Though “Serial” and “The Wire” focus on Baltimore’s gritty underbelly, the greater city is rich in culture. It’s known as “Charm City,” and one glance at the southern architecture is sure to sweep visitors off their feet. Baltimore is in the midst of an artistic renaissance and many of the neighborhoods have been revitalized for contemporary audiences. Gallery shows, running trails, and historic sites provide travellers with plenty to do in Baltimore.
Baltimore is packed with attractions to keep tourists interested for weeks. The Inner Harbor has its own share of museums nearby, including the Maryland Science Museum, the National Aquarium, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not.
Popular attractions near Baltimore include:
Spend a summer night grooving in the Sculpture Garden of the Baltimore Art Museum to live jazz
Behold a different kind of art at the American Visionary Art Museum, which features work exclusively from self-taught artists
Relax in the serene open atrium inside the Peabody Library
Marvel at the opulent Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Ride a historic train inside the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum
As a big city of historic significance, Baltimore has its own signature ingredient: the Maryland blue crab. Its flavors can be found in crab cakes, crab sandwiches, or crab feasts at Captain James Landing.
Exciting activities near Baltimore include:
Find your favorite Warhol inside Geppi’s Entertainment Museum, the city’s only pop culture museum
Watch a blacksmith forge iron or create your own video game at The Baltimore Museum of Industry
Pay respects to one of America’s greatest gothic poets at Edgar Allan Poe’s Grave
Learn how to be a pirate from a lively crew of swashbucklers aboard an Urban Pirates ship
Indulge your senses with a cocktail and supper plate at Bookmakers Cocktail Club
This hub of eastern seaboard activity continues even after the sun goes down. Party-goers and nighttime explorers will find art openings, live music, and imaginative cuisine to try in Baltimore.
Nighttime activities near Baltimore include:
See a symphonic orchestra play an evening show at the Meyerhoff
Watching dueling pianists compete for applause at Howl at the Moon
Explore the underbelly of Baltimore on a Wicket History Tour
Devour one of the city’s best crabcakes at Bluegrass restaurant
Order the bread plate at Gordon Ramsay Steak inside the Horseshoe Casino
Of the all the kid-friendly places to visit in Baltimore, Druid Hill Park and the Maryland Zoo are some of the best to do. For a panoramic view of the Inner Harbor, head to Federal Hill Park.
Family-Friendly things to do near Baltimore include:
Swim with the sharks and stare at a giant octopus inside the National Aquarium
Become a mad scientist inside the Maryland Science Center
Make a splash at the Wonders of Water exhibit inside the Port Discovery Children’s Museum
See art at its most kooky and kinetic at the American Visionary Art Museum
Watch a tarantula feeding demonstration at the Baltimore Insect Zoo
This eastern city on the water affords as much indoor activity as anything else. For your nature fix, visit the conservatory before settling down for a relaxing meal nearby.
Baltimore things to do indoors include:
Skydive inside at iFly Baltimore
Take a closer look at local plantlife from inside the Howard Peter Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens
Beat the leading time of Baltimore’s best go-kart racers at the Autobahn Indoor Speedway
Climb to new heights at the Earth Treks indoor climbing gym
Go brunching at Ze Mean Bean in Fells Point and enjoy some live jazz with your mimosa
Sports and Outdoor Activities in BaltimoreView All
Patterson Park’s steep hills make it a challenging trail for anyone looking for a workout. It’s on a loop, so it’s easy to gauge your run and park your car.
Active things to see in Baltimore include:
Bike the paved trails or find fresh vegetables at the Farmers Market at Druid Hill Park
Smell the fields full of tulips at Sherwood Gardens
Kayak in the Susquehanna River near the Pennsylvania state line
Book a walking tour of the Washington Monument and Mount Vernon Place
Attend an event at the Baltimore National Heritage Area