Baltimore in 5 days

Inner Harbor charm, blue-collar food history and the birthplace of the national anthem on Chesapeake Bay. Best time to visit: April-October. Average daily budget: $120 to $240 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Inner Harbor, The tourist hub: National Aquarium, historic ships, Camden Yards and the waterfront promenade.

Morning: Walk the Inner Harbor promenade. The mile-long waterfront loop links the aquarium, historic ships, shops and the Power Plant building.

Afternoon: Explore Inner Harbor, The tourist hub: National Aquarium, historic ships, Camden Yards and the waterfront promenade.

Evening: Stroll Fells Point at night. Live music, waterfront bars and a rowhouse grid that feels like old Baltimore.

Eat: Maryland blue crabs with Old Bay at a waterfront crab house

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Fells Point, Cobblestone streets, pubs, boutique inns and the oldest continuously operating saloon in the US.

Morning: Visit Fort McHenry. The star-shaped fort that defended Baltimore in 1814 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write the anthem.

Afternoon: Explore Fells Point, Cobblestone streets, pubs, boutique inns and the oldest continuously operating saloon in the US.

Evening: Catch an Orioles game at Camden Yards. Still one of the most beautiful ballparks in the US, with the warehouse as a backdrop.

Eat: Crab cakes and cream of crab soup at Faidley's or a local institution

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Federal Hill, A steep park with the best harbor views, plus restaurants and bars on Cross Street.

Morning: Explore the National Aquarium. A top-tier aquarium with a living reef, dolphin pavilion and a rainforest exhibit.

Afternoon: Explore Federal Hill, A steep park with the best harbor views, plus restaurants and bars on Cross Street.

Evening: The American Visionary Art Museum, an outsider-art collection in a whimsical Federal Hill building.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Pit beef sandwich at a roadside stand in the suburbs

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Hampden, The quirky north-side neighbourhood known for 'Hon' culture, vintage shops and local restaurants.

Morning: Lexington Market for Faidley's crab cakes and the bustle of the oldest public market in America.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Hampden, The quirky north-side neighbourhood known for 'Hon' culture, vintage shops and local restaurants.

Evening: The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, tiny but essential for literary fans.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Berger cookies, the chocolate-frosted shortbread Baltimore icon

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Inner Harbor, The tourist hub: National Aquarium, historic ships, Camden Yards and the waterfront promenade.

Morning: Cylburn Arboretum, 200 acres of gardens and woodlands barely 15 minutes from downtown.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Inner Harbor, The tourist hub: National Aquarium, historic ships, Camden Yards and the waterfront promenade.

Evening: Dinner at Maryland blue crabs with Old Bay at a waterfront crab house, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Inner Harbor.

Eat: Maryland blue crabs with Old Bay at a waterfront crab house

Hidden gems

The American Visionary Art Museum, an outsider-art collection in a whimsical Federal Hill building.
Lexington Market for Faidley's crab cakes and the bustle of the oldest public market in America.
The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, tiny but essential for literary fans.
Cylburn Arboretum, 200 acres of gardens and woodlands barely 15 minutes from downtown.

Getting around

The Inner Harbor, Camden Yards and Fells Point are connected by the Charm City Circulator, a free downtown bus. For Federal Hill, Hampden or Fort McHenry, Uber or the local bus are easiest. MARC trains connect to DC and BWI Airport, and the Light RailLink runs to BWI as well. BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport is the main gateway, 25 minutes south.

Safety

The Inner Harbor, Fells Point, Federal Hill, Canton and Hampden are generally safe and busy, especially during the day. Some east and west Baltimore neighbourhoods have higher crime rates and should be avoided unless you know the area. Use rideshare at night, lock cars, and don't leave valuables visible in rentals. Summer humidity and afternoon thunderstorms are common.

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