Baltimore, Maryland
September 27-29, 2010

Hotel

The conference hotel is the Hyatt Regency Inner Harbor, situated at the west side of the Inner Harbor, a popular downtown tourist destination and shopping area. The conference itself will be held in this hotel.

We have negotiated a special rate of 169USD (excluding taxes) per night if you book using this link. This rate is only available until September 1st.

Getting to Baltimore

By Air

The nearest airport is Baltimore/Washington Internaional Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). It is roughly a 12 mile drive to the Hyatt Regency Baltimore, for an estimated cab fare of $35. Super Shuttle has a dedicated shuttle service to the Inner Harbor from BWI for $13, so if you are in less of a hurry you can save a little money by using it (they will wait to try to fill the van before leaving). There is a light rail train that leaves every 20 minutes from the airport to the Camden Yards station, which is a few blocks to the hotel. The train is cheap at $1.60 (via a cash-based ticket machine), but slow at a half-hour long journey. The light rail stop is located at International Pier at BWI Terminal (not the same location as the MARC and Amtrak trains, mentioned below).

The next closest airport is Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). Note that this airport has few internaional flights. A reasonably direct route from DCA to the hotel is about 45 miles. A taxi would be on the order of $135, and shared-ride Super Shuttle about $48. (Note that shared-ride super shuttle requires a reservation with 24-hours notice.) From DCA one can take the train to downtown Baltimore. From DCA you would take the DC Metro (the Yellow line) north/eastbound and transfer to the Red line eastbound at Gallery Place/Chinatown, alighting at Union Station. This would be roughly $3, depending on the time of day. At Union Station, you would take the MARC train, Camden line, and alight at Baltimore Camden station. This should be about $7. The Camden station is adjacent to Orioles Park at Camden yards, and is a short 3-block walk from the hotel. (Note that MARC is the regional train; the other train out of Union Station is Amtrak, but this will not take you to downtown Baltimore. See below for more train information.)

Washington's Dulles International Airport (IAD) is also a possibility, at 60 miles' drive from the hotel. A taxi would be roughly $190, while a (reserved, shared ride) Super Shuttle about $90. It would also be possible to take a taxi or the Super Shuttle from IAD to DCA, and then follow the train route above.

The Airport Shuttle, Inc. has also arranged special rates for fares to and from local airports for ICFP participants.

By Train

Both central Baltimore and BWI are served by Amtrak's Northeast Corridor service; the stops are Baltimore - Penn Station, and Baltimore - BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, respectively. Unfortunately there is no Amtrak stop at the Inner Harbor; you could alight at Penn Station and then take a taxi to the Inner Harbor. You can take the MARC train Camden line from Union Station, in Washington DC, to the Inner Harbor, as mentioned above.

Things to see

Disclaimer: the things-to-do and restaurants listed here are based on the opinions of the local arrangements chair and Baltimore locals he consulted; use at own risk!

The hotel sits just west of the Inner Harbor. The Inner Harbor is a popular tourist destination and shopping area. Several ideas for things to do in the area can be found here. Some particular thoughts follow.

Several tourist sites at the Inner Harbor include the USS Constellation and USS Torsk historic ships, the National Acquarium - Baltimore, and the Maryland Science Center. Sightseeing harbor cruises, such as those provided by spirit cruises can also be fun.

The Baltimore Orioles is the local baseball team. The stadium, Orioles Park at Camden Yards, is a short walk from the hotel. The Orioles will play the Detroit Tigers for a series starting on September 30. One of the greatest baseball players of all time, Babe Ruth, is from Baltimore, and a museum about him is a few blocks from the stadium.

A bit further from the hotel there are several interesting museums, including the Walters Art Museum, the American Visionary Art Museum, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Fort McHenry, which can be reached from the Inner Harbor by water taxi, is the birthplace of the US national anthem.

In the Mount Vernon area (about 25 minutes' walk north) is the Washington Monument of Baltimore, and some other historical buildings. Also good food there (see below).

Further afield

As implied by the travel directions above, Baltimore is close to Washington, DC. As described above, one can take the MARC train from the Inner Harbor to Washington, DC's Union Station, and then use the DC Metro to get around the city.

Restaurants

Baltimore has many excellent restaurants. Here are Tripadvisor's restaurant suggestions. (Note that if you zoom in on the map you will only get the restaurants that are visible.) More Baltimore restaurant reviews can be found at Yelp. Some suggestions are organized below.

There are many restaurant options a short walk from the hotel within the Inner Harbor shopping area. Many are chain restaurants. For sports fans, the huge ESPN Zone sports bar might be attractive. A short walk further afield provides more diverse, often higher-quality options.

Harbor East is 15 minutes walk straight east; any restaurant in this area is at least OK. Some better places there include Roy's, Pazo, Cinghiale, and Lebanese Taverna, plus Whole Foods grocery for take-out. Baltimore's Little Italy is just north of Harbor East. Be sure to sample the wonderful pastries at Vaccaro's pastry shop!

Federal Hill is about 15 minutes' walk straight south; walk down Light Street to roughly E Cross St. Good places there include Spoons, Kiku Sushi, Matsuri, Blue Agave, Thai Arroy, and Ten-O-Six. The ambience is generally casual. There's not much to look at in Federal Hill as it's mostly residential.

Mount Vernon is about 20-25 minutes' walk on North Charles Street, between W Chase St and W Centre St. It has a high concentration of good, but reasonably priced food. It is also a nice area in terms of being pleasant to walk around. Some choices (with links going to reviews for the restaurant) are Iggies (gastro pizza), Brewer's Art (gastro pub), Donna's, Dukem (Ethiopian), and City Cafe (light fare, coffee). For more expensive and fancy fare, consider Sotta Sopra and Helmand.

Finally, Fells Point is a bit further, about 30 minutes' walk east. It has some very good places including Black Olive, Kali's Court, Salt, and Meli (all quite expensive, fancy ambience), Kali's Mezze, Henningers, and Liquid Earth (vegan). It is also a hot spot for nightlife, with clubs and beautiful waterfront walks. A recommended walking route is to take the promenade along the water (see the map here; click on area map at the top) rather than to walk through Little Italy and continue eastbound (which would take you through a neighborhood that is not the greatest). You can also take the water taxi.

Getting around Baltimore

The Charm City Circulator is a free bus service that goes around the immediate downtown area. The light rail has stops at Camden Yards and the Convention Center, both near the hotel, and will take you for $1.60 to other parts of Baltimore (each way). Taxis abound – you may also want to take the water taxi.

The areas mentioned above are generally safe to walk to, but walking straight west or northeast from the hotel may lead to higher-crime zones within about 25 minutes. Recent crimes are mapped on-line.

Weather

By late September, Baltimore weather is mild, with temperatures in the mid 70's F, or mid 20's C. Check the weather before you leave!