# Baltimore - what to do for a day there? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 23, 2013, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290 "2013-07-23T11:02:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/1 "2013-07-23T11:02:12Z")
I’ll be spending a day in Baltimore soon with the family. Since none of us have been there before I hereby solicit advice on what to see/what to do. We’ll have no children with us, but I wouldn’t automatically rule out family-oriented stuff. I’d like some indoor Plan Bs lest the weather not cooperate. I know the riverfront is supposed to be nice. And crab cakes. That’s the extent of my Baltimore knowledge (aside from what I’ve seen on The Wire :D). Thanks! mmm ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/2 "2013-07-23T11:14:10Z")
The National Aquarium, which is at the Inner Harbor, is worth the time and money. Across the harbor from it is Fort McHenry, from which Baltimore was defended during the War of 1812. For food, Little Italy is a few blocks east of the Inner Harbor, Bertha’s in Fells Point(a mile or so east of the harbor) has great mussels and other seafood, while Obrycki’s in the same area has great crab cakes. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/3 "2013-07-23T11:56:24Z")
Go to the Inner Harbor and walk around. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/4 "2013-07-23T11:58:08Z")
There is, incidentally, no area called “the riverfront” in Baltimore. ---
**Author:** ![howye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@howye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/howye)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/5 "2013-07-23T12:04:28Z")
The Inner Harbor has more than enough to occupy you for a day. The National Aquarium is worth the trip alone. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/6 "2013-07-23T12:35:58Z")
You can tour the _Constellation_ if you are into history and/or sailing ships [http://www.historicships.org/plan\_visit.html](http://www.historicships.org/plan_visit.html) ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/7 "2013-07-23T13:19:59Z")
Camden Yards is a short walk from the harbor if you like baseball and the Orioles are playing while you’re there. If it’s a nice day, you can get an all-day ticket for the Water Taxi, which stops at a lot of the places suggested (Harborplace, Aquarium, Fort McHenry, Fell’s Point). It can be a nice way to get to a few places without worrying about driving or parking. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/8 "2013-07-23T13:25:05Z")
I went to Baltimore…two years ago? We went to the Inner Harbor. Anyway I had a wonderful time. We went on a water taxi; the weather was just beautiful. We hit the aquarium and had tapas overlooking the water. It was the most romantic, nice evening we had in a long time. Just don’t stray too far from the docks. You walk, like six-eight blocks inland and you are suddenly in a horribly seedy area. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/9 "2013-07-23T13:30:18Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Just don’t stray too far from the docks. You walk, like six-eight blocks inland and you are suddenly in a horribly seedy area. 🙂 I agree. The Inner Harbour is very nice and safe (security all over the place) but beyond that it gets sketchy. I highly recommend the Inner Harbour and the National Aquarium. The Hard Rock Cafe is right across from it and there are a couple of nice little touristy malls, with Camden Yards just a few blocks away. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/10 "2013-07-23T14:40:22Z")
The good thing about Baltimore is that crab cakes and the inner harbor are all you need to know. ---
**Author:** ![lawbuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@lawbuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawbuff)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/11 "2013-07-23T14:44:31Z")
Edgar Allan Poe is buried there; > **[Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) - Find a Grave...](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/822/edgar-allan-poe)** > > Author, Poet. Most remembered for his influence on other writers and poets through his imaginative use of literary style and for his near flawless use of rhythm and sound in his poetry. He is considered the father of the modern detective story and... Harriet Lane is also buried in Baltimore; > **[Harriet Rebecca Lane Johnston (1830-1903) - Find...](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6460751/harriet-rebecca-johnston)** > > Acting White House Hostess. The favorite niece of 15th United States President James Buchanan, she was hostess for her bachelor uncle during his term on the White House from 1857 to 1861. After her parents died her uncle took her into his home and... Saw Poe’s but not hers. His home while in BM is not open for tours now according to one site, not until OCT., but nice to drive by. When I was there it was off season, but walked around it. > **[Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Allan_Poe_House_and_Museum)** > > The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, located at 203 North Amity St. in Baltimore, Maryland, is the former home of American writer Edgar Allan Poe in the 1830s. The small unassuming structure, which was opened as a writer's house museum in 1949, is a typical row home. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1972. > Due to a loss of funding by the city of Baltimore, the Museum closed to the public in October 2012. Poe Baltimore, the Museum's new governing body, reopened the museum to the ... I also toured Fort McHenry, now that was cool. BM was also the Capital of the U.S. once, meaning the Second Continental Congress met there. What still stands from that time I di not look. Oh, John Wilkes Booth is buried in BM, but had no desire to visit. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/12 "2013-07-23T14:50:05Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > Go to the Inner Harbor and walk around. Exactly. In addition to the National Aquarium, there’s also the Maryland Science Center, and the Maritime Museum ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/13 "2013-07-23T14:54:56Z")
Don’t forget the Walters Museum and the American Visionary Arts Museum (_highly_ recommended). ---
**Author:** ![cormac262](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@cormac262](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cormac262)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/14 "2013-07-23T14:59:13Z")
Agree on the inner harbor and the aquarium. Right next to Camden Yards is a museum called Geppi’s. The best way to describe it is: “all the cool stuff you would collect if you had the money and space”: - amazing comic book collection (including Action #1, ECs, etc.) - collectible toys and stuff you got from cereal boxes for over 100 years - original movie posters (some huge ones) - tons more ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/15 "2013-07-23T15:20:14Z")
Stay away from blue lights that you see intermittently dispersed along the streets. They’re supposed to be safe lights but a disproportionate amount of crime happens around them. Inner Harbor is the way to go but it’s also super-touristy. It’s also connected to Fell’s Point and Fed Hill where lots of bars and restaurants are harborside, or at least harbor-adjacent. Those two neighborhoods are less touristy and more yuppie. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/16 "2013-07-23T15:28:02Z")
The all-day water taxi suggestion is a great one. The view of the harbor and city is excellent from Federal Hill. If you decide to go to the Walters Art Museum, which is definitely worthwhile, allow some time to step into [the George Peabody Library](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Peabody_Library), which is one of the most beautiful rooms I have ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/17 "2013-07-23T15:33:35Z")
> [@puddleglum](#): > > The good thing about Baltimore is that crab cakes and the inner harbor are all you need to know. You can crab cakes and steamed crabs all over the place. That makes it worth the visit even if you do nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/18 "2013-07-23T16:26:08Z")
Wander around the Johns Hopkins Homewood campus and see it without all the annoying pre-meds around. Hopefully a few folks will be tossing a lacrosse ball back and forth on the lawn. Visit Johns Hopkins Hospital for all your emergency healthcare needs. It’s rated as the Nation’s Best Hospital 23 years out of 24 or somesuch (just regained #1 status again this year.) Eat crabs. Eat crabcakes. Try the mussels and oysters. (I miss Bawlamer, where I cut the grass with a paramour, and ate it litlitlee.) ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/19 "2013-07-23T16:38:07Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Wander around the Johns Hopkins Homewood campus and see it without all the annoying pre-meds around. Hopefully a few folks will be tossing a lacrosse ball back and forth on the lawn. > > Visit Johns Hopkins Hospital for all your emergency healthcare needs. It’s rated as the Nation’s Best Hospital 23 years out of 24 or somesuch (just regained #1 status again this year.) You are so funny and so cute. I should visit a college/hospital campus on my vacation? Hee. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290/20 "2013-07-23T16:46:16Z")
> [@Enginerd](#): > > Camden Yards is a short walk from the harbor if you like baseball and the Orioles are playing while you’re there. There’s also the Babe Ruth Museum a couple blocks from there. At night you can check out [Power Plant Live](http://www.powerplantlive.com), a grouping of bars, restaurants, and clubs a few blocks from the Inner Harbor. And yeah, don’t wander too far; once you’re outside of the downtown area, it gets really sketchy really quickly. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baltimore-what-to-do-for-a-day-there/664290.md?page=2)