Location: Baltimore
Top Things to do in Baltimore
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Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day 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. The Walters Art Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,445 reviews
The Walters Art Museum is a cultural hub in the heart of Baltimore. Located in the city’s Mount Vernon neighborhood, the Walters is free for all. The museum’s collection spans more than seven millennia, from 5,000 BCE to the 21st century, and encompasses 36,000 objects from around the world. Walking through the museum’s historic buildings, visitors encounter a stunning panorama of thousands of years of art, from romantic 19th-century images of French gardens to mesmerizing Ethiopian icons, richly illuminated Qur’ans and Gospel books, ancient Roman sarcophagi, and serene images of the Buddha. The Walters' mission has been to bring art and people together and to create a place where people of every background can be touched by art. Admission to the museum and special exhibitions is always free.
Reviewed By davisellu
My most recent trip here was to the Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School exhibit. It was great-- informative, interactive, and you could get so close to the many items on display. I love the medieval items and many other parts of the collection as well. The museum is free (but I encourage you to become a member to support the work going on here!) and just a few blocks north of the main downtown part of Baltimore. The main building is lovely and the overall floor plan twists around a bit. The gift shop and cafe are worth checking out-- some nice things in the first, and just enjoying the pretty room and ambiance in the second.
2. Evergreen Museum & Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 51 reviews
On the National Register of Historic Places, this mansion is a magnificent Italianate structure surrounded by twenty-six wooded acres and scenic formal gardens.
Reviewed By lpMaggi713 - Baltimore, United States
We were delighted to be able to take a tour of the Evergreen House with Baltimore Heritage. We had not been in the house for years. The house was decorated for Christmas and was just stunning. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures inside of the house, which was a huge disappointment. You know what they say: a picture is worth a thousand words. Our guide was Teresa, and she really made the house come alive. She was extremely knowledgeable not only about the history of the Garrett family and the house, but also of the artwork and furnishings inside. The house is set on 26 landscaped acres. Originally, the house had only 12 rooms and later expanded to 48 rooms including a theater. . The two generations of Garretts who lived in this house until 1952 were the consummate collectors. The house is filled with over 50,000 pieces of their extraordinary and eclectic things. You will enjoy seeing and hearing about each and every room. You can tour the house with a guide on Tuesday thru Friday from 11 am to 4 pm; Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 pm. Tours begin every hour, with the last tour at 3 pm. Regular admission is $8 Adults, $7 Seniors (65+), $5 Students (with ID); Youth (6-17), and Johns Hopkins Alumni and Retirees; FREE for Members; Johns Hopkins faculty, staff and students (with ID); Children (5 and under). The property is owned by The Johns Hopkins University. If you have never visited Evergreen, you should. It is certainly one of the hidden treasures of Baltimore.
3. Sagamore Spirit Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 854 reviews
Committed to putting Maryland back on the map as the premier distiller of Rye Whiskey. Sagamore Spirit's award-winning Straight Rye Whiskey is cut to proof with unique spring-fed water from Sagamore Farm. We are currently open for whiskey tastings and other guided experiences. Visit SagamoreSpirit.com to book your experience today. We also have curbside pickup for those shopping our online store!
Reviewed By viclaureano - Worcester, United States
Great tour guide, extremely clean facility, fun, informative, pleasantly short, and a great tasting at end.
4. National Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,050 reviews
Considered one of the world's best aquariums, the National Aquarium's mission is to inspire conservation of the world's aquatic treasures. It champions environmental initiatives by engaging with visitors, volunteers, education groups and schools to actively participate in the preservation of the world's natural resources and living systems. The National Aquarium delivers meaningful experiences through its living collection of more than 20,000 animals from more than 800 species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, marine mammals and sharks, as well as through exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences like sleepovers and tours, science-based education programs and hands-on experiences in the field.
Reviewed By marleneb140 - Canton, United States
This wonderful aquarium contains a myriad of sea creatures along with a tropical rainforest and Australian exhibit. Although the building is quite large, it is easy to get around and there is plenty of room for viewing the displays. There were several school groups going through during my visit and some students were outside looking at items brought out by the aquarium workers. One worker also brought a milk snake into a lobby area and explained its behaviors. There are many displays to show ways of saving the oceans from litter and damage to the environment. Very educational and informative ! There is a wonderful cafe on the premises as well.
5. Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 389 reviews
The city's native son, the Great Bambino, is celebrated in the house he was born in, now a museum stocked with memorabilia like the catcher's mitt he used while learning baseball, the bat from his famed 1927 season and exhibits honoring the Orioles.
Reviewed By scraphollie27 - Comox, Canada
We followed the baseballs painted on the sidewalk from Camden Yards to the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum and we were impressed with the caliber of the museum. It was really awesome to be in the house where Babe was born but also to see all of the other well-done exhibits throughout Babe Ruth’s career as well as his personal life. There is also a really interesting short movie on the beginnings of the Star Spangled Banner as the US National Anthem. Visitors staying at the Hampton Inn at Camden Yards get half price admission.
6. Bromo Seltzer Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Baltimore's unique landmark tower erected by the inventor of Bromo Seltzer.
Reviewed By lpMaggi713 - Baltimore, United States
We were so excited for our tour of the Bromo Seltzer Tower with Baltimore Heritage. Our tour guide was Betsy and her enthusiasm and knowledge of the tower made it come alive for us. She gave a 45 minute presentation. This most unusual tower was built in 1911 by Captain Isaac Emerson, the inventor of the headache remedy Bromo Seltzer and was the tallest building in Baltimore at the time. If you have traveled to Florence, Italy, then you know that this tower is modeled after the Palazzo Vecchio. When it was built, it featured the largest four dial, gravity driven clock in the world. We were able to climb very steep steps (ships steps) and stand inside the clock. It was fascinating to see the inner workings of the clock. Take a close look up at the tower and notice that Captain Emerson was a master at marketing. He used the letters of Bromo Seltzer in addition to, and larger than, the Roman numerals. This enormous clock was made by Seth Thomas. In the tower, there is also the Emerson/Maryland Glass Museum. We were delighted to have the opportunity to meet Ernie Dimler. He collected the cobalt blue Bromo Seltzer bottles and about 800 of them are on display. It was a real walk down memory lane. After extensive renovations, the tower is now called the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower with 15 floors of artist studios, gallery spaces, the history museum and, of course, the clock. The tower is open from 11 to 4 on Saturday – admission is free. If you would like a guided tour, the cost is $8.00 and the tours are also on Saturday at 11:30 – 12:30 – 1:30 – 2:30. The clock tower itself is not handicap accessible.
7. Maryland Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 740 reviews
This popular museum is located in Harborplace.
Reviewed By 840gabrielh - Bellaire, United States
This museum is clearly focused on activities attractive for kids and those that might entice children to become interested in science. It is located in the center of town, on the inner harbor, in a large, modern, three-story building with plenty of natural light. There are two large wings and multiple exhibits that promise a lot of hands-on activity for children (and adults). Several times a day, there are shows, conferences and interactive programs focused on making scientific principles understandable to the uninitiated. There are sections dedicated to the very young, to early teens, late teens and adults. The dinosaur exhibit is quite attractive and, in general, the displays are very well done. Consider a family membership: it helps the museum and it reduces you costs substantially.
8. Top of the World Observation Level
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 566 reviews
Observation tower at the top of the World Trade Center offering audio-visual presentations about the history of Baltimore.
Reviewed By jktmrose - Connecticut, United States
We have to thank Groupon for this one. $7.25 for two people could not be beat! The observatory is on the 27th floor and the elevator was a quick trip. The views were amazing and they had nice tribute to victims of the 9/11 tragedy. There was plenty to read for each view (N-S-E-W) and it was cool to see all the places we visited. There was a neat photo exhibit of bridge infrastructures. We really enjoyed our visit here and highly recommend it. If you do not have Groupon it was only $6 per person but the discount was perfect.
9. Maryland Center for History and Culture
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
Housing a priceless collection of more than 200,000 objects, this museum displays a significant number of Maryland cultural artifacts plus items such as dolls and toys that provide a glimpse of everyday life in Maryland.
Reviewed By lpMaggi713 - Baltimore, United States
My husband and I both wanted to see the exhibition called “The Spectrum of Fashion.” We wanted to wait until after we were vaccinated to go to the museum. Thankfully, we were able to go the last week it was open. As we are members, we went online and ordered tickets for 10 am on a Wednesday. It was such an easy way to get a ticket. Curious to know how they came up with the name, I googled it. This is what I found. “The Spectrum of Fashion - The word “spectrum” was deliberately chosen for this exhibition as it embodies the encyclopedic nature of the Fashion Archives. In this 3,000-square-foot gallery, you will experience the spectrum of color, the spectrum of time, and the spectrum of Maryland life from 1724 through today.” The exhibition delivered on its name. We were treated to lots of color, lots of period clothing, and time travel thru fashion. The collection spanned some four centuries. There were over 100 women’s and men’s clothing and accessories on display, as well as decorative arts. It was a wonderful exhibit – expertly laid out and labeled. I especially enjoyed seeing the Monkey Gown that belonged to Wallace Warfield Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor.
10. B&O Railroad Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 825 reviews
The B&O Railroad Museum, a full affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the birthplace of American Railroading, is home to the oldest, most comprehensive collection of railroad artifacts in the Western Hemisphere including an unparalleled roster of 19th and 20th century railroad equipment. You’ll enjoy exploring our expansive Museum campus, known as the Mount Clare Shops and Station and was the original railroading complex of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O). Founded in 1827, the B&O had a dramatic economic, social, and cultural impact on our society. Its nearly 200-year history is deeply intertwined with the story of America and helped shaped our nation through invention, innovation, and ingenuity. Experience two centuries of American railroading history throughout our campus of historic buildings, exhibitions, interactive displays, and our world-class collection of rolling stock —locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars, and maintenance vehicles. All Aboard!
Reviewed By MarkM4418 - Frederick, United States
One of the best train museums I've every seen. Well worth the admission. Plan on at least 1 - 2 hours. Beautifully restored trains and cars - from the very earliest, horse-pulled rail cars to rudimentary steam engines, to modern diesel engines. Beautiful museum.
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