A, B, C, D, E, F, G… Baltimore’s the town for me! (I definitely sang that as I wrote it, too.) If you didn’t catch part one of this post, you missed that Jen at I Heart Charm City is working on an A-to-Z list of things to see and do in Baltimore, and asked for input. Click here for the first half of my favorites, A through M, and keep reading for the latter half of the alphabet.
N is for the National Aquarium in Baltimore — that triangle in the Baltimore/Inner Harbor skyline? That’s the rainforest, no big deal. Before you hang out with the sloths and birds up in the top of the aquarium, say hello to my favorite aquatic friends, the sting rays and sharks. Book an Immersion Tour to get a really neat behind-the-scenes look at the whole operation.
O is for Oriole Park at Camden Yards — if you’re here in the summer, it’s a must-do experience. Camden Yards is a beautiful ballpark (and I’m not just biased, it’s really beautiful). New this season is a centerfield bar, overlooking the whole ballpark. If you’re hungry, grab a crab mac and cheese hot dog from Stuggy’s (the very same) or bacon on a stick from the Jack Daniel’s stand on Eutaw Street.
P is for the National Pinball Museum — take a quick walk through the history of pinball downstairs, then head upstairs for two hours of play on pinball machines from all eras. It’s not every day that you get to play your way through history and witness the evolution of a game.
Q is for the quick! That is, the horses at Preakness are pretty darn fast — Preakness is the second jewel in the Triple Crown, and probably the second biggest party in Baltimore after opening day of the Oriole’s season. Grab an infield ticket to join a muddy, beer-fueled party, headlined with some pretty big musical acts (this year: Maroon 5, Wiz Khalifa, and The Darkness). If you’re sober enough for the big race, head to the fence to watch the horses run by for all of a few seconds. Go baby, go!
R is for roller derby — Baltimore’s Charm City Roller Girls are BAD ASS. Get to DuBurns arena early for a good seat, grab a beer, and cheer on the home team chick with the most intimidating name. My favorite? Flux Incapacitator! Where they’re going, they don’t need roads — just skates.
S is for shopping in Fells Point — another place to spend a whole day. Check out Party Dress for, you guessed it, some beautiful and unique dresses. Sound Garden is THE PLACE for music lovers. Killer Trash is a really cool vintage shop. I want to decorate my whole house with Su Casa finds. There’s really something for everyone in this neighborhood. And, for those Sleepless in Seattle fans, take a walk down the pier (THE pier) and pretend you’re gazing at the moon at the same time as Tom Hanks.
T is for tailgating at Ravens games — September through January, it’s the time of year to deck yourself in purple and take a stroll through the parking lots around M&T Bank Stadium, or grab a parking pass and host brunch out of your own trunk. This is the friendliest place in Baltimore and the easiest place to make friends — as long as you’re not wearing the other team’s jersey.
U is for the Baltimore Farmer’s Market, because it’s literally under the Jones Falls Expressway — every Sunday from April to December, local producers gather to sell the freshest fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, baked goods, herbs and organically raised and produced dairy, eggs and cheese products. Bring your reusable shopping bags!
V is for (Mount) Vernon — home to some of the great cultural institutions of Baltimore like the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Walters Art Museum. Don’t miss the Pratt Library while you’re in the neighborhood.
W is for Waters, Jon Waters — he’s a Baltimore icon and filmmaker famous for Hairspray, Pink Flamingos, Cry-Baby, and Serial Mom. His vision of Baltimore is celebrated every year during Hon Fest in Hampden (see H). If you can’t make it to Charm City, at least pop in a DVD of Hairspray — the original — and get ready to want to dance.
X marks the spot for pirate treasure, and Baltimore is full of piratey activities — Urban Pirate Cruises is one of my summertime favorites, but there’s also an annual Privateer Day in Fells Point. Or if you’re really feeling like a pirate, commandeer your own sea vessel and have a drink on the open water. (I recommend the Duffy boat rentals at Harbor East Marina.)
Y is for yoga at Charm City Yoga — where I got my introduction to zen. Every class I’ve attended at one of their studios has been really phenomenal, and I love the instructors. While yoga maybe isn’t something a visitor might do while spending a few days in town, they host free classes in the Inner Harbor all summer that anyone can join. I’ve seen a handful of tourists walking through the harbor join in for a few poses!
Z is for the Maryland Zoo — while I haven’t been in years, the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore was my second home as a kid (jokes about being an animal of a child, haha!) — my mom used to take me to howl at the White Gibbon monkeys and watch my favorites, the giraffes and elephants. I went to zookeeper camp in elementary school and hung out with penguins — so my life was like We Bought a Zoo but less in my back yard and less Matt Damon. For me, a trip to the zoo is a trip down memory lane, but it’s fun for anyone to spend an afternoon making friends with prairie dogs, chimpanzees, and Magnet the polar bear.
And there you have it — my Baltimore favorites, A to M and N to Z! There’s really so much to see and do, I know that there’s plenty I missed. Check out Jen’s list on I Heart Charm City for more!
