“I would never want to live anywhere but Baltimore. You can look far and wide, but you'll never discover a stranger city with such extreme style. It's as if every eccentric in the South decided to move North, ran out of gas in Baltimore, and decided to stay.” John Waters
Baltimore is a city marked by its rich historical background, diverse cultures, culinary hospitality and an indispensible political heritage. Located on the western coast of the Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore has always been the hub of maritime trading. Though often considered as the neglected child of the East Coast, as compared to New York City and Washington DC, Baltimore has a lot to offer to those who wish to explore it for its possibilities.
The heart of Baltimore lies in its Inner Harbor. Though it has been around since the 1600s, the recent cultural revival has morphed it into one of the most coveted tourist destination. 1 To get a quick overview of the experience the Inner Harbor Baltimore has to offer, the most viable option would be to "Ride the Ducks" or take the Sea port Taxi. The "Ride the Ducks" is a vehicle/boat that takes you on an hour and a half long tour along the Inner Harbor, showing most of the historical sites of Baltimore namely Camden Yards, Westminster Hall, where the graves of the founding fathers of the city of Baltimore are situated, Carroll Mansion and the Shot Tower. The driver doubles as a tour guide as well and points out the highlights of the historic city as well as gives a brief overview of the heritage of the place. Though at $25 it is pricier than most of the attractions, this tour is a must if there is a time constraint.
The Sea Port Taxi is the other option if time limitation or costs are a concern. Initially serving as a means of transporting residents, this water taxi has quickly become a major tourist attraction with stops on tourist spots such as the major venues of Inner Harbor, Fells Point with its Maritime Museum and the Harbor Point, and Canton, with the Chesapeake Wine Company and the Water Front Park. The taxi can be ridden with a flat daily charge of just $5 and tourists can make as many stops as they like.
However, if a bird's eye tour catches your fancy, the best bet would be the Top of the World Observatory Level and Museum located at the 28th at the World Trade Center at Baltimore. The building is shaped like a pentagon, so a five sided panoramic view of the city can be seen. The site also offers audio visual tours of the various points of interests, namely the harbor, the aquarium, Fells Point, Federal Hill and beyond. Binoculars are located, albeit for a charge, at different locations along the windows. The ticket costs a mere $5 and the location also includes a restaurant with a breath taking view, a gift shop and a museum.
Probably the most crowd pleasing attraction is The National Aquarium. The aquarium houses more than 10,500 specimens of at least 560 species.2 The aquarium is a must-see for all nature lovers. With live sharks and rays floating by and colossal sections of the biodiversity of life in Australia or the Amazon jungle or the Arctic Circle, this experience is both educational and awe-inspiring. For young and old alike, the dolphin show and the four dimensional theatre experience holds special charm.
Another point of interest would be the National Historic Seaport of Baltimore. This seaport has had its fare share of maritime exposure over the last three hundred years. It contains the USS Constellation which is the only vessel left from the civil war, Federal Hill, Fort McHenry and Fells Point, Knoll Lighthouse and many more, as points of interest.
The Maryland Science Center is also a popular spot. With exhibits on Physics, Astronomy and Biology, the Center also includes a 3D IMAX theatre. The theatre also holds other 3D movies from time to time.
Conversely if the aim is to sit back and relax while enjoying the sights, the best option would be to cruise along the Inner Harbor in one of the many cruises, the most popular being the Lady Baltimore, Bay Lady and Prince Charming. The cruises offer both local and international cuisines along with spectacular views. On special holidays, namely Christmas and the fourth of July, the ships are beautifully decked and offer more variation in terms of the entertainment provided.
On the other hand, if you happen to be a shopaholic, Harbor East is the place to go. Home to fine dining, hotels and the most expensive boutiques, this area includes Grille 700 and Victor's Café which are not to be missed. However, to get the feel of a small town, the Lexington Market should be visited. Located in downtown Baltimore, this 200 years market boasts of selling fresh produce by small vendors. The aroma, the colors and the noises make this market a very tourist attracting venue. The marketplace even has a stage where local events are held and depending on the time of the year, one can even see circus elephants on a stroll, or witness a crab race or enjoy an ice cream festival. However, if large crowds are to be avoided, it is advised to plan your visit accordingly.
