Things to do in Baltimore, MD

Baltimore is known for...

1. Seafood:

Steamed crabs and crab cakes are probably Baltimore’s greatest claim to fame and it’s not difficult to see “best crab cakes” written on just about every other menu in the city. And although there are viable contenders, there is no definitive bearer of that crown. The fun of it all is researching amongst the hundreds of restaurants that call Baltimore home and offer some of the finest seafood in the MidAtlantic region.

2. The Inner Harbor:

The relatively new and centrally located Inner Harbor is the nucleus for Baltimore tourism and a major landmark. Many of the city’s popular and larger hotels populate the Harbor along with award-winning restaurants and ethnic eateries. And although there are other excellent places to rest and refuel in smaller neighborhoods throughout the city, the Inner Harbor is a one-stop spot where it can all be done within walking distance. The Harbor and streets within its immediate vicinity are home to shopping, dinner cruises, nightlife, outdoor entertainment, museums, the National Aquarium, and other area attractions.  

3. John Hopkins:

On the academic landscape, Baltimore is best known for the esteemed Johns Hopkins University. With its collection of campuses and divisions sprinkled throughout the city, Hopkins is well-renowned for its academics and medical research. The institution’s presence adds educational distinction to the city.  Johns Hopkins Hospital is world renowned.   

4. Charm City:

Traditionally known for its blue-collar population, Baltimore has worked hard over the years to change its identity, and make its city ever more travel and tourist-friendly. A 1970s tourism campaign where Baltimore worked to rebrand itself was successful in coining the city “Charm City”. The city is still affectionately known as B-more for short, however, over the years the “Charm City” nickname did stick while its downtown area moved towards rebirth and revitalization.

5. Pop Culture / TV & Film:

Film directors and hometown boys Barry Levinson and John Waters consistently keep Baltimore on the screen.  A handful of Levinson’s most wholesome movies – Liberty Heights, Avalon, Tin Men, and Diner – were set in Charm City.  Quirky director Waters (who forever elevated the cultural status of beehive hairdos and cat glasses) featured the Hampden, Pigtown and Canton neighborhoods in his iconic film Hairspray.  He’s shot all his films in Baltimore, including Pink Flamingos, Polyester, Cry-Baby and Serial Mom.  The city’s darker side was featured in television hits such as NBC’s mid-late 90‘s police drama Homicide: Life on the Street; HBO’s 2000 miniseries The Corner; and the 2002-2008 drama The Wire, all based on the writings of former Baltimore Sun police reporter David Simon.  2007 musical film HairSpray depicted a 1962 segregated Baltimore wrought with the beehives and cat glasses of residents from the Hampden, Pigtown and Canton neighborhoods.