Just about a 3-hour drive from Charlottesville, or an hour from DC, sits Baltimore, the “Charm City”, situated right on the Chesapeake Bay. We made Baltimore part of our extended weekend in DC and spent half a day here wandering around. After checking out some touristy spots we were happy to not spend the night as the city just seems dirty and run down. With our research of Baltimore, it didn’t have a lot of fun things to offer us during our short-term exploration either. There are better places to visit in our minds, but we were happy to get a brief snapshot of the city.
Fort McHenry
One of the coolest historical places to check out near Baltimore is Fort McHenry. This park is located just south of downtown and is well worth the trip. Fort McHenry was the last stronghold on the Chesapeake Bay the British navy hadn’t rolled through in the War of 1812. The British navy ended up retreating after unsuccessfully bombarding the fort, which gave rise to the “Star Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key. The park is free to roam around unless you want to enter into the fort for a small fee. They have an awesome video that plays repeatedly in the visitor center that provides you with the historical background of this area.
Fort McHenry
The orignial Star-Spangled Banner poem!
Be sure to watch the information video in the Visitor Center!
Fort McHenry
The orignial Star-Spangled Banner poem!
Be sure to watch the information video in the Visitor Center!
The Washington Monument
This monument was the first George Washington monument to ever be built! It has some good height to it but is dwarfed by the large downtown skyscrapers now. You can climb up its 276 stairs to the top to grab a view of the surrounding area for $6. We enjoyed using the touch screen computers in the base of the Washington Monument to learn more about it.
The Washington Monument
You can climb the 276 steps to the top for $6.
The Washington Monument
You can climb the 276 steps to the top for $6.
Power Plant Live!
What appears to be the start of the city’s revitalization efforts for downtown, Power Plant Live is an area that takes shape through run down old buildings turned bars, restaurants, and outdoor patios. Unfortunately, we arrived at a time when it was not buzzing with people around 11:00 am, but we could see a weekend summer night here being very fun.
A cool way to repurpose an old power plant.
A cool way to repurpose an old power plant.
Inner Harbor
Where all the people go! We finally found them! Honestly, we think all tourists go here. The rest of the city was dead and pretty run down. Inner Harbor is where you will find the big, high end food chains, such as Hard Rock Cafe and Dick’s Last Resort, located in old abandoned power plants. The National Aquarium is also located here, which looked really cool and we would’ve gone in if we had more time.
Inner Harbor
Where all the tourists hang out!
They’ve preserved some cool, old buildings.
Inner Harbor
Where all the tourists hang out!
They’ve preserved some cool, old buildings.
World Trade Center
Baltimore has a World Trade Center right in the Inner Harbor area that has an observation floor near the top that you can visit for $6. This is a much better deal than the Washington Monument because you can see so much more! You are above all the other downtown skyscrapers and get a 360-degree view of the city and the bay. They also have a 9/11 memorial up there which is in remembrance of the people from Maryland who lost their lives.
View of the Inner Harbor from the top of the World Trade Center.
Fed Hill
9/11 Memorial
View of the Inner Harbor from the top of the World Trade Center.
Fed Hill
9/11 Memorial
Papi’s Tacos
One of our Lyft drivers in DC actually recommended this restaurant to us for lunch! She was from Baltimore and was trying to think of a quick but tasty option for us. Insert Papi’s Tacos– a tiny street taco joint where you can create your own little tacos for a great price! If you’re feeling hungry, we suggest you order 4-6 of them.
Papi’s Taco Joint
Create-your-own tacos with tasty margs to accompany them!
Papi’s Taco Joint
Create-your-own tacos with tasty margs to accompany them!
Union Collective
A little drive north of downtown sits this renovated warehouse packed with a brewery, distillery, and an ice cream shop among others. We stopped by the Union Brewery first, which has a great outdoor patio to pair with their spacious sitting areas inside. They have some solid beers and actually serve their flights of three on coasters that you fill out yourself. Following the brewery, it was time to head for our next adventure, but before that, we made our last stop at the Charmery. One of your standard, modern ice cream shops that utilizes fresh and local ingredients to make all the difference. And it always works. Their cream is marvelous, and they even give you a temperature color-changing spoon to devour every last bit.
Union Collective
Union Brewery
The Charmery
Union Collective
Union Brewery
The Charmery
While Baltimore was not one of our favorite places, it still has a lot going on. I’m sure someone who has lived here a long time could point you toward much cooler experiences than what we accomplished in just one morning, but this list gives an idea for where to start. If we make it back, we would definitely visit Oriole Park at Camden Yards, as it looked like a great ballpark to check off the list.