Most visitors to Baltimore don't get beyond the
city's Inner Harbor during their stay (with the possible exception being a jaunt
inside the idyllic walls of Camden Yards, home of baseball's Orioles, and one of
the finest ballparks in the major leagues). Not that there's anything wrong with
that: the USS Constellation battleship anchored there is a delight for
exploring, as is the Torsk submarine. The National Aquarium immerses wide-eyed
land-dwellers in a magical marine world of sharks, dolphins, and, soon-to-come,
a recreated Australian underwater habitat. There is so much to see that every
day is filled to overflowing with events of interest and enjoyment.
Baltimore’s
central business district is lined with museums, shops, restaurants and other
attractions. Downtown fans out from the harbor, with Charles Street dividing the
east and west sides of the city. Just to the east of downtown is Little Italy,
a neighborhood of ethnic eateries and colorful, well-kept row houses. East of
Little Italy is Fells Point, a historic maritime community with some of the
city's most popular restaurants, bars and shops. East of Fells Point is Canton,
a neighborhood pulsing with new restaurants, boutiques and evening activity.
South of
downtown is Federal Hill, an enclave of renovated homes that perches on a hill
overlooking the harbor. North of downtown is Mount Vernon, a stately
neighborhood of elegant row houses and tree-shaded parks. This is Baltimore's
cultural corridor: The Walters Art Museum, the Peabody Library and Conservatory
of Music, Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, the Lyric Opera House, and Center Stage are
found there. Farther north is the Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus.
Ringed by the neighborhoods of Charles Village, Waverly and Hampden, this part
of town is also home to the Baltimore Museum of Art and its peaceful sculpture
garden.
The waterfront and
Camden Yards are part of one scenic stretch of downtown Baltimore that has
become the center of city life in recent years. Camden Yards is the home of the
major league Baltimore Orioles, and the surrounding streets are lined with small
cafes, microbreweries, and stores.
Baltimore’s
Inner Harbor looks out upon the Patapsco River, a tributary of Chesapeake Bay.
The thriving waterfront is home to the National Aquarium in Baltimore (among the
best in the world), the Maryland Science Center and the Baltimore Maritime
Museum. The Inner Harbor borders downtown and is just blocks away from Fells
Point, a charming maritime neighborhood just south of Little Italy. Also in the
harbor area is Federal Hill, which puts you in the vicinity of Fort McHenry
National Monument.
Try sampling some
of Maryland's famous cuisine, in the open-air mall on the waterfront. It is
filled with arcades, shops, and restaurants catering to all tastes. This area is
the gateway to the Inner Harbor, featuring boat rides and tours of the
surrounding waterways.
Baltimore's
cultural scene mixes traditional museums with interesting historical diversions.
The Baltimore Museum of Art features a large and impressive collection of art
from all periods and places. The Maryland Science Center offers exhibits,
demonstrations, an IMAX theatre and a planetarium. Finally, the Walters Art
Gallery has an impressive collection of French Impressionist art as well as
large holdings of ancient Greek and Roman works.
History abounds in the Baltimore area. Fort McHenry,
the star shaped fortress at the harbor entrance was the site of the battle in
the War of 1812 that prompted Francis Scott Key to write the "Star Spangled
Banner." The USS Constellation, the last surviving ship from the Civil War
can be seen in the harbor
area. Plans are afoot to make it possible at some time in the future to
view the USS Forrestal, America's first super carrier, in the same location.
Fun,
interactive exhibits at the Maryland Science Center; animals at the Baltimore
Zoo; trains at the B&O Railroad Museum; places to play at the newly renovated
Chinese Pagoda in Patterson Park; Port Discovery Children's Museum; marine life
at the National Aquarium are among the many Baltimore attractions that are
popular with children and families.
Old Baltimore can
be glimpsed in the neat tree lined streets and neighborhoods dominated by simple
row houses. The Edgar Allen Poe House celebrates the life and achievements of
one of America's most original writers who invented the detective story and
penned the eerie tale of "The Raven." Babe Ruth's birthplace is now home to a
museum dedicated to his life and career as one of America's greatest athletes.
If you want to get a sense
of the heart and soul of Baltimore, take a water taxi to Fell's Point, a
waterfront neighborhood packed with pubs and fresh seafood spots where you'll
find the finest steamed wild mussels around, along with live blues on many
nights. Look
around a little more and you’ll find yourself sitting down to the best Low
country food this side of Charleston.
Visitors can sample
crab cakes, tour the Inner Harbor, and take in a ball game in one of America's
most beautiful stadiums, all within downtown Baltimore, and then when they think
there is no more to see and do, they can branch out to discover even more
beyond. There is never enough time to experience this fascinating city in just
one visit.
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