Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon is an elegant neighborhood filled with grand old mansions that once belonged to Baltimore’s 19th-century industrialists. Today, the neighborhood is a National Landmark Historic District filled with museums, shops, restaurants and boutique hotels. There is so much to see and do in this neighborhood, but we recommend a stop at the Washington Monument, the Walters Art Museum, the Enoch Pratt Free Library and the Maryland Center for History & Culture. Then stay for a performance from the world-renowned Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

Fell's Point

One of the oldest neighborhoods in Baltimore, this area was once a bustling shipbuilding port. Fell’s Point’s visage has remained largely unchanged since its founding—picturesque stone streets, waterfront restaurants and cozy boutiques. Travel back in time with a stop at the oldest-standing residence in Baltimore City, the Robert Long House, which is open for tours by reservation. While you’re in the area, learn about Fell’s Point’s history at home to the first African American-owned shipyard in the country at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park Museum. Then stop for a drink at the city’s oldest bar, The Horse You Came In On Saloon (rumored to be Edgar Allan Poe’s last stop before his mysterious death).

Harbor East

Luxe experiences await you in Harbor East. Treat yourself to a massage at Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, a shopping spree at a specialty boutique and dinner with a waterfront view at a high-end eatery. You’ll want to make a reservation ahead of your visit to Charleston, The Bygone and The Oceanaire Seafood Room. Love history? Be sure to stop at the President Street Station, where President Abraham Lincoln once stopped to avoid an assassination attempt. 

Little Italy

Little Italy is a small but mighty community full of families that have lived here for generations, many of which own the plethora of delicious Italian restaurants on every block. To name a few: La Scala offers traditional fare and an indoor bocce ball court, Café Gia is known for its colorful mural and balcony, Aldo’s Ristorante and La Tavola are top picks for fine dining and family-owned favorite Sabatino’s has been around for generations. And make sure you leave room for a traditional Italian dessert from Vaccaro’s. The neighborhood also hosts a number of events throughout the year, like the Feasts of St. Anthony and St. Gabriel and the Madonnari Arts Festival in the fall.

Druid Hill Park

Dating back to 1860, Druid Hill Park is a 745-acre urban oasis located in the heart of Baltimore. Today, it’s home to several attractions including a public pool, disc golf courses, tennis courts, The Maryland Zoo and the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens. Friends of Druid Hill Park frequently schedule events to encourage use and enjoyment of the grounds including a farmers market, guided walking and biking tours, night hikes, live entertainment and outdoor fitness classes.

Federal Hill

Known for its sweeping views of the Inner Harbor, Federal Hill is characterized by historic brick rowhomes and locally-owned shops and restaurants. It’s also home to a mix of newcomers and families that have lived here for generations. Must-sees include the American Visionary Art Museum, Cross Street Market and the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Plus, Federal Hill is right next door to Locust Point, where Fort McHenry beckons to history buffs.

Pennsylvania Avenue Black Arts & Entertainment District

While this area’s designation as an arts and entertainment district may still be in its infancy, the neighborhood has had a long history as a cultural center for the city’s African American community. During the 1940s, 50s and 60s, Pennsylvania Avenue was the place to go to see the latest singers and musicians perform, most notably at the Royal Theater, which hosted entertainers like Cab Calloway, Billie Holiday, Ray Charles and James Brown. Unfortunately, the theater no longer exists, but a monument stands in its honor. Keep an eye on this neighborhood for big things to come soon—proposed ideas for include a museum devoted to jazz legend Cab Calloway and a museum for Black women’s history.

Station North

Located in the middle of Baltimore between Johns Hopkins University and the Inner Harbor, Station North actually spans three neighborhoods—Charles North, Greenmount West and Barclay. An eclectic blend of storied institutions and up-and-coming studios, it earned designation as the city’s first official Arts & Entertainment District in 2002. Since then, it’s continued to cement itself as the center of Baltimore’s creative community, attracting local makers and entertainers with its proximity to the Maryland Institute College of Art, affordable housing and studio spaces, professional development, advocacy tools and more. Home to the landmark Penn Station, Station North is the perfect place to begin a weekend away in Baltimore.

Hamilton - Lauraville

Hamilton-Lauraville is a booming network of neighborhoods along Harford Road in northeast Baltimore known for its stellar shopping and food scenes. In fact, it was named the best shopping district by Baltimore magazine in 2021. Find family-owned shops the Flower Cart and Lakein’s Jewelers, both of which have been in the neighborhood for decades, along with Koco’s Pub, the home to Mayor Brandon Scott’s favorite crab cakes. Hamilton-Lauraville also hosts a budding arts scene bookended by the Hamilton Arts Collective and The Strand, Baltimore’s only brick-and-mortar theater space to solely perform works written by female-identifying playwrights.

Hampden

Once a 19th-century blue-collar mill town that has evolved into the epicenter of hipster Baltimore kitsch, Hampden’s main drag, aka “The Avenue,” is a great place to grab a bite, share a beer, check out some local vintage shops and see some eclectic row homes and street art. Get a true feel for the neighborhood at annual festivals like Honfest in June and Hampdenfest in September.

Inner Harbor

The Inner Harbor has everything from scenic waterfront views to spectacular museums. 

The Inner Harbor is rimmed with beloved museums. One of the leading favorites for locals and visitors alike is the National Aquarium, where you can see 20,000 different animals in award-winning habitats, including a tropical rainforest and an Australian river gorge.

Interested in maritime history? Docked along the edges of the Inner Harbor are the Historic Ships In Baltimore’s floating museums. Take a tour of the U.S.S. Constellation, built in 1854 by the U.S. Navy and now holding court as the only surviving ship from the Civil War. Nearby, find three additional ships and a lighthouse that all detail marine experiences between the mid-1800s and the 1980s.

Got a budding scientist on your hands? Across the harbor from the Aquarium sits the Maryland Science Center, where three floors of science-focused demonstrations thrill kids and grown-ups alike. Hands-on exhibits explore the solar system, the human body and more.

An especially family-friendly neighborhood, the Inner Harbor is home to the Port Discovery Children’s Museum, ranked among the nation’s best. This playful museum tucks a world of fun into a former fish market building. Let little ones explore the four-story SkyClimber, or play pretend on the life-sized cargo ship.

If you’re more into modern-day adventures, try a tour with Hornblower Cruises or Cruises on the Bay by Watermark, or catch the view from the Baltimore Water Taxi or a Chessie Dragon Paddle Boat.

As one of Baltimore’s entertainment centers, the Inner Harbor has plenty of options for live music. Head to Power Plant Live! for an all-in-one hot spot for restaurants, bars and music venues, including Rams Head Live. Nearby MECU Pavilion also offers outdoor concerts from national names right on the water during warm summer months. 

Make a stop at the Baltimore Visitor Center, along the waterfront promenade. It’s one of the best places to get details on how to experience the city, with the help of expert staff and volunteers who will provide personalized tips on touring Charm City, plus a bevy of brochures, maps and information sheets on hotels, museums, restaurants and attractions.

BALTIMORE'S MUSEUMS AND ATTRACTIONS:

Ther are plenty of museums and attractions to fill your itinerary with whilst in Baltimore. 

Immerse yourself in the arts at the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Walters Art Museum, the American Visionary Art Museum or the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. Or spend a day of learning at the National Aquarium, Maryland Zoo or Maryland Science Center.  There are also museums that cover very specific interests like streetcars, dentistry and and Jewish history.

HISTORY & MONUMENTS:

TRACE THE PATH OF HISTORY THROUGH BALTIMORE

Baltimore’s story is essential to learning about the influential people and significant moments that shaped American history and the African American experience. Explore historic sites like Fort McHenry, birthplace of the national anthem, Edgar Allan Poe’s home-turned-museum, the Washington Monument (built before the one in D.C.!) and historic ships, including the USS Constellation, the last remaining sail-only warship commissioned by the U.S. Navy. And the best way to see it all is with a guided tour.

MUSIC & PERFORMANCES:

EXPERIENCE THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF BALTIMORE’S PERFORMING ARTS COMMUNITY

Find the best live music venues to experience everything from indie bands to jazz quartets to touring Broadway acts. Explore Baltimore’s theater scene with plays and musicals from local theater groups and big time productions of classics like Shakespeare and Hamilton. And you won’t want to miss a performance by the world-famous Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

SPORTS:

GET IN THE COMPETITIVE SPIRIT. EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT A FAN, IT’S FUN TO BE A PART OF THE CROWD.

Home to the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens and the MLB’s Baltimore Orioles, Baltimore has a lot of team spirit. Learn the history behind the iconic Oriole Park at Camden Yards, where to watch the game and our tips for Ravens game day tailgates. 

FEELING PECKISH !

AN INSTAGRAM-WORTHY MEAL IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

Baltimore’s world-class dining scene may surprise you. Our restaurants have received recognition from Food & Wine, Zagat, Open Table and more, and multiple city chefs have been nominated for James Beard Awards. See, it’s more than just crabs and seafood (though we do love those). We have diverse international flavors, historic public markets and food halls, delicious vegan options, cocktails that will hit the spot and locally beloved breweries. Plus so much more you won’t want to miss out on.

OUTDOOR RECREATION AND FITNESS:

TAKE A DEEP BREATH, WATCH THE TIDE ROLL IN AND RELAX

Baltimore is full of unexpected open spaces featuring parks, promenades and waterfront settings for outdoor recreation, fitness activities and relaxation. Join a kayak tour of the Inner Harbor or other waterfront activities, take advantage of miles of scenic walking trails for a breathtaking view of the city and then relax at a spa or fitness class. And don’t miss out on the top golf courses in the area.