My favorite Baltimore weekend: the National Aquarium and Fort McHenry by the harbor, jumbo lump crab cakes at Faidley's and Koco's, cannoli in Little Italy, oysters on the cobblestones of Fells Point, and a stroll down The Avenue in Hampden. These ar...
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I start every Baltimore trip at the National Aquarium for the rooftop rainforest and the blacktip reef you walk right around.
National Aquarium
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I climb aboard the USS Constellation with Historic Ships in Baltimore, an 1854 sloop-of-war docked right in the harbor.
Historic Ships in Baltimore
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I catch an Orioles game at Camden Yards and grab Boog's BBQ on Eutaw Street before first pitch.
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
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I wander the new Lexington Market, one of the oldest public markets in the country, and graze my way from stall to stall.
Lexington Market
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I order the jumbo lump crab cake at Faidley's and eat it at the standing tables, a Baltimore ritual since 1886.
Faidley's Seafood
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The American Visionary Art Museum is my favorite museum in town, full of wild self-taught art and the shiny mirrored exterior.
American Visionary Art Museum
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I climb up Federal Hill Park for the best skyline view of the Inner Harbor, especially at sunset.
Federal Hill Park
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I walk the ramparts at Fort McHenry where the flag inspired the Star-Spangled Banner, and I time it for the flag change.
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
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I love the old cannery and print shop exhibits at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, right on the water along Key Highway.
Baltimore Museum of Industry
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I spend an hour at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum learning about Maryland African American history and culture.
Reginald F. Lewis Museum
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When I'm with kids, Port Discovery is a guaranteed win with its three-story climbing structure.
Port Discovery Children's Museum
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I get a hot corned beef sandwich at Attman's on Corned Beef Row, a family deli since 1915.
Attman's Delicatessen
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I always end a Little Italy dinner with cannoli and a cappuccino at Vaccaro's.
Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop, Little Italy
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I order the famous Bookmaker salad and a plate of pasta at Sabatino's, an old-school Little Italy favorite.
Sabatino's
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I grab a seat at the bar at Thames Street Oyster House for raw oysters and a lobster roll on the cobblestones of Fells Point.
Thames Street Oyster House
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I stop for a drink at The Horse You Came In On, a Fells Point saloon that's been pouring since 1775.
The Horse You Came In On Saloon
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I never skip the Neighborhood Bird steamed bun at Ekiben, the best fried chicken bite in the city.
Ekiben
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I grab lunch at Broadway Market, the revamped historic market hall in the middle of Fells Point.
Broadway Market
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I walk up to the Pagoda in Patterson Park and loop the boat lake on a nice afternoon.
Patterson Park
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I climb the 227 steps of the Washington Monument at Mount Vernon Place, the first major monument to George Washington.
Washington Monument
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The Walters Art Museum is free, and I love its armor collection and the cabinet of wonders room.
The Walters Art Museum
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I step into the George Peabody Library just to look up at five tiers of cast-iron balconies, one of the prettiest rooms anywhere.
George Peabody Library
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I tour the Baltimore Basilica, the first Catholic cathedral in the United States, filled with light from its skylights.
The Baltimore Basilica
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The roundhouse full of historic locomotives at the B&O Railroad Museum is a must for me, and the short train ride is a bonus.
National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation
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The Baltimore Museum of Art is free, and I always visit the huge Matisse collection and the sculpture gardens.
Baltimore Museum of Art
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I spend a morning at the Maryland Zoo in Druid Hill Park, where the penguin colony is the star.
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
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I warm up inside the Victorian glass Palm House at Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park.
Rawlings Conservatory
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I go to Papermoon Diner for brunch surrounded by toys and mannequins, the quirkiest decor in Baltimore.
The PaperMoon Diner
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I meet friends at R. House food hall, where everyone can pick a different stall and share a table.
R. House
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I get a scoop of Old Bay Caramel at The Charmery on The Avenue in Hampden, sweet and salty in the best way.
The Charmery Hampden
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I go to Golden West Cafe in Hampden for New Mexican comfort food with tons of vegan options.
Golden West Cafe
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I grab a Duckpin pale ale at Union Craft Brewing's big taproom in the Union Collective.
Union Craft Brewing
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Koco's Pub is where I go for the biggest crab cakes in Baltimore, softball-sized jumbo lump with almost no filler.
