Inside the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. Photo © Vox Efx, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
For centuries, Baltimore has welcomed visitors from all over the globe. In the early 1900s, Baltimore followed Ellis Island as the second largest port for immigrants in the country. Today the city is still a working town with a busy harbor, but its bustling streets also offer museums, festivals, monuments, and a wide selection of restaurants. Two days is time enough to experience the flavor of Baltimore and to take in some of the main sights. Baltimore can be explored as a side trip from Washington DC or Annapolis.Start in the popular Inner Harbor, where you can get around on foot and visit the National Aquarium and the Historic Ships collection. Choose one of the restaurants in the busy harbor area for lunch before driving or taking the water taxi to the Fort McHenry National Monument, where Baltimore fended off a British attack during the War of 1812 and Francis Scott Key penned the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Jump back on the water taxi or drive over to Fell’s Point for exploration of its charming waterfront streets before having dinner at the Red Star Bar and Grill. End your evening at the cozy Cat’s Eye Pub for some blues, jazz, or folk music, and then turn in for the night at the Inn at Hendersons Wharf.
Start your day with breakfast at the popular Blue Moon Café. After breakfast, drive or take a cab to Mount Vernon and visit the Walters Art Museum, then climb the 228 stairs of the Washington Monument for a great view of the city. Grab some pizza at Joe Squared, then continue your cultural tour at the Baltimore Museum of Art in Homewood. Have dinner at Woodberry Kitchen just west of Hampden and finish in time to take in a performance at Centerstage in Mount Vernon. Finish up your two-day tour with a drink and a wonderful view of the city at the classy 13th Floor in the historic Belvedere Hotel building.
Excerpted from the First Edition of Moon Virginia & Maryland.
