Things to do in Baltimore, MD

Steamed crabs and crab cakes are probably Baltimore’s greatest claim to fame and it’s not difficult to see “best crab cakes” written on just about every other menu in the city. And although there are viable contenders, there is no definitive bearer of that crown. The fun of it all is researching amongst the hundreds of restaurants that call Baltimore home and offer some of the finest seafood in the MidAtlantic region.

The relatively new and centrally located Inner Harbor is the nucleus for Baltimore tourism and a major landmark. Many of the city’s popular and larger hotels populate the Harbor along with award-winning restaurants and ethnic eateries. And although there are other excellent places to rest and refuel in smaller neighborhoods throughout the city, the Inner Harbor is a one-stop spot where it can all be done within walking distance. The Harbor and streets within its immediate vicinity are home to shopping, dinner cruises, nightlife, outdoor entertainment, museums, the National Aquarium, and other area attractions.  

On the academic landscape, Baltimore is best known for the esteemed Johns Hopkins University. With its collection of campuses and divisions sprinkled...  

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Steamed crabs and crab cakes are probably Baltimore’s greatest claim to fame and it’s not difficult to see “best crab cakes” written on just about every other menu in the city. And although there are viable contenders, there is no definitive bearer of that crown. The fun of it all is researching amongst the hundreds of restaurants that call Baltimore home and offer some of the finest seafood in the MidAtlantic region.

The relatively new and centrally located Inner Harbor is the nucleus for Baltimore tourism and a major landmark. Many of the city’s popular and larger hotels populate the Harbor along with award-winning restaurants and ethnic eateries. And although there are other excellent places to rest and refuel in smaller neighborhoods throughout the city, the Inner Harbor is a one-stop spot where it can all be done within walking distance. The Harbor and streets within its immediate vicinity are home to shopping, dinner cruises, nightlife, outdoor entertainment, museums, the National Aquarium, and other area attractions.  

On the academic landscape, Baltimore is best known for the esteemed Johns Hopkins University. With its collection of campuses and divisions sprinkled throughout the city, Hopkins is well-renowned for its academics and medical research. The institution’s presence adds educational distinction to the city.  Johns Hopkins Hospital is world renowned.   

Traditionally known for its blue-collar population, Baltimore has worked hard over the years to change its identity, and make its city ever more travel and tourist-friendly. A 1970s tourism campaign where Baltimore worked to rebrand itself was successful in coining the city “Charm City”. The city is still affectionately known as B-more for short, however, over the years the “Charm City” nickname did stick while its downtown area moved towards rebirth and revitalization.

Film directors and hometown boys Barry Levinson and John Waters consistently keep Baltimore on the screen.  A handful of Levinson’s most wholesome movies – Liberty Heights, Avalon, Tin Men, and Diner – were set in Charm City.  Quirky director Waters (who forever elevated the cultural status of beehive hairdos and cat glasses) featured the Hampden, Pigtown and Canton neighborhoods in his iconic film Hairspray.  He’s shot all his films in Baltimore, including Pink Flamingos, Polyester, Cry-Baby and Serial Mom.  The city’s darker side was featured in television hits such as NBC’s mid-late 90‘s police drama Homicide: Life on the Street; HBO’s 2000 miniseries The Corner; and the 2002-2008 drama The Wire, all based on the writings of former Baltimore Sun police reporter David Simon.  2007 musical film HairSpray depicted a 1962 segregated Baltimore wrought with the beehives and cat glasses of residents from the Hampden, Pigtown and Canton neighborhoods.

Situated on a natural harbor near the Chesapeake Bay, "Charm City" is best known for its bountiful fresh crabs, scenic views and sparkling waterfront attractions. Baltimore visitors flock to the city's Inner Harbor area for countless museums, shopping, attractions, and, of course, fresh seafood.

Baltimore vacations can include trips to the National Aquarium, Baltimore Maritime Museum, family-friendly Port Discovery museum and the Pride of Baltimore II. At the USS Constellation, maritime history comes alive, as children climb aboard to experience what it was like to be a U.S. Navy sailor in the 1800s. But there's much more to the city than these marine-based attractions. Baltimore travel is enriched by a wealth of museums, historic sites, and educational institutions.

The city is also home to Johns Hopkins Hospital, one of the nation's top research hospitals, and together, the Johns Hopkins Hospital and University have helped create a strong academic community in Baltimore. Travel to this harbor city and see for yourself the strong focus on educational organizations and fostering a passion for the arts.

Baltimore vacations should include places that highlight its history, and travelers find the city's oldest...  Read more »

Situated on a natural harbor near the Chesapeake Bay, "Charm City" is best known for its bountiful fresh crabs, scenic views and sparkling waterfront attractions. Baltimore visitors flock to the city's Inner Harbor area for countless museums, shopping, attractions, and, of course, fresh seafood.

Baltimore vacations can include trips to the National Aquarium, Baltimore Maritime Museum, family-friendly Port Discovery museum and the Pride of Baltimore II. At the USS Constellation, maritime history comes alive, as children climb aboard to experience what it was like to be a U.S. Navy sailor in the 1800s. But there's much more to the city than these marine-based attractions. Baltimore travel is enriched by a wealth of museums, historic sites, and educational institutions.

The city is also home to Johns Hopkins Hospital, one of the nation's top research hospitals, and together, the Johns Hopkins Hospital and University have helped create a strong academic community in Baltimore. Travel to this harbor city and see for yourself the strong focus on educational organizations and fostering a passion for the arts.

Baltimore vacations should include places that highlight its history, and travelers find the city's oldest neighborhoods exude both charm and vitality. Fells Point neighborhood dates back to the 18th century and is filled with cobblestone streets and historic colonial buildings that now house bars, cafes and specialty shops. Baltimore visitors can also experience Mount Vernon, a neighborhood created in 1897 and home to Baltimore's own Washington Monument. Designed by Robert Mills, creator of the Monument in Washington, D.C., this monument predates the larger version.

Several famous sites point to the city's role in the formation of America and its national identity. Learn about the Battle of Baltimore during your Baltimore travel excursions by visiting Fort McHenry and the Pickersgill home. Baltimore tourists can even catch a glimpse of the original American flag remains, sewn by Mary Pickersgill herself.

Once the second most common destination for immigrants to the U.S., Baltimore hasn't always been a vacation destination. Evidence of the city's multicultural make-up and the contributions of different ethnic groups who settled here are evident from a simple glance around. Home to the first Catholic cathedral built in the U.S., Baltimore also has a prominent Jewish community. Don't forget to walk through Little Italy as well, where you'll be greeted by enticing aromas of ethnic neighborhood eateries.

A border state during the Civil War and a stop along the Underground Railroad, Baltimore has a long-standing African-American history. At the end of the Civil War, the state of Maryland had the highest population of free blacks, and Baltimore has maintained a large middle-class African-American population.

History lessons aside, you can't talk about Baltimore travel and tourism without talking about sports. It's the birthplace of Babe Ruth, and the Baltimore Orioles reside at the striking Oriole Park at Camden Yards downtown. If you want a taste of the local scene, come support the Orioles, and during NFL seasons, root for the Ravens at the neighboring M&T Bank Stadium.

With sports, culture, art, and academia anchoring the city, there's certainly a long list of niches to explore in Baltimore.  Visitors are mesmerized and eager to glean all they can from this prosperous metro. While you probably won't be able to see or do everything in a single visit, take time to appreciate all the city has to offer and remember, it's never too soon to start planning your next excursion.