Baltimore is well established as a tourist city and has made good use of its unique historical characteristics to fashion a fascinating selection of visitor attractions. Fort McHenry has to top the bill as the setting for the creation of America’s national anthem while the Babe Ruth museum is also high up on the list of favourites. There’s also no shortage of interesting landmarks and buildings in the city when you’ve exhausted the venues that generally get guide book mentions.
Babe Ruth’s Birthplace and Official Orioles Museum
Babe Ruth is one of baseball’s most famous players and Baltimore is proud to be known as the hometown of this legend, who was born on 6 February 1895. This museum is a tribute to and a celebration of the life of Babe Ruth and contains a variety of items of memorabilia including a bat he used during the 1927 season, an original mitt from St Mary's Industrial School and a score card used at the first professional game in which he played. In the remainder of the museum, visitors can view artefacts from the old days of the Baltimore Orioles, the city’s highly successful home baseball team. Website: www.baberuthmuseum.com
Federal Hill and Federal Hill Park
Situated on the south side of the Inner Harbour, Federal Hill is a charming neighbourhood that’s home to some of the city’s oldest residential buildings. Classic brick homes can be seen here which date back to the 18thand 19th centuries, the oldest of which carry plaques containing historical information, can be viewed on a walking tour of the area after which you can take a trip to Federal Hill Park which affords some of the city’s best views over the harbour.
Fort McHenry
Visit the birthplace of America’s national anthem and what is without doubt one of the most historically significant places in the country. The fort, which still maintains much of its original construction, was Baltimore Harbour’s primary defence during the War of 1812 and was the site at which Francis Scott Key composed the poem that was later to be adopted at the national anthem. Visitors in their thousands descend upon Fort McHenry at all times of the year making it one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.
Inner Harbour
The Inner Harbour area is the most popular tourist area in Baltimore and is home to all of the best known attractions including the National Aquarium, the Baltimore Public Works Museum and the Baltimore Maritime Museum. Shops, restaurants and bars in the area are plentiful and visitors will enjoy the relaxed atmosphere whether strolling around or relaxing in one of the venues on offer.
National Aquarium in Baltimore
The National Aquarium’s primary agenda is to promote interest in marine life and the various environments in which it resides and aims to do this via a varying selection of tanks that offer both. Around 10,000 creatures reside at the aquarium among which are more than 600 different species of amphibians, mammals, birds, fish and reptiles. The facility is split into themed areas with the Rain Forest and the Atlantic Coral Reef among them. Website: www.aqua.org
Pimlico Race Course
The Pimlico Race Course has been a part of the city since 1870 and has, over the years, hosted some of the most exciting equestrian races in the country. The course continues to host regular race meetings drawing large crowds and perpetuating its reputation as a popular visitor centre for both locals and tourists. If racing is your thing, then time your holiday to cover the third Saturday in May when the Preakness Stakes, one of the most significant events in the US racing calendar, is held. Website: www.marylandracing.com
Check out the local seafood restaurants
Seafood in Baltimore is fresh and plentiful. Unless you’re vegetarian, you’d be crazy to take a trip to the city and not sample some of the mouth watering marine cuisine on offer. Fish dishes with swordfish, rockfish, sea bass, salmon and tuna all come high on the list while crustacean dishes such as tempura lobster tail, lobster sauté, crab and artichoke dip and crab cakes are also a must-eat. The Inner Harbour and Federal Hill areas are literally teeming with seafood restaurants so you certainly won’t struggle to find a venue; if anything you’ll struggle to choose one over the rest!
Go camping
In and around the Baltimore area, there’s a large selection of parks and sites dedicated to those wanting to get back to nature and spend a few nights under canvas. If this is your kind of thing then head for venues such as Patterson Park, Baltimore and Annapolis Trail Park, Bay Country Campground or Frontier Town Campground. On site you’ll find facilities such as electricity hook-ups, showers, bathrooms and laundry services.
Shop at Lexington Market
Part of the city since 1782, Lexington Market is hailed as the oldest continuously operating market in the US and despite renovations in 2003, it still retains an old-world feel and much of its original character. Shoppers will be drawn in by more than 140 stalls selling locally made produce such as baked goods, seafood, artwork and handicrafts. A variety of restaurants are also on site for those wanting to stop for sustenance between shopping sprees.
Watch a baseball game at Camden Yards
Baltimore’s famous baseball team, the Orioles, play games at the Camden Yards stadium in the Eastern Division of the American League. Locals are staunch supporters of the team and games are exceptionally well attended, making for an electrically charged atmosphere every time. Whether you are a big fan of baseball or just someone with a passing interest, you’ll get swept up by the excitement and will leave with an experience that you won’t forget in a hurry.
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