Conventioneers and meeting attendees wouldn’t think of Baltimore as a go-to kind of place for fun and wild times. However, Baltimore is a huge city with lots to see and do. Many neighborhoods offer boutique shopping, green spaces and parks, art galleries, museums, craft foods and drinks. There’s also the Inner Harbor, with tour guides on boats, festivals and music. Want to see historic sites? Fort McHenry will fill the bill, since Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner there. Feeling more like water? The Inner Harbor’s National Aquarium will show you up close and personal what a shark looks like. Want to hear more about the fun to be had in Baltimore MD? Glad you asked.
Baltimore is About Water
The Inner Harbor is only the beginning. Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and a hat. Cruise liners leave from Baltimore, water taxis zip you across to the other shore, and boat tours tell you all about Baltimore’s fascinating history:
- American Sailing Tours. 40 International Drive. 800-979-3370. The schooner Summer Wind will not only show you what it was like sailing in the days of full sail, but it will also take you on historic sails, moonlight sails and a musical sail. Anchors aweigh!
- Baltimore Rowing and Resource Center. 3301 Waterview Ave. 410-396-3840. A popular meeting center, you’ll see a magnificent view of the city skyline plus find out how the Princeton Crew does it.
- Cruises on the Bay by Watermark. The Finger Piers 555 Light Street. 410-268-7600. Learn about Baltimore’s history and attractions as you sip from a cool drink from the bar. Happy hour cruises available on weekends.
- Team Chessie. Pier One, 301 E. Pratt St. 410-528-1060. Paddle around the Inner Harbor in a paddle boat or an electric boat shaped like a sea monster! No sun and a good workout were ever more fun!
Baltimore is About the Famous
Lots of famous people came from Baltimore. See how their homes morphed into museums:
- Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum. 216 Emory St. 410-727-1539. A National Historic Site, see all things Babe.
- Carroll Mansion. 800 E. Lombard St. 410-605-2964. Charles Carroll was the last signer of the Declaration of Independence still alive. He had his hand in the affairs of several of the colonies. His home has been many things since it was built in 1811, including a saloon. The brick-walled courtyard is stunning.
- Civic Works-Clifton Mansion. 2701 St. Lo St. 410-366-8533. The home of Johns Hopkins (of hospital fame), it is now a museum telling a 200 year old story of service to Baltimore.
- Edgar Alan Poe House and Museum. 443-327-9789. The National Historic Landmark where the poet lived from 1833 to 1835 has been renovated. It’s open weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Baltimore is About Partying
If you happen to be coming to town before DrupalCon or staying longer you can continue the party. This city will hold a festival at the drop of a hat. It’s about socializing and having fun. More people hang outside the bars than inside. Street parties in neighborhoods, food, music, art and interactive events keep Baltimoreans laughing and dancing:
- Waterfront Spring Festival at Rash Field Inner Harbor. April 22, 2017. 201 Key Highway. Welcome the season with cherry blossoms, music, food, games and fun.
- Federal Hill Spring Block Party. April 23, 2017. 42 E. Cross St. What’d we tell ya? The music at this festival can’t be beat. The food in the neighborhood is extraordinary, too. Dance Spring into Baltimore!
- Charm City Folk and Bluegrass Festival. April 29, 2017. Druid Hill Park 2600 Madison Ave. Instantly recognizable names in the genre will draw everyone to this festival. The food, the music, the aura all combines to give attendees a great evening.
- Charm City Comedy Festival. May 3-7, 2017. Zissimos Bar 1023 W. 36th Why let the musicians have all the fun? Laugh the night away as the soft air of spring surrounds you at this Baltimore favorite festival.
