Baltimore Travel Guide: things to do, where to stay & Tips for visiting
Baltimore, Maryland, is one of the cities that doesn’t get the kind of love it deserves. For any fans of ‘The Wire’, Baltimore is a must-visit. It’s a vibrant city on the East Coast that is having a major revival. This city offers everything, from the Edgar Allan Poe House to harbor tours. I will tell you everything you need to know about this beautiful city and why it should be at the top of your travel bucket list.
What is Baltimore known for?
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States. It is known as the “city of neighborhoods,” with each area boosting a rich history. If you’re a history fan, almost one-third of the city’s buildings are listed as historic by the National Register. As one of America’s oldest cities, it’s full of places to explore. The city is built around its beautiful harbor, which sits at its heart. Baltimore is known as the ‘Charm City, and you’ll fall in love with it the moment you step foot in the city.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Baltimore?
Baltimore weather
The weather in Baltimore is fairly temperamental and seasonal. The best time of year to visit Baltimore is between May and the middle of September. You’ll be able to enjoy the warmer weather and the summer events. If you don’t mind peak tourist crowds, visit during July and August. During the summer months, you can expect the temperatures to be in the late 80s and low 90s. If you want to save a little money and enjoy an off-peak rate, try September or October. As well as being an off-peak time, you can also experience the Baltimore Running Festival and Beer Week if you visit during October. You’ll always get a better deal for peak times when you book further out, while the opposite is true for the off-season.
How To Get To Baltimore
Baltimore is an easy city to get to from anywhere in the world. You can fly into the Baltimore-Washington International Airport.
Travel By Train
If you’re traveling by train, you have several options. The main travel hub is Pennsylvania station, which is on the Amtrak system, and MARC. You can get to Baltimore from Chicago, New York, Washington, DC, and Georgia on the Amtrak route. You can get to Baltimore from virtually any city on the East Coast by train.
By Bus
For those planning a road trip, you can grab a bus from anywhere on the East Coast. Look out for buses with the operator Greyhound and intercity options with Bolt Bus. If traveling from New York City, you can use Apex, Megabus, and MVP Bus.
By Foot or Water Taxi.
If you want to get around Baltimore by foot – or water taxi – then look for special offers for hotels around the harbor.s
Where to stay
Best neighborhood to stay in Baltimore
The most important decision you’ll have to make with an Airbnb or hotel is deciding which neighborhood you want to stay in. Consider your transportation links and factor this into your budgeting. Not only will you visit safely to stay in the harbor, but you’ll also likely save on transportation by foot.
Best hotels in Baltimore
Four Seasons Hotel
The Four Seasons is the perfect spot for anyone who wants to take a luxury trip to Baltimore. The hotel sits on the harbor’s waterfront and is a modern building. Even if you’re not staying here, it’s worth taking a trip to the spa. The spa offers everything from full body wraps to facial treatments. If you want to unwind from the city lifestyle, lock yourself in the spa for a few hours of treatment. You can access the rooftop pool with stunning views as a hotel guest. If you’re taking a special trip, go for a harbor-view balcony room.
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront
Another landmark hotel on the harbor is the Marriott hotel. You’ll be within walking distance of the restaurants and shops around the harbor. When you stay at the Marriott, you can see the best of Baltimore’s sites on foot or with a quick uber. As a special touch, this hotel is one of Marriott’s green hotels.
Sagamore Pendry Baltimore
Sagamore hotel is the kind of hotel you can only find in a city with a rich history like Baltimore. The hotel is located on the Recreation Pier right on the harbor. This hotel seamlessly combines the tradition of Baltimore with the glamour of modern-day sensibility. You can experience the bygone era of glitz and glamour in this historic building. This four-star hotel is the home of modern luxury in Baltimore. The hotel is pet-friendly if you want to bring along your four-legged friend. Regarding amenities, Sagamore offers an outdoor pool and an onsite restaurant. They sell themselves as ‘polished comfort’ with a ‘modern edge.’
Choosing an Airbnb
If you want to make Baltimore your home away from home, why not try an Airbnb? As well as getting the chance to rent out an entire apartment, it’s typically the most affordable accommodation option. You’ll find a mixture of historic buildings and modern downtown studio apartments. An Airbnb is usually your best choice for anyone taking a trip with friends or small children. You can enjoy the sites of Baltimore with the privacy of an apartment or house. The most affordable options on Airbnb will be private room rentals, which work best for solo travelers and couples.
Where To Eat and drink in Baltimore
In Baltimore, you can find every type of cuisine in the city. There is no better place to visit if you’re a foodie who loves seafood. You’ll find lots of seafood restaurants that serve the freshest food that you’ll find on the East Coast.
Best Restaurants to try in Baltimore
Faidley’s Seafood Restaurant
Faidley’s Seafood should be your first stop for dinner. Their seafood raw bar is an experience in itself. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating. If you take a fancy to any of the offerings, you can pick them up from the fish market and take them home.
Little Havana
Don’t miss out on visiting Little Havana east of the harbor region if you want to experience Cuban food. It’s a landmark in the city, serving authentic Cuban cocktails, and offers brunch at the weekends.
The Crown Restaurant
If your palette is more Asian cuisine, and you enjoy live music, check out The Crown. This intimate restaurant is tucked away on Charles Street and offers karaoke. You can try out some new Japanese cuisine while enjoying their full bar.
Ministry Brewery
If you want to grab a drink, visit the Ministry of Brewing. Their bar operates in an old church which gives it a historic feel. You can enjoy some beer, food, and a unique atmosphere. They even offer their own branded beer that you can order for carryout to take back to your hotel.’
Tagliata Baltimore
Visit Tagliata with its homemade charcuterie, seafood, and hand-rolled pasta for Italian food. This restaurant has the largest wine selection in Baltimore and is a must-visit for any wine connoisseur.
How to get around Baltimore
You can easily get around Baltimore with taxis or Uber, which are inexpensive compared to cities like New York. Depending on where you’re heading, you can jump on a water taxi. If you’re planning a road trip by car, you’ll find it easy to grab a parking space. Depending on how much you plan to travel, it might be worthwhile to look into renting a car. You can pick one up from several centers around the city, as well as the airport with companies like Enterprise and Budget.
Baltimore Museum Museum of Art
One of the top tourist sites is the Baltimore Museum of Art. The museum was opened in 1914 and housed a 19th-century, modern and contemporary art collection. If you’re returning to Baltimore, check out the current exhibitions. This museum offers something for every art fan, with a screening room that showcases the art of Baltimore-based artists.
Walter Art Museum
If you want a museum with a mixture of Renaissance art and Egyptian artifacts, visit the Walters Art Museum. This museum has a collection of 36,000 artifacts from around the world. You can explore all three museum buildings for a tour around the world.
Fun things to do in Baltimore.
Visit TV and Literary Sites
If you’ve seen The Wire, you probably wanted to tour the real-life sets. There are several guided tours that you can take, which show you where some of the main scenes were filmed. When you book your Baltimore trip, I recommend binge-watching the show beforehand.
Watch an NFL and Baseball game.
Baltimore has several stadiums for both Major League Baseball and the NFL. Why not try to grab some last-minute tickets if you’re in town during a game? The Ravens are Baltimore’s home team for the NFL, while the Orioles are their Major League Baseball team. Oriole Park at Camden Yards is in the Inner Harbor region of the city and is easy to get by public transport.
Visit Baltimore Inner Harbor
The city is built around its harbor, so why not jump on a water taxi? It’ll give you some of the most picturesque views of the city. If you want the perfect Instagram photo, take a water taxi and get a photo with the city skyline in the background.
See a Broadway show
If you want to catch a musical, visit the Hippodrome Theatre. You’ll often find Broadway shows stopping there on tour. Grab yourself a pair of tickets and make a night out of it.
Where to go Shopping in Baltimore
None of my travel guides are complete without a shopping section. After all, it’s only right that you pick up a few souvenirs from a new city.
Mount Vernon
Baltimore is full of amazing vintage and antique stores. Whether you’re into 1950s fashion or want to channel your inner 1960s Elizabeth Taylor, you can find a store with something to offer you. If you’re shopping for antiques, look around in the historic areas of Baltimore. Mount Vernon is your best place to find early 20th-century antiques. For serious antique hunters, there are the Antique Row Stalls which offers a 10,000 sq foot multi-dealer antique and art gallery.
Shop in Hampden
Hampden is a neighborhood of Baltimore full of little independent stores. You never know what you’ll find, and plenty of hidden gems. Vintage stores, independent bookstores, and little eateries are common features here.
Baltimore Harbor
Harbour East is one of the main shopping areas in the city. It has the flagship store for Under Armour, one of the world’s most popular athleisure brands. If fitness isn’t your thing, then never fear! This shopping district includes a blend of classic American brands like Brooks Brothers and Anthropologie. Harbour East is a popular area for independent restaurants, so it’s the perfect spot to spend an afternoon. You can visit everywhere, from Whole Foods to a sushi bar.
Visiting Baltimore, Maryland
For anyone planning a multi-city trip, Baltimore is the perfect place to visit alongside Washington and Philadelphia. Baltimore is a family-friend city with something to offer everyone. I would recommend spending at least a long weekend in the city. It’s the perfect spot for a spa weekend with your girlfriends or a romantic getaway. The harbor is an amazing backdrop for any date night, and it’s worth splurging on a hotel in the harbor area so you can enjoy the stunning skyline. I hope this ultimate guide for Baltimore helps you create an amazing itinerary to explore the city.
