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Baltimore Attractions
Although much of Baltimore's business takes place along Charles Street, the city's focal point for tourism is the Inner Harbor, home of the Baltimore Convention Center, Harborplace shopping pavilions, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium, National Aquarium, Pier Six Concert Pavilion, and Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture. That having been said, Baltimore is also still a working deepwater port. Boats from all over dock just beyond the Domino Sugar sign. At the Inner Harbor sea wall, it's not unusual to see naval vessels and tall ships and their crews from around the world.
Money-Saving Harbor Pass
Baltimore's top tourism spots have teamed up with Harbor Pass. For $57 for adults and $38 for kids, visit the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, Port Discovery or American Visionary Art Museum, Sports Legends at Camden Yards, and Top of the World Observation Level. The passes are valid for 4 consecutive days, but only one visit per location. Order in advance for a 20% discount at tel. 877/BALTIMORE (225-8466) or www.baltimore.org. Or pick them up at the Inner Harbor visitor center.
Only in Baltimore, Hon!
- Cannoli at Vaccaro's. All the desserts are divine, but the cannoli is a tradition. Skip dessert wherever you're having dinner and head straight to Little Italy afterward, or stop by the annex at the Light Street Pavilion.
- Seventh-Inning Stretch at Camden Yards. The crowd of 45,000 unites for a rousing rendition of John Denver's "Thank God I'm a Country Boy."
- Spring in Sherwood Gardens. This community garden at Highfield Road and Greenway Street, in the Guilford neighborhood of northern Baltimore, is out of the way and hard to find -- but it's an oasis in May, when the tulips are in bloom. You'll also go through lovely neighborhoods that tourists seldom see.
- View from the Glass Elevators at the Hyatt. Short of a harbor-view room, this is the best view in the city, especially at night -- and it's free.
- Water Taxi Ride to Fell's Point and Little Italy. It's an inexpensive way to see the harbor -- and a great way to avoid the hassle of parking.
Coming Soon -- A Star-Spangled Bicentennial
The bicentennial of the War of 1812, and especially the Battle of Baltimore and the writing of the "Star-Spangled Banner," will be celebrated here with 2 years of exhibitions, fireworks, and Tall Ships visits. Mary Young Pickersgill is expected to make appearances throughout the state during those 2 years. Marylanders faced the British in 1813 and 1814 in skirmishes and battles from Havre de Grace to St. Michaels and finally at Fort McHenry. Official commemoration will begin with a 2-week celebration, starting on Defender's Day, September 12, 2012. Other signature events will be held throughout the next 2 years, when a final celebration will conclude the weekend around September 12, 2014. A few of the Baltimore locations sure to be must-sees during the bicentennial are:
Fort McHenry, end of East Fort Avenue (tel. 410/963-4290; www.nps.gov/fomc), is the site of the Battle of Baltimore, where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write "The Star-Spangled Banner." A new visitor center and revamped exhibits are planned.
The Star Spangled Banner Flag House and Hofmeister Museum Building, 844 E Pratt St. (tel. 410/837-1793; www.flaghouse.org), was the home of Mary Young Pickersgill, the flag maker, whose flag inspired the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Exhibitions planned will include "Family of Flag Makers," due to open in 2012.
The Maryland Historical Society, 201 W. Monument St. (tel. 410/685-3750; www.mdhs.org), houses Maryland artifacts including Key's original composition, and plans special exhibits.
Fell's Point Visitor Center, 1724 Thames St. (tel. 410/276-1561; www.preservationsociety.org) will commemorate the waterfront neighborhood's role during war.
A website has been set up for those interested in keeping up with the star-spangled bicentennial: www.starspangled200.org.
40 Results
- Museum
American Visionary Art Museum
This museum takes an irreverent look at art, while still honoring the visionaries who have created the wonders contained inside. From the moment you approach the repurposed brick buildings, topped with a wind-powered "WhirliGig" and emblazoned with the…$Inner Harbor, at the foot of Federal Hill
- Museum
Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum
Only a baseball's throw away from the Sports Legend Museum at Camden Yards (follow the baseballs on the sidewalk) is the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum. George Herman "Babe" Ruth was born in this narrow row house where two rooms have been recreated to look as they did when Ruth's… - Museum
Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad Museum
Take a walk through the history of American railroad, which started here in 1827 when the B&O Railroad was chartered and where the Tom Thumb, the first locomotive, was built. Powerful locomotives, humble boxcars, and delicate 1830 …$$West Baltimore - Museum
Baltimore Basilica Museum
This small museum is generally visited as part of a guided tour of the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, America's first Catholic cathedral. (The diocese, which dates from 1789, was the first to be founded after the country itself was formed). The Cathedral is a…Downtown - Museum
Baltimore Civil War Museum at President Street Station
Set in what is left of the old President Street train station, this little volunteer-run museum tells of some of Baltimore's remarkable moments in Civil War history. Exhibits filling the arched entrance hall tell the stories of the station's role in the Underground…$Harbor East - Museum
Baltimore Museum of Art
Maryland's largest museum underwent a huge restoration project in honor of its centennial in 2014. The original entrance, up the grand staircase between the pair of lion sculptures, was a major focus of this makeover; the Dorothy McIlvain Scott American Wing is…Northern Baltimore City, adjacent to Johns Hopkins University - Museum
Baltimore Museum of Industry
Housed in Baltimore's last surviving cannery, this museum takes a proud look at the world of work in Charm City. It celebrates the city's industrial leadership from the 1800s until modern times with exhibits on seafood packing, canning, printing, and garment…$Waterfront, south Baltimore - Museum
Baltimore Streetcar Museum
This all-volunteer-run museum recalls a mode of transportation long forgotten by most Baltimoreans. Yet here they are, 18 of the actual cars that once carried passengers all over the city and into the surrounding suburbs—from the newest car, the 7407 that was built in 1944 to a…$Northwest of Penn Station and Station North neighborhood - Museum
Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
On the site where this 18th-century Renaissance man once had a humble farmstead, a bright and airy museum now pays tribute to his accomplishments. Benjamin Banneker is best known for his work surveying the land that would become the District of Columbia, as well as for his successful…$Suburb of Oella, 11 miles from Inner Harbor - Landmark
Carroll Mansion & Phoenix Shot Tower
When Charles Carroll of Carrollton lived in the mansion here, people knocked on his door to meet the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence. After he died in 1832, in a room on the second floor, this stately home became the German Working Man's Club, and then a…Near Little Italy/Fells Point - The Performing Arts
CenterStage
Many major American plays -- including works by August Wilson and Eric Overmyer -- have been developed at Maryland's state theater, which has presented new and classic work since 1963. Center Stage offers child care at several matinees and "Nights Out" for its gay and lesbian fans.… Creative Alliance at The Patterson
This Highlandtown venue's gallery and performance space celebrate local arts. Contemporary artwork in all mediums is on display, and the auditorium is the site of classic-film series and special events. Though much of the work is edgy, more mainstream works also have their place.…Little Italy/Fells Point- Park/Garden
Cylburn Arboretum
Just off Northern Parkway, a quick run up the Jones Falls Expressway (I-83), Cylburn is a peaceful collection of gardens and mansion. The 100-plus acres include a formal Victorian garden, children's garden, and gardens devoted to butterflies, shade, roses, and vegetables. Woodland… - Museum
Edgar Allan Poe House National Historic Landmark
In a miniscule garret at the top of the narrow stairs, Edgar Allan Poe composed some of his first poems, stories, and other writings. He lived here from 1833 to 1835 with his grandmother, aunt, and cousin Virginia, whom he later married. The five rooms are remarkably well-preserved…$West Baltimore - Historic Site
Edgar Allan Poe's Grave
Three modest memorials in this old graveyard recall the poet who wrote "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Raven" (the only poem to inspire an NFL team's name). After his mysterious death in 1849 at age 40, Poe's relatives erected a small gravestone. Before the stone could be installed,…West of Downtown - Museum
Evergreen Museum & Library
John W. Garrett, president of the B&O Railroad, bought this 1857 Italianate country house in 1878 for his son Thomas, who quickly put his mark on it, making it his personal museum, filled with his collections of books, coins, and porcelain. His son John, who chose a …$$Northern Baltimore City, between Loyola and Notre Dame of Maryland universities - Park/Garden
Federal Hill
Get a great view of the city from that big hill overlooking the Inner Harbor. Take the 100 steps on the Battery Avenue side, or enter from Warren Avenue, where you won't have any steps to contend with at all, except maybe a curbstone. The hill has been valued for its scenic views… - Attraction
Fort McHenry
In September 1814, 1,000 soldiers at this star-shaped fort on the edge of Baltimore's harbor faced the world's most formidable Navy. Through a cold rainy night, they stood firm, bravely fending off the British attack. Their courage and their success led a young Francis Scott Key to…Inner Harbor - Library/University
George Peabody Library
One of Baltimore's hidden treasures, the 1866 Peabody is an architectural gem with the cast-iron balconies soaring five levels to a shining glass ceiling. It's an academic gem as well -- the resting place of 300,000 volumes, mostly rare books, with some dating to when the printing…Mount Vernon - Museum
Geppi's Entertainment Museum
This is a look-but-don't-touch collection of all kinds of fun entertainment memorabilia. Originally an ode to the comic book, it expanded over the years to include all sorts of pop-culture artifacts, from Star Trek and Barbie lunchboxes to animation cels to decoder rings…$Downtown, adjacent to Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Museum
Homewood Museum
This Palladian masterpiece, on the campus of Johns Hopkins University, was the home of Charles Carroll, Jr., the son of Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Built in 1801, the house is 85-percent original, with intricate carved wood and plaster moldings, fine…$$Johns Hopkins University campus - Museum
Jewish Museum of Maryland
Baltimore's east side, a vibrant and always changing community, was home to two waves of Jewish immigrants, Germans in the early 1800s and Eastern Europeans in the later 1800s. The Jewish Museum pays tribute to their history and culture in this fascinating compound. The Greek…$Jonestown, north of Little Italy - Museum
Lacrosse Museum & National Hall of Fame
A small museum on the edge of Johns Hopkins University's lacrosse field, it nevertheless packs a wallop. Lacrosse fans will love seeing all the old sticks—technology has changed them dramatically—helmets, programs, clippings, trophies, and team jerseys. An ancient part of…$Northern Baltimore City, near Johns Hopkins University - Museum
Maryland Science Center
This science-based kids' attraction has been on Baltimore's waterfront forever. But it's no dinosaur—the Maryland Science Center is constantly reinventing itself with new exhibits and updates to old favorites. The planetarium, long a must-see, now uses digital …$$South side of Inner Harbor - Attraction
National Aquarium in Baltimore
Walk into a room surrounded by patrolling sharks, stroll among coral reefs, and visit a rainforest on the roof of one of the best aquariums in the country. Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes, set in a 120-foot-tall glass cube at the front of the aquarium, takes visitors to the…Inner Harbor - Museum
National Electronics Museum
If it's electronic, chances are you can find it at the National Electronics Museum, a tiny eight-gallery museum near BWI Airport. It would be difficult to find this unassuming museum (set in an office park) if it weren't for the radar display near the front door. The …$Just off Route 295, Baltimore Washington Parkway - Museum
National Great Blacks in Wax Museum
This is no Madame Tussaud's! Blacks in Wax is a labor of love designed to present messages of hope, non-violence, and courage to those who visit. So don't expect to see a slick presentation; the displays and signage are simple but there is real pride in the …$$Northeast Baltimore, just beyond downtown - Religious Site
Old St. Paul's
Originally founded in 1692 as one of Maryland's first Anglican parishes, this Italian-Romanesque building dates to 1856 and features Tiffany stained-glass windows and mosaics, notably the Tiffany rose window. In addition, two friezes salvaged from the previous church, which burned in…Mount Vernon - Museum
Port Discovery Children's Museum
Three floors of exhibits keep things interesting for kids, mostly ages 2 to 10. Some seem designed simply as places for the little ones to burn off energy, while others are better for quiet fun, and still others, not surprisingly, have an educational bent. In the "let's…$$Power Plant Live complex, just north of Inner Harbor - Museum
Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture
With photographs, artifacts, video, and music, the Lewis Museum brings to life the stories of African American Marylanders who made a difference to our state. Some are famous: Billie Holliday and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, explorer Matthew Henson, and surveyor …$Historic Jonestown, north of Little Italy - Museum
Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards
In two floors of the historic 1856 Camden Station, next to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Sports Legends offers an engaging tribute to what is, arguably, Baltimore's foremost obsession. The Orioles and Ravens, of course, are given their due with lots of historical artifacts, trophies,…$Downtown, next to Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Religious Site
The Baltimore Basilica
Designed by Benjamin Latrobe -- who was working on the U.S. Capitol at the same time -- this neoclassical basilica is considered one of America's most beautiful. A national shrine and historic landmark, it was the first cathedral built in the United States and has been a monument to…Mount Vernon - The Performing Arts
The Hippodrome Theatre
Located at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, this restored former vaudeville venue, built in 1914, now stages national Broadway shows. Orchestra seats and front balcony seats are good, but pass up the back rows of the balcony, unless it's a show you absolutely have to see. A… - Religious Site
The Irish Shrine and Railroad Workers Museum
Two 10-foot-wide 1848 brick rowhouses, a block from the B&O Museum, have been restored as a monument to the thousands of Irish workers who lived here and worked for the railroad. One house, with its original plaster walls and floors, is sparsely furnished for a family of eight…West of Downtown - Museum
The Maryland Historical Society
A famous lady has taken up residence here. Lady Baltimore, an imposing sculpture that had stood atop Baltimore's Battle Monument since 1822, now looks out on visitors to the museum here from her new perch in a glass-walled second-floor gallery. She may be the newest reason to…$Mount Vernon - Attraction
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
The third-oldest zoo in the U.S. is home to some 2,000 animals, including polar bears, penguins, and chimpanzees. The Polar Bear Watch allows visitors a view of Magnet and Alaska. The Chimpanzee Forest, Leopard Lair, and African Watering Hole are fun for families, but the most…North of Downtown - Museum
The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Museum
A family of flag makers created the gigantic 15-star flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. The house where the family of Mary Pickersgill lived is part of this museum. Visitors have an opportunity see the tiny house where they lived; the "Star Spangled …$Historic Jonestown, adjacent to Little Italy - Museum
The Walters Art Museum
Art was a family affair for William and Henry Walters, a father and son team who, together, amassed one of the most important collection of antiquities (particularly ancient Egyptian and Medieval European art and artifacts), and French art, in the United States. After son …$Mount Vernon - Landmark
Top of the World Observation Level
For a 360-degree view of the city, head to the 27th floor of the World Trade Center, the world's tallest pentagonal building, next to Harborplace. In addition to the view, you can acquire a bit of background about Baltimore from the exhibits, hands-on displays, and multimedia…Inner Harbor - Landmark
Washington Monument
This 178-foot-tall column, the country's first major architectural memorial to George Washington, was designed in 1815 by Robert Mills, who also designed the Washington Monument (begun in 1848) in Washington, D.C. To learn the whole story, see the exhibit inside the building. The…Mount Vernon
Baltimore Shopping
You can find anything from onion rings to diamond rings at the 160 shops that make up Harborplace Mall (tel. 410/332-4191; www.harborplace.com), which is actually three separate venues: two stand-alone pavilions on Light and Pratt streets, and the Gallery, a vertical mall in the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel. The Light Street Pavilion has the most food stalls and restaurants, plus some souvenir shops. The Pratt Street Pavilion offers specialty stores, clothing and jewelry shops, and more restaurants. The Gallery has three floors of shops, plus a fourth-floor food court. Most of the stores are franchises of national chains, and are open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 9pm and Sunday from noon to 6pm.
The 75 shops in the Gallery (connected via skywalk to the Pratt St. Pavilion) include Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor, and Coach. Santa's magical house is located between the Harborplace pavilions from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve.
Markets & Malls
Baltimore still has several old-fashioned covered markets with vendors selling seafood, baked goods, produce, and sweets. The outdoor farmers' market, held under the Jones Falls viaduct, is a Sunday tradition for many people.
Village of Cross Keys -- This upscale shopping center, at 5100 Falls Rd. in north Baltimore, has local stores, plus a few chains such as Talbots and Williams-Sonoma. Hours are from 10am to 6pm or later. From downtown, take the Jones Falls Expressway north to the Northern Parkway East exit. Turn right at the light at Falls Road; the center is on the right.
Harbor East
For a neighborhood that didn't even exist a few years ago, this one's thriving, and the shopping is très chic. Most shops are on Exeter or Fleet Street. Look for something hot to carry your stuff in at Handbags and the City, 612 S. Exeter St. (tel. 410/528-1443), or something cool to sit on at Arhaus Furniture, 660 S. Exeter St. (tel. 410/244-6376; www.arhaus.com).
You'll also find plenty of restaurants, including Mustang Alley's Bar, Bowling & Bistro 10- and duck-pin bowling and sleek eatery, 1300 Bank St. (tel. 410/522-BOWL [2695]; www.mustangalleys.com). Or stop for a snack or supplies at Whole Foods, 1001 Fleet St. (tel. 410/528-1640), or for wine at Bin 604 Wine Sellers, 604 S. Exeter St. (tel. 410/576-0444; www.bin604.com), which has wine classes on Saturdays and tastings on Thursdays.
Antique Row
On a single block in Mount Vernon -- the 800 block of Howard Street -- lies an amazing string of antiques shops. The first antiques stores opened here in the 1840s -- they were furniture resellers, really -- making this the oldest antiques district in the U.S. Most of the shops are open from 11am or noon to 5pm. Street parking is metered -- bring quarters or take the Light Rail, which runs up Howard.
Amos Judd and Sons, Inc. (tel. 410/462-2000) is a dark little store filled with cases of English, French, and Italian accessories. The 20 dealers at Antique Row Stalls (tel. 410/728-6363), an 8,000-square-foot co-op, sell just about everything. They're closed Tuesdays.
The eclectic Connoisseur's Connection (tel. 410/383-2624) has a little of everything and often provides set pieces for locally produced movies. Dubey's Art and Antiques (tel. 410/383-2881) boasts a wealth of Chinese export porcelain and other American, English, and Asian treasures. For antiquities from Europe and Asia, see Richard Sindler (tel. 410/225-2727).
Check out the old silver at Imperial Half Bushel (tel. 410/462-1192) -- the shop fairly glitters with flatware and holloware. The 20th Century Gallery (tel. 410/728-3800) stocks American and European art pottery, as well as prints and paintings. Crosskeys (tel. 410/728-0101), which specializes in English, Continental, and American furnishings, is open only Saturday and Sunday.
Baltimore Nightlife
Baltimore is jumping when the sun sets: The Inner Harbor, Federal Hill, Canton, and Mount Vernon have all developed lives after dark.
For major events, check the arts and entertainment sections of the Baltimore Sun and the Washington Post. The free weekly City Paper has very complete listings, down to the smallest bars and clubs. On the Web, try www.baltimorefunguide.com.
Tickets for most major venues are available at the individual box offices or through Ticketmaster (tel. 410/547-SEAT [7328]; www.ticketmaster.com).
The Performing Arts
Baltimore has a solid range of resident performing-arts companies, including a nationally recognized symphony, an opera company, a major regional theater, and several local professional theater companies.
Classical Music -- The world-class Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (tel. 410/783-8000; www.bsomusic.org) is led by renowned conductor Marin Alsop. The BSO performs classical and pops concerts at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. In summer, you'll also find the BSO outside at Oregon Ridge Park, north of the city off I-83. Its Fourth of July concerts are terrific fun. Tickets are $25 to $75.
The Peabody Symphony Orchestra (tel. 410/659-8100; www.peabody.jhu.edu/pso) is one of several performing units of the Peabody Institute of Music; concerts are held in Friedberg Hall, at 1 E. Mount Vernon Place.
Theater -- For entertainment by local professional actors at affordable prices, the Vagabond Players, in Fell's Point at 806 S. Broadway (tel. 410/563-9135; www.vagabondplayers.org), stage a variety of classics, contemporary comedies, and dramas. The Fell's Point Corner Theatre, 251 S. Ann St. (tel. 410/276-7837; www.fpct.org), presents seven productions a year and is a venue for the annual Baltimore Playwrights Festival.
The city's prominent African-American theater company, Arena Players, 801 McCulloh St., off Martin Luther King Boulevard (tel. 410/728-6500), presents contemporary plays and romantic comedies.
Everyman Theatre, 1727 N. Charles St. (tel. 410/752-2208; www.everymantheatre.org), earns rave reviews for its local Equity productions of classics and new works. It plans to move to the renovated Town Theatre, 315 W. Fayette St., for the 2011 season. The Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St. (tel. 410/752-8558; www.theatreproject.org), presents experimental and avant-garde work.
The Club & Music Scene
Baltimore has a nice variety of small live-performance venues. Major national acts come to the 1st Mariner Arena Baltimore near the Inner Harbor, 201 W. Baltimore St. (tel. 410/347-2020; www.baltimorearena.com), Pier Six Concert Pavilion at the Inner Harbor, 731 Eastern Ave. (tel. 410/783-4189; www.piersixpavilion.com), and Rams Head Live at Power Plant Live, 20 Market Place (tel. 410/244-1131; www.ramsheadlive.com). Get tickets at www.ticketmaster.com for 1st Mariner Arena and at Rams Head Live for Pier Six and Rams Head.
Power Plant Live, a mix of restaurants and bars, is a short walk from the Inner Harbor, at Water Street and Market Place. It packs in young singles, especially on weekend nights, who come for the gigantic Lucky's Tavern, sports bar/rock bar; Havana Club, a cigar bar; and Howl at the Moon, a rock-'n'-roll piano bar, as well as Rams Head Live.
A number of clubs welcome smaller touring acts and local performers, from rock to jazz to folk.
Jazz & Blues -- The Baltimore Jazz Alliance has set up a website listing local performances: www.baltimorejazz.com.
Gay & Lesbian Scene -- For a complete listing of nightspots, check out Gay Life, published by the GLBT Community Center of Baltimore & Central Maryland (tel. 410/837-5445; www.glccb.org), and www.outinbaltimore.com.
11 Results
An Die Musik Live!
Get a glass of wine or can of beer at the refreshment counter then settle back in the comfy armchairs in the small upstairs performance space of this Mount Vernon townhouse. Located upstairs from the first floor music shop, An Die Musik Live! presents both local and national…$Mount Vernon- Performing Arts Venue
CenterStage
CenterStage presents new works and the classics in its two theaters housed in an old college building in Mount Vernon. Playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah, CenterStage's current artistic director, shook things up in his first season with the Raisin Cycle, a series of three plays inspired by…$$Mount Vernon - Performing Arts Venue
Everyman Theatre
This little local theater is all grown up and moved into a new space around the corner from the Hippodrome in 2013. Everyman, an Equity theater founded in 1990, has a loyal following who rave about the quality of the productions and the great performances of the…$$Downtown's Westside - Gay & Lesbian Bars
Grand Central
Since its opening in 1991, this pub/dance club/piano bar has grown like kudzu, and remarkably, remained popular. The dance club is state of the art, with a massive video wall, laser lighting system, and fog effects for when the night gets truly frenzied. On Mondays and …$Mount Vernon - Performing Arts Venue
Hippodrome Theater at The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center
Broadway touring companies and notable musicians fill this historic beaut of a theater today. But in its heyday, this former vaudeville house (built in 1914) rang with the performances of such legends as Bob Hope, Benny Goodman, and the Andrews Sisters. Frank Sinatra made his fabled…$$$Westside - Bars & Pubs
Mother’s Federal Hill Grille
Baltimoreans tend to think of Mother's as a sports bar. And it is that. But it has a number of other faces. The parking lot of this long-time Federal Hill tavern turns into the (crowded) Purple Patio during Ravens games. And behind the narrow bar area (with its always…$Federal Hill - Bars & Pubs
Pickles Pub
It may smell like stale beer and fryer oil, but Pickle's is a tradition for the baseball fans who spill out onto the sidewalk around game time, so you'll get a good taste of Baltimore life by heading here (though if you're rooting for the Yankees or Red Sox, keep that under…Downtown near Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Nightlife
Power Plant Live!
On a dead end block near the Inner Harbor, a collection of bars and restaurants draws young partiers most nights, and especially on weekends. Some are high end, including Ruth's Chris Steak House (www.ruthschris-baltimore.com) and Havana Club (www.havanaclub-baltimore.com).…$$Inner Harbor - Jazz
The 8X10
Live music, from rock to blues to funk, bring the crowds to this tiny but not claustrophobic Federal Hill establishment. The owners, firm believers in music sharing, often give out CDs of the bands performing there or flash drive recordings of the night's …$$Federal Hill The Charles
A mainstay in the developing Station North Arts District (north of Penn Station), the Charles is where Baltimore comes to see the art and foreign films not shown anywhere else—as well as the latest blockbusters. Housed in a former streetcar barn, the Charles has five …$Station North Arts District, near Penn Station- Jazz
The Horse You Came In On
It is said this is the last place Edgar Allan Poe was seen alive before his untimely death in 1849. By then, this Fells Point bar had been pouring drinks for 75 years, making it the oldest still-operating pub in the city. As you might imagine, it's a beat up place, with exposed brick…$Fells Point
