7 Things to Do in Baltimore

Here are 7 things to do in Baltimore, Maryland.

Baltimore, which has been in the media spotlight for a few not-so-great moments lately, might not immediately come to mind as a vacation destination. But the coastal city has plenty to offer, including a rich maritime and sports history, lively neighborhoods and plenty of delicious local dining spots.

1. Visit the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum

Baseball fans won’t want to miss the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum, where visitors can learn all about the life of Baltimore-born George Herman “Babe” Ruth, America’s first sports celebrity. To find it, just locate the Babe Ruth statue at Oriole Park and follow the 60 baseballs painted on the sidewalk. The museum, located on the street where Ruth was actually born, has several in depth exhibits about the famed player. Also just a short walk away is the Sports Legend Museum at Camden Yards, found in a remodeled former train station adjacent to the baseball park and featuring more exhibits highlighting Maryland’s sports history, from the Orioles to the Ravens and regional college athletics.

2. Set Sail with Urban Pirates

Whether you’re traveling with friends or family, the Urban Pirates cruises in Baltimore offer something for everyone. With little ones in tow, jump aboard a one-hour voyage around the Baltimore Inner Harbor on the 52-foot Fearless, where the kids will get to play pirate and feel like real members of the crew. From donning pirate costumes to manning water cannons, singing songs and playing games, it’s both educational and a total blast. Looking for something more… grown up? Urban Pirates also offers “Adult B.Y.O.G. Cruises,” aka booze cruises, in the evenings. Attendees dress up in full pirate attire, and the party is B.Y.OG. – Bring Your Own Grog. On board, just let loose and play along as a bad pirate circles the ship in a speed boat- passengers on board run to boat mounted canons to detour him. Limbo, conga lines and other games will have you cracking up on board, too.

 

3. Discover the Historic Ships in Baltimore

Baltimore is rich in nautical history, and visitors can have hands-on encounters with some of world’s most impressive military vessels at Historic Ships in Baltimore. The collection includes the US Sloop-of-War Constellation, the US Submarine Torsk, the US Coast Guard Cutter Tany and the Lightship Chesapeake, all on exhibit to offer visitors a peek into what life was like at sea from the mid-19th century to the mid-1980’s. Each ship has a fascinating background; for example, the US Sloop-of-War Constellation (1854-1955) spent three years cruising the Mediterranean, protecting American lives and property at Malaga, Spain during a Spanish revolution. The same ship later captured another vessel bearing 706 slaves, who were then freed, and then even later played a role in the Revolutionary War. After she was decommissioned, there were several failed efforts to preserve and store the Constellation until 1999, where she was repaired and returned to her permanent berth in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

4. Pick Crabs at LP Steamers

If there’s one thing you have to eat while in Maryland, it’s Blue Crab – and there’s no better place to do so than LP Steamers, widely considered one of Baltimore’s best places to dive in. Located in South Baltimore’s Locust Point, the family-owned restaurant serves seafood, specializing in hot, steamed crabs, all sourced from the local waters of the Chesapeake Bay. And if you’re a crab picking newbie, fear not – the friendly, laid-back staff are happy to show guests the best crab picking techniques passed down from Maryland generation to generation.

5. Have Drinks at Fell’s Point

Baltimore’s liveliest neighborhood, Fell’s Point, might be a tourist mecca but it’s also one of the most interesting and historic sections of the city. Located along the north shore of the Baltimore Harbor, Fell’s Point was once home to numerous boarding houses, brothels and bars. Today the bars remain – there are a total of 120 drinking establishments in the neighborhood, the largest concentration in the city – but the brothels have been replaced with restaurants, coffee shops, music stores, antique stores and a marketplace. Many of the residences and commercial buildings in Fell’s Point were constructed during the 1700‘s and 1800‘s, and the neighborhood was designated Maryland’s first National Historic District in 1969.

 

6. Eat at Famous Local Diner, Sip & Bite

Consistently voted one of Baltimore’s best restaurants, Sip & Bite is a 24-hour Canton restaurant that’s been satisfying the taste buds of locals and visitors since 1948. Once featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives,” third-generation, family-owned diner Sip & Bite serves Greek- and Maryland-inspired dishes. Some of the top-rated things to order include the Spanakopita Bites (fresh spinach & feta triangles baked in crispy phyllo dough), Authentic Greek Pita Souvlaki (Gryro) and the Famous Crab Cake Platter.

7. Attend an Orioles Game at Camden Yards

The Orioles are one of the most storied baseball teams, especially since Babe Ruth pitched for them before being sold to the Boston Red Sox. A visit to Baltimore wouldn’t be complete without attending a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, one of the most highly praised MLB stadiums. Located in downtown, the ballpark celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2012. While you’re there, try to spot the two orange seats that stand out among the park’s sea of green. One of them (Section 96, Row 7, Seat 23) commemorates the spot where Eddie Murray’s 500th home run landed, while the other (Section 86, Row F, Seat 10) was the landing spot for Carl Ripken’s 278th home run as a shortstop, breaking the record for the position.