What to do in Baltimore - 7 Must-Visit Locations
It’s been nearly a year since COVID-19 first emerged in the U.S. and although we are all continuing to do our part to stay safe, many Americans are feeling a bit cooped up.
With travel restrictions and mandatory self-quarantines still in place for most of the U.S., leaving Maryland for a weekend vacation might not be the safest option. However, if you’re really longing for a quick getaway, take a day trip and find out what to do in Baltimore to shake off those quarantine doldrums.
Note: due to changing local and state guidelines, it’s a good idea to confirm what’s open and what restrictions are in place before planning your Baltimore travel. If you have or have been exposed to Covid-19, please follow CDC and state guidelines.
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What to Do In Baltimore
A Baltimore day trip is an easy escape for Marylanders looking to change up the day-to-day routine, even if it is just for 24 hours. From museums and historic parks to distilleries and seafood restaurants, there’s something to do at every corner.
To save you some time mapping out your visit, we’ve listed a few essential stops that you must make on your day trip to Baltimore.
To start off your Baltimore day trip, a quick visit to this family-owned, Baltimore based coffee shop is a must. According to the roastery’s website, Zeke’s Coffee was founded by a local Baltimoreaon by the name of Thomas Rhodes who began selling coffee beans at the Baltimore Farmers Market in 2005. The most unique aspect of Zeke’s Coffee is the technique used to roast the beans. A Fluid Bed Coffee Roaster agitates the coffee beans with a stream of hot air to create a fountain-like stream of roasting beans. This is not only interesting to watch, but also effective in ensuring optimal freshness and distinct flavor.
The American Visionary Art Museum
Dubbed as “one of the most fantastic museums anywhere in America” by CNN, and “a temple of outsider art” by the New York Times, the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) is a must-see on your Baltimore day trip. Located in the Federal Hill neighborhood at 800 Key Highway, the AVAM is a landmark museum known for exhibiting the artwork of self-taught artists. Farmers, prisoners and individuals with mental illnesses are just a few of the “outsiders” whose work is displayed throughout the museum. If you’re interested in touring AVAM, you can purchase timed admission tickets online prior to your visit.
American history meets scenic landscapes at this popular park, located just south of downtown Baltimore and provides tourists with the best views of the Inner Harbor and city skyline. Canons once manned during the Civil War and monuments commemorating the 1814 Battle of Baltimore can be found throughout the park as reminders of its historic past. Although originally named the “great red bank of clay” by English colonial settler Captain John Smith in 1608, the park is now a grassy hillside that provides both recreational and leisure activities to locals and tourists alike.
If you find yourself craving a refreshing drink during your Baltimore day trip, the Guinness Open Gate Brewery is the perfect place to grab a pint and learn a thing or two about Irish beers. In 2018, Guinness opened its first U.S. distillery right here in Baltimore. Guinness Open Gate Brewery is the sister location to the company’s first distillery in Dublin. Located on the site of the historic Calvert distillery, the brewery offers a vast tap list along with a wide array of finger foods.
Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum
If you’re a fan of America’s favorite pastime, you should mark Babe Ruth’s birthplace at the top of your list of must-sees during your Baltimore day trip. Located just two blocks from Camden Yards, the former home of Babe Ruth now functions as a walk-in museum. The exhibit showcases artifacts from the 1983 World Series as well as the Super Bowl V trophies. Tourists are welcome to visit the museum on weekends or book a private tour with family and friends.
If fast moving commercial trains are more your speed, the B&O Railroad Museum has the largest collection of 19th century locomotives in the country. You’ll also find artifacts related to some of America’s oldest railroading systems. Located among Baltimore’s historic southwest neighborhoods, the museum offers interactive opportunities for kids and 20-minute train rides along the first ever-commercial railroad track, which was built in 1830.
Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial
The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial located at the City Dock in historic Annapolis conveys the vision of Alex Haley, the late American writer and author known for his works of historical fiction and reportage depicting generations of African American lives. This is the only memorial in the U.S. that commemorates the name and arrival place of an enslaved African. Symbols of triumph, healing, and racial reconciliation are engraved into the famous sculpture.
After a long day exploring the city of Baltimore, it’s no doubt that you’ll be looking for something to eat. Our brick and mortar G&M Restaurant located in Linthicum Heights is the perfect place to end your day trip in Baltimore. We can promise that if it’s seafood you’re craving, G&M won’t disappoint! We’re famous for our delicious crab cakes, which you can either enjoy here or have shipped to your doorstep at home!
We hope our tips on what to do in Baltimore helps you plan your day trip. Be sure to stop by our restaurant and say hello! Check out our lunch and dinner menus to order ahead or contact us for more information about our famous crab cakes.