Baltimore, Maryland

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Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore is situated along the shores of the vast Chesapeake Bay, nearly 200 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. Since the 1600s, Baltimore waterways have given passage to ships carrying commercial cargo and new citizens, making it the second most popular point of entry for immigrants next to Ellis Island. It is located approximately 35 miles northeast of Washington DC and 75 miles southwest of Philadelphia, PA.

The City

Named after Lord Baltimore, the first Proprietary Governor of the Province of Maryland, this colorful, diverse city is the state’s largest and serves as its economic and cultural hub. Baltimore is known for its beautiful harbor; quirky, distinct neighborhoods; unique museums and the world-renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital to the east and the University of Maryland Medical Center to the west. The city boasts a rich history from the ramparts of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, to the inspirational legends at the National Great Blacks In Wax Museum, to the largest collection of Civil War locomotives ever assembled at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum. If you want to fit in with the natives on your next trip to Baltimore you'll have to get an ear for the dialect they speak in many neighborhoods in "Bawlmer," as the locals call their city. The accent comes from the combination of Baltimore's English colonial settlers with influxes of Irish, German and European immigrants. It may help to know that locals call strangers “hon,” no matter their gender or age.

Do & See

Baltimore is not so much a place as an experience, and after close to 300 years of history this city can deliver a great number of fun-filled family days (and romantic evenings) that are able to make any vacation here one you’ll remember forever. There truly is something for everyone: tour any of the great historic sites, museums and African-American heritage sites, attend professional sporting events (Baltimore Orioles, Baltimore Ravens and horse-racing at Pimlico), enjoy unique restaurants, shopping and much more. The beautiful waterfront at Inner Harbor, one of the major seaports in the United States since the 1700s, is one of the most photographed and visited areas of the city. From historic places and harbor cruises to family friendly attractions and fabulous neighborhoods, Charm City is one of the top tourist destinations in the United States.

Dining

It is said that there are 50 ways to prepare crab in Baltimore and all of them are good. Whether dining in a fish house, a food stand or more traditional restaurant, the Maryland steamed blue crabs are always an excellent choice, but expect to get your hands dirty. If you'd rather not crack your own crabs, other top-shelf, fresh seafood can be found easily in this water-front city. Diverse ethnic choices are available downtown and in most neighborhoods such as Little Italy, where traditional Italian classics like cannolis, tiramisu, biscottis and pastries are ready to be served.

Cafés

Cafés are usually a world to themselves and that's certainly true for Baltimore’s diverse neighborhoods, each offering plenty of variety in atmosphere, food, drink, and entertainment. Whether you crave Javanese food, specialty pastries or ethnic delicacies, in Baltimore you will find it.

Bars & Nightlife

When the sun goes down the fun is just beginning in Baltimore, with a great choice of nightlife excitement from prime concert venues to excellent watering holes. Visitors staying downtown or in the Inner Harbor need not look hard for a good time: Fells Point is full of charming old buildings that have been restored, and many are now home to cozy pubs and classy cocktail bars.

Shopping

Whether you prefer high-end boutiques, large modern malls, flea markets or just browsing, you will find lots of shopping opportunities in Baltimore. The Inner Harbor houses many familiar national retailers, while some of the older neighborhoods like Mount Vernon and Fell's Point are home to some fine boutiques and specialty stores. There are several great choices for antique-lovers at Antique Row, an entire block of historic antique stores. Perhaps the most distinctive shopping options are the public markets. Lexington Market, founded in 1782, is the city's oldest, but the Broadway Market in Fell's Point and the Cross Street Market in Federal Hill also offer many unique offerings and handmade gifts.

Tourist Information