Baltimore is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own personality: a tall-ship harbor, a cobblestoned port town, an elegant 19th-century cultural district, and a quirky stretch of rowhouse shops where everyone calls you “hon.”
This Baltimore weekend itinerary strings the highlights into two easy days with very little backtracking. Here is the loose outline.
Before You Go
- Lexington Market is closed Sundays, so it belongs on Day 1.
- Several of the big museums are closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Day 1: Harbor, Market and Mount Vernon
Start on the brick promenade that wraps the Inner Harbor, past the 19th-century sloop-of-war USS Constellation, then spend the morning at the National Aquarium, with its rainforest under a glass pyramid and giant ring tank of sharks and rays.
For lunch, head to Lexington Market, which has fed Baltimore for more than two centuries, for a famous jumbo lump crab cake at Faidley’s Seafood, founded in 1886.
In the afternoon, explore Mount Vernon: the always-free Walters Art Museum, the Washington Monument (one of the very first to George Washington), and the George Peabody Library with its five tiers of cast-iron balconies.
Day 1 Evening: Fells Point
Take a boat across the harbor to Fells Point for the best skyline view of the weekend. This 18th-century shipbuilding port has Belgian-block streets and pubs in centuries-old buildings, with Little Italy a short walk away. At dusk, look across the water for the glowing red Domino Sugars sign.
Day 2: Fort McHenry and Steamed Crabs
In September 1814, this star-shaped fort held out through a 25-hour British bombardment, inspiring the words that became “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Watch the film, then walk the ramparts.
Lunch is the full steamed-crab experience nearby in Locust Point: brown paper on the table, a wooden mallet, and a pile of hot, Old Bay-crusted blue crabs.
Crab Cake or Steamed Crabs?
A great Maryland crab cake is mostly crab with a light binder, and “jumbo lump” means the large, prized pieces. Steamed crabs are whole crabs in spicy seasoning, eaten with a mallet, a knife and your fingers. “Market price” is normal, so ask today’s price, and bring wet wipes.
The guide has a full Crab 101 page with step-by-step picking instructions, how many to order, and when local crabs are at their best.
Day 2 Afternoon and Evening: South Baltimore and Hampden
Spend the afternoon at the American Visionary Art Museum, which celebrates self-taught “outsider” artists, then climb Federal Hill Park next door for the classic postcard view of the skyline. Prefer classic art? The free Baltimore Museum of Art holds the world’s largest public collection of Matisse works.
End the weekend in Hampden, the home of “Hon” culture, where The Avenue is lined with vintage shops, bookstores and good restaurants. In December, don’t miss the famous “Miracle on 34th Street” lights.
The Baltimore in 48 Hours guide has the full day-by-day plan with costs, transport between stops, specific restaurant picks and where to stay. Hours and prices change often, so confirm before you go.
Travel Safe! —Arun
Do Baltimore like a local
Get Baltimore in 48 Hours, a 14-page printable PDF with a ready-to-use 2-day itinerary, Crab 101, where to eat, getting around, budget tips and checklists.
