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During your Baltimore vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
Old St. Paul's Church
Originally founded in 1692 as one of Maryland's first Anglican parishes, this building dates to 1856. The church was built in Italian Romanesque style and is filled with Tiffany stained-glass windows and mosaics. A brochure outlining some of the treasures is available in the back of the church. The Tiffany rose window, which crowns the entrance, is a jewel many people miss. In addition, two friezes salvaged from the previous church, which burned in 1817, have been incorporated into the portico. In addition to Sunday services, the church is the site of a Tuesday noontime music series October through May.
Edgar Allan Poe's Grave
Three modest memorials in this old graveyard recall the poet who wrote "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Raven" (the only poem to inspire an NFL team's name). After his mysterious death at age 40 in 1849, Poe's relatives erected a small gravestone. Before the stone could be installed, a train crashed through the monument yard and destroyed it. In the century since, the site has been adorned with three newer monuments: the main memorial, which features a bas-relief bust of Poe; a small gravestone adorned with a raven at Poe's original burial lot; and a plaque placed by the French, who, thanks to the poet Baudelaire, enjoy some of the best translations of Poe's works. The poet is remembered on his birthday every January 19 when a mysterious "Poe Toaster" leaves half a bottle of cognac and three roses at the grave. On the weekend closest to Poe's birthday, a party is held in his honor. A Halloween tour is also scheduled each year.
Baltimore Zoo
It may be the third oldest zoo in the United States, but the staff here is doing their best to make it one of the most modern. Some 2,000 animals live here, including polar bears, prairie dogs, penguins, and tigers. As part of a $60 million renovation, cages in the Main Valley are being replaced with more modern habitats, and visitors will get a better look behind the scenes. Several exhibits are newly renovated, including the Polar Bear Watch, Chimpanzee Forest, Leopard Lair, and African Watering Hole. The children's zoo is a must-see with its lily pads, tree slide, farm animals, and Maryland wilderness exhibit. Plan to spend a few hours here. Bring a stroller for the little ones because that last hill to the exit can be daunting on a hot summer day.
Courtyard by Marriott Baltimore Downtown
The hotel designed by business travelers Courtyard surrounds you with all the conveniences that make business and pleasure travel easy. The Courtyard Baltimore Downtown is conveniently located two blocks from the attractions, dining and shopping of Baltimore's Inner Harbor, one half mile from Fells Point and one mile from the convention center and Johns Hopkins hospital. Numerous other attractions are within walking distance of the hotel or are a short taxicab ride away. Indoor parking is ...
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