Baltimore, Maryland is located on the shores of the Bay of Chesapeake, approximately 35 miles from the northeast of Washington, D.C.  It is one of the biggest marine ports in the Eastern part of the United States. It is a city full of personality, and has many important historical and cultural attractions to offer. 

For art lovers, make sure to visit the Baltimore Museum of Art, which is known for its Modern American section featuring the works of Williem de Kooning and Mark Rothko. This museum also houses the second largest private collection of pieces by Andy Wharhol. The Cone Collection has Early Modern pieces by international artists such as Paul Cezanne, Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso. In addition, the museum also has Native American art and a beautiful sculpture garden waiting to be explored. 

If you are interested in the poetry of Edgar Alan Poe, make sure to visit a museum in his honour. The museum is housed at 1830 Amity Street, which belonged to Poe’s aunt. The poet lived there in his early twenties and wrote some of his poems and edited literary reviews there until he moved to Virginia in 1935. The Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore saved the home from being demolished in 1941. The five-room house has some furnishings belonging to the Poe family including a desk that belonged to Edgar Allan Poe. A must for any fan of this famous poet!

Another great attraction is The National Aquarium, which has over 16,500 animals and features a fantastic dolphin show, which is sure to impress! There is a manta ray pool on the main floor and the Aquarium also has sharks, sea turtles and a large frog exhibit.

For science lovers, The Maryland Science Center offers many different scientific subjects for you to explore such as fossils, anatomy, space and dinosaurs. In honor of Maryland’s famous blue crab, the Follow the Blue Crab exhibit has information about the sea animals and plant life of Chesapeake Bay. The exhibit features a mechanical crab that has delighted generations.

Once you have worked up an appetite, its time to sample Baltimore’s seafood. A trip to the Cross Street Market is in order. The market is located in the community of Federal Hill, and it dates back to 1845. The food sold here ranges from health food to pastries, and you can find some of the best seafood in Baltimore at the many outdoor cafes and restaurants.

Whether you are window-shopping at the Harborplace Shopping Center, watching a Baltimore Oriole baseball game or a Ravens football game, Baltimore is a great city to visit for all ages.