Baltimore is a city not fully developed to its potential due to working class inhabitants. However, that has changed in past years, with discoveries of unique spots for travellers. It has all the ingredients for being a paradise for travellers, namely museums, shops, boutique hotels, ethnic restaurants and sports hub. You can spend your first day at Baltimore's waterfront in the mornings. It is the best period for a relaxing stroll along Inner Harbor. You can enjoy cooling breeze with minimal crowd. For history buffs, try visiting Historic Ships. You can pay 4 ships on display a visit, i.e. the Taney, USS Torsk, the Chesapeake and USS Constellation. A National Aquarium awaits the visitors fond of marine life, famed as the best American aquariums. 600 species of marine biological life are found for those who fancy exploring great aquatic ecosystem.
During the afternoons, make your way to Mt Vernon. In order to reach Mt Vernon, stroll up North Charles Street. Roughly 20 minutes into your walk you will pass by Baltimore Basilica. It is an ancient Roman Catholic Cathedral constructed in the 1800s. Its grand neoclassical designs have captured many admirers' hearts. The Church rests on a historic site at Mt Vernon, along with heritage buildings left from the 19th centuries. Washington Monument is the highlight of the site, with a statue for America's 1st president proudly erected on site. A hearty lunch can be taken at Dooby's Coffee. This café serves Asian accented roast pork noodle ramen, seafood dumplings and kimchi burger. Excellent coffee and bakery are on the menu as well. Many historical attractions await the traveller. Start off by visiting the Walters Museum Art, a free exhibition center with vast art collections, ranging from Roman sculptures, Japanese wood blocks prints, Renaissance paintings, and French impressionists crafts. Stop by George Peabody Center Library for its magnificent atrium architecture spanning five stories, which is filled by 300,000 book volumes from the 19th centuries. The final hours of the afternoon can be spent at Maryland Historic Society which comes with old artifacts preserved since 400 years back.
During the evenings, head over to Fells Point. Fells Point used to be the shipbuilding hub for Baltimore. Now it is dotted with restaurants and shops. Dinner options are aplenty. Catching an early drink at a lively bar would spice up the trip atmosphere. Try out Thames St Oyster House for a sumptuous meal of oysters coupled with cocktails. Start your day 2 tour around Baltimore by exploring the Federal Hill. Key attraction includes Fort McHenry Monument as well as Historic Shrine. The fort was famous for surviving a naval attack by British military back in 1814, which served an inspiration for production of American national anthem. Another museum awaits you which is the America Visionary Museum for Art. Outsider artists work dominate the works display, ranging from fine art to non-conventional sculptures. Be sure not to miss out on the huge fittings and delightful mechanized pieces. A short walk will bring you to Cross Street Market, a traditional indoor market filled with fruit vendors, flowers, bakery, seafood as well as snacks. Restaurant of choice would be Nick's, well known for nicely done crab cakes, fresh oysters and humongous 32 ounce beer servings.
There are numerous historical sites around the small town. Head over to Edgar Allan and Poe Museum & House. Poe's fame rose when he was a poet in Baltimore. He was a frequent traveller, having lived in New York, Richmond and Philadelphia. His life ended in Baltimore, with a grave commemorating his death around eastern part of W Fayette Street. Evergreen Museum is a must visit attraction as well and definitely worth the long drive (approximately 20 minutes from harbor). This 19th century grand mansion provides a peek into socialite class for Baltimore residents during the 1880s. It is filled with fine masterpieces, Modigliani paintings, Louis Comfort glass and rare Asia porcelain as well as 32,000 volume rare book collections.
Evenings are always time for sumptuous dinner meal. Travellers can pop by Woodberry Kitchen, a restaurant with exquisite local cuisine. House favorites include Shenandoah Valley lambs littered with salad, Cape May scallops as well as Chesapeake softshell crab. Its setting resembles a barn, giving diners a village like atmosphere away from busy city. Nightlife is well and alive at Midtown Belvedere. It is a small town on northern Mount Vernon scattered with bars and pubs. Art district is what locals call the small town as well as it is housing the Symphony Hall, Opera Lyric and Baltimore Theaters Project. Local favorite drinking spot includes Brewer's Art, complete with elegant dining space and bar lounge in front. Housemade brews such as Beazly or Resurrection are flagship brands to try.
Getting around waterfront area can be achieved by taking the Baltimore's Water Taxi service. It is a boat service making regular stops at 13 spots. Main arrival points include Harborplace, Rusty Scupper, Fells Point as well as Fort McHenry. Fares starts from $8 for one way trip or you can opt for $14 full-day pass. Tickets can be purchased on board.