Timeline
15:37
Start with coffee and a pastry at On the Hill Cafe. The pastries are good, but the specialty burgers and sandwiches really shine if you prefer something savory. It is a cozy spot in Bolton Hill with a critical shortage of other options nearby.
16:07
Walk ten minutes to the Francis Scott Key Monument. The square around this huge memorial is the most impressive section of Bolton Hill. Arrive early to find a good spot on the steps or the grass as the light begins to shift.
17:07
Watch the sun set toward the WSW. The golden light starts about an hour before, but the actual sunset moment is when the sky deepens. The monument provides a dramatic foreground for the fading light.
17:52
Head to Joe Squared for a late dinner. It is just a minute walk from the monument. The atmosphere is cool with local artists exhibiting on the walls and regular live jazz. It is Iggy's rival to the north and serves gourmet-ish pizza that is just as good.
18:37
End the night at Mobtown Ballroom and Café. It is the city's home for swing, blues, and lindy hop dancing. Come single or in pairs, and expect to be dancing. Lessons are offered at all levels and are usually followed by social dancing. Music is often live.
Local tip
Hours vary at the ballroom. Call or check the calendar online before you go.
Check before you go
- On the Hill Cafe is open Mo-Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa 08:00-21:00; Su 09:00-21:00.
- Joe Squared is open daily 11:00-02:00.
- Mobtown Ballroom hours vary—check the calendar online.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Baltimore (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).