Travel guide · United States
Baltimore travel guide
Harbour neighbourhoods, blue crabs and the fort that inspired the anthem
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Matthew Binebrink, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Baltimore grew as a port on the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay, and its waterfront still shapes a visit: the National Aquarium and historic warships at the Inner Harbor, the cobbled streets of Fells Point and the star-shaped Fort McHenry, whose defence in 1814 inspired 'The Star-Spangled Banner'. Away from the water, free museums such as the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters, the Washington Monument in Mount Vernon and quirky Hampden show the city's character. Summer means steamed blue crabs dusted with Old Bay, eaten with a mallet at paper-covered tables. Plan 3 days for a first visit; the best months are April–June and September–October.
Key facts
- Country
- United States
- Best time to visit
- April–June and September–October
- Ideal stay
- 3 days
- Main airports
- BWI
- Mid-range daily budget
- $200–$320 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Inner Harbor, Blue crabs, Old Bay and Fort McHenry
Why visit Baltimore
- The Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum are free, and the BMA holds one of the largest Matisse collections anywhere.
- Fort McHenry, where the 1814 bombardment inspired the national anthem, is reachable by water taxi from the Inner Harbor in season.
- Steamed blue crabs, crab cakes and cream of crab soup are at their best from late spring to autumn.
- Row-house neighbourhoods such as Fells Point, Federal Hill, Canton and Hampden each have their own bars, shops and waterfront or hilltop views.
- Washington, D.C., Annapolis and Gettysburg are all within about 90 minutes.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
Aquarium · Inner Harbor
National Aquarium
Spread over two piers on the Inner Harbor, the aquarium's exhibits include Blacktip Reef with sharks and a green sea turtle, a rooftop Upland Tropical Rain Forest under a glass pyramid, the Australia gallery with a waterfall and a large jellyfish gallery.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Historic site · Inner Harbor
Historic Ships in Baltimore
Four ships and a lighthouse form this floating museum: the USS Constellation, an 1854 sloop-of-war and the last all-sail warship built by the US Navy; the Second World War submarine USS Torsk; the Coast Guard cutter Taney, a survivor of Pearl Harbor; and the Lightship Chesapeake.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Iconic
Historic site · Locust Point
Fort McHenry National Monument
During the British bombardment of September 1814, the sight of the huge American flag still flying over this star-shaped fort inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that became the national anthem.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
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Museum · Charles Village
Baltimore Museum of Art
The BMA's free collection is centred on the Cone Collection assembled by sisters Claribel and Etta Cone, with hundreds of works by Henri Matisse alongside Picasso, Cézanne and Van Gogh.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Landmark · Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Opened in 1992, the Orioles' brick ballpark started the trend for retro-style stadiums across America.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Kids
- After dark
- Architecture
Gallery · Federal Hill
American Visionary Art Museum
This museum shows works by self-taught artists — farmers, mechanics, people with no formal training — in themed exhibitions that change regularly.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Where to stay
Inner Harbor is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers and families
Inner Harbor
Waterfront promenade with the aquarium, historic ships and big chain hotels
$$$$ · Best for luxury, couples and food lovers
Harbor East
Glassy new towers, upscale hotels and restaurants between the Inner Harbor and Fells Point
$$$ · Best for nightlife, couples, first-timers and food lovers
Fells Point
Belgian-block streets, 18th-century row houses and waterfront pubs
$$ · Best for nightlife, quiet stays and budget
Canton
Row houses, a waterfront park and pubs around O'Donnell Square
What to eat
- Steamed blue crabs — Chesapeake blue crabs are steamed whole with a heavy coat of Old Bay or similar spice, tipped onto paper-covered tables and picked by hand with a wooden mallet and knife.
- Crab cakes — Baltimore crab cakes are mostly jumbo lump crabmeat with as little filler as possible, broiled or fried and served with crackers or on a sandwich.
- Maryland crab soup and cream of crab — Two soups, often ordered as a half-and-half 'mix': Maryland crab soup is a spicy tomato and vegetable broth with crab, and cream of crab is a rich, sherry-laced bisque.
- Pit beef — Top round roasted over charcoal until crusty outside and rare inside, sliced thin and piled on a roll with raw onion and 'tiger sauce', a horseradish and mayonnaise sauce.
- Berger cookies — Soft vanilla cake-like cookies topped with a very thick layer of chocolate fudge icing, made in Baltimore to a recipe dating back to the 19th century.
- Lake trout — Despite the name, Baltimore's lake trout is usually fried whiting, served on white bread with hot sauce.
When to go
The best time to visit Baltimore is April to June and September to October, when temperatures are about 19–29°C and the waterfront, festivals and crab season are at their best. July and August are hot and humid but busy, while winter is cold and quiet with low hotel prices.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Blossom, baseball's return and mild weather, with crab season and outdoor dining picking up in May. |
| Summer | June–August | Hot, humid days with thunderstorms, crab feasts, waterfront festivals and Fourth of July fireworks. |
| Autumn | September–November | Pleasant September and October weather, heavy crabs, football and neighbourhood festivals. |
| Winter | December–February | Cold with occasional snow, holiday lights in Hampden and Mount Vernon, quiet museums and low prices. |
Getting there and around
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is about 15 km south of downtown. The Light RailLink runs from the terminal to Camden Yards and downtown in about 30 minutes. A free shuttle connects to BWI Rail Station for MARC and Amtrak trains to Penn Station. Taxis take about 20–25 minutes.
Central Baltimore's waterfront neighbourhoods are walkable and linked by water taxis, while the Maryland Transit Administration runs light rail, a subway line and buses. Rideshares fill the gaps between neighbourhoods.
Plan your days
Two days covers the Inner Harbor, the aquarium, Fort McHenry and an evening in Fells Point. A third day adds the free art museums in Mount Vernon and Charles Village, Hampden and a crab feast; add a day for Annapolis or D.C.
Practical information
- Currency
- USD
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Tipping
- Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, and 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Visitor areas such as the Inner Harbor, Fells Point and Mount Vernon are generally fine with normal precautions, but conditions can change from block to block, so stick to busy streets after dark and use rideshares for longer trips at night. Car break-ins happen; leave nothing visible in parked cars.
Flights to Baltimore
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Baltimore?
Two days covers the Inner Harbor, the aquarium, Fort McHenry and an evening in Fells Point. A third day adds the free art museums in Mount Vernon and Charles Village, Hampden and a crab feast; add a day for Annapolis or D.C. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Baltimore?
The best time to visit Baltimore is April to June and September to October, when temperatures are about 19–29°C and the waterfront, festivals and crab season are at their best. July and August are hot and humid but busy, while winter is cold and quiet with low hotel prices.
+What is Baltimore known for?
Inner Harbor, Blue crabs, Old Bay, Fort McHenry, Row houses, Orioles and Camden Yards and Edgar Allan Poe. The Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum are free, and the BMA holds one of the largest Matisse collections anywhere.
+Is Baltimore expensive?
Baltimore is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $200–$320 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Baltimore?
No for a city stay; water taxis, light rail, buses and rideshares cover the sights. A car helps for Annapolis, Gettysburg and the Eastern Shore.