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Photo by Axel Drainville. CC BY-NC 2.0

There are so many things to do and see in Baltimore! Here are a few favorites. And if you're looking to find a little green (or blue), don't miss our separate page on nearby nature areas.

Prices listed below are for one adult. Reduced-price tickets are often available for seniors and children. See individual websites for details.

Inner Harbor Sights

Originally a working waterfront dating back to the 18th century, the Inner Harbor was redeveloped from the 1960s-1980s, becoming the jewel of Baltimore's tourism industry with its parks, plazas, world-class museums, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Of particular interest:

National Aquarium

The National Aquarium ($40) showcases 20,000 different animals in award-winning habitats, from river to reef to rainforest. The Aquarium uses timed-entry tickets. Admission is 50% off Fridays after 5pm.

Getting there:

• (5 min). Head west along Waterfront Promenade to Pier 3.

Historic Ships

Tour Historic Ships In Baltimore's five floating museums ($20), including the U.S.S. Constellation sloop-of-war, the U.S.S. Torsk submarine, and the U.S.C.G. Cutter 37 (Taney), which is conveniently docked right next to our conference venue!

Getting there:

• (5-10 min). Head west along Waterfront Promenade. Ships are docked at Piers 1, 3 and 5. Buy boarding pass at any open ship.

Mr. Trash Wheel

Pay a visit to Mr. Trash Wheel (free), a "semi-autonomous trash interceptor" who sits at the Jones Falls stream outflow just down the pier from our conference venue, preventing plastics and other trash from reaching the Bay. He's now got a growing family around Baltimore, and beyond!

Getting there:

• (5 min). Head south on Pier 5, then bear east and follow Waterfront Promenade around to the end of Pier 6, beyond the Pier 6 Concert Pavilion.

Top of the World

Take in sweeping views of the city and the Port of Baltimore from the Top of the World ($8), the observation level atop Baltimore's World Trade Center. It's the world's tallest pentagonal building!

Getting there:

• (5 min). Head west one block on Pratt St., or follow the Waterfront Promenade west across Piers 3 and 4 to World Trade Plaza.

Maryland Science Center

The Maryland Science Center ($27) features a planetarium, an IMAX theater, and three floors of science-focused exhibits for kids and grown-ups alike.

Getting there:

• (15 min). Head west along Waterfront Promenade.
• Charm City Circulator Orange Route to stop 221 (Pratt St., eastbound), then Banner route to stop 403 (Federal Hill Park-MD Science Center).

Fort McHenry

Fort McHenry National Monument ($15) was attacked in a pivotal War of 1812 battle that inspired the U.S.'s National Anthem. The grounds offer beautiful views of the harbor, while daily ranger-led programs, self-guided audio tours, and museum exhibits inside the historic Star Fort educate visitors.

Getting there:

• Charm City Circulator Orange Route to stop 221 (Pratt St., eastbound), then Banner route to stop 411 (Fort McHenry).
• / + Walk (1 mi/1.6 km) or take the CityLink Navy bus to Fells Point ($2), then catch Baltimore Water Taxi's Fort McHenry line ($20).

Port Discovery

If you have young people in tow, don't miss the Port Discovery Children's Museum ($22). Ranked among the nation's best, its three floors of interactive and role-playing exhibits include The Port, an enormous pretend cargo ship.

Getting there:

• (5 min). Head north on Market Place for 2 blocks.

Nearby Neighborhoods to Explore

Little Italy

A small but mighty community full of families that have lived here for generations, several of which own the locally beloved Italian restaurants the neighborhood is known for.

Getting there:

• (10 min). Walk east across the Eastern Ave. bridge, then explore along Albemarle, High, and Exeter Streets to the north.
• Charm City Circulator Orange Route.

Fells Point

This former shipbuilding port is one of Baltimore's oldest neighborhoods, known for its maritime history, picturesque streets, and modern restaurant and pub scene. While you're there, don't miss the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park Museum, celebrating the contributions of African Americans in the development of Baltimore's maritime industry.

Getting there:

• (25 min, 1.1 mi/ 1.8 km) Head east on the Waterfront Promenade.
• Charm City Circulator Orange Route and Green Route.

Federal Hill

Come for the panoramic views of downtown and the Inner Harbor from high atop this historic military outpost. Stay to explore the vibrant community, with its abundance of locally owned shops and restaurants.

Getting there:

• Harbor Connector water taxi HC3, Pier 5 landing to Federal Hill.
• Charm City Circulator Purple Route and Banner Route.

Canton & Brewers Hill

A waterfront neighborhood known for its lively bar and restaurant scene, quaint and quintessentially Baltimore streetscapes, and historic breweries.

Getting there:

• + Charm City Circulator, Green Route, stop 117 (Little Italy, eastbound) to stop 119 (Maritime Park, eastbound). Harbor Connector water taxi HC1 to Locust Point, then HC2 to Canton Waterfront Park.

Even More Museums (plus a library)

Lewis Museum

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture ($12) is the largest African American museum in Maryland, with 10,000 objects and art dating from 1784 to the present in its permanent collection.

Getting there:

• (4 min) Head east on Pratt Street for two blocks.
• Charm City Circulator, Orange Route, stop 201 (Lewis Museum).

Jewish Museum of Maryland

The Jewish Museum of Maryland ($10) is one of the country's leading centers for exhibits on Jewish history and culture, and the only museum in the U.S. with two historic synagogues telling the stories of two great waves of Jewish immigrants to Baltimore. In addition to docent-led tours of both synagogues, the museum hosts rotating exhibits and special events in its galleries.

Getting there:

• (11 min) Head north on Market Place for one block, east on Lombard St. for 7 blocks, then north on Lloyd St for one block.
• Charm City Circulator, Orange Route, stop 228 (Jewish Museum of MD).

American Visionary Art Museum

The American Visionary Art Museum ($16) is America's official national museum, education center, and repository for self-taught and intuitive artistry. Its exhibitions combine "art, science, philosophy, humor and especially social justice and betterment" for an utterly unique experience.

Getting there:

• Charm City Circulator, Banner Route from stop 420 (Pratt St) to stop 404 (AVAM).
• Harbor Connector water taxi HC3, Pier 5 landing to Federal Hill.

Walters Art Museum

The Walters Art Museum (free) has 36,000 art objects spanning seven millennia, in a campus of five historic buildings. Distinctive and eclectic, its collections range from 19th-century paintings of French country and city life to Ethiopian icons, richly illuminated Qur'ans and Gospel books, ancient Roman sarcophagi, and images of the Buddha.

Getting there:

• Charm City Circulator, Purple Route from stop 302 (Inner Harbor) to stop 307 (Washington Monument, northbound).

George Peabody Library

The George Peabody Library (free) is known both for its extensive non-circulating collections of 18th and 19th century books and the stunning architecture of its interior, with five tiers of ornamental cast-iron balconies rising dramatically to the skylight 61 feet above the floor. 

Getting there:

• Charm City Circulator, Purple Route from stop 302 (Inner Harbor) to stop 307 (Washington Monument, northbound).

B&O Railroad Museum

The B&O Railroad Museum ($20) has the largest collection of 19th-century locomotives in the country, housed in an original 1894 roundhouse, along with an extensive collection of scale models and toy trains. Board the Mile One Express ($3), a 20 minute ride in historic train cars along the nation's first mile of commercial track.

Getting there:

• Charm City Circulator, Orange Route, stop 212 (Mt. Clare St. - B\&O Railroad Museum).

Baltimore Museum of Industry

The Baltimore Museum of Industry ($12) celebrates Baltimore's industrial history with original machinery and hands-on immersive exhibits recreating a steel mill, cannery, garment loft, print shop, pharmacy, and more. The 1906 steam tug Baltimore is docked outside.

Getting there:

• + Charm City Circulator, Green Route, stop 117 (Little Italy, eastbound) to stop 119 (Maritime Park, eastbound). Harbor Connector water taxi HC1 from Maritime Park to Locust Point.
• (35 min, 1.6 mi/2.6 km) Head west along Waterfront Promenade. Follow Promenade around harbor and through HarborView community, to Key Hwy, then walk 5 min southeast along Key Hwy to reach museum.

National Great Blacks in Wax Museum

The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum ($15) is one of the only wax museums in the country dedicated to the preservation of African American history.

Getting there:

• Bus Route 54 ("Carney/Hillendale", $2) from Gay St. & Lombard St. to Harford Ave. & North Ave.

Baltimore Museum of Art

The Baltimore Museum of Art (free) With a mission to "connect art to Baltimore and Baltimore to the world," the BMA hosts a diverse collection of early-modern through contemporary works rivaling those of much larger cities, including the world's largest holding of works by Henri Matisse.

Getting there:

• Charm City Circulator, Purple Route from stop 302 (Inner Harbor) to stop 315 (31st St - Baltimore Museum of Art).