B'more in Baltimore

Downtown Baltimore is a lively business and entertainment hub known for its theater district, with venues like the 1914 Hippodrome, as well as Royal Farms Arena for sports and big-name concerts. Irish pubs, diners and seafood restaurants dot the area, while stalls at bustling Lexington Market have local treats like crab cakes.

Day 1:

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

Address: 2400 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland

Official site: http://www.nps.gov/fomc/index.htm

Open daily from 9:00AM - 5:45PM

Admission fee: 

$15.00 for adults 16 years of age and older

children 15 and younger are free

Interesting way to spend a morning in Baltimore! Learned a LOT about the war of 1812 and the US flag. Happened to be there at 10:00am for the flag-changing ceremony and so glad we did! The rangers were very eager to answer questions and engage with visitors. The visitor center is still closed but you can pick up your Junior Ranger activity booklet at the tent in the back.During the American Revolution a small earthen star fort known as Fort Whetstone was constructed at the end of the peninsula that led to the entrance of the Baltimore harbor. And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there” God bless America! I am proud to be an American!

The Battle of Baltimore, fought September 12-14, 1814, was the defining moment in the War of 1812. Following their devastating victory at Bladensburg the British forces burned the American capitol, Washington D.C. Riding on the shoulders of their success, British commanders now had their eyes set on the third largest city in the United States, the port city of Baltimore. 

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail:

290-mi. hiking & biking trail commemorating the Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812.

This free trail is one you can walk/hike, run, or ride your bike on. It is over 250 miles. We walked on part of it since a portion of it is inside of the fort/national monument/shrine. It was a great walk. On it you have beautiful views of Baltimore and the harbor. Worth walking even if you just do some of it. Great exercise and it is a safe area.

Top of the World Observation Level:

Address: World Trade Center, 401 E Pratt Street, 27th Floor Baltimore, MD 21202

Admission fee: 

Adults $6

Children (3-12) $4

World Trade Center's 27th-floor observation tower with 360-degree views of the city & harbor. Top of the World is the perfect starting point for any visit to the city and provides a breathtaking view of Baltimore's skyline, harbor and beyond. This city attraction featuring a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of Baltimore has stationed binoculars and photo-map guides to help guests learn about local attractions, hotels, sites and neighborhoods.

National Aquarium:

Iconic landmark offering marine-life exhibits, a dolphin show, shark tank & walk-through rainforest.

Thousands of animals. Hundreds of species. One Aquarium. Learn about animals from all over our blue planet—from the depths of the ocean to the canopy of the rainforest—and discover the connection they all share with water.

Super clean, very interesting exhibits that make it easy to interact with the animals and immerse yourself into the experience. Like the experience of jellyfish touch tanks, massive shark tanks with the spiral-down ramp in the center, the giant rays and the huge variety of colorful fish and watching the puffins dive, preen, swim, and play. The rainforest area at the top is my favorite, and the staff there are always willing to point out where the sloths are sleeping or where a monkey is sitting.  All staff throughout the aquarium are helpful, knowledgeable, kind, and professional. Parking is easy and close, and there are numerous excellent restaurants in the immediate vicinity.

Day 2:

On day 2 we started our day by having breakfast from 3 Bean Coffee By Vagrant Coffee and then stopped at  American Visionary Art Museum. This small museum with unusual rotating exhibits by self-taught artists, 2 sculpture plazas & a garden. Absolutely stunning! Love art with a purpose and conscious effort to influence and teach. Extensive gift and craft shop for artists and tourists. 

Later we stopped at Fell's Point, a historic area along the waterfront that has been beautifully restored. This old harbor quarter was once the shipbuilding district of Baltimore, with places of entertainment for the seamen.Waterside Fells Point is known for its hip pubs and taverns, many with live music, as well as seafood joints serving Chesapeake Bay crab and oysters.

Well spent city trip….