Baltimore is one of the Eastern Seaboard’s best kept secrets. Here, old and crabby are reasons to visit. Fort McHenry is known for its role in the song “The Star Spangled Banner,” and the Lexington Market has been a source of local farm goods since the late 1700’s. Up and down Baltimore’s historic streets, new bars and restaurants are swishing open their doors, making this old town seem much younger.
From free activities to smashing hotel deals, here are 11 reasons to visit Baltimore:
Travel Deals
1. Amtrak
There is good news for weary bus riders. Amtrak offers an easy way to get to Baltimore in under three hours. Plus, they often run deals to the crabby city during their weekly Smart Fare sales.
2. Charm City Circulator
The Circulator, a free bus system that hits the major hot spots in downtown Baltimore, is the perfect tool for the budget-conscious traveler. The Orange Route goes east-to-west and a Purple Route follows a north-to-south track. The CCC runs seven days a week and leaves every ten minutes. They even have a route to the science center, art museum, Fort McHenry and the Inner Harbor.
3. Harbor Pass
The Harbor Pass offers discounted entry rates (adults/$51.95, kids/$37.95) to a range of must-see sites like the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, and the Port Discovery Children’s Museum. Special hotel packages are also allotted to visitors who purchase the Harbor Pass. You can find more information at the Harbor Pass website.
Free Things to Do
1. Baltimore Museum of Art | 10 Art Museum Drive, Charles Village
Little known fact: Baltimore Museum of Art has the world’s largest collection of works by Henri Matisse. The Cone Collection, donated by a pair of sisters Claribel and Etta Cone, has works by Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso and many more. BMA’s Contemporary Art Wing will reopen this November with groundbreaking installations by Sarah Oppenheimer as well as works by Andy Warhol and Robert Rauschenberg.
2. Lexington Market | 400 W. Lexington Street, Downtown
This bustling and vibrant market opened in 1782 and is a must-see. Today, shoppers can visit this historical site and still buy produce, meat and seafood from local farms. The Lexington Market is also a great place to grab a quick bite as it houses a variety of food vendors ranging from Falafel to fried chicken. Live music is scheduled most weekends as well, making this a fun and tasty place to stop in.
3. Star Spangled trails
Baltimore historians have put together an extensive network of self-guided walking and biking routes that every visitor should take advantage of. Whether you are an art lover or a history geek or a little bit of both, there are tours that take you nearly everywhere in the city. Star Spangled routes are organized by activities, themes and location, making it easy for visitors to map out their day. This is a great way to get to know Baltimore and exercise at the same time.
Where to Eat
1. Pete’s Grille | 3130 Greenmount Ave, Charles Village
Situated in Charles Village, this greasy spoon serves up bountiful brunch plates of pancakes and eggs. With counter-seating only, Pete’s feels like an old-timey classic and to many Baltimore natives, it is. Doors close at 1pm, so this is the perfect off the beaten path starting point for the early bird to fuel up before a day of exploring Baltimore.
2. Golden West Cafe | 1105 W 36th Street, Hampden
“Organic” doesn’t have to be synonymous with “expensive.” This hip restaurant serves up reasonably priced, locally sourced meals in Baltimore’s kitschy Hampden neighborhood. Guests will dine on Southwestern-themed, seasonal cuisine like Sopaipillas Enchiladas and the Aztec Burrito with fried plantains and roasted squash. Golden West also has an extensive vegetarian menu, so no one is excluded.
Where to Drink
1. Birds of a Feather | 1712 Aliceanna Street, Fells Point
Scotch drinkers beware—this place is cheap and deadly. This quirky, maritime-themed bar in Fell’s Point serves up a variety of single-malt and blended scotch whiskey. The drinks menu may be intimidating, but this warm and welcoming watering hole is not. Owner Alicia Horn offers an affordable bar menu to soak up some of the liquor ($6 burger, anyone?). Best of all, Birds of a Feather is reasonably priced, with drinks in the $7-$15 range.
2. Cat’s Eye Pub | 1730 Thames Street, Fells Point
This Irish pub is a Baltimore favorite known for two things: good live music and cheap beer. This well-worn dive has nearly thirty beers on tap and a regular roster of bands that provide a fun atmosphere for its drinkers. Spirits specials are offered up daily and go as low as $2.50 for a beer. Here, your pocket change will get you booze and entertainment for next to nothing, so make yourself a regular during your visit.
Where to Sleep
Harbor Magic Hotels offers a slew of packages at various properties including Admiral Fell Inn (from $179) and the Pier 5 Hotel (from $149). Inner Harbor deals include discounts at cultural attractions, free breakfast, guided tours, bottles of wine and drink discounts at bars in Baltimore’s nightlife hub, Fells Point, and much more.
Photo: jive667
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram