Top 14 Things to Do in Baltimore

There's more to this city than the Orioles and Old Bay-seasoned crabs. From Little Italy to American Visionary Museum, see the attractions that reveal the many sides of Charm City.

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National Aquarium

Baltimore’s No. 1 tourist attraction? The world-famous National Aquarium, which sees over 1.6 visitors per year. With more than 16,000 creatures, the aquarium’s most popular attraction is Dolphin Discovery, where visitors can watch dolphin training, feeding and playing throughout the day.

Federal Hill

For the best view of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, head to the city’s historic and lively Federal Hill neighborhood. From antique shops to sports pubs, this area reflects the many sides of Charm City's quirky personality.

Walters Art Gallery

Once the private collection of a wealthy Baltimore tycoon and later his son, this collection of art spans 55 centuries, with works from around the world. Treasures include Egyptian mummy masks, Art Deco jewelry and 19th-century French Impressionist paintings.

American Visionary Museum

With Baltimore’s quirky and down-to-earth personality, it’s only fitting that you’ll find a museum here full of art by self-taught artists. Treasures include a life-size, interactive chess set of sculpted metal (made to resemble angels and demons) and an outdoor 55-foot-tall, colorful wind-powered sculpture, WhirliGig.

Inner Harbor

A major seaport hub since the 1700s, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is the center of the city’s tourism today: The National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center and numerous dining and shopping options can be found near the waterfront. For an affordable and fun way to see these sites from the water, take a water taxi, which runs year-round.

Fell’s Point

This lively waterfront neighborhood was once one of America's most important colonial seaports. Today, historic homes and cobblestone streets mix with rowdy nightlife and unique shops in what is the city’s densest collection of pubs, bars and restaurants.

Maryland Blue Crabs

So what’s a Baltimorean’s favorite pastime -- and most revered art form? Cracking the hard shells of Maryland blue crabs, of course! What might seem like a messy meal of crustaceans to some is nothing short of the best meal in town to locals. And don’t even think of forgetting the Old Bay, the signature seasoning on top of this Charm City delicacy.

Sport Legends Museum

Located in Camden Yards, this museum profiles Maryland’s prolific sports history. See artifacts and exhibits from Baltimore’s sports legends, from Babe Ruth to Cal Ripken. Babe Ruth’s Birthplace and Museum is just minutes away if you want to explore even more of the baseball hero’s life.

Domino Sugars Sign

You know you’re in Baltimore when you see the iconic 120-foot-tall Domino Sugars sign adorn the Inner Harbor skyline. The best time to see the sugar refinery landmark is at night, when its 650 tubes of neon light up Charm City’s skies.

Fort McHenry

This star-shaped brick fort is famous for its role in the War of 1812. The national monument, which staved off a British invasion, later inspired Francis Scott Key to pen a poem, “Defence of Fort McHenry” -- the words of which later served as the lyrics to his “Star-Spangled Banner.”

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

One of the first “retro revival” stadiums, Oriole Park at Camden Yards was built on a former railroad site in 1992. The Major League Baseball ballpark is only 2 blocks from the birthplace of baseball legend Babe Ruth.

Maryland Science Center

Located in the Inner Harbor, the Maryland Science Center has 3 floors of interactive and educational exhibits, as well as an IMAX theater and planetarium. No matter what your age, you’ll find something new to learn -- and amuse you -- on every visit.

Edgar Allan Poe Grave and Memorial

Nevermore, B’more, quoth the Raven. While this poet of the macabre has gone down in history as one of Baltimore’s most famous residents, sadly, one of his old haunts -- a site later known as the Baltimore Poe House and Museum -- closed its doors in 2012. But you can still leave a penny on the wordsmith’s grave, which has been tradition since the 1870s (when school children collected pennies to buy the poet a proper grave).

Little Italy

From outdoor movies to bocce tournaments, this charming neighborhood celebrates Italian culture big time. But what truly makes “Piccola Italia” worth a visit? The food, of course. You’ll find 30 restaurants here, from Vaccaro's Pastry Shop to Cafe Gia. Mangia!

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Baltimore

Top 14 Things to Do in Baltimore

Related To:

Shop This Look

National Aquarium

Federal Hill

Walters Art Gallery

American Visionary Museum

Inner Harbor

Fell’s Point

Maryland Blue Crabs

Sport Legends Museum

Domino Sugars Sign

Fort McHenry

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Maryland Science Center

Edgar Allan Poe Grave and Memorial

Little Italy