Things to do in Baltimore
Spring (April to May) brings blooming gardens and mild harbor weather, while September and October offer warm days, fewer crowds, and crisp evenings perfect for the waterfront. Summers are hot and humid; winters are cold but quiet.
Best months: April, May, September, October
What is worth your time in Baltimore
Baltimore Museum of ArtDo not miss
Home to the world's largest Matisse holdings, a free encyclopedic collection, and two tranquil sculpture gardens near Johns Hopkins.
Museum · 2.3 hr4.8
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic ShrineDo not miss
The star-shaped fort whose defense in 1814 inspired the Star-Spangled Banner, with ramparts, cannons, and sweeping harbor views.
Historic Site · 2.3 hr4.8
The Walters Art MuseumDo not miss
A free, world-spanning art collection from ancient Egypt to medieval armor and Faberge, housed in a grand Mount Vernon palazzo.
Museum · 2.3 hr4.8
American Visionary Art MuseumDo not miss
A wildly original museum of self-taught, visionary art, from a giant whirligig to mirror mosaics, at the foot of Federal Hill.
Museum · 2 hr4.7
Federal Hill ParkDo not miss
A grassy bluff above the harbor with the city's classic skyline panorama, Civil War cannons, and a perfect sunset perch.
Viewpoint · 53 min4.7
Oriole Park at Camden YardsDo not miss
The retro ballpark that changed stadium design forever, with its brick warehouse backdrop, tours, and electric Orioles game nights.
Landmark · 2.5 hr4.7
National AquariumDo not miss
One of the finest aquariums in the country, with a rainforest dome, an Atlantic coral reef, sharks, and a beloved dolphin colony on the Inner Harbor.
Activity · 3.3 hr4.6
Washington MonumentDo not miss
The nation's first formal monument to George Washington, a 178-foot Doric column you can climb for a view over elegant Mount Vernon.
Landmark · 1.1 hr4.6
Baltimore Inner HarborDo not miss
The heart of Baltimore, a revitalized waterfront of brick promenades, paddle boats, street performers, and the city's headline attractions all within a short walk.
Landmark · 1.8 hr
Fells PointDo not miss
Baltimore's oldest maritime neighborhood, with cobblestone streets, centuries-old pubs, indie shops, and a lively harborfront square.
Neighborhood · 2.3 hr
Antietam National Battlefield
The hauntingly preserved field of the bloodiest single day in American history, a moving drive northwest through the Maryland countryside.
Day Trip · 7.5 hr4.9
Annapolis
Maryland's colonial capital, an easy drive south, with a charming sailing harbor, the US Naval Academy, and 18th-century streets.
Day Trip · 7.5 hr4.8
Baltimore Basilica
America's first Roman Catholic cathedral, a serene neoclassical masterpiece designed by Capitol architect Benjamin Latrobe.
Architecture · 45 min4.8
Sherwood Gardens
A six-acre Guilford garden famous for a springtime blaze of 80,000 tulips, free and open as a tranquil neighborhood retreat.
Park · 53 min4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Baltimore is a city of distinct neighborhoods, so plan your days by area (Inner Harbor, Fells Point, Mount Vernon, Hampden) to cut down on crossing the city.
- The free Charm City Circulator buses loop through downtown, Federal Hill, Fells Point, and Mount Vernon and are an easy way to skip parking.
- Try the local specialty: Maryland blue crab and crab cakes, ideally at Faidley's in Lexington Market, plus a pack of Berger cookies.
- The Inner Harbor and tourist core are safe and walkable, but use rideshare at night between farther neighborhoods rather than walking unfamiliar blocks.
- Many top museums sit close together in Mount Vernon and around the harbor, so a walking-first plan with a transit hop to Hampden or Druid Hill works well.