Baltimore
Baltimore City Overview
Baltimore is a proud city with locals who love their sports teams, food, and beer. The city center is nestled up against the Inner Harbor, home of most of the city’s main attractions, including Camden Yards. Nearby, the Little Italy and Fells Point neighborhoods beckon with numerous restaurants, shops, and bars.
It’s hard not to have fun in Baltimore. Even though the city has it’s problems, not unlike any large city, the area around Camden Yards is brimming with things to see and do. There’s a world class aquarium, and water taxis to shuttle you around the harbor or over to Fells Point. Just a few blocks away is the world renowned John Faidley Seafood stand inside the Lexington Market where you can enjoy the best crab cakes and soft shell crab sandwiches anywhere.
Baltimore is perfect for a baseball trip. Camden Yards is one of the best ballparks in major league baseball and the beer scene is thriving. Better yet, you’re less than an hour from Washington D.C. and not far from Philadelphia, so a trip to Baltimore is ideal if you want to see multiple games in several cities.
The Neighborhood – Camden Yards
Baltimore did it right. Camden Yards is located near the Inner Harbor, adjacent to the Ravens football stadium and Baltimore’s prime attractions. Get to the game early, hang out on the concourse and maybe catch a glimpse of former Oriole great Boog Powell slathering up a batch of BBQ ribs. Afterwards, you’re steps away from all sorts of nightlife options in the Inner Harbor, and numerous major hotels are within a few blocks.
The Ballpark
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is the prototype against which other stadiums are measured. The first of the retro style ballparks, Camden Yards is intimate, inviting, and appealing for baseball fans. If there’s a baseball fan who doesn’t like Camden Yards, we’ve yet to meet them.
More often than not, a healthy dose of opposition fans are attending the games. This isn’t a reflection on lack of support from Orioles fans, but more of a recognition of Camden Yards popularity.
Ballpark Tours
Definitely make the time to tour Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Tours are available pretty much every day during the baseball season. They cost $9, last about 90 minutes, and you’ll see everything behind the scenes and more. You can buy tickets in advance but for the most part, walking up is sufficient.
Historic Baseball Sites
A few short blocks away from Oriole Park at Camden Yards is the childhood home of Babe Ruth, now a museum to the famed slugger. All sorts of interesting Ruth and baseball memorabilia are contained within the small rowhouse. It’s well worth a visit for any baseball fan.
The former site of Memorial Stadium, home of the Orioles through 1991, is located on 33rd St. in north central Baltimore. There’s not much to see; a YMCA and senior apartment buildings now occupy the site.
Orioles Tickets
For many years after Oriole Park at Camden Yards opened, sellouts were commonplace. With the declining fortunes of the Orioles in recent years and fan frustration with ownership, attendance has dropped. Tickets for most games are availalbe, but it’s best to secure them in advance for games against the Yankees and Red Sox.
Baltimore Public Transportation
If you plan to basically stay around the Inner Harbor, Little Italy, and Fells Point, you really won’t need a car. Getting from one neighborhood to the other isn’t really walking distance, but it’s doable if you like to hike. Having said that, we got around just fine with the occasional short taxicab ride and by using the Inner Harbor Water Taxi to shuttle us back and forth to Fells Point. Downtown hotels to the Inner Harbor are just a few short blocks.
Bars, Taverns, and Restaurants
Baltimore is a foodie town, starting with their world famous crabs and oysters. The best place to start in Baltimore is John Faidley Seafood in the back of the famed Lexington Market located downtown. Wander in during the late morning and mingle among the many food vendors, then head to the back for lunch. Wash your crab cakes down with a can of National Bohemian beer, or “Natty Bo” as it’s affectionately called. It’s an experience anyone visiting Baltimore shouldn’t miss.
If you want to explore Baltimore’s beer scene, you won’t have to travel far. There are several top notch options in the immediate area, particularly in Fells Point, a 10 minute water taxi ride or 5 minute cab ride from the Inner Harbor. You’ll also find a thriving restaurant district in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood, just a few minutes uptown from the city center. Here are a few of our Baltimore faves:
DuClaw Brewing: DuClaw is a small chain of Maryland brewpubs, and their Fells Point location is their most picturesque. Soak up some rays on their outdoor patio and enjoy imaginative house brews and satisfying pub grub. 901 S. Bond St., Phone: 410-563-3400.
The Wharf Rat: There’s actually a Wharf Rat location adjacent to Camden Yards, but we prefer the Fells Point original. This brewpub is a Baltimore mainstay and in many ways is responsible for energizing Baltimore’s craft beer scene. Lively, fun, and a good place to stop during the day or at night. 206 W. Pratt St., Phone: 410-244-8900.
Brewers Art: Located in an old mansion in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood, Brewers Art is ground zero for Belgian beer in Baltimore. This moderate to upscale gastropub offers delicious food in a cozy setting. 1106 N. Charles St., Phone 410-547-9310.
Mahaffey’s Pub: Just east of the Fells Point neighborhood is the historic neighborhood of Canton, which has seen its ups and downs over the years but is now experiencing a rebirth. There are some real gems here, none more inviting than Mahaffey’s Pub. Taps rotate weekly, and you’ll find some wonderful under the radar beers from small eastern seaboard microbreweries. 2706 Dillon St., Phone: 410-276-9899.
Max’s Taphouse: Another Fells Point staple, Max’s has one of the largest beer lists on the East Coast. It’s Baltimore beer heaven! Need we say more? 737 S. Broadway, Phone: 410-675-6297.
Eat Bertha’s Mussels: Yup, that’s the name. Located across from Max’s, come here for steamed mussels, lively ambiance, and an excellent beer list. 734 S. Broadway, Phone 410-327-3795.
