Location: Baltimore
Top Things to do in Baltimore
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The 5 Best Traveler Resources in Baltimore, Maryland (MD)
Since the redevelopment of the Inner Harbor in the late 1970s, Baltimore has set the standard for urban renewal. While a good part of the city's action centers around the fun and festive Harbor area, where street entertainers, open-air concerts, fireworks and parades abound, the surrounding neighborhoods offer all sorts of interesting landmarks, unique shops and delicious restaurants. Wander around Fells Point, the oldest section of Baltimore, reminiscent of an old English village, complete with pubs and cobblestone streets. Take the kids to the aquarium and check out the imaginative creations at the American Visionary Art Museum. Or stop by the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum for an in-depth look at the Great Bambino's life. Baltimore is also renowned for its African-American heritage sites, plus festivals and cultural events that take place throughout the year. From historic places and harbor cruises to family friendly attractions and fabulous neighborhoods, Charm City is one of the top tourist destinations in the United States.
Restaurants in Baltimore
1. Enoch Pratt Free Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
This public library is one-block long.
Reviewed By anamariaf532 - Blantyre, Malawi
Beautiful building, wonderful library and collection. If you are a resident of Maryland you may become a member and enjoy borrowing books online.
2. Peabody Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 246 reviews
Reviewed By Room-in-my-suitcase - Ottawa, Canada
Because I'm a library lover, I couldn't pass up the chance to visit The Peabody Library in Baltimore.This library was bestowed on the people of Baltimore as a gift from philanthropist George Peabody.The Peabody is blessed with 300,000 volumes comprising the John Hopkins University special collection. Although the library is majestic and of monumental knowledge proportions, the current space also serves as popular event happening, backdrop for films and TV shows and is a real draw for destination and local weddings. The building itself is considered one top the most stunning libraries in North America, as the spot is an architectural wonder. Although the outside is impressive, the view inside blew me away. It is a 'Gilded Age' marvel, an absolute treasure that is as powerful as the knowledge contained within.The Peabody incorporates a dramatic Neo-Greco design and as I entered the grand reading room, my eyes were drawn to the 61 foot latticed atrium above the floor, dwarfing even a 1/2 dozen of the tallest NBA players stacked on top of each other. The library has a dramatic 'stack room' with 5 tiers of ornamental cast iron balconies with railings outfitted in ornate screens and brimming with books that appear to be soaring to the sky. The black and white marble floor is polished and shiny like a recently Zamboni-watered ice rink. The classical faux columns are Corinthian in design and embellished with gold leaf. The detailing is astonishing, from Greek decorative borders to various floral motifs in ironworks Housed within this gloriously cavernous facility, that was immensely appealing to the bookworm inside me, is a repository of information dating from the 18th century to the early 20th. Almost every subject is covered and although I had an urge to take a book back to the hotel, books can only be read inside the library. To accommodate this policy, many alcoves on the ground floor, each with a long worktable, become quiet reading places for visitors. The overall space feels welcoming and not of the 'do not touch me' vibe typical of museums and prestigious libraries and the furniture looks like sophisticated Ethan Allen. The combination of a church-like architectural profile and the remarkable collection of books, have prompted The Peabody to be dubbed the: 'Cathedral of Books'. On my way to the rare books room, up a few flight of stairs (you get a workout here), I noticed Ben Franklin titles (the face of the US $100 bill) not 1st editions. Then an irreplaceable treasure, a 1st edition of Charles Darwin's: On The Design Of The Species, still intact with its origin binding. I felt 'evolved' in the presence of this book and it sent a mildly alarming sensation through me that said to myself: this book deserves the continued TLC that it has already enjoyed. My spirits of Darwins Theory were enhanced with my recollection of the movie, 'Inherit The Wind' with Spencer Tracy and Fredrick March, who gave a resounding performance as an anti-Darwinian.The rare book room contained other prestigious book holdings. A book of hours (took so long to write) crafted by monks where the pages are vellum with wide margins, sides and bottom. Book of hours are unique works of art created for the glory of God, and monks who produced them were contemporaries of Gutenberg. Of particular interest to me was a book by Edward Maybridge titled: Animal Locomotion and was produced using the high tech Electro-Photograhic of the time. The printing is astonishing and pictures amazing by todays standards.....the modern-day celebrated photographer, Karch, would be proud. Horses in motions were his 1st subjects as he lined up camera's with trip wires and snapped photos of the trusty steads as they passed him. He did this to settle a bet, to see if, when a horse galloped, all 4 legs left the ground at the same time. They did. and he won bet. More book gems include: a 1617 edition of Don Quixote... and more...much more. Sparingly book thieves have hit The Peabody, but the library is more concerned about the publics lack of interest in visiting any library at all. It's the impact of the internet's global access to online info that negates the need to access the libraries repositories of knowledge. I, personally, find no life activity more pleasurable than picking up a book in a hands-on contact manner and devour the smarts inside. So, if you want to appeal to the bookworm inside of you as well as view an architectural gem of a library outfitted with a significant repository of knowledge........then try the.... Peabody Library....................Where Books Soar To The Sky.
3. Baltimore Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
The Baltimore Visitor Center is an open and welcoming, state-of-the-art space where visitors and residents may obtain information about Baltimore. A highly trained and professional staff and volunteers provide one-on-one personalized visitor information services, reservations, and ticketing services. Displays housing more than 200 brochures, visitor guides, and maps are available along with mobile device charging stations and glass display cases containing samples of works of art from city museums and galleries. LED touchscreens provide visitor information about attractions, museums, restaurants and lodging, including way finding and allow the user the ability to download information and directions to a smart phone or tablet. Regular Visitor Center Hours - Daily 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Closed Mondays during January & February, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day & New Year's Day). Special events may affect hours of operations.
Reviewed By ARodriguezP - Miami, United States
Located on the city's Inner Harbor the Baltimore Visitors Center should be every visitor's first stop when planning their time in Baltimore. We purchased Harbor passes there that provided good savings and multiple tickets to major local attractions that could be used during 4 consecutive days. There are useful maps and brochures of not only Baltimore but places throughout the state of Maryland. Special thanks to Mr. Hyph who works the counter there he not only sold us our Harbor passes but gave us great tips on how to make the best use of our time while visiting the city!
4. Convention Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 249 reviews
Baltimore's convention complex has abundant space for a variety of exhibits, seminars and trade shows.
Reviewed By karond601 - Fullerton, United States
The Center is conveniently located to the Inner Harbor with lots of shops and eateries. It is a close to a scenic walkway and the Baltimore's World Trade Center that has a fantastic 360 degree view of the City.
5. Fell's Point Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
