Baltimore Places of Interest
Inner Harbor
This pedestrian-friendly mecca is full of life day and night and provides entertainment for couples, families and professionals. Visit Harborplace and The Gallery for a wide variety of dining and shopping experiences. Engage your senses at the Maryland Science Center, featuring a planetarium and an IMAX theatre. Take a ride 405 feet up and check out the view from the observation deck of the Baltimore World Trade Center. Take a short taxi ride to Fort McHenry and learn about the Battle of Baltimore. Step aboard the only Civil War ship still floating today at the Baltimore Maritime Museum. Grab a bite to eat from any of a number of restaurants dispersed around the harbor area, from elegant gourmet cuisine to fresh seafood to ethnic food from around the world. Dance up a storm at Power Plant Live, home to numerous bars and restaurants plus live outdoor events. The Baltimore Convention Center, Light Rail and Camden Yards are all within walking distance of this entertainment hotspot.
Charles Street
Bisecting the city from north to south, this street has been known as Charles Street since as early as 1761. With speculations that Charles Street was once a Susquehannock Indian trail, its history even predates that of the city. In 1824 the "first" Washington Monument was erected on Charles Street, 60 years before the Washington Monument in D.C. was completed. Charles Street is also home to a number of Baltimore attractions: the Lyric Opera House, Centerstage and Everyman Theaters, Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus, Sascha's 527, Brewer's Art pub, the Walters Art Museum, and numerous other intriguing places to explore.
For more information: 410-332-4144
Lexington Market
The oldest continuously-running market in the U.S., this Baltimore icon was established in 1782 after General Howard donated the farmland which would become the site of the Lexington Market following the Revolutionary War. Farmers converged on the appointed spot and sold butter, eggs, turkeys, hams and other produce on the green pasture. Now housed in a building that was recently renovated in 2003, Lexington Market is a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike. Some of the best-known bites include Faidley's world-famous jumbo-lump crab cake, Berger's shortbread cookies topped with fudge and Polock Johnny's juicy polish sausages. This and much more can be sampled throughout Lexington Market's 140 stalls.
December is a great time to visit the market as the sounds of live jazz and holiday favorites sung by local schoolchildren fill the air. Fridays and Saturdays around noon are also a particularly good time to visit to hear live music year-round. The Market is closed on Sundays. Annual Events include the Chocolate Festival in mid-October, Black History Month in February, and Lunch with the Elephants in the spring. For more information: 410-685-6169
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Construction on this classic ball field began in 1989 and was completed in 1992, when it became the official home of the Orioles. Oriole Park's Center Field rests on the former family residence of baseball star Babe Ruth. Traditional in design, the Park's development was influenced by the style of early 20th century baseball parks. Steel trusses, an arched brick facade, a sun roof over the gentle slope of the upper deck, an asymmetrical playing field, and natural grass turf are just some of the features that tie Oriole Park to the big league ballparks of the early 1900s. The combination of Oriole Park's retro style and landscape of downtown Baltimore has almost doubled the number of fans attending games, and influenced the building of thirteen other similar parks across the country. Tours are given daily and last 1 ½ hours.
For more information: 410-685-9800
Baltimore Entertainment
American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM)
The AVAM is America's national museum for self-taught, intuitive art. Opened by former psychiatric nurse and founder, Rebecca Hoffberger, AVAM takes pride in the fact that it is a "pretty un-museumy" museum. The museum strives to explore and expand the definition of what an artist is. Artwork displays are unconventional, including dryer parts morphed into a robot family, the Lusitania constructed out of 193,000 toothpicks, a former Guinness World Record holder's light bulbs, and aphorism-covered American flags made by a Georgia preacher.
For more information: 410-244-1900
The Walters Art Museum
See art from all over the world-everything from pre-dynastic Egypt to 20th-century Europe-with treasures like paintings by the Old Masters; Greek sculpture, Art Deco jewelry and 19th-century American and European masterpieces. The museum has more than just art; in fact, it houses many historical pieces including medieval ivories, Roman sarcophagi, medieval armor, ancient Egyptian amulets and much more.
Admission to the museum is free. Special event space is available for reservation in the grand banquet room where guests can dine while surrounded by spectacular art, as well as in the sculpture garden. The museum can accommodate small business meetings and cocktail receptions with space for up to 500 guests. For more information: 410-837-4886
Great Blacks in Wax Museum
This free museum is the first wax museum in the country that is dedicated to African American history. Here, visitors can observe over 100 wax and scene figures, in addition to a model slave ship exhibit highlighting the 400 year history of the Atlantic Slave Trade. The Wax Musuem's model slave ship depiction is graphic but honest, portraying the darker side of African American history that you will find in few other museums. Other exhibits at the museum focus on the roles of influential Marylanders and important youth in African American history. See replicas of Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington and Sojourner Truth, while also learning about lesser-known historical figures.
The museum is open from January 15th through October 15th from Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and on Sunday from Noon to 6:00 pm. For more information: 410-563-7809
Baltimore Lyric Opera
A Baltimore icon, the Lyric Opera House opened in 1894 with a performance by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It has enjoyed an illustrious and varied career, hosting everything from boxing matches to cooking shows on its stage. The Lyric's excellent acoustics and ability to change with the times has kept the space alive.
A $14 million renovation was completed in 1982 to expand the lobby and exterior of the facility, while the interior auditorium is registered in the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the building is the home of the Baltimore Opera Company and is also host to plays, touring entertainers and Broadway Musicals. Popular entertainers that have performed in the Lyric include George Carlin, David Copperfield, Whitney Houston, Bobby Rait, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Jay Leno, Tori Amos and many others.
The Main Lobby can host events up to 250 guests for a seated dinner and 750 guests for a reception. The Grand Tier Lobby can accommodate up to 125 guests for a seated dinner and 225 guests for a reception. The Lyric is accessible by car, by the adjacent University of Baltimore/Mount Royal Light Rail Station, and by Baltimore's Penn Station, which is located two blocks northeast. For more information: 410-625-1600
Baltimore Restaurants
Sascha's 527
This 19th century Victorian townhouse-turned-restaurant is stunning with 16 foot marbelized columns and inviting red velvet curtains. A turn of the century chandelier creates a romantic ambience, while a rotating display of artwork keeps the atmosphere fresh and lively. Live jazz is performed on Thursday evenings.
With small plates fusing together an assortment of cuisines, Sascha's menu can please a variety of palates. Choose from creative tapas like Homemade Fries with Peach Ketchup and Chipotle BBQ Sauce; Fried Green Tomatoes topped with Lump Crab in a Spicy Remoulade Sauce; or Sascha's BLT with Chunks of Fried Lobster, Bacon, Tomatoes and Romaine on Grilled Semolina Bread. An extensive wine list tops off Sascha's perfectly eclectic menu. Event services and catering are available through line-item or bottom-line pricing with a number of prix fix menu options. For more information: 410-539-8880
The Brewer's Art
With a plethora of beers to choose from including Flemish, Belgian, Italian and Japanese beers, as well as microbrews, hard cider, and house beers like the Belgian "devil" beer, this is "the place" to come for beers. After selecting the perfect beer, enjoy European-inspired options like the popular Rosemary Garlic Fries, Roasted Pumpkin and Leek Soup, Salmon Gravlax with Black Caviar, or a Walnut, Truffle and Mushroom Pate. The Brewer's Art offers several event spaces. The back dining room can accommodate as many as 40 guests, while the main room can accommodate up to 110 guests depending on the style of your event.
For more information: 410-547-9310
Vaccaro's in Little Italy
Established in 1956, Baltimoreans keep coming back to this combination café and pastry shop. An Italian dessert specialist, Vaccaro's has an amazing variety of dishes for the sweet tooth including 15 varieties of gelato, cannoli, rum cake, tiramisu, six types of Napoleons, mini cream puffs, Belgian waffles, éclairs and much more. For a respite from these sweet delicacies, choose from beverages galore, from espressos to Italian soft drinks to specialties like Mochacchino, a fishbowl-sized blend of hot chocolate and espresso with whipped cream topping. Enjoy an all-you-can eat dessert special on Monday nights from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
For more information: 410-685-4905
Baltimore Nightlife
Power Plant Live
Get your groove on all in one place at this collection of bars, clubs and restaurants located right on the Inner Harbor. Enjoy an upscale and intimate feel at the Havana Club; jump onstage with two baby grand pianos at Howl at the Moon; get your live music fix or listen to DJs spin at Angels Rock Bar, Mosaic or Ram's Head Live; or, get cozy with a beer at The Lodge Club. Grab a bite to eat at one of five restaurants, including the popular Ruth's Chris Steak House which offers succulent lamb chops, tender veal, Maine lobster and, of course, deliciously juicy steak. Valet parking is available from 5:00 pm to 2:00 am 7 nights a week, and can also be accessed via the Shot Tower/Market Place Metro Subway Station.
For more information: 410-727-5483
Grand Central
Grand Central morphs from a dance club to a swanky bar to a casual pub depending on the time of day and day of the week. Acclaimed for their happy hour (4-8pm), Grand Central has six bars, numerous pool tables and a video pub. The Grand Central "club" is open Wednesday through Sunday . Never boring, this Baltimore hotspot plays host to karaoke contests, drag shows, and $5 manicures. While some days of the week there is no cover charge, guests should be prepared to pay admission fees of as much as $6.
For more information: 410-752-7133
Comedy Factory
Enjoy quips from top comedians from around the country at this entertainment mecca. Past comedians that have taken the stage include Robin Williams and Judy Tenuta. Stop in at Burke's restaurant downstairs before the show for a quick bite to eat. Show times are as follows: Thursday nights at 8:00 pm, Friday nights at 8:00 pm, 10:00 pm and 12:00 am, and Saturday nights at 7:00 pm, 9:00 pm and 11:00 pm. There is a two drink minimum.
For more information: 410-547-7798
Recreation and Outdoors in Baltimore
Douglass-Myers Maritime Park
This park is a national heritage site with an on-site, interactive museum highlighting African American maritime history, the life of Isaac Myers-a free-born African, and the saga of Frederick Douglass' life as an enslaved child and young man in Baltimore. The 5,000 gallery space houses artistic renderings, historic maps and images, audio components, historic artifacts and archaeological findings. Children can learn by doing; they can utilize simple machines to increase their strength, learn to caulk, and even discover how to assemble a boat. Tours are included in the price of admission, ranging from $4-$5. The museum is located on Thames Street.
For more information: 410-685-0295
Federal Hill Park
Pristine with great views of the Inner Harbor, this historic site is home to a monument dedicated to Major General Samuel Smith, who helped to thwart the attack on Baltimore by the British in the War of 1812. He later became a Congressman, a president of the Senate, and eventually Baltimore's mayor.
A great place to bring kids and pets, the park offers a fenced-in play area complete with slides, monkey bars and a sandbox. While you are in the area, spend a few minutes walking through the very well preserved 19th century Federal Hill neighborhood. For more information: 410-396-5828
Sherwood Gardens
Founded in 1927 by John W. Sherwood, this six acre park is at its best in April and May, when spring flowers are in full bloom. Known as the most famous tulip garden in North America, nearly 80,000 tulips bloom here along with a host of other spring flowers like wisteria, dogwood flowers, magnolias and brightly colored azaleas. An array of rare trees and old boxwoods provide a pleasant canopy, some dating back to as early as the 18th century. No fences, gates or other barriers block the public from these idyllic grounds. A reservation is not required and there is no admission charge.
For more information: 410-323-7982
Baltimore Tours
Baltimore Harbor Cruises
Various ships offer cruises on the Inner Harbor-book tickets for a small group, or take your whole company aboard. The Prince Charming is available for public cruises or private charter. Narrated sight-seeing tours are offered from April through October with trips scheduled four times a day. Step aboard Thursday evenings and participate in Pirates of the Inner Harbor-the most unique and interactive family pirate show around.
The Ladies (Lady Baltimore and Bay Lady) offer year-round lunch, brunch and dinner cruises. Moonlight tours are available in the summer, and a variety of seasonal holiday cruises are offered, including Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother and Father's Day, Independence Day, a Halloween Masquerade Party, Christmas, and a New Year's Eve Fireworks Celebration. Enclosed and open-air decks are available to host groups from 75-500. For more information: 410-347-5555
Fells Point Ghost Walk
Take a step into the past on this eerie tour of the Fells Point port neighborhood just as it was in its heyday-full of immigrants, sailors, ladies of the night and other characters looking to make a buck off of the booming shipyard industry. Explore haunted shops, pubs and residences and delve into stories of the sordid pasts and wandering spirits hidden within the walls.
For a slightly different experience, explore haunted lore on the Mount Vernon Ghost Walk or sip on a pint while shaking in your boots on the Fells Point Haunted PubWalk. Tours are offered most weekends on Friday and Saturday from 7 pm to 9 pm and on Sunday from 2 pm to 4 pm. This is a certified authentic Baltimore tour. For more information: 410-522-7400
Fells Point Immigration Walking Tour
Second only to Ellis Island in the number of immigrants that traveled through its port during the 19th Century, Baltimore was the port of entry for approximately 2 million immigrants between 1861 and 1930. The largest group of immigrants to arrive in Baltimore was formed by the Germans and followed by the Irish. Strong ethnic identities still persist in many of the waterfront neighborhoods. On the tour, you will see immigration sites and discover what brought so many people to this frontier land. Tours are offered every Saturday at Noon from April through November. This is a certified authentic Baltimore tour.
For more information: 410-675-6750
Family Activities in Baltimore
Baltimore Aquarium
The National Aquarium in Baltimore is a must-see for any visitor to the city. Opened in 1981, this world-famous aquarium attracts over 1.6 million visitors per year with its convenient Inner Harbor location. Explore the underwater world in a few short hours by visiting 16,500 creatures in naturalistic habitats including puffins, sea turtles, stingrays, bullfrogs, seahorses, sharks, sloths, phytoplankton, monkeys, and iguanas. Don't miss dolphins performing playful somersaults at the live-action dolphin show. Visit the Animal Planet Australia exhibit for an experience you are unlikely to forget. Here, you can observe a stunningly realistic river gorge with free-roaming lizards basking on rocky cliffs, fish that shoot a spray of water to catch their prey, freshwater crocodiles (safe behind a thick acrylic barrier), free-flying birds and a 35-foot waterfall.
The aquarium is also an ideal event location, with the ability to accommodate groups as small as ten or as large as 2,500. Event spaces include the Main Aquarium Building, the Marine Mammal Pavilion, the Knott Harbor View Room, the Underwater View Area, and an Outdoor Tent on the harborside veranda. Catering is provided by The Classic Catering People. For more information: 410-576-3800
Maryland Science Center
Located on the west side of the Inner Harbor, this interactive museum is a wonderful place to bring children. At the Maryland Science Center they can embark upon a hands-on voyage through the human body, excavate dinosaur fossils, touch a cloud in Newton's Alley and observe mammoth canyons on Mars. Also, don't miss the 5-story 3D IMAX theater with jaw-dropping movies like "Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure," "The Alps," and "Mystery of the Nile." With a plethora of fascinating exhibits, kids are sure to walk away saying "cool". When visiting the museum, be sure to ask if any exhibition sneak previews are available.
For more information: 410-685-2370
Enoch Pratt Free Library
As a result of over a million dollars of donations made by Enoch Pratt in 1882, Baltimore's Pratt Free Library was established in1888 with one central library and five branch libraries. One of the oldest free libraries in the United States, it now has over 20 branches and recently underwent renovations in 2003 to add an African American Reading Room, an Edgar Allen Poe Reading Room, and the H.L. Mencken Collection with original manuscripts, personal correspondence and memorabilia. The Central Library is open every day of the week; the hours vary by day.
For more information: 410-396-5430
