A Quacking Good Time! Ride the Ducks Baltimore, MD
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The Baltimore, MD Ride the Ducks attraction is one of the more unusual tours at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Sit back and enjoy a guided riding tour of historical highlights of the city for almost an hour. Then, without ever leaving the vehicle, plunge into the Inner Harbor for a water tour that lasts approximately 20 minutes. It’s crazy, fun, and educational for the entire family.
The Uniqueness of the Tour
What makes Ride the Ducks special is the vehicle and the fact that it operates on land and water during the same tour.
The design of the vehicle is based upon World War II amphibious vehicles, called DUKWs. Each letter in the vehicle’s name is a code that classifies the vehicle – for example, the U identifies this as a utility or amphibious vehicle. DUKWs were extensively used during the war, especially in places like Normandy.
Modern day DUKWs used in this tour are certified by the US Coast Guard. According to the company’s website, these vehicles were dispatched to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, for a far more serious use than entertainment and touring.
The vehicle is a cross between a van and a boat, covered in a waterproof outer layer and mounted on wheels. The vehicle can move from land to water travel with relative ease. Once in the water, it’s impossible to tell it’s also a land vehicle.
The moment the vehicle enters the water is one of the highlights of the trip, and everyone waits for it. The splash factor when the vehicle plunges into the Inner Harbor is remarkably controlled, so this isn’t like a water ride on which you get soaked.
Though the vehicle is no more or less comfortable than a bus, it does afford good sight lines because it is open. The tour is also relatively relaxing physically. This provides a respite from intensive walking that is necessary for many of the other attractions in the Inner Harbor. So, it might be timed best during a part of the day when members of your party are beginning to grow tired - especially the children.
Historical Highlights
The tour itself is rich in the history of Baltimore, and it provides a terrific overview of interesting spots where visitors can return for more in-depth visits. Riders are treated to some of Baltimore’s famous neighborhoods such as Fell’s Point and Little Italy, both of which hug the Inner Harbor area. Riders also learn a great deal about the history of the city as they visit sites such as the Flag House (Baltimore is the home of the Star-Spangled Banner, written during the War of 1812), and the Washington Monument.
A visit to Edgar Allan Poe’s grave, a very popular landmark, is included. Other interesting information involves Baltimore’s history as a site for movies and TV shows. It easy to see, just from the highlights I’ve mentioned here, that the tour covers a variety of Baltimore specialties, making this a very interesting tour.
The tour guides are very informative, and know a lot about the history of Baltimore. They tell stories about the city and highlight historical information about the contribution of Maryland to the nation, as well as facts about the Inner Harbor itself. The information is always delivered in a lively and interesting manner, making the tour both fun and educational. The mood is entirely upbeat and entertaining.
Be A Wacky Quacker!
Each rider gets a “Wacky Quacker,” a yellow noisemaker that emits a funny quacking sound. This increases the fun, especially for the kids, but it does get to be a bit nerve-wracking after a while. Still, if you remain in the spirit of things, join in and be a quacker like everyone else. It adds to the frivolity and special atmosphere of the tour.
If you take the tour, hold onto your Wacky Quacker – not only as a souvenir, but for a more practical matter. It serves as a discount coupon for admissions to several participating Baltimore attractions. These include the Babe Ruth Museum, the B&O Railroad Museum, the National Aquarium, and the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards (home of baseball’s Baltimore Orioles.), among others. Several area retail outlets and restaurants also honor discounts when you flash your Wacky Quacker.
Ticket Prices and Schedules
Tours are offered from March to November. The complete tour lasts less than 90 minutes, so it doesn’t take too big a chunk out of the day. Advance tickets can be purchased online (www.baltimoreducks.com) or by phone (877-887-8225). I recommend advance ticketing, especially on weekends. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the tour at a kiosk located in the Light Street Pavilion of the Inner Harbor. Posted ticket prices for summer 2008 do not include the current 6% sales tax:
• Adults 13 and older - $25
• Adults 62 and older - $24
• Children 3 – 12 - $15
• Children under 3 – free
Special rates are available for groups of 20 or more. By the way, I think that this is a tour that would be most enjoyable when taken with a group of people that you know. Families that quack together…oh, never mind.
Join the Quackers!
If you’re planning a trip to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, this is a truly engaging way to do some sightseeing in a limited amount of time, learn a lot about the city, and be entertained along the way. The unique quality of the land-water mode of travel on this tour makes it special.
Whether you already know something about Baltimore or are new to the city, the Ride the Ducks tour will certainly add something to your day at the Inner Harbor. I recommend it for a fun family outing.
Of course, by the time it’s all over, you might never want to hear a duck quack again…
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Many thanks to SurgRN911 for quickly (or, more appropriately, quackly) adding the link for this tour to the Epinions database!
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Tags: , Hotels & Travel, MD, Ride the Ducks - Baltimore, Tour Operators
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