When visiting Baltimore, Maryland, it’s important to make the most of your time in the city. If you only have a few days to spare, try to focus on some of the following key areas of Baltimore. Fortunately for visitors to Baltimore, many of the city’s top attractions are centered around areas like the Inner Harbor and Fell’s Point, which can allow you to see a lot in a relatively short space of time.
- Trip To Baltimorekern.justin / Water Photos / CC BY-NC-ND
It’s also worth, though, considering a tour of Baltimore’s many museums, while taking kids to major sights, and hitting some top shopping destinations and monuments.
Visit the Inner Harbor
This part of Baltimore owes a lot to the city’s maritime and shipping past, and has been significantly regenerated to become a tourist focus. Key sights include the restored USS Constellation ship, which preserves the ship’s 1854 appearance and workings. You can also see the American Visionary Art Museum, the Baltimore Civil War Museum, and the WWII submarine the USS Torsk. The Inner Harbor is also a good starting point for the Baltimore Heritage Walk.
The Inner Harbor is set up for multiple restaurants and bars, from the great Bagby Pizza to Chiu’s Sushi – you can also check out the clubbing and bar complex in the Harbor that houses venues like the Havana Club, the Baltimore Comedy Factory, and Angel’s Rock Bar.
Fell’s Point
Head slightly East from the Inner Harbor, and you can find the busy Fell’s Point neighborhood – a center for pubs, bars, coffee shops, and a thriving night life, Fell’s Point is also one of Baltimore’s most diverse regions – sights include the Carroll Mansion and the Phoenix Shot Tower, as well as the Jewish Museum of Maryland. Ghost tours are also held around Fell’s Point’s harbor, where you can find excellent dive bars and pubs lie Max’s Taphouse and the Cat’s Eye Pub.
See Museums
Don’t leave Baltimore without seeing some of the city’s world class museums – these include the Walters Art Museum, which is free to enter, and houses an extensive collection of American and world art. The Baltimore Museum of Art is also home to one of the finest collections of Matisse paintings in America, and has multiple exhibitions. Moreover, check out the American Visionary Art Museum, the Tattoo Museum, and Geppi’s Entertainment Museum for some a bit different in the city.
Enjoy Kids’ Activities
Make the most of your time with your family in Baltimore by checking out museums, and key sights like the Maryland Zoo and the National Aquarium. Children will also love the Port Discovery Children’s Museum, and special events held in the USS Constellation. The NASA Goddard Center is similarly accessible from Baltimore, as is the Six Flags theme park.
Making the Most of Your Trip
While in Baltimore, try to spend some time in Federal Hill Park, where you can get a great view of the city’s skyline; also check out the Edgar Allan Poe Memorial, see Antique Row, and try steamed crabs in harbor restaurants. If you have the time, explore the campus of John Hopkins University, and try out some of the city’s best vintage boutique shops; these include Mina’s Gallery and Boutique on 36th St, and Killer Trash Boutique.
I love Balimore, and to visit Edgar Allen Poe’s grave site is an amazing experience, especially if you are a fan of his writings.
I haven’t been to Baltimore since I was a kid. However, I did love going to Six Flags. I remember how scared I was on the Superman ride. It was a fun visit though and I look forward to taking my children there in the future.
I’ve only been to Baltimore once as a child and I’d love to go back. I had a roommate last year from the city and she was always talking about interesting things to do there. All of the museums sound awesome, especially the Tattoo one! I’m also a huge Poe fan, making me want to go even more. I’m only a few hours away so a weekend trip would be possible for me. I have to keep this in mind!