We've long known that Baltimore, Md., is home to many hidden gems. There's always something new and improved cooking up a menu for family fun. Now is the time to reacquaint yourself with the variety of activities in Maryland’s largest city. 

Geppi's Entertainment Museum

A true Baltimore GEM, Geppi’s Entertainment Museum, presents the 230-year history of popular culture as it has become intertwined in our lives. Who can forget Betty Boop, Howdy Doody, and superheroes such as Mighty Mouse and Batman?

The museum, located on the second and third floors of Baltimore’s historic Camden Station, is the culmination of a lifelong dream for Baltimore businessman Stephen A. Geppi, president and CEO of Diamond Comic Distributors.

Geppi’s is home to eight exhibits for young and old alike, which are arranged in a sequence that takes the visitor through each period of U.S. history in chronological progression. You will find comic books and movie posters, rare toys, newspaper comic characters such as the Yellow Kid, superheroes, and rock and roll — to the evolution of today’s multimedia, which includes popular video games and computer and Internet.

It will completely amaze you that such a collection exists under one roof. There are enormous amounts of memorabilia and pop culture artifacts displayed in room after room.  A visit through the museum will evoke a flood of warm childhood memories and create new ones as well.

The museum is both educational and entertaining. Now showing through Dec. 7, in the Special Edition gallery, is “Out of the Box,” an exhibit of today’s popular toys that you can touch and play with. “Fifty Fashionable Years,” on display Dec. 20 to May 31, 2009, will honor Barbie’s 50th Birthday.

The museum, located at 301 W. Camden Street, is open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information and ticket prices, visit www.geppismuseum.com or call 410-625-7060.

The newest attractions at the National Aquarium in Baltimore

Besides all of the fascinating features that draw us to the inhabitants of a watery world, the aquarium boasts of several fairly new and recent attractions. If you think you’ll never get the opportunity to travel halfway around the world to visit the largest island on Earth, then treat yourself to the aquarium’s “Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extreme” and experience down under.

The Australian exhibit has a 35 ft. waterfall, and one acre of rock formations that create the waterfall and habitat. Many animal species that exist only in Australia are featured, such as freshwater crocodiles, frilled lizards, laughing kookaburras, rainbow lorikeets and pig-nosed and snakehead turtles. The “Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes” is included in the general admission.

Another new exhibit and also included in the general admission is “Frogs! A Chorus of Color.” Outstanding species with vivid colors astound. There are hoppers, jumpers, gliders and swimmers, all with their own special song just for you. The exhibit includes an interactive gallery, frog shop and cafe.  

The aquarium’s newest addition is the 4D Immersion Theatre. The presentation combines the high-definition drama of a 3D film with physical sensations (snow, wind, bubbles, etc.) to create a thrilling real-life adventure. Oh yes, you have to wear those funny glasses. Presently showing is “Planet Earth: Shallow Seas.” In addition to that show, “The Polar Express” will open Nov. 15 and run through Jan. 4, 2009. Additional tickets are required.  

If you’ve ever dreamed of getting up close and personal with those loveable dolphins, now is your chance. New at the aquarium is the “Dolphin Encounter.”  Play time with the dolphins, which takes place after “The Dolphin Show” (both show and encounter require tickets), is guided by professional trainers and is an out-of-water interaction. Also, for an additional fee, visitors can have Breakfast with the Dolphins and learn how the trainers feed, care for, and train the dolphins. The aquarium is currently celebrating the birth of a new bottle-nosed dolphin.  

You might be surprised to learn that you can arrange for a sleepover in the aquarium’s Rain Forest, Australia Wild Extreme, or Sleepover with the Sharks. Each sleepover will have a somewhat different venue related to the wildlife and location. The sleepovers include the aquarium’s general admission activities and attractions, plus dinner, snack, and breakfast. Children must be at least 8 years old and must be accompanied by an adult.

New this October, but unrelated to aquatic life, is the “Culture Series” the first Friday of every month. Each month a particular culture will be featured through art, music, dance and traditions that will encourage a new learning experience for visitors.  Also this fall the aquarium is bringing back “Fridays After Five” reduced basic admission of $8.

There are other tours, programs and behind-the-scenes excursions, but the best part is you can customize and arrange your visit through the online trip planner. For information visit www.aqua.org or call 410-576-3800.

For information on Baltimore attractions, visit www.baltimore.org.

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