Baltimore DU'ers ...

[NewHampshireDem]

I'm going to be in Baltimore for two days over the summer. We're going to catch an Orioles game and probably hit the aqarium. What else is a "must see" in the city? What is your favorite casual restaurant in the city? Where do you go for good crabs?

Any help you give will be greatly appreciated. :)

[freestyle]

1. Baltimore attractions

The Great Blacks in Wax Museum is truly unique. The Walters Art Museum has very good collections of ancient and medieval items. The American Visionary Art Museum is another really cool and unique place. If there is an ethnic festival happening when you're here check it out. Artscape, a weekend filled with performances of every music imaginable, art exhibits, literature, all free, and great art for sale is a real showcase of the city. It is sometime in July. As far as dining, it depends on what you like. If you can eat it, someplace in Baltimore sells it. My favorite crab place in town is Gunnings. If you want a longer trip, venture just across the Bay Bridge to Kent Island and go to Harris.

Have fun, and don't spend all your time at the Inner Harbor. There's a whole city out there.

[NewHampshireDem]

2. Thanks!

We're actually coming into Baltimore from Virginia, so we'll be spending a day in Ocean City and another day in St Michaels, with two days in the city. We're lucky in that we'll be staying in the Inner Harbor, but I do hope to get around a little more.

Thanks for the info and I will definately check out Gunnings. :)

[sus]

4. if you're staying in st. michaels

you have to take the ferry from bellevue to oxford!
(bellevue is minutes from st. michaels) it's like a ten minute ride and oxford is so quaint. (i'm biased. i used to live there. i also used to work as a deckhand on the ferry in high school.) you can rent bicycles in town or just walk around. you could probably cover the whole town on foot in an hour or so. there's a nice park down n. morris st that is right on the tred avon river. in my opinion, st. michaels is way overrated and very touristy. oxford is a quiet gem.

[sus]

3. long rambling list

you have to go to fells point. great for a night of bar hopping. tons of quaint little shops. Cat's Eye Pub is always packed with interesting locals. http://www.catseyepub.com/

fells is also walking distance from little italy, which is even better. i was there just last night eating gelato from Vaccaro's while i watched people play bocce ball. there are plenty of fancy italian restaurants, but your best value can be found at ammiccis: http://www.amiccis.com/
(the chicken lorenzo is fabulous.)

if you are down here after july 2nd, check out the film festival in little italy. it's every friday night through august. just bring a chair and some wine, picnic, whatever and enjoy the show. they screen is on the side of a building and they set the projector up in the 2nd floor bedroom across the street. most of the local restaurants have carry-out movie menus(wine included.)
film info: http://www.amiccis.com/events.htm

Federal Hill is around the Harbor in the opposite
direction of Fells Point.
http://marylandala.web1.firmseek.com/baltimore/fedhill.html
Little Havana's is excellent. Cuban food with
all you can drink mimosas and bloody mary's.

the Charles is a great local theater that shows movies you'll never see at Regal. (you might spot John Waters!) it's by Penn Station: http://www.thecharles.com/

Lexington Market is a must see. (closed on sundays) i recommend taking the Light Rail and get off at the Lexingtom Market stop. lots of food and shops. great crab cakes(and reasonably priced.) i'd clear out before dark, though.

there are tons of great little museums in baltimore, but the Visionary Arts is one of the best in my opinion. http://www.avam.org/index.html

The Walters Art Museum
http://www.thewalters.org/

Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum
http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/historic/poehouse.html

Baltimore Museum of Art
http://www.artbma.org/

haven't seen this yet but i want to:
http://www.dimemuseum.com/

Here's a more complete list of museums in and around
Baltimore:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/galleriesmuseums/

Patterson Park is great: http://www.pattersonpark.com/
not so long ago, Patterson Park was overrun with junkie camps and child prostitutes. a group of baltimore's many community activists have cleaned it up and renovated the Pagoda, the boat lake, and have things like Music in Patterson Park, which is 8 free concerts from May to September.

[NewHampshireDem]

5. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

What a great list and terrific recommendations. I'm going in July and I'll be sure to let you know how it went. I really appreciate your help. :thumbsup: