48 hours in Baltimore
Food-focused neighbourhoods, quirky art museums and an indie shopping scene give this Maryland city cool credentials. Here's what you shouldn't miss on a long weekend in Baltimore.
Baltimore is making a name for itself as the hippest city in the USA's Capital Region, which consists of Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC. And there's plenty to keep you busy on a short break.
From trying the famous local crab and gorging on monster breakfasts to catching a baseball game and immersing yourself in the many art galleries, we reveal what to do with 48 hours in Charm City.
Chansak Joe/Shutterstock
Friday
Check into: Canopy by Hilton Baltimore Harbor Point Hotel. This new high-rise complex overlooking the Patapsco River is an ideal base for a weekend of exploring Baltimore and its bounty of culture.
With super comfortable beds, ergonomic workspaces and floor-to-ceiling windows offering epic waterside views, the hotel places you a 10-minute walk from the buzzy Fells Point neighbourhood and a short walk from Maritime Park for easy local ferry connections.
Canopy by Hilton Baltimore Harbor Point/Facebook
Have dinner at: Cindy Lou’s Fish House. Southern food is on the menu at the hotel’s on-site waterfront restaurant, the brainchild of renowned duo Tony Foreman and chef Cindy Wolf – think fried chicken, barbecue pork, Virginia ham, and then some. Spend those warm summer evenings on the patio with a cocktail in hand and that striking red Domino Sugars refinery sign in your sights.
READ MORE: Explore Pittsburgh – top things to do, where to stay and what to eat
Go for drinks at: Max’s Taphouse. Aptly dubbed the Land of Beer, this craft haven has a 1,600-strong collection of beer bottles and cans, plus more than 100 brews on draft. There’s no better place in Fells Point to sink a few jars than at this cornerside pub which, by the way, also smokes its own meats in-house. Tip: try the celebrated Baltimore beer National Bohemian (known as Natty Boh to the locals).
Saturday
Have breakfast at: Blue Moon Cafe. This breakfast spot is known for its eccentric plates and huge servings, and is famous all over Baltimore for its hash browns and French toast. The rock and roll vibe is another draw, with bright paitings of musical icons on the wall. It’s worth waiting in the inevitable queue for a seat – arrive hungry and order the Captain Crunch French Toast.
Go independent shopping in: Fells Point. This historic part of Baltimore is one of the city’s best spots for indie retail. From its regular farmers' markets to clothing shops, record stores and more, you should make time to peruse the offerings along its cobbled streets. Check out E.C. Pops to shop for quirky Maryland gifts and The Sound Garden to discover your next favourite band.
Get arty at: Baltimore Museum of Art. Home to more than 1,000 pieces by Matisse among a collection of almost 100,000 objects, this museum is a must-visit for art lovers. There’s a sculpture garden, an excellent shop and a café too, and what’s more, entry is completely free (special exhibitions may be ticketed).
Jon Bilous/Shutterstock
Go for lunch at: R. House. Located in the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Remington, R. House is your one-stop streetfood hotspot while in the city. Spaces are offered to local chefs as concept incubators to try new dishes out, with all income generated staying in the local community. Swing by indie bookstore Greedy Reads on your way out.
Take a hike in: Druid Hill Park. Just a short walk from R. House is Baltimore’s oldest and largest green space and one of the USA’s very first large public parks; it’s just two years younger than New York City’s Central Park. Here you’ll find a wealth of things to see and do, including botanical gardens and a roughly mile-long walking and cycling trail that loops around a reservoir with fine city views.
Jon Bilous/Shutterstock
Catch a baseball match at: Oriole Park at Camden Yards. It’s a Baltimore tradition to catch the Orioles in a Major League Baseball game; a visit to their stadium is one of the city’s top attractions and their most famous player Babe Ruth is immortalised in a nearby museum.
You didn’t think we’d skipped dinner, did you? It’s a baseball staple to grab a hot dog, but keep an eye out for that Maryland crab in various forms too, including crab cake egg rolls and crabby fries.
Sunday
Start your day at: Miss Shirley’s Cafe. As seen on *many* US food television programmes, this diner-café is one of the Inner Harbor’s most popular brunch spots. Arrive before 9am as it’s not unheard of to have at least 50 people waiting outside from then onwards. Try the pancakes and then the breakfast shrimp and grits.
m01229/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
Lose yourself in: the American Visionary Art Museum. Founded by Rebecca Alban Hoffberger, the AVAM specialises in art from intuitive, self-taught and unassuming artists who would perhaps otherwise be overlooked. It features everything from intricate woodwork carvings to matchstick sculptures and interactive robots. AVAM houses quite possibly the quirkiest gift shop you’ll find too.
American Visionary Art Museum/Facebook
Enjoy dinner with a view at: Topside. End your Baltimorean weekend with dinner at the top-rated Topside, which offers a seafood-heavy menu and themed cocktails to go with its superb views overlooking the Mount Vernon district. Definitely order the scallop pasta, and you should probably order the passion fruit panna cotta too. Tip: check the sunset time and book a table for then. You won’t regret it.
READ MORE: 10 tips to make your dollars go further in the US
Lead image: Kevin Ruck/Shutterstock
Comments
Be the first to comment
Do you want to comment on this article? You need to be signed in for this feature