Baltimore In July

 Average price for this trip: $290

Baltimore is truly showing us what they've got!

Have lunch on your own in Little Italy.

Be amazed at the "Blacks in Wax Museum."

The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum is among the nations most dynamic cultural and educational institutions. Because it is a wax museum committed solely to the study and preservation of African American history, it is also among the most unique. Primarily, the presentation of life-size, life-like wax figures highlighting historical and contemporary personalities of African ancestry defines its uniqueness.

This unique museum, the first one of wax in Baltimore, Maryland and the first wax museum of African American history in the nation, is the brainchild of Dr's. Elmer and Joanne Martin. They established the museum in 1983 with several objectives in mind. To stimulate an interest in African American history by revealing the little-known, often-neglected facts of history. To use great leaders as role models to motivate youth to achieve. To improve race relations by dispelling myths of racial inferiority and superiority. To support and work in conjunction with other nonprofit, charitable organizations seeking to improve the social and economic status of African Americans.

The museum had begun to carry out these objectives during its two years on Saratoga Street where it received nearly 2,000 students from city and county schools during African American history month of 1984 and about 2,500 during that period in 1985. The Museum also received visitors and tour groups from Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.

The Martins soon realized that The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum was finding it difficult to accommodate large groups and had begun to outgrow the 1,200 square foot facility. Therefore, they initiated a search for a larger building and for funds to develop a new museum. In 1985, State Senator Clarence Blount sponsored a bill awarding the museum a $100,000 matching grant. The same year the Martins closed the Saratoga Street facility and, with the help of their newly formed Board of Trustees, launched a fund-raising campaign to match the grant. The museum has shown that tourism can thrive in a nontraditional setting. Its patronage more than quadrupled since the move ten years ago to this community on Baltimore's eastside ranging from 43,000 in 1989 to nearly 300,000 annual visitors today.

Enjoy dinner at the Baltimore Inner Harbor

The Inner Harbor was chiefly a light freight commercial port and passenger port until the 1950s, when economic shifts ended both the freight and passenger use of the Inner Harbor, such as the Old Bay Line's steamers. Rotting warehouses and piers were eventually torn down and replaced by open, grass-covered parkland that was used for recreational purposes and occasional large events, such as city fairs and the significant 1976 United States Bicentennial visit of tall ships. This initial renewal of the harbor area and its continued transformation into a major cultural and economic area of the city was spearheaded by Baltimore Mayor Thomas J. D'Alesandro, Jr. (1947–1959). Harborplace, the waterfront festival marketplace, officially opened on July 1, 1980. Since being reincarnated as a cultural hub, the Inner Harbor has become the home to many tourist attractions. The two anchor attractions, in addition to Harborplace, are the National Aquarium in Baltimore and the Maryland Science Center.

An amazing evening cruise on the Annapolitan II

This former glass bottom boat now cruises the Chesapeake Bay. Diner-style seating makes her a match for any informal occasion or day long destination excursion. The main deck is climate-controlled and features built-in booth style seating. The upper deck is open with bench style seating, a popular spot for viewing the scenic Severn River and the Chesapeake Bay.

Wake up the next morning to a continental breakfast and then later you'll have brunch and watch the wildly entertaining show "Always Patsy Kline." This trip is full of merriment and charm.

Trip Includes: A Deluxe Motorcoach, an evening cruise, admission to the museum and Patsy Kline Show, 1 breakfast, brunch, lodging, all taxes and gratuities.

For more information please call (804) 612-0670