Baltimore

Abbey Burger Bistro

Federal Hill's spot for loaded gourmet burgers, with a list of options long enough to keep you busy for a good 10 minutes figuring out what to order!

Mon 5PM-1:30AM, Tue-Sun 11:30AM-1:30AM·$11-25

Ale Mary's

In most respects, this place is just yet another pub in Fells Point, but there is one five star attraction that brings the crowds—the legendary Krispy Kreme bread pudding with vanilla ice cream! The rest of the heart-destroying menu is great as well, as are the Scottish beers.

Mon-Thu 4PM-2AM, Fri-Sat 11:30AM-2AM, Sun 10:30AM-2AM

Alexander's

With plenty of local beers on tap, a good selection of wines by the glass, great bar food, and a somewhat nicer atmosphere than most pubs in the area, Alexander's is a very reliable spot for a few drinks at night. The crab macaroni and cheese with bacon is decadent, and the salmon sliders and crab tater tots are popular as well.

Mon-Fri 11AM-2AM, Sat-Sun 10AM-2AM

Aloha Sushi

Baltimore is a little short on good sushi restaurants, but this is very much a good place for fresh sushi at reasonable prices with a casual atmosphere. Both lunch and happy hour see great deals both on the sushi, including a dollar sushi menu, and the drinks. The cheap BBQ wings are also surprisingly well done. Karaoke in the lounge downstairs F-Sa nights.

Mon-Sat 11AM-11PM, Sun 1PM-11PM·$12-20

American Visionary Art Museum

The most eclectic and interesting collection of contemporary art from non-professional artists, with many works of beauty, some of paranoia, and a fair share of sheer obsessive personality disorder!

Wed-Sun 10AM-5PM·Adults $15.95, discounts available for seniors, children and large groups

Amiccis

It is all too easy to walk into an overpriced tourist trap in Little Italy, but that's why you brought this travel guide, right? Amiccis is one of the clear favorites, having won "best Italian restaurant" categories in various years across multiple Baltimore journals/websites. The setting seems somewhat fancy, but the atmosphere is decidedly casual and informal. Portions are enormous, wine flows plentifully, prices reasonable, and those mixed drinks are stiff. They also have a nice new bar, which is a solid after hours option in the area.

Sun-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 11AM-midnight·$16-32

Anabel Lee Tavern

Though well off the beaten path, Anabel Lee Tavern is one of the hidden gems of Baltimore's foodie scene. The restaurant is decorated in the style of Edgar Allen Poe, and serves up American style dishes that has earned itself a well entrenched reputation from the locals. The dining area is extremely small, so reservations are required.

$20-30 mains

Angel's Rock Bar

Don't Stop Believing that the set list will be a little cheesy, but this rock club is regardless one of the better stops within the complex. The clientele is a little skewed towards the male gender, though (because they are sick of the house music at the other clubs). $5-10, free for ladies.

Thu-Sat 9PM-2:30AM

Antique Man

This has got to be the most interesting store to browse in the city. The Antique Man combines everything you would expect from a fancy antique store, an eccentric tchotchke shop, and a decommissioned traveling carnival train. The packed, cramped store, which seems to be a large garage, keeps Marylin Monroe sculptures, antique mirrors (which help you get lost), all sorts of odd paintings, rare books, creepy puppets, and an extraordinary array of vintage National Bohemian poster ads.

Sat-Sun 1PM-5PM

Attman's Delicatessen

This is just about the best New York-style Jewish deli you'll find anywhere. Sitting on the one-time famous "corned beef row" in Jonestown, one-time home to Baltimore's best known Jewish community, Attman's has been here for 100 years, and beaten incredible odds to continue thriving among newly constructed and now demolished violent housing projects, urban blight, the virtual end of the local Jewish community, economic decline—you name it. No matter what, Attman's has a line out the door. The famous items on order are without a doubt the packed-full-of-meat pastrami and corned beef sandwiches.

Mon-Sat 8AM-6:30PM, Sun 8AM-5PM·$5-20

B&O American Brasserie

Upscale American restaurant in the lobby of the Kimpton Hotel Monaco, housed in the former B&O Railroad headquarters building.

Baba's Mediterranean Kitchen

An almost startlingly good little place in Locust Point, with a Palestinian owner who knows his falafel.

Mon-Fri 11:30AM-2:30PM,5PM-9PM, Sat 11:30AM-9PM, Sun noon-8PM·$9-19

Babe Ruth Museum

This museum is actually in the house where the Great Bambino himself was born. The museum isn't huge, but should be considered a can't-miss attraction for baseball fans. There is a white baseball "trail" leading from Camden Yards straight here, so it isn't hard to find. Plan to spend about a half hour looking at the exhibits on his life, and also the neat new one on the 500-homer club.

Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM·$6 adults, $3 children 3-12

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum

Located in a beautiful historic railroad roundhouse is a large collection of locomotives and railcars dating back to the very earliest railroads of America. Train rides are sometimes available. Very kid friendly.

Mon-Sat 10AM-4PM, Sun 11AM-4PM·Admission $18, discounts for seniors and children available

Baltimore Comedy Factory

The Comedy Factory transcends its plastic surroundings—it has a 30 year history (at a former location) and is the city's main, and only, comedy venue. Big names are commonplace.

Shows start anywhere between 7PM and 10:15PM·$17-22, often with a two-drink minimum

Baltimore Museum of Art

Fantastic collection of 19th century, modern and contemporary art.

Wed-Fri 11AM-5PM, Sat Sun 11AM-6PM, Mon Tue closed·Free

Baltimore Museum of Industry

Baltimore's museum of the common man defies the idea that history is just about politicians, wars, and artists. You'll see recreations of a cannery, a turn of the century textile factory, a printing press, Dr Bunting's old pharmacy, and exhibits on the Domino Sugar Factory. There are plenty of good hands-on activities for kids—they can even become child laborers in the textile shop!

Tue-Sun 10AM-4PM·$10/8/6 (adults/seniors/children & students)

Barfly's

This is the best spot for pizza within a few blocks of the Inner Harbor, with a tasty, thick fresh dough crust, and a nice bar.

Mon-Fri 4PM-2AM, Sat-Sun noon-2AM·$7-14

Battle Monument

Far less known than the Monumental City's other memorials, but no lesser in size, is the Battle Monument in the median across from the Baltimore Circuit Courts. Dedicated to the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812, it stands on an Egyptian tomb-like base, with Baltimore's fallen soldiers' names engraved. Lady Baltimore stands atop the column, bearing a wreath of victory. It is the oldest structure in this part of the city.

Bay Island Seafood Carryout

This is another one of those real gems in West Baltimore, with some incredible seafood, boiled, broiled or fried. As is generally the case in this part of town, though, it is carryout only. If you've seen David Simon's The Corner, you might recognize the Sea Pride Crab House across the street (this is a really crabby intersection). DeAndre attempted to work an honest job here, but ultimately had to quit due to crab allergies!

Bazaar

Curiosity-themed gift shop with a wide selection of natural history gifts, including framed insects, taxidermy, antiques, jewelry, and home goods.

Noon-5PM, closed Tuesdays

Berger Cookies

As Natty Boh is to Baltimore beer, Berger Cookies are to Baltimore sweets. Incredibly rich, you should only ever eat one, and probably get two glasses of milk handy. The cookie is of the soft sugar variety (German vanilla wafer, to be precise), with a fudgy chocolate top so thick that it's better to think of it as an extra brownie. Berger's has been turning out these cookies for 175 years, and it's a true Baltimore tradition. You can buy them online, you can find them at Lexington Market (at De Bauffre Bakery), but adventure seekers can head straight here, to the factory itself, for the fix.

Bertha's Restaurant

"EAT BERTHA'S MUSSELS." The famous slogan is mostly true, the mussels at this would-be tourist trap are indeed really good, while the rest of the menu is a little weak. Perhaps the number one reason to come, besides the magnetic fame, though, is simply for the famous bumper stickers that come with every meal! Frequent good live jazz—check the website for dates.

Sun-Thu 11:30AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 11:30AM-11PM·$15-25

Big Bad Wolf's House of BBQ

A simple sit-down BBQ joint, offering ribs, pulled pork, brisket, etc. of different regional styles, as well as some real mouth-watering Eastern Shore BBQ chicken. Aside from the chicken, the consensus standouts would be the signature Big Bad Wolf sandwich, the pork ribs, baked beans, and just about any of those sauces.

Mon-Fri 11AM-9PM, Sat-Sun 8AM-10PM, 2AM-3AM·$5-15

Birds of a Feather

Fells Point's scotch whisky bar, with a good 120 single malts on offer, poured in generous drams. The bar atmosphere is very atypical for the neighborhood—no TVs, jazz softly in the background, and older, laid-back clientele.

Tue-Thu 4PM-10PM, Fri-Sat 4PM-11PM

Black Olive

This is an excellent upscale seafood restaurant that nary a tourist has heard of. Classy, but not formal. There is a light Greek influence, like the delicious hummus and olives up front, but you'll find the regular upscale Baltimore seafood dishes on offer as well.

noon-2PM, 5-10PM daily·$34-65

Blick Art Supplies

A well-known and well-stocked art supply store. It may not be the type of store to attract visitors, but it does show off what this artsy neighborhood is about. Very knowledgeable staff, unsurprisingly.

Mon-Fri 10AM-7PM, Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun 11AM-5PM

Blue Hill Tavern

Upscale restaurant on the edge of the Canton neighborhood, bordering with Highlandtown. The food is pricey and the portions small, but extremely delicious. Reservations recommended, but not required, on the weekends. Well worth it for happy hour (4-7PM) on weekdays.

$20-30 Entree

Blue Moon

A kitschy-trendy all day breakfast restaurant, know best for its audacious Cap'n Crunch French toast and long lines for weekend breakfast. The lines are actually bad enough to the point of ruling it out as a good weekend option. Unsurprisingly, the place is also very popular with the late-night after-bar crowd on weekends.

Sun-Thu 7AM-3PM, Fri-Sat 7AM-3AM·$9-22

Broadway Market

A historic covered market dating back to 1785, in a very visible location on Broadway, this is a good place for a browse of its gift shops and flower store, and perhaps to grab a sandwich.

Mon-Sat 7:30AM-6PM