As a first time visitor to Baltimore, you'll enjoy cruising by water taxi around the bustling Inner Harbor, or dining in captivating neighbourhoods like Little Italy, historic Fells Point or Canton. If you're returning on a second trip, you can explore Mount Vernon's cultural district or visit the Geppi's Entertainment Museum, dedicated to popular culture.
It's easy to navigate Baltimore's diverse neighbourhoods, which fan out from its nautical heart, the Inner Harbor, a former shipyard that's now the city's entertainment epicentre. You can walk to major attractions, which are all clustered along the L-shaped harbour. Visit the National Aquarium for a window on the underwater world, Baltimore Maritime Museum's collection of preserved ships, and Civil War ship USS Constellation, Take a water taxi to discover lively evening hotspots Fells Point and Canton, and the 18th-century Fort McHenry. The genteel Mount Vernon area perches on a hilltop north of Inner Harbor.
Get your bearings with a panoramic view of the city from the 27th floor of the World Trade Center. From here you'll see Camden Yards, where you can watch the Orioles play baseball in season. Make time for the Babe Ruth Museum – a must for baseball fans. The National Aquarium's dolphin shows will have the kids in fits of giggles, while you'll be in awe of the world's largest collection of Matisse works at Charles Village's Baltimore Museum of Art.
Discover Baltimore's key role in American history at The Star-Spangled Banner 1812 Museum, which explains how the US national anthem was penned. Stroll up the hill to Mount Vernon and admire the USA's oldest Catholic Cathedral, the 19th-century Baltimore Basilica. Finally, buy some fresh potato chips (crisps) at locals' favourite Cross Street Market and eat them as you browse the funky boutiques and artisan galleries of Hampden's Main Street and admire its historic Stone Hill houses.
Servicing Baltimore, Washington DC and the Maryland region, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, more commonly known as BWI, transports over 21 million passengers a year. Free shuttles take passengers to BWI Rail Station, one mile from the airport, and from there it's just 10 minutes to Baltimore and 35 minutes to Washington DC.
