4 Best Things To Do Near Baltimore Harbor
No Wonder It's Called Charm City
By Taylor Fuller | Published: August 21, 2023 | Updated: February 19, 2026
Baltimore is one of those cities that makes you feel like a local, even if you've only been there for a short time. So, it's no surprise it's called Charm City — and I can attest to that, too. There are so many interesting places to go and things to do near Baltimore Harbor, thanks to its history, delicious food, beautiful sights and amazing culture. In this Baltimore visitors' guide, you’ll learn the best ways to spend some time before or after you set sail to explore this incredibly magical city.
Key Takeaways: Places To Visit Near Baltimore, Maryland
- ● Embrace the Baltimore culture: From exciting Ravens or Orioles games to museums, breweries and local food, Baltimore is bursting with culture.
- ● Explore the Inner Harbor: The Inner Harbor is Baltimore’s lively hub, home to the National Aquarium, paddle boats, speedboat rides and the Maryland Science Center.
- ● Tour Baltimore’s neighborhoods: Explore historic Fell’s Point, artsy Mount Vernon and scenic Federal Hill — perfect for walking, dining and discovering hidden gems.
- ● Taste the city’s culinary scene: Dig into local favorites like steamed blue crabs, crab cakes and Old Bay. Top it off with local brews at Baltimore’s craft breweries.
- ● Explore cruises from Baltimore, Maryland and experience the best of Charm City before you set sail.
1. Embrace the Baltimore Culture
Family cruises from Baltimore will take you to amazing places, such as New England, Canada and Bermuda. This port is convenient to get to, especially if you're based on the East Coast. I recommend rounding out a perfect tropical vacation with some time spent in Baltimore. Sports fanatics, museum lovers, big-city wanderers, foodies and adrenaline-seekers will never run out of exciting things to do near Baltimore Harbor.
Heading on a weekend getaway with friends? You're in for a good time at the city's many breweries. Traveling with your partner? You'll find some romance on the quaint streets, and the scent of sugar lingering in the air around the nearby Domino Sugar factory will warm you up. Traveling with your family and kids? The National Aquarium in Baltimore is one of the best aquariums in the country, while summer afternoons are made complete when you root for the Orioles and enjoy some ice cream.
Depending on the time of year you visit Baltimore, try to catch a Ravens or Orioles game in action. Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium stand right next to each other in downtown Baltimore, so you're right in the middle of five-star restaurants, live entertainment, historical sites and more. The locals get serious about their sports culture, making energetic games one of the most fun things to do in Baltimore. If you can't get tickets, don't worry! Grab a stool at one of the sports bars that surround the stadiums and enjoy the game!
2. Fun for the Whole Family in the Inner Harbor
After watching your team win, head to the nearby Inner Harbor. The Inner Harbor is the most well-known area in Baltimore and is absolutely worth a visit for marine enthusiasts and history buffs. If you’re traveling on foot, you’ll be pleased to know it’s also walkable. Head to the Baltimore Visitor Center if you have questions when you arrive at your cruise — it’s the best place to go.
When visiting for one day, the National Aquarium is one of the best Baltimore attractions to visit — especially with kids. Here, you can explore dozens of family-friendly exhibits such as Shark Alley, Jellies Invasion, Blacktip Reef, Harbor Wetland and the Upland Tropical Rain Forest. Your kids will love seeing all the different creatures swimming around, including vibrant fish, sharks and even crocodiles.
For a new perspective of the city, rent a speedboat and prepare for some adrenaline-pumping fun as you zip around the harbor. For something a little tamer, the paddle boats are also fun — both make for excellent things to do in Baltimore with tweens! You could spend the entire day out on one of these before grabbing dinner at one of the nearby restaurants serving up the freshest seafood.
From there, spend the afternoon at the Historic Ships in Baltimore Museum, which showcases a lighthouse, submarine and more. Across the way is the Maryland Science Center, which will not only thrill the kids you have in tow but also the adults, too. Learn about all things science with plenty of hands-on exhibits. For younger kids, there’s also the Port Discovery Children’s Museum, an interactive and educational experience for the whole family to learn through immersive programs.
3. Take a Tour of Baltimore's Neighborhoods
Baltimore is one of those cities that has so many unique neighborhoods hidden away — you just have to know where to go. One of those neighborhoods is Mount Vernon, one of my personal favorite areas of Baltimore. One of the most romantic things to do in Baltimore is to enjoy a meal outdoors at a bistro and then take a walk down the cobblestone streets, admiring the historic architecture.
While in Mount Vernon, make sure to climb the Washington Monument for breathtaking views of the city, get your culture fix at the Walters Art Museum or visit one of the most incredible libraries in the world, the George Peabody Library. You may recognize this stunning library from a few famous films, such as "Sleepless in Seattle." This area is always alive with trendy cafés and natural wine bars at every turn. Visiting Baltimore in the summer? You're sure to stumble upon live music in one of the local parks.
One of the oldest neighborhoods in Baltimore is Fell's Point, a waterfront neighborhood that dates back to 1763. Fell's Point is a historic treasure. I used to love coming down here and walking through the cobblestone streets, looking into the windows of independent shops and grabbing food or a cocktail at one of the bars or restaurants. History buffs will find this area interesting as it was the home of Fredrick Douglass. The Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park Museum tells the story of African-American nautical history.
Afterward, grab a pretzel dog, which is a hot dog wrapped in a pretzel from one of the vendors in the square. It's a great snack to enjoy while you wander through the street markets. Baltimore has one of the oldest continuously operating public marketing systems in the country. You can find them scattered all over town, serving up pretty much anything you can think of. My personal favorite is Belvedere Square Market, which is super close to Loyola and has a mean chicken salad sandwich. There's also Cross Street Market, Mount Vernon Marketplace, Avenue Market and more.
Then, keep the Baltimore landmarks tour going when you pop into the city's oldest bar, The Horse You Came In On Saloon. Make sure to stop here if you're a fan of Edgar Allan Poe, as it's rumored to be his last stop before his death.
4. Eat Your Way Through Some Baltimore Staples
A trip to Baltimore is not complete without indulging in some East Coast blue crab. The best time of year to try these is in the summer and early fall, and you can find this succulent meal all across Baltimore. Indulge at Captain James Seafood Palace, which is my favorite spot for fresh crab.
Don't expect anything fancy; the tables are covered in brown craft paper and the meal will be messy. A few dozen steamed crabs — always steamed right there in Maryland — are dumped on top of your table. No plates here! Kids will get a kick out of eating with their hands and watching you smash the crabs with a wooden mallet. Don't skimp on the Old Bay seasoning — that's the most important part.
Some other crab dishes when dining in Baltimore include crab cakes and crab dip, all washed down with a Natty Boh, of course. If crabs aren't your thing, don't worry. There are a lot of other mouthwatering goodies to try in Baltimore. To fulfill your sweet tooth, you'll have to get your hands on a Berger cookie from Berger's Bakery in Lexington Market. A Berger cookie is more cake than cookie, all coated in fudge frosting. Be warned: They're addictive.
Beer more your thing? Check out the Guinness Open Gate Brewery, which was the first Guinness brewery in the entirety of the U.S.! There are also a ton of craft breweries, such as Checkerspot Brewing Company, Diamond Back, Mobtown Brewing, Monument City, Peabody Heights, Union Craft and more. You could easily plan a full day of brewery-hopping with friends and have an amazing time on your Baltimore vacation.
From Baltimore Harbor to the High Seas
Baltimore sets the stage for your sailing with plenty to see and do before you board. When you spend a little extra time exploring the harbor, neighborhoods and local eats, your cruise from Baltimore becomes part of the adventure — not just the departure point.
