Baltimore is a vibrant, cultural, and historic city. Located on the Chesapeake Bay, it’s filled with historic brick row homes and cobble stone streets. The character this city has is unmatched. There is so much Baltimore has to offer from every ethnicity of restaurant you could want, local businesses left and right, as well as some real community pride and grassroots work for what the city is and becoming. Therefore there is no shortage of non touristy and unique things to do in Baltimore.
I lived in Baltimore, Maryland for 2 1/2 years and this list consists of some of my favorite things to do on a day to day basis or simply what my husband and our friends would end up doing on the weekends. Baltimore is a city with A LOT community events, most weekends we’d accidentally stumble upon a cool festival going on. The Baltimore Banner was our favorite way to find out what was going on.
Also don’t get me wrong, some of the more touristy things are still so fun like the National Aquarium, going to an Orioles Game, or walking around Federal Hill. Although I’m a gal that doesn’t like to deal with crowds let alone parking in the city. The list provided are also more budget friendly options to start exploring Baltimore.
So here is a local’s guide for the top 15 non touristy and unique things to do in Baltimore, Maryland for adults and kids alike.
Want a weekend away? Check out 9 day unique trips you can take from Baltimore
1. Baltimore Waterfront Promenade
This is a 7 mile walking path along the Chesapeake Bay that most tourists don’t know about (Inner Harbor is more commonly known). Starting at the Canton Waterfront Park and ending in Fells Point, the Baltimore Waterfront Promenade takes you along a wooded pathway seeing industry, residential properties, sailboats galore, and the natural beauty the city has. You’ll see locals jogging and walking all along it.
Whenever a friend or family member would come visit me I would take them along this route to see the city and then we’d shop and eat at Fells Point. There are also multiple bars and restaurants along the walkway to stop at!
2. Cafe Dear Leon
I would have gone here everyday if I could. Cafe Dear Leon has some of the best baked goods in the city (bold statement, but it’s true). It is located in Canton near the Canton Waterfront Park (where the Promenade mentioned above starts), so grab a pastry and coffee here before you embark!
They have a rotating seasonal menu. You know it’s all fresh because they have a bake schedule with times the items are available based on when they’re baked. Just be warned – it’s a locals favorite so there will probably be a line, but it’s so worth it.
Highly suggest: Crab and Egg Tamago Sandwich. It’s perfection.
3. Patterson Park
Patterson Park is like the Central Park of Baltimore. It is massive – housing 2 playgrounds, 10 tennis courts, 5 basketball courts, a public swimming pool, an ice skating rink, a duck pond, athletic fields, a dog park and so much more. There are tons of events that go on here and it is filled with locals daily. You also have to go to the Pagoda which is a Japanese style observatory in the park.
Some evenings if soccer practice is going on on the fields, you’ll see some of the families sell concessions and they bring their chickens to eat the grass.
Pro tip: Go to Bmore Licks for some homemade ice cream and walk around the park. They have a huge menu and a fair amount of vegan flavors. I also enjoy walking around the outskirts of the Park and looking at all the unique row homes – they’re all so different and everyone puts their own twist on theirs.
4. Creative Alliance
Located near Patterson Park, it is a place that “supports area artists, promotes Baltimore as a center for creative production, acts as a positive force in the community, and advocates for cultural expression rooted in a sense of place.”
When in you’re in town see if there are any events or productions going on or just stop by and see the local art. We actually lived down the street from them, so we loved everything they did.
5. Fells Point Farmers Market
Every Saturday morning you can come pick up some local produce, baked goods, food, crafts, or even alcohol from this waterfront farmers market. It’s a great way to start the morning and support Baltimore on a local level. It still goes on all winter long, which I was amazed by.
Hours:
January 5th-April 27th 9:00-12:30pm
May 4th – December 28th 8:00-12:30pm
6. Ministry of Brewing
Ministry of Brewing is a church that was abandoned and then converted into brewery in the heart of the city. They kept a ton of the church architecture to keep the history intact. You can find the old confessional boxes, pews, and pipe organ. It makes a unique space to grab a drink. There are rotating food trucks and on some weekends they might have a vintage clothing market.
7. Eat at Taquerias in Highlandtown
Highlandtown is historically a neighborhood of immigrants with a majority being Hispanic or Latino. With this influence, the people here brought some amazing taquerias to the area.
Walk around the neighborhood and try some of the local taquerias – my favorites are Taqueria El Sabor del Parque and Taqueria Vargas. There are unique (at least to westerners) cuts of meat like tongue, ear, and cheek to try!
8. First Friday Art Walk
Staying in Highlandtown – also called the Highlandtown Art District as there are many local art studios in the neighborhood. On the first Friday of every month they host a Friday night art walk.
You can walk to the various local art studios to browse the galleries. The artist will also usually be there to talk about their work. There are also pop ups, live music and some places even have free wine. It’s a fun way to support local artists.
9. Rooftop yoga class on Natty Boh Tower
At 10:30 AM on Saturday mornings, there is a fitness studio that hosts rooftop yoga classes on the Natty Boh Tower. This tower is iconic in Baltimore and from its rooftop you are able to see all of the city, it’s super cool.
Natty Boh or Mr. Boh’s is from the beer company National Bohemian, which originated in Baltimore, so the city uses the symbol with pride.
10. Rawlings Conservatory
Rawlings Conservatory is a beautiful greenhouse that houses a variety of plant species from around the world to observe first hand. The best part is that it is free! It just closes early on the weekends around 3 pm, so check the hours.
11. George Peabody Library
Okay not going to lie, I tried going to the George Peabody Library multiple times and even tried to do my graduate school photos here, but I never came at the right time or it was just closed for some reason. SO check the days and hours before you go, but if you see from the photos it is one of the most beautiful libraries and something so unique to the city and Johns Hopkins University.
12. Cherry blossoms in March / April
Everyone talks about the cherry blossoms in Washington D.C… but those crowds though. Baltimore has just as many cherry blossoms as D.C. with none of the fuss. If you walk around Patterson Park or drive around the city at the end of March to early April you can see dozens and dozens of beautiful cherry blossom trees blooming.
13. Eat gyros in Greektown
I slept on Greektown for a majority of my time in Baltimore. It wasn’t until the last couple months I where I discovered all the delicious food and culture here. It’s a historic Greek-American community where the grocery stores sells special Greek items and there are so many amazing restaurants. My favorite is Estiatorio Plaka, such amazing gyros and traditional pastries. Get the kataifi!
14. Annabel Lee Tavern
Annabel Lee Tavern is a traditional brick row home converted into a cozy and homey restaurant and bar. Themed after Edger Allen Poe’s last poem, Annabel Lee, it is a restaurant I consider to be classic Baltimore. It serves New American food that will comfort your soul.
15. Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum
On the Edger Allen Poe theme, something fun to do is check out the old row home he used to live in. The city converted it into a small museum and it will bring you back in time and see how Poe really lived for part of his life. Because of the small size, you will need to make a reservation before going.
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