Baltimore: Where to go? What to do?

In My Humble Opinion
1

My boyfriend and I will be heading to Baltimore for a few days next week (arriving Monday, leaving Thursday). I was there once, for maybe three days, about five years ago - really only saw the aquarium. We’ll be staying in the Inner Harbor area and will not have access to a car.

Here’s what we’re thinking, in terms of activities. Have I missed something great? What about interesting restaurants (Sadly, we’re not into shellfish!)? We’re meeting a friend of his, but others’ POVs are always good to have.

Orioles - We’re attending a game on the 27th. Is the Sports Legends Museum worth visiting?

Aquarium - Should we get the “total package” tickets (aquarium admission + 4D Immersion Theatre + Dolphin Show), or is there no way we’re gonna get all that done without killing ourselves?

We’re contemplating either a boat tour of the Inner Harbor or a Duck tour. I’m leaning toward the Duck tour 'cause more of the city is covered for the same price. Opinions?

Also, I’m a lit geek and Poe fan; it’s the bicentennial of his birth, so there’s lots going on; anyone have specific recommendations? I’d like to visit the Annabel Lee Tavern; has anyone been there? On the arts front, his friend’s gonna show us some John Waters locations - I’d also like to see some Homicide: Life on the Street locations, but I don’t see any tours when I look online. Am I missing something?

Shoot! What else can I do from the afternoon of the 27th to the morning of the 30th? Where can I eat? What can’t I miss?

2

Well, there’s always The Block.

3

Heh. The block. Why am I surprised that it has its own wikipedia page?

Anyway, how much do you like aquariums? The last time I was down there, I was with a fairly large group of family and we did not have time for the dolphin show. We stopped and looked at a lot of things, though. If you go quick you can make the dolphin shows.

What sort of things are you and your bf into? I enjoyed going through the Constellation and the Torsk, and the B&O museum isn’t too far away. If you are into history there’s Fort McHenry. I assume you’ll be stopping by Poe’s house.

If you are into art (not the John Waters type) there’s the Walter’s Art Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Art.

Little Italy is well known for its Italian food.

There’s a lot of MADs (Mid Atlantic Dopers) in the area who might want to meet up at a restaurant or two for some mini dopefests.

4

The Duck Tour is better, IMO.

As you’re a Poe fan, you should make a point to check out his grave.

5

The whole aquarium experience can kill a whole day. It’s fun, but exhausting.

All great choices. The Constellation and Torsk are lots of fun.
The B&O Museum is good, if you’re into trains.
In addition to The BMA and The Walters, there’s the American Visionary Art Museum. It’s not too far from the Inner Harbor.

6

To answer all the questions/comments thusfar:

I’m not sure we’re interested in The Block - maybe next time. :wink:

We are, though, interested in the basic aquarium exhibits; I’m thinking we might just skip the bells & whistles since we’re heading to the Orlando area in February anyway - Sea World has dolphin shows, I’m sure.

He might well be interested in seeing the ships, and I’d like to see them from the outside, but I can’t go inside - I use a manual wheelchair. I should have mentioned that at the outset, but I didn’t think of it. I suppose Fort McHenry and Poe’s residence are also somewhat (if not completely) inaccessible - I’ll be looking that up. Even if I can’t get inside the Poe residence, I’d like to stop by - same with the cemetery.

As for what we enjoy: We’re both fans of live music - generally guitar-driven, but not necessarily so. Are there clubs that offer live music that come recommended? We also dig getting a feel for locales, as much as tourists can - wandering, people-watching. We quite enjoyed Boston’s Little Italy when we visited last summer - I suspect we’ll also check out Baltimore’s. Veniero’s is good for pastry, right?

There’s also some kind of observation tower, right?

Here’s a question: I’ve heard there’s been an uptick in crime in recent months. Is this so? Do we need to be more than generally pragmatic at night? I mean, Manhattan has a reputation for being unsafe, but it’s fine if you know where to go and how to behave. I imagine Baltimore is much the same?

7

You will be able to see Poe’s grave - it’s right inside the gate. I’m pretty sure Fort McHenry is accessible, but I know the two ships are not. Sorry.

There’s an observation deck in the Trade Center building, right by the aquarium, but I don’t know if it’s still open.

Sadly, yes, there has been an upswing in crime in some areas. If you get too far beyond the Inner Harbor, it gets pretty bad pretty quick. Stay in well-lighted areas, and keep your valuables close. Just be aware of your surroundings.

8

Just looked up the Constellation; turns out I can get on it, so that’s a plus & a possibility.

9

I guess I was wrong - I thought it was not wheelchair accessible. My mistake.
Go and do that one; it’s fun.

10

I know you won’t be there on the weekend, but for others reading this thread, may I suggest The Book Thing? It’s a free bookstore that’s awesome.

11

The Maryland Science Center is right on the harbor, too. It’s a very nice museum, with a relatively new dinosaur hall.

Also, its IMAX theater will be showing the IMAX 3D version of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince starting on Wednesday, 7/29. Apparently, tickets are still available.

12

Are you a fan of The Wire?

13

a few restaurant recommendations:

Brewers Art

Flemings Steak House

babalu grill

and if you just want to walk around a bit and get a drink or bit to eat, you can’t beat Fells Point for food and drinks. There’s a nice wine bar Vino there that I really like.

14

I lack HBO, so I’ve never seen The Wire. That said, I loved Homicide, so maybe we’ll take the tour first and then start renting The Wire. Ass-backwards, but what the hell?

15

I’m interested in Fells Point, yeah - we’ll see if we can’t check those restaurants out. Thanks

16

When you go to Fells Point, go all the way down to the water, at the intersection of Thames Street and Broadway, and you’ll see the building that served as the police headquarters in Homicide: City Recreation Pier.

Go a block east on Thames Street to John Steven Ltd., a pleasant and unpretentious neighborhood bar. There’s no shortage of bars in Fells Point, but on my last trip to the neighborhood a month or two ago, my friend and I had a pleasant time here. Not too noisy.

I can second the recommendation for Brewer’s Art, but I’m not sure it’s accessible. The entrance and main restaurant are one flight above ground level. There may be an elevator from a ground floor entrance, but I didn’t notice it.

If you want a taste of the “real” Bawlamer of John Waters, you must go to Cafe Hon. Complete with pink flamingos and beehive hairdos. It’s a little off the beaten track, and you’ll probably have to take a cab to get there, but it’s worth the effort. Be sure to have a Natty Bo.

17

I’ll definitely try to get over to Fells Point to see that stuff! As regards Cafe Hon, his local friend said she’s gonna take us there and guide us around the neighborhood. Natty Bo’s a beer, yes?

18

Yes! Well done.

19

I’m dragging this thread back up top again because we got home last night. We had a great time!

We arrived in Baltimore at about 1:30 - 2:00 PM & headed right for our hotel (Days Inn Inner Harbor). Our room wasn’t ready, but we left our bags & went to the bar/restaurant around the corner (I think it was once called the Wharf Rat and is now…I forget. It’s bright blue, though.). Good food, good beer.

That night we went with his local friend to an Orioles game - it’s a really nice park, from what I can tell. It seems like almost every seat there would be at least decent - ours were.

The next couple of days were filled with walking. We walked to breakfast (usually Panera), to the Inner Harbor (Harborplace, Power Plant, etc.). We hit the Aquarium, walked around the harbor to within spitting distance of Federal Hill, visited the Natty Boh store (got t-shirts), Jimmy’s Restaurant, & Sound Garden in Fells Point (took photos of the Homicide building). We took a trip up to the observation deck of the World Trade Center & looked around. We even took a Duck Tour (quacktastic!).

One evening, my boyfriend’s friend took us out for the grand tour. We:

Hunted for John Waters’ home (may’ve found it - inconclusive)

Had dinner at Cafe Hon (I was only “hon’d” once, and at a crab paraphenalia store in the Harbor!)

Had dessert at Papermoon Diner (how trippy!)

Took pics of the winking, neon Natty Boh logo at the top of the former brewery

Drove down The Block

Took pics of the outside of Charm City Cakes

We also got pics of the Bromo-Seltzer Tower (of course, we forgot to get nighttime pics) and of the billboard for some local jeweler whereon Mr. Boh is seen proposing to the Utz girl.

Of course, we didn’t get to do everything we would’ve liked to - there’re only so many hours in a day. The American Visionary Art Museum, Fort McHenry, the Constellation & the Science Center are all on our list for a future visit.

Regarding crime/lack thereof: We never felt unsafe, but also never ventured past the parameters that his local friend suggested we stay within.

All in all, it was a good trip & I thank everyone who made suggestions! I’m going to bookmark this thread in case we head back there or know people who will be.

ETA: And yes, we did have some Natty Boh - pretty good! We tried to find some to take home, but were unsuccessful. Is it illegal to sell beer in 7-11 in MD?

20

That would be Smyth Jewelers, out in the 'burbs. I worked there about a milion years ago.

Yes. Liquor of any kind (beer, scotch, wine, etc.) is only sold in liquor stores. No easy pick up of a bottle of wine at the grocery store for us! You gotta make a separate stop for your boozes.

It’s nice to hear you had a good time. I’d make sure you get to the Visionary Museum and the Science Center next time. They’re well worth it, but yeah, they can take all day.