Baltimore's Inner Harbor is one of America's oldest seaports—and one of the world's most popular travel destinations. Since the 1600's, Baltimore Harbor has been welcoming people, ships and goods from all over the world.

Historically a working-class port town, Baltimore has sometimes been dubbed a "city of neighborhoods," with 72 designated historic districts traditionally occupied by distinct ethnic groups. Most notable today are three downtown areas along the port:

• Inner Harbor, frequented by tourists due to its hotels, shops, and museums;
• Fells Point, once a favorite entertainment spot for sailors but now refurbished and gentrified (and featured in the movie Sleepless in Seattle); and
• Little Italy, located between the other two, where Baltimore's Italian-American community is based.

Further inland, Mt. Vernon is the traditional center of cultural and artistic life of the city; it is home to a distinctive Washington Monument, set atop a hill in a 19th century urban square, that predates the more well-known monument in Washington, D.C. by several decades.

Baltimore also has a significant German American population and was the second largest port of immigration to the United States, behind New York. There are several historic ships docked in the Inner Harbor and open for tours.

 

Thing to Do!

American Visionary Art Museum

Baltimore Harbor Pass

Baltimore Inner Harbor

Baltimore Museum of Art

Food Tours

Maryland Science Center

National Aquarium

Water Taxi Service

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Free things to do in Baltimore

Visit Baltimore App (for iPhone, Blackberry and Android)

Visit Baltimore Website

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