port Discovery Children’s Museum
www.portdiscovery.org

Kids who groan at the sound of the word “museum” will love this place. You can touch everything. You can get wet. (Or stay dry, parents, with a little help.) The little ones will love the world of Curious George. The bigger kids can climb and slide. The museum offers three floors of educational and interactive exhibits, programs and activities for children ages 2 to 10 years old. And, everyone must try the bubble maker. Stand inside the circle, slowly raise the rope, and watch as a bubble rises up around you—amazing!

Inner Harbor Dragon Boats

Peddle Your Own Dragon Boat
Inner Harbor Dragon Boats

Take these dragon-inspired “Chessie” paddleboats out on the picturesque Inner Harbor, located just west of the Top Of The World building.

Top of the World Observation Level, World Trade Center
401 E. Pratt Street
www.baltimore.to/TopOfWorld/index.html

Baltimore’s World Trade Center is a must-see for anyone visiting Charm City. That’s because the 27th-floor observation deck—”Top of the World”—offers panoramic views of the Baltimore Inner Harbor and Downtown Baltimore. It is a great place to get a sense of the city. The observation level also contains exhibits about Baltimore and its economic renaissance. The World Trade Center is the tallest pentagonal building in the world offering breathtaking views of Baltimore from an elevation of 423 feet. It may be the best view of the Inner Harbor. It is certainly the highest!

Christine Mullen, Blue Maxs Inn beautiful and charming Inn Keeper, will make your stay in Chesapeake City memorable.

Christine Mullen always loved the Blue Max Inn and was involved in the banquet and bridal industry for years in Maryland’s Cecil County. When she found out the owners of the Inn were putting the gorgeous historic house on the market, in 2004, she quickly took the chance for her dream job. Today, Mullen is the proud owner and innkeeper of one of Chesapeake City, Maryland’s four beautiful Bed and Breakfasts. “People come from Philadelphia all the time and always say to me, ‘This is the best kept secret, we had no idea this great town was here.’ I think Chesapeake City evokes the charm of a European village because we have the (C&D) canal so we see the large ships going through; we have a beautiful historic district, fantastic shops and great dining. It really is such a wonderful place for me to call home and welcome my guests,” said Mullen.

The Blue Max Inn started as a B&B in 1990. The house was built in 1854 and was once owned by renowned writer Jack Hunter who penned the runaway best-selling novel, “The Blue Max.” Hunter was a well respected and well liked man in the Chesapeake City community. The book was made into a movie in 1966 with George Peppard (best known for his role in the ‘80s hit television show The A Team) as the lead role, and costars Ursula Andress and James Mason. Mullen has a vintage movie catalog, with Peppard on the cover, on a breakfast nook to display to guests.

One of the cozy bedrooms the Inn boasts. The rooms rent for $150-$300 a night, depending on the season. There are plenty of fall and holiday activities on the horizon in Chesapeake City.

Known affectionately across town as “the house with generous porches,” the Blue Max also boasts Chesapeake City’s ‘most photographed man’, Max. Max is large, impending, albeit friendly looking ceramic pirate statue that stands guard from the top balcony. “When I bought the Inn, I found Max (my mascot) in a shop in Florida and shipped him up here. I knew he was the perfect touch! And, he is quite the conversation piece. You certainly can’t miss him when you arrive in town and drive by,” explained Mullen.

Mullen boasts a strong marketing background. Via her website, BlueMaxInn.com, she offers online gift certificates which are popular in the fall with the seasonal activities the town plans. Christine also works hard to come up with creative ideas and fun adventures to keep her guests coming back and the pipeline of new customers growing. In the winter, her now popular Blue Max Inn Murder Mystery Weekends are a big hit. Think of a modern day version of ‘Clue’ with up to twenty strangers converging on the Inn for a weekend with unknown outcomes. “It’s a total hoot. People really get into the murder mystery weekends. A week before they come to Blue Max, everyone receives their instructions and character in the mail. I have guests arrive in full character and garb on Friday evening! Others, of course, it takes a bit of time for them to warm up. By Saturday evening, after we have a fun cocktail hour, someone has been murdered and then we go to dinner as a group and have some conversation, try to figure out the winner,” explained Mullen. At dinner at The Bayard House just down the road, the murderer is revealed and prizes are awarded to those who ‘cracked the case’ successfully.

The Blue Max Inn is frequently referred to as the Inn with the “generous porches.”

Mullen has a loyal following of return guests who make the short drive from the Main Line and Philadelphia suburbs. Another portion of her clientèle come up from Baltimore, and to stay for the night in Chesapeake City after a tour of the nearby Brandywine Valley. The Inn is spacious-with seven luxurious rooms and two suites-all with private baths. There are four relaxing porches, charming décor, fireplaces and whirlpool tubs.

With the rich culture and community of Chesapeake City offering monthly activities, Mullen said guests are steady at The Blue Max year round. She admits running your own B&B is a tremendous amount of work but says the experience of owning a business she admired from afar for years is very rewarding. “This is a tough job doing it all yourself, but I absolutely love it. The best part of having your own bed and breakfast is that you meet the nicest people. Because your average person (who is not social) will go to a hotel. But, it’s a certain clientèle who chooses the experience of a B&B. And, I love the chance to meet my guests and welcome them into the beautiful Blue Max Inn experience.”

Guests of the Inn looking for a delicious dinner can walk about a block to the Bayard House, which overlooks the C& D canal. Pictured is one of their most popular entrees, Tournedos Baltimore.

The Blue Max Inn, Chesapeake City, MD

RATES: $135-$300/per night ($150-160 average, $300 a night peak season)

WEBSITE: www.bluemaxinn.com

UPCOMING MURDER MYSTERY WEEKENDS:
January 1st & 2nd – Roaring Twenties Rub Out
February 5th & 6th – Four Duces
March 26th & 27 – Murder at Chesapeake High

SCRUMPTIOUS BREAKFAST: Mullen’s specialty for her lucky guests when they come down to enjoy breakfast is her baked ham and cheese croissants, which are accented with a little bit of orange marmalade, dipped in egg wash and baked in the oven for ten to fifteen minutes. Christine also whips up delicious eggs Benedict, Mimosas (on request), fresh coffee, great company and more.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN CHESAPEAKE CITY

Visit chesapeakecity.com and check under their activities calendar at the top left of page for ongoing event details.

Pet Parade with Santa: Saturday November 21st
An annual event always the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Details online (chesapeakecity.com activities calendar) pending

The Inn’s official mascot is Max, known as the ‘most photographed man’ in Chesapeake City. Mullen found Max in Florida soon after she purchased Blue Max and thought he would make the perfect accent to the Inn’s striking façade.

Festive Christmas Tea w/Lunch: Saturday December 5th
Catch the Christmas Spirit in Chesapeake City in a 250-year-old Farmhouse full of tradition!
11:00am – 2:00pm
Location: Sinking Springs Herb Farm and Retreat
www.sinkingsprings.com
Phone: 410.398.5566

Two sittings: 11:00 am to 12:30 pm and 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. Reservation required. $18.00 each

Candlelight House & Walking Tour- Saturday December 12th
An annual event always the 2nd Saturday in December
Self guided walking tour of private homes, churches and bed and breakfasts decorated for the holiday season. Carriage rides and Victorian carolers add special ambiance for the event.
6:00pm – 9:00pm

Advance sale ticket available from 11/01/2009 to 12/11/2009 will be $10. Tickets on the day of will go on sale at 4:00PM in Town Hall and will be $15. Rain, snow or shine. Call Mary at 410-885-5995 or 443-553-0071.

To make reservations or inquire about availability at The Blue Max Inn, contact Christine Mullen at 410-885-2781 or toll free at 877-725-8362 (410) 885-2781 Toll free 1-877-725-8362. You can also visit the website at bluemaxinn.com. Online gift certificates are also available. The Blue Max Inn has year round events and specials for her guests, including her popular murder mystery weekends.