Location and Transportation
The Hotel
All conference activities will take place at the Hilton Baltimore in Baltimore. The Hilton Baltimore is ideally located in the exciting Baltimore Inner Harbor district, a prime business, historic, and cultural district. The downtown hotel is in walking distance of (or just a short taxi ride to) many of Baltimore's leading tourist attractions and destinations including Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Harborplace and The Gallery (a shopping and dining area), the National Aquarium, Fort McHenry, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Maryland.
Because all conference events will be held at the Hilton Baltimore, it is the preferred hotel for accommodations. A limited block of rooms is available at this hotel for a special rate of $199 + tax for single/double occupancy. The cut-off date for hotel reservations is Jan. 18, or until sold out.
To get the discounted FEA conference room rate, book your hotel room online at this site or call 1-800-Hiltons (1-800-445-8667) and mention the FEA conference.
Transportation
From Baltimore/Washington International Airport to the Hilton Baltimore:
The Hilton Baltimore is approximately 10 minutes from the Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI). Transportation options from the airport to the hotel include the Super Shuttle ($13.00 one-way) or taxi ($25.00 one-way).
For more information, visit the Hilton Baltimore website.
Getting around downtown:
Charm City Circulator
Ready and waiting to take make your sightseeing effortless, the Charm City Circulator is available directly outside of the Hilton Baltimore's doors. This free shuttle arrives every 15 minutes at the designated stops on each route. The Hilton Baltimore is on the ORANGE ROUTE, and it stops directly in front of the hotel.
Weather
Trying to figure out what to pack? Get average temperatures for Baltimore in February.
Restaurants and Attractions
Though the conference will keep you busy for the majority of the weekend, there are few opportunities for you to explore the city! Looking for restaurants or activities? Read on for specific recommendations or visit www.baltimore.org for a complete listing of all Baltimore attractions.
Restaurants
(Please note that dinner is not provided on Saturday evening.)
For your convenience, there is one primary restaurant within the hotel, the Diamond Tavern.
There are also a number of restaurants within walking distance from the hotel, including Hard Rock Café, Rusty Scupper, UNO Chicago Grill, McCormick & Schmick's, and Attman's.
Attractions
National Aquarium
As the crown jewel of the Baltimore Inner Harbor, you will be impressed by the National Aquarium's modern architecture. It is home to approximately 16,500 specimens and more than 660 species of animals featuring Australian animals, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, invertebrates, birds, and fish. Visit the new Immersion Theater to get closer to the sights, sounds, and smells of the action.
Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History & Culture
The largest African American museum on the east coast, it is a place to explore the diversity of the African American experience, where collections tell the uniquely American story of the struggle for liberty, equality, and self-determination. The museum's permanent exhibition introduces visitors to Maryland's African American heritage via three galleries: Things Hold Lines Connect; Building Maryland, Building America; and The Strength of the Mind.
Maryland Science Center
With a history that dates back to 1797, the Science Center now provides interactive exhibits combined with a 3D IMAX Theater and the state-of-the-art Davis Planetarium. Enjoy three floors of fascinating, hands-on exhibits that focus on space and astronomy, health and the human body, earth sciences, and general sciences.
Special Note: Teachers visiting without their school group can visit the Maryland Science Center basic exhibit halls free of charge when they show identification or proof of teacher status. Traveling exhibitions and the IMAX are an additional fee.
Sports Legends at Camden Yards
Since its opening in May 2005, the Sports Legends Museum has occupied the basement and first floor of the historic Camden Station with 22,000 square feet of artifacts and interactive exhibits. It is one of the most spectacular sports museums in America. It features exhibits on the Baltimore Orioles, Colts, Ravens, and Blast; the Orioles Hall of Fame; the history of Negro League teams; the Preakness; the Maryland State Athletic Hall of Fame; and more!
Top of the World
This city attraction featuring a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of Baltimore has stationed binoculars and photo-map guides to help guests learn about local attractions, hotels, sites, and neighborhoods. Located on the 27th floor of the World Trade Center, the world's tallest pentagonal building is home to the only Baltimore attraction to offer an awe-inspiring view of Maryland's urban center. It is a fully handicapped accessible attraction.
Star-Spangled Banner Flag House
This is the 1793 house of Mary Pickersgill, who hand stitched the 30-by-42-foot flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write our National Anthem. The house is furnished with Federal antiques and collections from the Pickersgill family. An adjacent museum commemorates the War of 1812 and features an unusual audio-visual program.
Fort McHenry National Monument
This 19th-century fort was the site of the Baltimore victory over the British in the War of 1812 and the raising of the Star Spangled Banner. This event inspired Francis Scott Key to write our National Anthem. The star-shaped fort and surrounding grounds have been restored for exploration by visitors.
American Visionary Art Museum
This national museum and education center for outstanding original works of art created by intuitive, self-taught artists is located on a 1.1 acre wonderland campus featuring three historic-renovated industrial buildings, sculpture gardens, a museum store, and restaurant.