If you only have a weekend to get away, it’s likely you will want to go somewhere within a few hours drive or quick plane ride so you’re not spending your precious getaway time just getting there.

Despite the recent news stories emanating from Baltimore, the city boasts several unusual and exhilarating places to see and things to do. For example, the National Aquarium is located on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and is home to 17,000 animal inhabitants. New to the fascinating facility is the Living Seashore interactive exhibit where guests are invited to explore the shore and touch animals that live between the tides. Guests not only walk beyond the boardwalk to see and hear crashing waves, sandy beaches and shifting dunes of the ever-changing mid-Atlantic seashore, they are also welcome to the edge of two large touch pools containing 5,331 gallons of salt water. Lurking in the waters are purple sea urchins, stingrays and other touchable water creatures.

Two important tips to keep in mind when planning a visit. The aquarium is very popular, so it’s wise to buy your timed tickets online in advance. Secondly, admission is half-price on Fridays after 5 pm.

In June, the new permanent Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum opens to honor one of major league baseball’s greatest players. The exhibit celebrates Ruth’s storied professional baseball career that began a century ago. Rare artifacts include a scorecard from his first game with the then-minor league Baltimore Orioles.

While in Baltimore, be sure to grab a small hammer to smash and enjoy some delicious blue crab.

Sand and sun sans the sharks
While there aren’t giant waves to surf, Ohio boasts countless waterways ideal for swimming, boating, water skiing and more. Better yet, there is no need to worry about the sharks in the water…there aren’t any.

One way to enjoy the Buckeye State is by spending time at any of five Ohio State Park Lodges. “There’s nothing like a beach vacation to put a summer smile on the faces of kids of all ages,” says Hinch Knece, manager of marketing for Ohio State Park Lodges and Conference Centers. “We offer a wide range of lake and river activities in all five of our state parks, and our guests are often surprised at how memorable and inexpensive a beach vacation at one of our Ohio State Park Lodges can be.”

All five lodges offer vacation packages including the new Ultimate Summer Surprise package. This package features a room and $50 in food and beverage for each night of a guest’s stay, a savings of 15 percent or more when you bundle your room and food. In addition, guests receive one scratch-off card per room when they check in. The cards reveal a bonus surprise such as gift shop discounts, free on-site activities including bike rentals, free retail items such as T-shirts and free future night stays. Winners may even discover that their current stay could be free. The package is valid through Sept. 7, 2015, and blackout dates and other restrictions apply.

For further information about Ohio State Park Lodges, visit www.ohiostateparklodges.com.

The wild, Wild West
Looking to sample the thrills of the wild, Wild West? Why not check out Buffalo Bill's Cody/Yellowstone Country.

“Even a brief getaway to Cody/Yellowstone Country can provide travelers with an authentic Western experience that combines small town hospitality and the backdrop of a pristine and diverse landscape,” says Claudia Wade, director of the Park County Travel Council, the tourism marketing arm for the region in the northwest corner of Wyoming. “In just two days, travelers can experience the world-class exhibits of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and other area museums, see valleys teeming with wildlife and even visit nearby Yellowstone, the world’s first national park.” Cody was founded by Buffalo Bill Cody, and his influences can be seen throughout the town, including extra wide streets that made it easier for horse-drawn wagons to turn and the Irma Hotel, which bears the name of Buffalo Bill’s daughter, says Wade.

Next time you find yourself with an open weekend, don’t just sit around to wallow in the ho-hum. Grab your GPS and go somewhere fun.

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Tami Kamin Meyer is an Ohio attorney and writer. She may be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or @girlwithapen.