Baltimore has become one of my favorite cities. I fell in love with the people, food, harbor, unique neighborhood and museums. Every year I get the opportunity to enjoy this city by attending a conference for work. I always head out there a few days before to take in some sights and see what the city has to offer. One of my favorite places in Baltimore is the Inner Harbor. There is so much to do and see.
Accommodations
For my stay in Baltimore, I stayed at the historic Lord Baltimore Hotel. Lord Baltimore Hotel is a boutique hotel with a classic look with modern charm. For this stay, I was in the Deluxe King Room. The room was spacious and relaxing. Thanks to its dark decor. Outside of the usual room items, the bed was exceptionally comfortable with a pillow top mattress and awesome bedding. The hotel is located a short distance from the Inner Harbor (three blocks, to be exact) and numerous restaurants, bars and attractions. I recommend this hotel to anyone looking for an affordable hotel in an area that is already a little pricey.
Read about my stay at the Lord Baltimore Hotel here.
Where to Eat
Baltimore is definitely known for its blue crab that goes into its famous crab cakes. Since I cannot eat them due to health reasons, I tried to find other things to eat. Here are some places worth noting:
Mo’s Seafood
Upon the recommendation of a hotel employee, I gave Mo’s Seafood a try. Mo’s has five locations in the Baltimore area. For my trip, I went to the location in little Italy. The neighborhood seems pretty sketchy, but looks can be deceiving. It had a small, down to earth vibe. I think this had more to do with the people eating there than the place itself. Crab cakes are its signature dish (of course!). I opted for the rockfish and potatoes. Doesn’t sound like much, but it was actually very good.
Guy Fieri’s Baltimore Kitchen & Bar
Triple D (Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives) is one of my favorite Food Network shows. Along side of the food, I love the show because of Guy Fieri himself. Located in the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, Guy Fieri’s is worth a stop. Good food and big portions. The service was a little on the slow side that night. For some reason, people were being sent home and servers had to take on more tables. It didn’t make sense to me, but oh well.
I ordered the Bacon Mac-n-Cheese Burger. Yes, it looks as good as it tastes. It is crispy smoked bacon, six-cheese Mac-n-cheese, LTOP (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles), crispy onions, & donkey sauce- all on top a burger with a garlic buttered brioche bun. The trifecta of bacon, Mac-n-cheese and beef hit all my levels of comfort-ness (is that a word?).
Miss Shirley’s Cafe
While planning my trip to Baltimore, people kept telling me to try Miss Shirley’s Cafe. On my first visit to Baltimore, I missed an opportunity to patronize this award winning establishment due to me being last minute. This go round, I decided that I would go there pretty early. Before I get into the food, I want to talk about the experience. If you think you will just walk up and be seated right away or much less in the next 10 minutes, think again! No matter if you are flying solo, a couple, or a big group, the wait is pretty long. They make up for it by allowing you to enjoy a nice coffee or cappuccino while you wait. You can also enjoy one of their delicious mimosas. That alone made me forget about how long the wait was. It was pretty strong. And I only had one!
When I finally was seated, ordering was pretty quick and my food was out in no time. I loved the fact that before I ordered any food, my waitress asked if I had any food allergies. Since she persuaded me not to get the infamous chicken and waffles due my shellfish allergy, I opted for an omelet and a side of mini Belgian waffles. If you are traveling to Baltimore, Miss Shirley’s should definitely be on your list. There are three locations in Baltimore.
Best of Luck Candy and Ice Cream
Located in the Inner Harbor, Best of Luck Candy and Ice Cream is a candy shop and ice cream parlor that is a worthy stop for anyone. You can buy candy by the pound. Even those vintage, hard to find varieties. They also sell homemade ice cream. For my trip, I tried a scoop of salted caramel and cookies ’n cream ice cream. The scoops were pretty huge and a good end to a warm day exploring the Inner Harbor.
Things To Do
Baltimore has plenty to do and see. For my trip, I stayed in and around the Inner Harbor. This area had plenty to keep you busy during your visit.
Walk & Shop Harbor Place or Harbor East in the Inner Harbor
It’s a given that one of the things to do at the Inner Harbor is to eat and shop. There are a good variety of restaurants in the area, offering different cuisines to try. After filling your belly, you can walk around and shop on the harbor itself or at the mall across the street.
Enjoy 360-views from Observation Deck of the World Trade Center
Located right on the harbor, the World Trade Center towers. I am always looking for ways to learn and obtain knowledge. Aside from the awesome 360-views, there is so much history and tribute surrounding such a tragic moment in history. Pieces from Ground Zero are on display for viewing. It was a solemn experience, but worth seeing.
Eat, Drink, Shop Fells Point
Fells Point is a neighborhood not to far from the Harbor. You can get there by walking, car, or public transportation. I hopped on the Circulator and it did not take long to get there. It is such a quaint neighborhood. The streets are paved with blue cobblestones. Fells Point has a good variety of restaurants, bars, and small boutiques to browse and enjoy.
Visit Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture
I always try to visit any African American museum while exploring. It was interesting to understand the history that African Americans contributed to the World and Baltimore. My favorite part of the museum was the dedication to Harriett Tubman and the Underground Railroad.
Try your luck at Horseshoe Casino Baltimore and dance the night away
Looking for a little adult fun? Horseshoe Casino is a good option. It is completely smoke free, which is totally different than what I was used to back home. It had a variety of slot and table games. In the center of it all was 14Forty. Enjoy a nice drink or drinks (if you are looking to have a good time), enjoy some live music, or groove to some DJ tunes.
Explore the National Aquarium
While all aquariums pretty much follow the same theme, they are all very different. Like museums, I am always down to visit an aquarium. No matter how small or similar it may be to one I may have visited in the past. It makes me feel kid-like, oh’n and ahh’n everything I see. I know… sad!
I always enjoy each of my visits to Baltimore. There is always so much to do, see, and enjoy.
18 Comments
I have never been to Baltimore but it looks like a pretty city to explore over a weekend. The restaurant scene sounds great, I’d love to have dinner at Guy Fieri’s Baltimore Kitchen & Bar. That burger looks so delicious!
Thanks! It was.
Baltimore harbor area and aquarium are always fun, you can just go countless times to have good fun
Baltimore looks like a lovely place. I like the sound of the 360 views from the world trade centre that does sound like it would be a lovely thing to see.
I did not realise Baltimore had it’s own World Trade Center Towers. I was taken into one of the towers in NYC when I was little. I am only two hours from Baltimore, and obviously need to visit more often and find what else I am missing!
The food scene in Baltimore looks amazing… I’m a huge fan of Guy’s too. I’d love to try that burger from Guy Fieri’s Baltimore Kitchen & Bar.
I am going to Guy Fieri’s tomorrow night. ..but the one in Vegas! And I was going to order that same burger but was up in the air about how that combination would taste! Now I know. Did you have the trash can nachos? I have been to MGM National Harbor. I think that’s near Baltimore
I was at first, but it turned out to be really good. No, I have not tried the trash can nachos. I will try that the next time I go to either Baltimore or Vegas.
I would really to have a month off and travel all around the US one day. Baltimore looks so dreamy!
I’m so embarrassed to say that I don’t know where Baltimore is! I had to google to check it out. USA is so big that you can spend years exploring! Will love the National Aquarium!
I haven’t been to Maryland, but Baltimore looks so appealing as a first destination. What a beautiful view. And those places and activities, this is my kind of city!
A conference also brought me to Baltimore. That was a good 6 years ago. I remember the inner harbour and going out in Fells Point. What a fun city! It was super cold when I went. That was the only downside.
I have never been while it has been cold. Just when it has been breezy and raining.
I’ve never been in America and I had to google Baltimore to find out where exactly that was. Now I find out it is near Washington! When daydreaming about travelling to the US, I usually think about the west coast, and only NYC in the East Coast, but your post definitely awakes my curiosity for Baltimore too!
Baltimore has the best of both worlds with the rolling hills of the Appalachian Mountains a couple hours to the West and the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean just over the bay to our East. Stunning.
From: Calleigh
I live in Maryland and Baltimore is my favorite area too. Such great vibe and food options.
❥ tanvii.com
How awesome Tanvii! I can not wait to explore other areas of Maryland.
Oh, I have never been to Baltimore but it looks like a awesome city to explore. I will definitely put this on my travel lists this 2018. Baltimore is dreamy place.
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