Historic places in Baltimore

Historic places in Baltimore

1. SeeWest Baltimore

   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

2. DrinkInner Harbor

   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

3. SeeSouth Baltimore

   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)

4. BuyNorth Baltimore

   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

5. BuyFells Point

   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

6. SeeFells Point

   Carroll Mansion and Phoenix Shot Tower

   Old Baltimore Shot Tower

   This is one of the more intriguing of the lesser-known historical attractions in the city. The Carrol Mansion was home to writer Charles Carroll, who was both the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence, and its only Catholic signer. Following his death, the mansion led a colorful life as a saloon, immigrant tenement, vocational school, and recreation center. The nearby Phoenix Shot Tower was built in 1828, and for eighteen years remained the tallest structure in the country.

   Sat-Sun noon-4PM; tours of the tower begin at 4PM promptly from the museum·$5/$4

7. DrinkWest Baltimore

   Caton Castle

   This is one of Baltimore's best, if not the best, jazz clubs, and you will not find a single other tourist given the out-of-the-way location! Kick it with the locals, hang out in the lounge, and listen to some great local players. You won't go hungry either, with large servings of traditional American/Southern food.

   6PM-10PM, music is generally only on Saturdays—call or check the online calendar.·Usually $10 cover

8. SeeDowntown

   City Hall

   A beautiful, huge post-Civil War Baroque Revival building and major city landmark, the seat of the city government is partially open for visitors, who can stop by to see exhibits on Baltimore art and history (but mostly to gawk at the architecture).

   Mon-Fri 8AM-4:30PM·Free

9. SeeFells Point

   Fells Point Visitor Center and Maritime Museum

   Run by the Baltimore Historical Society, the visitor center is a nice, sleek space to stop by, with exhibits and artwork related to the maritime history of the neighborhood, as well as information on what to do and see in the area.

   Jan-March: Sun,Tue-Fri noon-5PM, Sat 11AM-7PM; Apr-Dec Tue-Thu noon-5PM, Fri 11AM-8PM, Sat 10AM-8PM·Free

10. SeeSouth Baltimore

    Fort McHenry

    Really a must-visit for any tourist in Baltimore, this is the birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner, the United States National Anthem. The fort's military history is best known for its central role in the defense of the country in the War of 1812, simply named the Battle of Fort McHenry. At the time, Baltimore was the industrial powerhouse of the United States, and was a critical producer of ships and armaments. Fort McHenry remained relevant in future wars: a prison for captured Confederate soldiers in the Civil War, a military hospital during WWI, and again an active Coast Guard base during WWII. Since 1925 it has been designated as a National Park (and since 1939 doubly listed as a National Monument), and is today a museum, with plenty of cannons and nooks and crannies to explore. Back to the National Anthem, it was Francis Scott Key, who escaped here from British captivity in the War of 1812, and joins Edgar Allen Poe, Thurgood Marshall, and H L Mencken as a preeminent icon of the city and the eponym for dishes at restaurants, bridges, and one impressive golden statue in Bolton Hill. He might be a little sad to see that the flag is not still there. It was getting extra raggedy after all these years, and was moved to the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. for preservation.

    9AM-4:45PM daily·$15, children under 15 are free

11. SeeEast Baltimore

    Great Blacks in Wax

    Only the American Visionary Arts Museum could claim to be more unique than this very off-the-beaten-path museum, and it might be wrong. The catchy name betrays the extremely disturbing content (make sure your kids are prepared). It's appropriately disturbing, though, as much of African American history is horrifying even without seeing it reproduced with life-sized wax figures. The first room you enter sets the tone: a cramped slave ship, packed with brutalized slaves watched over by a sadistic slavemaster. The lynching scene is in a separate room downstairs, so you can get through the museum without getting those particular nightmares. It's not all doom and gloom, though, as the story of African Americans is full of personal triumphs and huge contributions to the society of not just this country, but of the world.

    Tue-Sat 9AM-6PM, Sun noon-6PM (summer days are open on Mondays as well)·$12/10

12. SeeInner Harbor

    Historic President Street Station

    The surviving headhouse of Baltimore’s first railway station. The platforms and train shed no longer survive, but the building narrowly escaped demolition on several occasions, and has been operated by volunteers as a museum since 1997. Formerly the Baltimore Civil War Museum, it still includes some exhibits on the station’s role during the U.S. Civil War. Operated by Friends of the President Street Station, and being considered for inclusion in the National Park System.

    Daily 10AM-4PM·$3/adult, $2/student, children under 12 free

13. SeeFells Point

    Jewish Museum of Maryland

    A museum dedicated to regional Jewish history, with lots of hands on, family-friendly exhibits, as well as artwork, historical photographs, and multimedia exhibits. Tours of two local historic synagogues are given at 1PM and 2:30PM.

    Tue-Thu, Sun noon-4PM; closed Jewish and Federal holidays·$8, $4/students, $3/children

14. SeeNorth Baltimore

    Johns Hopkins University

    Johns Hopkins University is a mammoth institution in Baltimore, and it is here that you will find its center on the Homewood Campus. The Homewood campus was a property purchased in 1800 by Charles Carroll, signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a wedding present for his son, who designed and oversaw the building of the outstanding federal style country house. The Johns Hopkins University was the first research university in the United States. Tourists will enjoy the Homewood House, a historic home built by Charles Carrol for his son, now a history museum, and the Lacrosse Museum and National Hall of Fame.

15. SeeMidtown

    Maryland Center for History and Culture

    Where you can see the manuscript of "The Star-Spangled Banner" among other things related to Maryland history.

    Wed-Sun 10AM-5PM, Mon-Tue closed·$12, Seniors $10, Students $9

16. SeeWest Baltimore

    Mencken House

    Free public museum dedicated to work of Henry Louis Mencken- a journalist and scholar of American English. He is known for the "American Language" a study of English in the United States. This house was where he lived from 1883 to 1956 and is a national historic landmark.

    Free

17. SeeDowntown

    National Museum of Dentistry

    Almost humorously clean, this is an unusual tourist destination, even by Baltimore standards. The collection is decidedly weird, including the first toothbrush in space, historical dental equipment and exhibits on old (and unpleasant!) procedures, and even George Washington's not-exactly-wooden dentures! Best for those who have a professional interest in dentistry, parents who want to get their kids to see (or be scared into seeing) just how good they actually have it in modern dentistry, or for grizzled veteran tourists who have lost all interest in traditional attractions.

    Wed-Fr 10AM-4PM·$10 adults; $5 seniors, students, and children under 13

18. DoSouth Baltimore

    Oriole Park

    Baltimore Orioles

    The local baseball team plays at Oriole Park, better known as Camden Yards. It's often considered one of the nicest in the nation, with a retro style, but modern facilities (constructed in 1992). No name is better associated with the stadium than Cal Ripken Jr., who set the world record for playing 2,131 consecutive games on 6 September 1995, (a little less well known, but still historic, was Eddie Murray's 500th home run, exactly one year later to the date). Avoid trying to park here, for the same reasons as below for Ravens Stadium. Even when a game is not being played, the team still offers tours of the ballpark starting in March (though check their website for times).

19. SeeFells Point

    Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture

    This new facility is the largest museum on the East Coast that is devoted to African American history and culture, ranging from local Maryland history to national. Includes a 200-seat theater for performances theatrical, musical, dance, etc.

    Wed-Fri noon-5PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-5PM·$8, $6/seniors, children, and students, free under 6

20. SeeMidtown

    The Walters Art Museum

    An excellent museum donated to the city by father-and-son railroad tycoons William and Henry Walter, fervent collectors who purchased much of its massive and diverse collection as well as the buildings that host it. It is best known for its collection of 19th century European masterpieces (top floor), however, the ancient and medieval collections are excellent as well. Be sure to enter or exit from its Charles Street entrance, where you'll pass through a magnificent indoor courtyard modeled after the Palazzo Baldi in Genoa.

    Wed-Sun 10AM-5PM, Mon-Tue closed·Free

21. DoFells Point Not mapped

    Baltimore Ghost Tours

    A one hour walking tour of historic and haunted Fells Point in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Also has a 2 hour haunted pub tour. Reserve by phone or email.

    March-Nov: Fri-Sat 7PM·$13, $8/kids under 13

22. DoInner Harbor Not mapped

    Baltimore Heritage Walk

    Guided and self-guided three-mile tours departing from the city's Visitor Center, and covering territory through Downtown, and historic Jonestown, Little Italy, and Fells Point. Free guided tours, 1 May-2 November, departing 10AM.

23. SeeInner Harbor Not mapped

    Historic Ships in Baltimore

    At the piers of Inner Harbor are a collection of four different historic ships from Baltimore's maritime legacy, which have been decommissioned and converted into museums that you can tour on your own. Ticket prices range from $8-16 and are based on how many ships you want to tour (one, two or four), with discounts available for seniors and children. Admission to the lighthouse is always free.

    10AM-5PM daily, seasonal hours vary

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Baltimore (CC BY-SA 4.0).