Top Attractions for…
Families
Baltimore is a great destination for families, with plenty of kid-friendly museums, attractions, and activities. The National Aquarium is a must-visit, featuring over 20,000 animals including sharks, dolphins, and puffins. Kids will love exploring the interactive exhibits and getting up close to marine life. The Maryland Science Center is another popular spot, with hands-on exhibits teaching kids about science and technology. Families can also spend a day at the Maryland Zoo, home to over 1,500 animals, including exotic species like cheetahs, zebras, and lemurs. The Port Discovery Children’s Museum is designed just for kids, with interactive play areas like a kid-sized grocery store, bank, restaurant, and TV studio. Ride the carousel and enjoy story time at the Walters Art Museum. Or take a trip to Fort McHenry, where kids can dress up in historical costumes and even participate in a mock artillery drill on the parade ground.
When the weather is nice, head outdoors to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum. Kids can climb aboard historic trains and even pretend to drive a real locomotive. The Baltimore Water Taxi is another fun family activity, taking you across the harbor to attractions like the National Aquarium while your kids enjoy the boat ride.
First-Timers
If it’s your first time visiting Charm City, you’ll want to see some of Baltimore’s most iconic landmarks. Start your visit at the Inner Harbor, the city’s famous waterfront promenade lined with shops, restaurants, and attractions. Don’t miss snapping a photo in front of the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, and historic ships like the USS Constellation. Then, take a short walk north to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles. Catch a game if you can, or at least snap some photos of the retro-style ballpark. You’ll also find Baltimore’s central business district nearby, including buildings like the Transamerica Tower and Bank of America Tower. Head east to historic Fell’s Point, one of Baltimore’s most popular neighborhoods. Once a major shipbuilding port, this charming area along the water is now filled with 18th and 19th century buildings housing eclectic shops, pubs, and restaurants. Don’t miss Broadway Market, a historic public market dating back to the 1700s. Finally, no visit to Baltimore is complete without seeing the Inner Harbor’s most iconic landmark – the Domino Sugars sign. This neon sign rises high above the harbor and can be seen from miles away. At night, the red Domino logo glows – the perfect backdrop for photos.
Wine & Beer Connoisseurs
Baltimore and the surrounding region have a booming beer and wine scene, with over 40 breweries, distilleries, cideries, and meaderies to explore. In the city proper, head to the Brewer’s Art in Mount Vernon. This brewpub has been pouring unique Belgian-style beers since 1996 in a historic mansion. Union Craft Brewing offers classic beers as well as more experimental options with a rotating tap list. Their outdoor beer garden is dog-friendly. Just outside the city, venture to Full Tilt Brewing in Govans, with over a dozen original beers on tap and frequent live music. Monument City Brewing Company serves juicy IPAs, crisp lagers, and unique sours in a converted church building.
Maryland wine lovers will want to visit Boordy Vineyards, the state’s oldest and most acclaimed winery located just north of Baltimore. Book a tasting to try their Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and other varietals grown right onsite. You can also tour the vineyard and historic buildings on the property.
In Frederick, Linganore Winecellars sprawls across over 700 acres of countryside. Tour the production facility and taste award-winning Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet, and specialty dessert wines. Black Ankle Vineyards near Mount Airy uses traditional European techniques to produce highly rated Bordeaux-style blends.
Sports Fans
Baltimore is a great sports town with several professional teams to root for. Football fans can catch the beloved Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in downtown Baltimore. The stadium offers stadium tours year-round. Just a short walk from M&T Bank Stadium takes you to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, home of the Orioles baseball team. Watch the O’s take on the Yankees, Red Sox, and more AL East rivals throughout the season. The Baltimore Blast is the city’s professional indoor soccer team, playing at SECU Arena. Fans of horseracing will want to visit Pimlico Race Course and watch the Preakness Stakes, part of the iconic Triple Crown. College sports are also huge here. Catch a lacrosse game at Homewood Field on the Johns Hopkins University campus, or head to College Park to watch the Terrapins compete in the Big Ten Conference. Navy also has Division I teams across several men’s and women’s sports.
Foodies
Baltimore’s dining scene reflects the city’s diversity, ranging from crab shacks to upscale seafood to ethnic eateries. For the city’s home-town dish, head to LP Steamers for steamed Maryland blue crabs seasoned with Old Bay. Pair it with crab cakes, creamy crab soup, and corn on the cob. Lexington Market has been serving crab cakes, oysters, and fish sandwiches since 1782 – don’t miss Faidley’s Seafood there. Other seafood restaurants like Thames Street Oyster House, Ouzo Bay, and Rusty Scupper offer harbor views with your meal. Try local oysters and clams as well as dishes like jumbo lump crabcakes, lobster mac and cheese, and seafood towers. Baltimore has fantastic ethnic food as well. Greektown is home to spots like Samos Restaurant, serving saganaki, moussaka, spanakopita, and more. Head to Koreatown for flavorful Korean BBQ and soju cocktails. And don’t miss Mexican hotspots like Clavel, with its colorful tacos and mezcal cocktails, or Mission BBQ dishing out sizzling fajitas and margaritas.
Shopaholics
Shopaholics will find plenty of places to drop some cash in Baltimore. Start at Harborplace, the Inner Harbor’s waterfront shopping center. Name-brand stores like H&M and Pandora mix with local boutiques. Or head to Harbor East, home to high-end stores like Anthropologie, lululemon, and West Elm. For local designers and artisans, visit Hampden’s “The Avenue,” 36th Street packed with eclectic boutiques, antique shops, and cafes. Foodies will want to bring home local edible treats. Pick up spices, seasonings, and snacks at McCormick World of Flavors. Grab a box of Berger Cookies, the iconic Baltimore dessert. Or shop gourmet food, chocolate, and wine at Di Pasquale’s Italian Marketplace.
How to Get Around Baltimore
Baltimore offers several transportation options for getting around town:
Light Rail
Baltimore’s Light Rail system offers an affordable way to explore much of the city without a car. The electric trains serve 33 stops stretching from Hunt Valley through downtown Baltimore down to Glen Burnie and BWI Airport. Popular stops include Camden Station, right by the Inner Harbor, Penn Station near Mount Vernon, and the B&O Railroad Museum. Fares are just $1.80 per ride with ticket machines at each station. You can also buy 1-day and monthly passes. Light Rail trains run every 10-15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes nights and weekends. The last daily northbound train is at 11pm and southbound train at midnight.
Taxis and Rideshares
Taxis can be hailed downtown or called for a pickup. Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft also operate throughout the city. These are handy for shorter trips within neighborhoods.
Charter Bus
If you’re traveling with a large group, renting a charter bus is a convenient way to get around Baltimore together. A charter bus allows you to customize your own itinerary and not worry about parking or getting split up on public transportation.
Ready to Explore Baltimore With Us?
With its nautical roots, quirky neighborhoods, famous seafood, and historic attractions, Baltimore offers a unique East Coast experience. Getting around Baltimore is easy with a charter bus for group transportation. What are you most excited to do in Baltimore? Catch a baseball game at Camden Yards? Feast on Maryland blue crabs? Explore the historic ships at the Inner Harbor. Let a bus rental from us help you experience all the Charm City has to offer!