In the heart of the US state of Maryland, on the American east coast, lies Baltimore – one of the 30 largest cities in the USA. Baltimore presents itself as a multifaceted city whose history dates back to the 18th century. Edgar Allan Poe, Frank Zappa, Tom Clancy, Babe Ruth: The names associated with the big city are reminiscent of a colorful history that makes Baltimore a recommendable destination on the East Coast. The city can also score with a coastal location including a well-known port. The city also became the focus of an international audience because of the famous series milestone The Wire.
Background and special features of Baltimore
Over 580,000 residents call Baltimore home. The lively settlement has a prominent skyline that rises above the cityscape. The largest building in the metropolis is the Transamerica Tower with a height of 161 meters, which is also the largest building in Maryland. Baltimore is a city with a chequered history, but can refer to the affectionate nickname “Charm City”. Baltimore is a city full of charm. It is unquestionably the cultural center of Maryland – and is one of the prominent settlements on the US East Coast. It covers almost 210 km² of land and a water area of about 29 km². Part of this water surface is occupied by the famous harbor, of which the Inner Harbor is considered a historic part. The port has long been a central point of arrival for immigrants on their way to the United States. The city is also considered the birthplace of a famous cultural asset: The US national anthem “The Star-Sprangled Banner” was inspired by the British-American War, during which the British were sustainably beaten back at Baltimore.
In contrast to the many high-rise buildings, Baltimore can boast noteworthy green parks: Almost 2,000 hectares of the city area are considered parkland. These include, for example, Patterson Park and Federal Hill Park. Baltimore is considered a culinary hotspot of the East Coast. Menus with seafood and crabs such as the regionally popular Marylander Blue Crab are known nationwide. In addition to its culinary facets, Baltimore also boasts a vibrant arts scene, which spreads in neighborhoods such as the Station North Arts & Entertainment District and the Bromo Tower Arts and Entertainment District.
The sights of the Charm City
The central city in Maryland naturally knows how to score with numerous cultural institutions and museums. The Walters Art Museum in the Mount Vernon-Belvedere district, whose history dates back to 1934, is known nationwide. The art museum is one of the most important museums of its kind in Maryland and has a permanent exhibition dedicated to ancient and historical art. In addition to Egyptian, Sumerian and Etruscan exhibits, works by famous painters can also be discovered here – including Claude Monet’s Spring work. About 90,000 exhibits, on the other hand, are waiting in the Baltimore Museum of Art, whose history dates back to 1914. On an exhibition area of about 20,000 m², works by legendary painters such as Picasso, Matisse, Césanne, Gauguin, Renoir and van Gogh await here. Fans of historical works of art will thus be offered a multifaceted selection in Baltimore.
But the city’s fascinating museums don’t just deal with timeless art. A popular attraction is the Baltimore Maritime Museum in the harbor district. The most famous exhibit on site is the U.S.S. Constellation, a historic warship from the mid-19th century. She is one of the oldest ships of her kind and was used in the American Civil War. In the harbor you can also discover the Taney, a warship that survived the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. In the harbour area, you can also discover the Port Discovery museum, which is especially aimed at families with children. Several hundred thousand visitors come here every year – and witness the exhibitions, some of which are interactive. An absolute highlight of the port region is the National Aquarium, which, like Port Discovery, awaits you in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The aquarium attracts over a million visitors annually, making it one of Mary’s most popular attractions. The aquarium presents a biodiversity of about 750 species, which can be examined here. The aquarium encompasses various theme worlds – from exotic reefs to tropical water worlds.
One of the city’s most famous personalities is the influential poet Edgar Allan Poe. Died in Baltimore, the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum can be admired here. If you are interested in the life story and works of the poet who exerted a lasting influence on Charles Baudelaire, Jules Verne, Arthur Conan Doyle and H.P. Lovecraft, the museum should not be missed. But there is also a Baltimore far away from the museums. An important landmark of the city is the Washington Monument in Mount Vernon-Belvedere, which was built in the early 19th century and has since commemorated George Washington.
Special excursion destinations around Baltimore
Baltimore is home to some of the most beautiful natural scenery on the American East Coast – including Sandy Point State Park, Great Falls Park, but also the beautiful beaches of Cape May, a day’s trip away. Key sites in U.S. history — such as Gettysburg and the world-famous Mount Vernon — can be reached in one- to two-hour drives. About 40 km from Baltimore is the actual capital of Maryland: Annapolis. If you are interested in historic architecture and the culture of the state of Maryland, you can stop by here. The fact that Baltimore is only about 50 km away from Washington D.C. is one of the geographical advantages that makes a tour to the US capital inevitable.
