36 Hours Baltimore

Check out my coauthor's blogs here! Elana Stroud, Hannah Melton, Courtney Finkbeiner

Introduction

The once not-so-charming Charm City is coming into its own. Though the last two decades were a rough adolescence for the area, Baltimore’s old grit is being replaced by quirk and resilience. Locals are proud of their city and quick to defend its many hidden treasures. You won’t find many shiny, overpriced tourist attractions here--but the realness of Baltimore makes it all the better. Explore streets lined with richly colored row houses (and at times, plastic pink flamingos) eat fresh food with character, and catch a festival if you can. With many tech startups and a burgeoning arts scene, residents are socially aware and culturally diverse. A weekend in Baltimore brings a chance for off-beat entertainment, great grub, and a fresh look at a rehabilitated city.

FRIDAY

1. Sunset Sail - 5 pm

There’s no better way to welcome the evening--and a beautiful Baltimore sunset--than by taking a HarborSail cruise (1001 Fell St; 410-428-1711; harborsail.com) through Charm City’s esteemed Inner Harbor. Not only does this tour provide a one-of-a-kind perspective on the city you’ll soon explore, but the nighttime view from the open water is one to boast to friends back home. Pack some warm clothes to bundle up (it can get windy) and a bottle of champagne to commemorate the occasion, then head down to Henderson’s Wharf for an experience you won’t soon forget. Coordinating your expedition with the arrival of nightfall is well worth the effort, so be sure to check what time the sun is expected to set for the most picturesque view of Baltimore.

2. Eat With Your Hands - 7:30 pm

Locust Point Steamers is a family-owned joint nestled in an unassuming row house. This Zagat-rated South Baltimore staple serves incredibly fresh seafood with an authentic Mid-atlantic feel. It’s a high-end eat with reasonable pricing and a laidback feel. How often do you get to use a mallet to eat you meal? Pound open your crab shells right on the table and ply out the tasty meat with a butter knife. Be prepared for lots of Old Bay and messy, grinning faces.

(1100 E Fort Ave; 410-576-9294; locuspointsteamers.com).

3. Pinot in Pigtown - 9:30 pm

Pigtown may have earned its name from butchers and meat packers dotting its blocks in the 19th century, but today one can find the much more elegant Corner & Bistro Wine Bar (213 Penn St; 410-727-1155; cbwinebar.com) tucked into the neighborhood’s side streets. While the bistro offers a great selection of truly ‘Baltimorean’ food, its extensive wine menu truly draws the crowd. Let the friendly and knowledgeable staff guide you in picking your wine for the night during their extended happy hour on Fridays.

http://www.cbwinebar.com/Main.html

SATURDAY

4. Breakfast Like a Champion - 9:00 am

It’s time to rise and dine like a champion! Thats right, though Baltimore native Michael Phelps’ training day surely started at least 2 hours ago, you can still feast like an Olympian at his favorite breakfast spot. Pete’s Grille (3130 Greenmount Ave, 410-467-7698) is a quintessential “ma and pa” diner and is uniquely located amongst thrift, liquor and convenience stores - providing for quite an exclusive taste of Baltimore grunge. Serving an assortment of delicious eggs, pancakes, waffles and more at an affordable price, you are certain to start your day off in the right lane at Pete’s. As the friendly serving staff waits on you from right across the bar, be wary of the sleepy local college students who flock into this neighborhood favorite once the night's hangover from “studying” has subsided -- but that’s why we have you there at 9 am!

5. Art at the BMA - 11 am

The Baltimore Museum of Art (10 Art Museum Drive; 443-573-1700; artbma.org) boasts a collection of over 90,000 works of art, including the famous collection of the Baltimore native Cone sisters. With quite the nack for art collecting, these two sisters were able to accrue a private collection that included masterpieces from Matisse, Picasso, Cezanne, Manet, Degas, Gaugin, van Gogh and Renoir. A testament to the appreciation Charm City has for the arts, Baltimore City and Baltimore County both provide the museum with grants so that you may enjoy the grandeur of the collection all for free.

6. Cool cones - 2:00 pm

It's time for ice-cream! From Old Bay© Caramel to Mango Lime Hot Sauce, The Charmery (801 W 36th Street; 410-814-0493;the charmery.com) in Hampden offers tastes for every occasion. This colorful ice cream shop features flavors made with local products,

like Otterbein’s Bakery and Berger Cookies, and all

are delicious. The in-shop, freshly pressed waffle cones come highly recommended. Good luck sticking to just one scoop!

7. Rawlings Conservatory - 2:30 pm

No matter the weather, Baltimore always has some natural beauty in store. Your next stop takes you to the historical Rawlings Conservatory (3100 Swann Dr; 410-396-0008; rawlingsconservatory.org) . Get lost in the five distinct greenhouses and wander through the half-acre outdoor garden. The opening hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. In town on Sunday? Be sure to plan a visit around special programming from 1:30 – 3:30 to speak with a master gardener. They’ll teach you techniques to use at home long after your visit has ended. Thinking of taking a tour? Call ahead to plan your visit; $6 will secure you a tour and a workshop.

8. Intimate Italian - 5:00 pm

At Bottega (1729 Maryland Avenue; 443-708-5709; bottega1729.com), the menu is short and the dishes rotating, meaning your meal will be prepared with gusto and the freshest ingredients around. Set in up-and-coming Station North, this well-loved eatery houses only nine tables. With a chalkboard menu and bookshelves lining the walls, the atmosphere is cozy and reminiscent of a meal at home. Enjoy a creative take on authentic Tuscan food, and don’t shy away from asking the staff their opinion on a dish.

9. Top of the Hill - 7:00 pm

Now that you’ve worked in your aerobics for the day and made it up all those stairs, enjoy the best

view of the city and take in a fresh breath of Baltimore air. Notice how the air is just a bit sweeter in Charm City? Federal Hill (801 Battery Ave), among other waterfront neighborhoods, tends to smell sweet because of the aroma that Domino Sugar factories sends through the air from just a mile down the waterfront. From Federal Hill you can view Pier Six pavilion where world-renowned artists such as Avicii have performed, the National Aquarium – ranked among the world’s best aquariums - and the iconic Camden Yards, where the Baltimore Orioles play ball. Federal Hill provides the perfect location for a romantic picnic, a few drinks or just cheering on some volleyball at the waterfront.

SUNDAY

10. Ms. Shirley’s Cafe - 11:00 am

After a full night's rest, it’s time to finish off your tour of Baltimore with a final gaze at its renowned waterfront. Ms. Shirley’s Cafe provides just the atmosphere and is an Annapolis and Baltimore favorite, with cafe locations in both cities. As the recipient of numerous awards, including “Best Family Friendly Restaurant,” we can guarantee this spot offers something for everybody. Ms. Shirley’s boasts one of the most diverse menu options of any breakfast place as well as unique dish titles, ranging from Down On The Bayou Benedict to Hog Wild On A That’s How We Roll.