The 10 Best Things to Do in Baltimore
The city of Baltimore is one of the great hidden gems for tourists on the East Coast. Baltimore sometimes gets a bad reputation, but anyone who has ever visited knows that it’s an amazing city. It’s the perfect blend of history, culture, and entertainment. No matter what day of the week or the time of the year, there is something fun and interesting to do. To give you a taste of what the city has to offer, here are the ten best things to do in Baltimore.
Baltimore Museum of Art
The city of Baltimore is filled with amazing museums, but the Baltimore Museum of Art should be at the top of the list. This is a nationally-renown art museum with nearly 100,000 pieces. The artwork inside covers a vast array of styles and cultures, including a sculpture garden, a large collection of Andy Warhol’s work, and a Contemporary Wing. During the summer months, concerts in Baltimore are sometimes hosted on the grounds of the museum. Of course, the best part is that the Baltimore Museum of Art is free to visitors.
Artscape
Artscape is one of the great annual events in Baltimore, being held every year during the third weekend of July. It takes place outside on the streets of Charm City, featuring three stages of concerts, dance performances, and theater productions. In past years, major artists like Common and Wyclef Jean have headlined Artscape. Amidst the performances, there are over 100 vendors selling food, drinks, jewelry, and a variety of crafts. As always, the best part is that Artscape is free to attend.
Inner Harbor
Any visit to Baltimore should revolve around the Inner Harbor. For starters, all of the city’s main attractions are a short distance away. But it’s also a great place to walk around, enjoy the scenery, and maybe visit some of the local bars, restaurants, and shops. To some extent, the Inner Harbor is a tourist trap. However, there’s a lot to see and do around the Inner Harbor, and the views are incredible.
USS Constellation
One thing you’ll find in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is the USS Constellation. This is one of the most historic military ships in American history. It dates back to 1854 and saw action in both world wars. Guided tours aboard the ship dispense a lot of fascinating information, especially for kids. Of course, anybody with an interest in history should climb aboard.
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Located in the heart of downtown Baltimore is Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the home of MLB’s Baltimore Orioles. For sports fans, this should be on the bucket list, as the stadium itself is worth the price of a ticket. The venue offers a relaxing and laid-back vibe for games, not to mention incredible views of the Baltimore skyline from the stands. Oriole Park was built in the retro-style, emulating baseball stadiums of the past while also influencing many stadiums nationwide built after it.
Fort McHenry National Monument
While most people go to Washington D.C. for a history lesson, Baltimore’s Fort McHenry is an important part of American history. It’s where Francis Scott Key got the inspiration to write the “Star-Spangled Banner” during the War of 1812. Nowadays, a visit to the monument is both fun and informative. There are guided tours led by park rangers so visitors can get a history lesson. But there is also a lot of green space to sit down and have a relaxing picnic. The best part is that the monument is right on the water, giving you incredible views of Baltimore Harbor.
Federal Hill Park
Out of all of Baltimore’s parks, Federal Hill Park might be the most important. It played a key role in both the War of 1812 and the Civil War because it’s located at the top of a hill and served as a lookout. The park is a short walk from the Inner Harbor and offers amazing views of the entire city. If you’re ever in Baltimore for the Fourth of July, this is the place to go to watch fireworks.
National Aquarium
In the heart of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is one of the best aquariums in the country. The National Aquarium is home to over 20,000 animals, including dozens of varieties of fish and sharks. However, the highlight of the aquarium is the Dolphin Discovery, which is one of the best places outside of Florida, California, or Hawaii to get a close-up look at dolphins. If time allows, visitors can end up spending most of their day at the National Aquarium because there’s so much to see.
Edgar Allen Poe House and Museum
For literature enthusiasts, the Edgar Allen Poe House and Museum should be on the must-visit list. The home where Poe wrote so many of his classic stories and poems is now a national landmark. Things remain well-preserved from nearly two centuries ago and will be fascinating for any fan of Poe’s work.
Fell’s Point
Not far from the Inner Harbor is one of Baltimore’s great neighborhoods, Fell’s Point. It’s a beautiful place to walk around amidst incredible architecture and countless antique and craft stores. The area has the feel of a small seaside town and the neighborhood itself is designated on the National Register of Historic Places. On top of that, Fell’s Point has the largest concentration of bars and restaurants in Baltimore, so it’s easy to find a place you’ll like.