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

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.

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

Christmas Village in Baltimore

German-style Christmas market with vendors offering food, holiday gifts, a beer garden and a Santa to take photos with that is open from Thanksgiving Day to Christmas Eve. Free admission on weekdays (admission fee on most weekend days — check website for exact operating hours and prices).

Cross St Market

One of Baltimore's many covered markets, this little known building houses a lot of tasty, quick, cheap food. Some local favorites include Bruce Lee's Wings, Hot Corner Lee's for the real deal Philly cheesesteaks, and O's Breakfast and Barbeque (M-Sa 7AM-5PM, and especially for that breakfast!).

Mon-Sat 7AM-7PM

L.P. Steamers

If you want a truly authentic Baltimore crabs/seafood experience, Locust Point has got to be the place to have it (the fact that you are further off the beaten path means a cheaper meal as well). L.P. Steamers is widely recognized as one of the city's best spots for steamed crabs, and has a nice menu of other seafood be it steamed, broiled, or deep fried. Their crabs are not served with Old Bay, but rather with a house blend of spices. While this may seem to the untrained eye to be sacrilege, remember that way back in the day just about every Maryland crab shack had its own spices—this is tradition. Rooftop dining in the summer equals fantastic views over the Inner Harbor.

11:30AM-11PM daily (last seating for crabs usually 9PM)·$7-20, crabs market price

Lexington Market

Lexington Market is the world's largest and longest running market, operating in the same spot since 1782. It has many eateries and countless stands selling produce, meat, fish, snacks and everything else imaginable. It is a popular lunchtime destination and is considered to be part of the "real" Baltimore rather than the more tourist-oriented places at Inner Harbor. There are standing tables in an open area on the ground floor, as well as a large seating area on the upper level above that.

Mon-Fr 6AM-5PM, Sat 7AM-5PM, Sun closed

Northeastern Market

Northeastern Market, est. 1885, in the heart of East Baltimore, is probably the least touristy of the city's many public markets, and it's also one of its largest. Jumbled and a little dirty, it implausibly received the City Paper's award for best public market. It is without a doubt colorful enough to warrant a visit if you are in the area, though, and you can wander in along with hungry Hopkins interns, mingling with grocery shopping East Baltimoreans, to find some tasty eats: favorites include sandwiches at Rex's Deli, OK Oriental (Chinese), Hot Mustard (Korean, just behind the market), and Shore's Seafood.

Mon-Sat 7AM-6PM

Zelda Zen

Ditto the description for both Curiosity and Pandora's Box—the quirky gifts market here is fiercely competitive! Except this one also has Christmas ornaments, some clothes, and a bit of Baltimore kitsch. If this sounds appealing, you should obviously stop in both here and in Pandora's, which is virtually next door.

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