While one day might not be enough to explore all of Baltimore’s wonders, you can certainly pack in as much as possible with this itinerary.
Old Bay seasoning, Bohemian beer, and the Inner Harbor might be some of the more obvious reasons Baltimore is popular but that’s far from everything.
Born and bred in the DMV, I’ve spent the last ten years making Charm City my home. I’ve fallen in love with the many museums, the quirky shops in Hampden, and even the sometimes sweet (sometimes annoying) squeegee kids who draw little hearts on the corner of my windshield.
This itinerary will let you experience the best of Baltimore in one day. Get ready for a day of delicious foods, fun attractions, and some things that may even surprise you.
Start with breakfast – the most important meal of the day.
You have a busy day of sightseeing ahead of you so start with a delicious meal to get you going. Here are some Old Bay-infused concoctions you’re not going to want to miss because even breakfast has to have a Baltimore vibe.
Charmed
- Address: 824 N Calvert St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Start with the Signature Bmore Omelet (seasoned with Old Bay, of course) at the wonderful little breakfast joint on Calvert Street, Charmed.
Miss Shirley’s Cafe
Address: 750 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Head to Miss Shirley’s Cafe for a heftier breakfast – the Crab Happy Chesapeake Chicken Sammy with jumbo lump crab cake and Chesapeake chicken sausage.
Click here to check out some more of the best breakfast spots in Baltimore.
Spend a couple of hours exploring the Baltimore Inner Harbor.
There are so many wonderful things to see and do within walking distance of each other at the Inner Harbor.
Start your day at the Baltimore Visitor Center which is full of brochures on all of the different attractions. You can purchase admission tickets to most places at the center – there are even discounted rates for attraction packages. Don’t forget to pick up a few Baltimore-related souvenirs while you’re there!
While it gives you an idea of all there is to see and do, popular choices include:
The National Aquarium
Perfect for visitors of all ages, the aquarium houses 20,000 different animals and is full of exhibits and 4D immersion films.
The World Trade Center
Head to the Observation Deck on the 27th floor of the World Trade Center for 360-degree views of the Inner Harbor and Baltimore City.
Maritime Museums
Historic ships such as the USS Constellation are docked at the Inner Harbor and are now utilized as well-preserved floating maritime museums you can tour.
And if exploring a museum or two sounds like the best way to spend your day in Baltimore, check out this list of museums in Baltimore that includes spots like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, or the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House.
Click here to check out other places to explore such as the Maryland Science Center, Port Discovery Children’s Museum, and the Chessie Dragon paddle boats if you want to get out on the water.
Try a little bit of everything for lunch at one of Baltimore’s food halls.
Food halls are a wonderful place to catch a quick lunch and still have lots of different options to choose from.
Lexington Market
One of the oldest public markets in the US, Lexington Market is home to over seventy-five different vendors. You’ll find the Baltimore-famous Faidley’s crab cakes there!
Broadway Market
Grab a sandwich from Sophie’s Place European Deli or opt for an order of must-try crab-fried rice from the family-owned Thai Street.
Cross Street Market
This food hall has a diverse variety of foods available; you can have a Maryland-style sandwich from Bullhead Pit Beef or grab a gyro from Annoula’s Greek Kitchen.
Find some more of Baltimore’s best food halls here.
Relax and explore some of Baltimore’s best neighborhoods in the afternoon.
Harbor East, Hampden, Charles Village, Patterson Park, Federal Hill, Fells Point – no matter where you choose to spend the afternoon, you’ll experience a bit of Baltimore’s rich history and culture.
Go shopping in Harbor East
Upscale boutiques and luxurious salons and spas line the streets of Harbor East. Click here for more on Harbor East.
Take a walk through historic Patterson Park
With the War of 1812 History Trail to walk, expansive green lawns to picnic on, and notable attractions such as the Pulaski Monument or the Patterson Park Pagoda, you’ll learn so much about Baltimore. Click here for more on Patterson Park.
Have a drink at Fells Point
Once a bustling shipyard, Fells Point is now a waterfront destination full of pubs and bars where you can have a cold drink, watch a live performance, and make new friends. Click here for more on Fells Point.
Have a mouth-watering seafood dinner.
Charm City is all about the seafood – fresh crabs, oysters, clams, shrimp, or fish, served steamed, fried, boiled, etc. – if you can think it up, we’ll probably have it. Many of the restaurants in Baltimore will have seafood on the menu but here are some crowd-pleasers:
Locust Point Steamers
Have a delicious seafood feast on their rooftop deck as you’re surrounded by panoramic views of the Harbor.
Nick’s Fish House
Crab cakes and craft beer on a waterfront deck – does it get any better than that?
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks
The name says it all; this upscale restaurant has perfected seafood and steaks.
And if you’re not really into seafood (blasphemy!), check out the chic Japanese restaurant, Azumi, a contemporary Mexican restaurant, Barcocina, or some Cuban-infused deliciousness at Little Havana.
The dining options in Baltimore are so diverse that you’ll find something for any palate, and if you can’t, you can’t go wrong with a delicious burger.
If you’re still full from lunch, skip the main course and head straight to dessert at spots like The Charmery, Waffie, and Sacre Sucre. Click here for more dessert spots in Baltimore.
And if you don’t want to leave Baltimore just yet, check out these things to do at night.
- Go on a ghost tour of Baltimore: Home to the macabre genius Edgar Allen Poe, our ghost tours are the spookiest.
- Laugh the night away at a comedy show: We have tons of comedy clubs like Magooby’s Joke House, Sully’s Comedy Cellar, and the Baltimore Comedy Factory.
- Dance into the morning: The Mosaic in Power Plant Live or The Mirage are just a few of the nightclubs available in Baltimore.
Check out our articles on nightlife in Baltimore and free things to do in Baltimore at night for more ideas!
