Find Your Happy Place in Baltimore This Summer

BALTIMORE, May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- After successfully attempting to set a Guinness World Records™ for the largest human smiley face earlier this month, Baltimore is now encouraging visitors from across the United States to "Find Your Happy Place in Baltimore" with Happy Stays packages and deals that launch Memorial Day weekend.

A special microsite, www.BmoreHappy.com, directs visitors to Happy Stays hotel packages, giving them the ability to build customized itineraries based on their interests such as family fun, nightlife and dining, and providing information on happy activities and sites throughout the city. Visitors can also use a Happy Detector to uncover secret codes throughout the city that will allow them to enter a "Sweet-stakes" where they can win great prizes including a cruise from Baltimore on Royal Caribbean, a trip to Sarasota, Florida for Orioles spring training and a variety of other fantastic prizes.  

With a quick flight or easy Amtrak ride planning a trip to Baltimore is both affordable and easy. Additionally, with Amtrak's special offer, visitors can save 40 percent on a companion rail fare discount with purchase of a full-fare adult ticket, and once in Baltimore getting around is simple and free with the Charm City Circulator's routes. Looking for further encouragement? Visitors can experience Happy Stays with these value-added travel packages from some of Baltimore's most popular hotels including:

• Hilton Baltimore B'more Happy Vacation Package includes two nights accommodations, breakfast for two in the Diamond Tavern, one complimentary in-room movie and two tickets to the National Aquarium. Prices start at $285 per person.

• Baltimore Stay and Play Vacation Package at the Inn at the Colonnade Baltimore includes two nights at this classic luxury Inn in the heart of Baltimore with a play pack including pizza and drinks and breakfast for four people, a movie and free parking. Prices start at $246 per person.

• Breakfast & Parking Package at the Intercontinental Harbor Court Baltimore includes two nights accommodations in one of the elegantly-appointed rooms, daily breakfast for two at Brightons Restaurant and nightly valet parking for one vehicle. Prices start at $255 per person.

• The Hotel Brexton lets guests treat themselves like royalty and indulge in either dinner for two at your choice of Luna Delsea or Alizee Boutique Bistro or a voucher for in-room spa services (total value not to exceed $100) with daily European Continental breakfast for two and, last but not least, an upgrade to a Superior King room (based upon availability at time of check-in). Prices start at $215 per person.

Baltimore is also hosting special exhibits at local museums to help visitors find their happy place.  The Walters Art Museum will host "Walter Wick: Games, Gizmos and Toys in the Attic" - a retrospective of award-winning author and photographic illustrator Walter Wick, The Maryland Science Center is featuring the Wonder Warehouse a showcase of live science while Port Discovery Children's Museum will host Bob the Builder - Project: Build It, which invites families to spend time in Sunflower Valley with Bob the Builder, and the rest of the Can-Do Crew.

Additionally, this summer Baltimore hosts events such as Artscape, America's largest arts festival that remains free and open to the public, July 16 - July 18, 2010 and Harborplace & The Gallery 30th anniversary, including a series of  anniversary events throughout the year including Summer Concert Series, which features a wide artists.

The Find Your Happy Place in Baltimore concept is derived from extensive research that shows people are looking to do things that make them happy after the economic downturn. According to the study by Context-Based Research, people are going back to basics and embracing life's simpler things that make them smile and laugh – spending quality time with loved ones, traveling, among others. Visit Baltimore is capitalizing on this national trend with a comprehensive program that promotes those places and things in Baltimore that are certain to make visitors happy.

Information on special Baltimore hotel offerings can be found online at bmorehappy.com  

Visit Baltimore – the official sales and marketing organization for Baltimore that generates economic benefits for stakeholders through the attraction of convention, group and leisure visitors. For more information, please visit www.baltimore.org

SOURCE Visit Baltimore