Baltimore Maryland
Tall ships and water taxis docked in Baltimore’s vibrant Inner Harbor
Colorful balloons fill the air during Artscape, the USA’s largest free arts festival
A messy but delicious meal of Maryland blue crab
The striking exterior of the American Visionary Art Museum, which highlights work by self-taught artists
Immersive exhibits at the B&O Railroad Museum, built upon the spot considered to be the birthplace of American railroading
The historic Broadway Market, part of the oldest continuously operating public market system in the USA
Aerial view of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, birthplace of "The Star-Spangled Banner”
“Lady Day Way” in Fell’s Point, one of many public art installations celebrating Baltimore’s Black history and culture
Mount Vernon’s Washington Monument, considered the USA’s first major architectural tribute to President George Washington
Waterfront views on historic Thames Street in Fell’s Point
- States:
- Maryland
Discover the art, culture, history and food that make Baltimore worthy of the nickname “Charm City”
Explore the Waterfront
The heart of the city is Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, where immersive museums tell stories of the USA’s past and historic ships invite you to climb their towering decks. You’ll find plenty of family-friendly attractions here as well, like the National Aquarium, the world-famous home of over 20,000 sea-dwelling creatures from blacktip reef sharks to moon jellyfish and green moray eels. Get hands-on with experiments and exhibits at the Maryland Science Center and the Port Discovery Children’s Museum – perfect for the young and young at heart. Navigate the harbor via kayak or rent a whimsical paddle boat shaped like Chessie, Baltimore’s native cryptid who supposedly dwells at the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay. Hop aboard the Baltimore Water Taxi for a convenient – and fun – transportation option to many major city attractions; when night falls, take to the water on a scenic sunset cruise to see a whole new side of this Maryland city.
Discover Charm City’s Artistic Side
Creativity thrives in Baltimore, whose diverse neighborhoods foster thriving arts and cultural scenes. Get inspired by local printmakers, glass blowers, potters and more, who teach their techniques at community demonstrations and sell their wares at local artisan markets. For a classic gallery experience, head to the Walters Art Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Art, incredible showcases of art that are free to visit. Visit the American Visionary Art Museum in Federal Hill to examine one-of-a-kind works by outsider artists, then set off on a self-guided tour of arts districts including Station North, Highlandtown and Bromo to admire murals and other public art installations.
Savor Creative Cuisine in Eclectic Settings
Discover a food scene that combines old-world charm with modern innovation. Grab a giant crab cake at Lexington Market, the oldest public market in the USA that hosts dozens of restaurants and food vendors. Savor traditional Polish fare and a variety of treats in the 230-year-old Broadway Market, or grab a meal at Cross Street Market before catching a Baltimore Orioles baseball game at nearby Camden Yards. Modern food halls are also an area specialty, with many housed in former industrial spaces. Mount Vernon Marketplace’s vendors serve up diverse cuisine ranging from delectable dumplings to creatively dressed burgers, while the pop-up restaurant at Remington’s R. House offers a rotating menu of fried chicken sandwiches, tacos and more.
Immerse Yourself in History
No visit to Baltimore is complete without a deep dive into the area’s history. At Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, see the site of the Battle of Baltimore that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the USA’s national anthem. Visitors can get immersed in multimedia presentations and interpretive galleries and even get the chance to participate in flag-raising ceremonies. Maryland’s African American communities have played an incredible role in Baltimore’s history. Celebrate these stories at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, whose permanent collection includes over 10,000 artifacts dating back to the 18th century. Housed in one of the city’s oldest harborside buildings, the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park Museum in Fells Point offers insight into the history of the first Black-owned shipyard in the country.
Fun Fact
Baltimore’s Fort McHenry defended the Baltimore harbor during the War of 1812 and is the birthplace of the American national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” written by Francis Scott Key.
Baltimore’s waterfront neighborhood of Fell’s Point was the second largest point of immigration after Ellis Island.
Thousands of Baltimore visitors a year tour the first cathedral in the United States, the 19th century Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was recently restored.