Off the top of my head I can't think of many "cheap" seafood restaurants in Baltimore, but two that come to mind and are reasonablly priced with decent food...KoKo's Pub in Lauraville and Mama's in Canton.

Since they are tourists I don't know if they want to venture outside the city....?

Add to that...Nick's in Cross St. Market

Will they have a car and will they expect parking? If "no", then I second BaltBabs with Nicks in Cross Street Market. If "yes", the Canton Dockside or Nick's Fish House. There's also a water taxi stop by Canton Dockside, which runs to Fells and Ft. McHenry.

This is all based on the assumption that they are staying at an Inner Harbor Hotel, or traveling up from DC.

Go to Mamma's on the 1/2 shell in Canton.. it is the best

The Captian James on Boston Street. Bonus: You can take the water taxi to get there.

If you have a car, right between DC and Baltimore is Jimmy Cantler's in Annapolis. hard to beat, and right on the water.

yep, chiming in for Nick's

Catonsville Gourmet, again, assuming they have transportation.

Mamas on the Half Shell

My boyfriend's aunts from Kansas City came to visit us last summer, and they wanted crab cakes and other fresh seafood. We took them to Mama's on the Half Shell, and they loved it.

Ocean Pride?

Faidley's!

LP Steamers is my favorite place for those days when I can't be bothered to change out of jeans & a t-shirt. The Dumpster-clad teenagers will fit right in!

Spring Break? Two generations ago it was Fort Lauderdale. A generation ago it was the Caribbean. Today it is Baltimore.

RoCK, no self-respecting college students would go to spring break with their parents, so I assume the teenage kids are still in high school. In any event, with the recent warnings about doing spring break in Mexico, Baltimore would actually be a safer alternative.

Wooo!

Pigtown Spring Break!

High fives!

So where did your generation go for spring break, RoCK? The Catskills?

True confessions time. Back when I was in college, I generally went home for Spring Break. I know, I know ...

Wow - thanks for all the great suggestions. To clarify, kids are in high school, getting "cultured" with DC museums and National Aquarium. We will have a car but don't need close parking. I'll update this post with where we go - perhaps several meals in your town!

Cindy,
If you want something else truely baltimore, visit Attman's Deli on Lombard. It is the oldest Jewish deli in the country. Make sure to get the corned beef.

VDP, you know it wasn't the Catskills! It was RENO, Baby!

cindy in kansas city, there are lots of great museums in DC. I'll bet your kids would enjoy the relatively new spy museum, but don't forget old favorites such as the Museum of American History (you can check out Julia Child's kitchen there while they are off elsewhere). For lunch in DC try the cafe in the Museum of the American Indian. It's good and not terribly expensive.
Now I know Captcha is reading over my shoulder: taproot Washington

Dahlink, thanks for telling me about Julia Child's kitchen - must see.
Also thanks to the deli poster, yum.

Not even close Jimmy's Seafood.

cindy in KC, please report back after your trip!

Cantler's?! I hope you're kidding! Have you been there in the last 30 or 40 years? Huge crowds, mediocre food, pretty high prices. Huge crowds. Gag.

Good luck, Cindy, have fun in our Balwmer, your Bawlmer too.

Cindy,
Depending on what time you go to Attman's, the wait can be VERY LONG. Try Weis a couple of doors down if it is open and you don't want to wait. The building and decor may not be as nice, but, the corned beef, in my opinion, is better then Attman's and you won't waste half the afternoon standing in line. Also, make sure to get the hotdog with fried bologna.

I agree with Dahlink on the Museum of American History, which has just recently been remodeled. Be sure to check out Archie Bunker's chair and Dorothy's ruby red slippers. I would also recommend the National Gallery of Art and the Museum of Natural History.

Parking in DC can be challenging, especially near the Mall. I would recommend picking up the Metro in New Carrolton (orange line). I hope you enjoy your trip.

I would rather drink from a sewer pipe than eat at Attman's. Disgusting. You want deli, go to New York, Attman's knishes are a disgrace, just a joke

Don't forget Costas Inn on North Point Boulevard. Best off-season steamed crabs, and you can get a pitcher of Yuengling's to go with. And if there is someone in your party who stubbornly maintains his Kansas-City-ness, you can get a good steak there too.

Our office ordered from Attman's last week - they advertise delivery if over $50 , what they dont say if that there is a fee depending how far they drive -we work downtown about 1 mile away - they wanted $12 to deliver a $60 order. Corned beef was only average & the $15 Carnegie was declared a rip-off

faidleys, mama's, Lp steamers are all good choices but I reccomend no matter where you eat dont forget the museums here in baltimore, walters art gallery is a must, it's huge and free and full of interesting stuff!