Places To Visit in Baltimore Maryland

Downtown Baltimore

Baltimore, Maryland is a historic port city with a vibrant culture and lots of places to see. Attractions and experiences around Baltimore include museums, tall ships and other vessels, boat cruises, art exhibits, food and drink, festivals, and much more. 

Educational and historical exhibits can be found at the Baltimore Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, World Trade Center of Baltimore, Fort McHenry, Maryland Science Center, National Great Blacks In Wax Museum, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History, B&O Railroad Museum, tall ships, and others.

Named after Lord Baltimore in the Irish House of Lords, the city has a flourishing population of more than 650,000. Spanning over an area of 80.8 square miles, the city is a perfect mixture of the old with the new.

Many of the ethnic neighborhoods have been restored into modern shopping and dining locales but they still retain the old character.

Inner Harbor

Baltimore Inner Harbor

Baltimore's world-renowned Inner Harbor is surrounded by historic neighborhoods where you will find city living at its best with unique shops and restaurants for every style and taste.

Baltimore enjoys a vibrant arts scene and embraces its history and influence on American culture.

At the top of the list of places to visit is the Inner harbor. Views of the waterfront are informative and inspiring.

The docks and streets surrounding the inner harbor include a mix of homes, hotels, museums, restaurants, shops, promenade, public spaces, and entertainment venues.

The Inner harbor is home to the Harborplace, an entertainment center and the National Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world. Port Discovery Children's Museum, and the World Trade Center of Baltimore are also located around the basin.

Baltimore Tall Ships

Pride of Baltimore II

The Pride of Baltimore II is one of America's most famous tall ships. The ship was commissioned in 1988 as a sailing memorial to her immediate predecessor.

The original Pride of Baltimore sank during a violent storm off Puerto Rico in 1986, taking her captain and three crew members down with her.

Both ships were built as reproductions of 1812-era topsail schooners. The Pride of Baltimore II has sailed nearly 200,000 miles, making port in 40 countries around the world.

Lifestyle

Baltimore Harbor Connector

Baltimore does not experience the extremes of weather change that occur in other parts of USA. The weather is relatively mild and the best time to be here is from April to November.

The city is well connected by road, air, and sea. Washington DC is located about one hour south on Route 95. Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) is only a half-hour drive south of downtown.

Moving inside the city is easy and loads of options like light rail system are available. The Harbor Connector water taxi boats are a unique and interesting option for exploring the harbor area. It is a nice way to get around during the warmer months, and offers unique views of the Baltimore skyline.

Baltimore is also known as "Charm City" and other nicknames.

Baltimore Seafood

Baltimore is famous for its outstanding seafood. From the nearby Chesapeake Bay come blue crabs, oysters, striped bass, and other delicacies.

Other Maryland seafood comes the Atlantic coast, including sea scallops, lobsters, sea bass, and other fish.

A few of the most popular dishes include steamed crabs, crabcakes, oysters on the half shell, single fried oysters, fish and chips, and others.

Landmarks

Baltimore is home to scores of iconic landmarks. The city is known for its architecture and historic buildings. A few examples of unique and unusual landmarks include the Curtis Creek Ship Graveyard, Hanover Street Bridge, and many others.

Baltimore Places to Visit - Attractions

Baltimore Inner Harbor (baltimore.org)

Orioles Baseball (baltimore.orioles.mlb.com)

Ravens Football (www.baltimoreravens.com)

Merriweather Post Pavilion (www.merriweathermusic.com)

National Aquarium (www.aqua.org)

Baltimore Zoo (www.marylandzoo.org)

B&O Railroad Museum (www.borail.org)

Maryland Science Center (www.mdsci.org)

What Is A Smith Island Cake?

The Smith Island Cake is one of Maryland's most unique desserts. Once found only on Smith Island and nearby mainland communities, this unusual cake is available throughout the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

No one is sure when the Smith Island women started baking cakes composed of several pancake-thin layers that are iced with chocolate or other types of icing.

Historians claim the cakes originally had as few as four layers although a modern day Smith Island cake usually has more layers. A perfect Smith Island cake today is often considered to have 10 layers and stand about three inches high.

Commercially produced Smith Island cakes come in a wide range of flavors. Home made versions often fetch premium prices at bake sales and fundraiser auctions.

Maryland Welcome to Boating Clinics

The Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM) and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are organizing two "Welcome to Boating" Clinics in cooperation with the BoatUS Foundation. The clinics will be held May 4 and 6 from 4-7 p.m. at Sandy Point State Park near Annapolis MD.

Recreational boaters and other enthusiasts are invited to join industry professionals to learn and/or refresh boating skills.

The Chesapeake Bay is known for its boats and other pleasure craft. There are over 200,000 registered boats and 12,550 Personal Watercraft (PWC) registered in Maryland.

Maryland Books - Book Reviews

Books about or related to Maryland USA can be found online or in almost any local bookstore in the state. Subjects include history, ghost stories, nautical, seafood, nature, and many more.

Books related to the Chesapeake Bay are always popular among Marylanders. Books about the estuary explore history, water-based recreation, seafood, commercial fishing, boating, and other subjects.

Note: This article contains Amazon or other affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

At Chesapeake-bay.org, readers will find Chesapeake Bay Book Reviews as well as an online store featuring Chesapeake Bay books.

Another website offers a review of The Chesapeake Watershed: A Sense of Place and a Call to Action

For those interested in Charm City (Baltimore), another website showcases books about Baltimore.

For readers that enjoy fishing stories,Wet and Hungry: An Atlantic Fisherman's Life is worth looking into.

Other sources of information about Maryland themed books are numerous. Online audiences will find information about relevant books at sites such as goodreads.com

Another good way to find books about Maryland is to attend local events such as the Baltimore Book festival.

For old and used book enthusiasts, there are thrift shops, flea markets, yard sales, specialty book stores and other sources.

Manatee Found Dead In Maryland

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently reported that a manatee was found dead near Baltimore, Maryland. DNR located the dead manatee after receiving a call from a citizen.

The deceased manatee was subsequently recovered and examined by an interagency team of biologists and veterinarians at the Smithsonian Institution.

This was only the third case of a deceased manatee in Maryland, according to DNR.

The first live Maryland manatee was documented in 1994 along the Upper Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. “Chessie” was captured in Queenstown and taken to Florida for release a few days later.

Since that time, manatees have been reported throughout the Chesapeake Bay each summer. Approximately 6,000 manatees are thought to exist in the U.S

DNR reminds state residents to report any sightings of uncommon marine mammals and wildlife, including dolphins, manatees, sea turtles or whales. The public can report sightings and strandings anytime to 800-628-9944.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

2015 Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival Performers

The list of performers is set for the 2015 Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival, according to Chesapeake Bay Events, which produces the annual festival.

Star performers include Gregg Allman, Buddy Guy with Quinn Sullivan, Jonny Lang, Beth Hart, Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby Rush, Shemekia Copeland, Tommy Castro and the Painkillers, Mingo Fishtrap, Jarekus Singleton, Davy Knowles, The Sisterhood of Soul with Patty Reese, Lil' Margie Clark, Sylver Logan Sharp, Lisa Lim, Justine Miller, Heather Haze and Leigh Pilzer.

The festival will be held on Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th, 2015 at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, Maryland.

Saturday, May 16, will open with 18 year old blues sensation from South Carolina, Marcus King and his band. Sunday will open with an all star lineup of local musicians, including Dean Rosenthal, Mark Wenner, Tommy Lepson, Pete Ragusa, Jan Zukowski, and Robert Frohm.

In addition to national performers on stage with video walls, there will be a variety of food vendors, a craft village, children's activities, and other attractions.

General Admission tickets are available for purchase online at www.bayblues.org or by phone at 410-982-0799. VIP Tickets are sold out.

For more information, visit www.bayblues.org.
source: Chesapake Bay Events, Inc.

Maryland Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement Open House

Maryland Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement Open House
Tuesday, April 7 noon - 2 p.m. and 5 - 7 p.m.
DNR Headquarters - Tawes Building
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland

Maryland will host a Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement Open House on Tuesday, April 7,2015. Officials from DNR, MDE, and other agencies will be on hand during the open house.

At the event, stakeholders will have the opportunity to learn more about the new Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement management strategies and ask questions.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland Midwinter Waterfowl Survey

Researchers found more than 905,000 waterfowl during the 2014 Maryland Midwinter Waterfowl Survey. Each winter, aerial survey teams of pilots and biologists from The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources make visual estimates of ducks, swans and geese along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay shoreline and Atlantic coast.

The estimated total represents a 22 percent increase over the 2013 survey estimate of 739,600 birds. Biologists attribute the higher count to the fact many species flocked to Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay due to severe winter conditions to the north.

Additionally, large areas of the Bay and tributaries were ice covered during the survey period, concentrating waterfowl in ice-free, open waters where they were more easily counted.

The survey estimates for mallards, black ducks and canvasbacks were the highest they have been since the mid-1970s. Overall, dabbling ducks were more abundant this time around (128,000) compared to last winter (72,800).

There were nearly twice as many diving ducks this survey (190,300) over last year (98,100). The canvasback count (68,400) was the highest since the mid-1960s, and far greater than the January 2013 estimate (18,400). 

Survey teams also observed large numbers of wintering Canada geese (512,100) along the upper Chesapeake Bay. The extensive snow and ice in northern latitudes pushed large numbers of geese south to the Chesapeake from their normal wintering areas in southern Ontario and the Finger Lakes region of New York.  

The Midwinter Waterfowl Survey has been conducted annually throughout the United States since the early 1950s. The Maryland survey results are ultimately pooled with other states’ results to provide a measure of the distribution and population size of waterfowl wintering in the Atlantic Flyway, as well as information on long-term trends.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

What Fish Are Biting In Maryland?

The first half of the 2013 Maryland saltwater fishing season has been challenging for most anglers. As always, the weather has been a limiting factor. Another factor is the lack of blue crabs in many areas. The good news is that a variety of fish species have showed up in good numbers, giving anglers a range of options.

In the upper Chesapeake Bay, catches include striped bass and white perch, with good catches being reported in Eastern Bay and other traditional fishing spots.

Several species of fish are present on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Striped bass (rockfish), white perch, speckled trout, croakers, and spot have been caught in Tangier Sound and near the mouths of the Nanticoke, Wicomico, Manokin, Big Annemessex, and Pocomoke Rivers. Much of the action has been in shallow water around grass beds, points, and stumps.

Anglers have also had sporadic success catching croakers, spot and kingfish along the channel edges in Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds. Some anglers have also reported small gray trout in the same areas.

One of the lesser known runs of fish has been the influx of legal sized red drum (redfish) and speckled trout along the coastal bays of the Eastern Shore. These fish first appeared around Virginia seaside inlets during spring flounder runs. By mid-June, both species had made their way north into Maryland's coastal bays. At Ocean City, anglers are catching legal sized red drum, striped bass, sea trout, and flounder near jetties, bridges, and channel edges.

As with other fisheries, offshore fishermen have been hampered by windy weather during the first half of 2013. Notable catches have included thresher and mako sharks, school-sized tuna, and a few large bigeyes. With major tournaments coming in August, more and more Maryland offshore fishing boats will be targeting white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, dophin fish, wahoo, and other deep water species.

Things to Do in Maryland USA

With an abundance of natural resources, diverse geography, historical landmarks, and thriving tourism industry, Maryland is one of the best vacation spots in the USA.

Several Maryland cities are famous for their culture. Baltimore is a historic city and bustling industrial port with an incredible number of weekly events and other things to do.

Annapolis, Maryland's capital, is home to the Naval Academy, numerous historical buildings, and one of the nation's most famous sailing ports. In the western part of the state, cities like Frederick, Hagerstown, and Cumberland have plenty of history and culture.

One of the state's most important attractions is the Chesapeake Bay. While the upper bay is famous for its cities, the middle and lower bay is mainly occupied by small to mid-sized communities. On the western shore in southern Maryland are the fishing communities of Deale and Solomon's Island.

On the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Chestertown, Easton, Saint Michaels, Cambridge, and Crisfield all have rich histories that are closely tied to the bay. In Tangier Sound, three small communities on Smith Island have been occupied by watermen for hundreds of years.

With scores of ports, Maryland is an excellent state for boating. Sailboat enthusiasts find the Chesapeake Bay to be an excellent body of water to explore. Cruisers, water skiers, and powerboaters also enjoy the bay and its many rivers.

In some areas, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and other paddlecraft are popular. These small but useful boats allow enthusiasts to explore areas where larger boats cannot travel. 

For anglers, the list of things to do in Maryland is incredible. The state has outstanding opportunities for fishermen, including freshwater as well as saltwater fishing. Freshwater anglers will find trout streams, rivers, lakes, farm ponds, and other fishing areas.

For those that prefer saltwater fishing, there are fishing piers, beaches for surf fishing, fishing aboard private boats, guided fishing trips, and deep sea fishing charters.

Nature lovers will also find plenty of activities in Maryland. Birdwatchers will find hundreds of species of birds, including songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, birds of prey, and other bird life.

The state also has plenty of mammals such as whitetail deer, sika deer, black bear, coyote, red foxes, gray foxes, skunks, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, chipmunks, groundhogs, and others. For herp enthusiasts, there are hundreds of species of turtles, snakes, lizards, frogs, toads, and other creatures.

For many visitors, Maryland beaches are a major attraction. On the Eastern Shore, Ocean City and Assateague Island attract visitors from across the nation. Just minutes apart, the two destinations offer totally different experiences.

Ocean City is a bustling beach resort that receives millions of visitors annually. This nationally recognized vacation destination features lifeguards, well maintained beaches, a historic boardwalk, amusements, restaurants, museums, and other attractions.

Just to the South, Assateague Island lies in stark contrast to Ocean City. This barrier island is occupied by Assateague Island State Park as well as Assateague Island National Seashore.

Its undeveloped beaches are occupied by wild ponies, deer, sea birds, and other wildlife. Visitors can swim, explore the island, collect shells, enjoy surf fishing, or simply enjoy the view.

Related Information

Things To Do on the Eastern Shore

Things To Do in Ocean City MD

Places To Visit in Baltimore Maryland

2012 Bay Harvestfest

Bay Harvestfest 2012 will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2012 from 12-6 pm in North Beach, Maryland. The festival features seafood, live music, vendors, arts, crafts, and other attractions.

Swan Harbor Farm Recreational Area in Havre De Grace

A new recreation area in Havre de Grace is now complete, providing access for walking and other outdoor recreation. The project used sediment dredged from nearby boating channels to construct a pond and scenic path. The project was a partnership between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Boating Services and the Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation.

The park provided a much needed home for sediment that filled the Havre de Grace Yacht Basin after flooding from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee forced officials to open the Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna in the fall of 2011.

The area features an ADA-accessible, pedestrian walkway with scenic views of the surrounding area and a 20-foot by 20-foot timber observation platform.   Dikes and tree buffers were added to improve the health of local waters and the Chesapeake Bay. Approximately 14,800 square feet has been planted to include 37 large trees and 74 understory trees. According to DNR, the dredge site will become a pond and serve as home to a v-ariety of local wildlife.

The project has the capability to hold 100,000 cubic yards of dredged material from the Havre de Grace Yacht Basin. Cells inside the dike will slow water flow and allow the silt to settle out before the water reaches Swan Creek. From there, there are a series of small pools with check dams made of porous rock material to help filter the water.

The landscape features are required by the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission. DNR and the Harford County Parks and Recreation worked with the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission to ensure that the facility meets environmental requirements. The park is located at 401 Oakington Road in Havre de Grace.

source: MD DNR

2011 Maryland Bay Game

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is calling on citizens, businesses and organizations to become sponsors of the 2011 Maryland Bay Game. Through games, trivia, puzzles and outdoor activities, this award-winning natural resources activity book has inspired kids to learn about and connect with their natural world for over a decade.

The Maryland Bay Game book is used by tens of thousands of families, civic and community groups, scouting organizations, environmentalists and educators throughout Maryland and the region. One-quarter million print copies were distributed statewide in 2010 through public libraries, welcome centers, State Parks and public schools. An electronic version of the Bay Game is also available on the DNR website, which receives over 1.5 million unique visitors annually.

The Bay Game is written and designed by DNR staff, but printing and distribution is paid entirely by sponsors. There are several opportunities for businesses to sponsor the Bay Game through logos, website exposure, full and half-page sponsorships, advertising coupons and more while also ensuring another summer filled with interactive and engaging outdoor activities for Maryland children. Donations are tax deductible, though sponsors should review the requirements outlined in IRS Publication 526 and consult their tax advisor.

For more information please visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/baygame/ or contact Jill Kubatko at (410) 260-8007 or jkubatko@dnr.state.md.us.

Chesapeake Bay Trust Grant Funding

The Chesapeake Bay Trust recently approved $1.3 million in grants to 64 organizations and schools throughout the area to fund Bay restoration activities and environmental education programs. 

Recommendations for four of the Trust’s major grant programs and initiatives, including its Living Shorelines program, Green Streets-Green Jobs initiative, Watershed Assistance Grant Program and Mini Grants Program, were approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees and will fund projects that protect eroding shorelines, promote green infrastructure, and engage Maryland’s students in meaningful environmental and outdoor educational experiences.

For more information on these grant programs and what the Trust funds, visit www.cbtrust.org.

source: Chesapeake Bay Trust press release

Hooray for the Bay Contest

A new contest sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Trust will reward Marylanders for showing their love for the Chesapeake Bay.

The “Hooray for the Bay” contest kicked off on July 15, and is designed to engage and educate Marylanders about the impact buying Bay Plates has on the Chesapeake Bay. The contest features 100 Bay Plate Factoids placed strategically at parks, schools and community centers around the state.

To enter, participants can email a picture of one of the factoids to contest@baytrust.org, along with a short description of why they love the Bay. Additionally, participants can visit www.bayplate.org and complete the entry form, or they can text “BAYPLATE” to 24587 to enter.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust will award 100 Bay Plate prizes to the first 100 eligible entries received by the Chesapeake Bay Trust. The grand prize winner will be chosen by a panel of judges who will select the best “Why I Love the Bay” message. Judging will be based on originality, creativity, relevancy, and amusement factor. Complete contest details can be found at www.bayplate.org.

The contest runs until September 15, 2010, and winners of the contest will be announced in October 2010.

2009 Chesapeake Bay Health Report Card

Maryland released its annual Chesapeake Bay Health Report Card on May 18, 2010. The Chesapeake Bay showed broad water quality improvements in 2009, receiving its highest mark since 2002 from the annual Chesapeake Bay Health Report Card. At the same time, the state launched StreamHealth, a website to help Maryland residents learn about the health of their streams and take action to improve them.

The report card is an annual analysis conducted through the EcoCheck partnership between University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office. Results are based on data collected by state and federal agencies through the Chesapeake Bay Program. The 2009 report noted improved conditions in eight Bay regions and degraded conditions in two, earning the Bay a grade of “C” for overall health.

Chesapeake Bay Weather Buoys

On March 15, 2010, the Coast Guard along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration conducted seasonal buoy replacements in the Chesapeake Bay.

Weather buoys collect data and report real-time environmental information including wind speed, temperature and wave height. The buoys also serve as interpretive buoys that mark the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historical Trail that runs throughout the Chesapeake Bay.

"The weather buoys provide valuable weather information during peak recreational boating seasons," said Lt. Dave Lewald, the commanding officer of the Rankin. "The buoys also provide historical data which can benefit researchers collecting information on how to clean up the bay."

For more information visit www.ndbc.noaa.gov

Dishing Up Maryland Cookbook

A first-of-its-kind cookbook featuring local Maryland products,  the farmers and watermen that grow and harvest them, and the chefs who prepare the recipes is being released on March 24, 2010 in Annapolis.

This new book captures the unique and delectable cuisine of Maryland with "150 recipes from the Alleghenies to the Chesapeake Bay.” Dishing Up Maryland is authored by award-winning Maryland writer Lucie Snodgrass.

Stunning photography by Edwin Remsberg, himself a Maryland farmer, provides the visual counterparts to stories of the farm families and chefs featured in the book. John Shields, renowned chef who embodies the buy local effort, provides an insightful foreword to the book.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Maryland's Best program to promote the purchase of locally grown and raised products for the benefit of the State's farmers, watermen and related businesses. The book is published by Storey Publishing.

Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund Request for Proposals

The State of Maryland is now accepting proposals for the 2012 fiscal year, for projects to curb polluted runoff and move the State toward its 2-year milestones. The deadline is 5:00 p.m., May 28, 2010. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold two workshops in March, to cover specific information on what will be in the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund Request for Proposal (RFP), what has changed from the first round, what a great proposal should include and an overview of technical resources available.

The workshops will be held on March 19 at the 4-H Center in College Park, and on March 23 at the Wye Research Center in Queenstown.  Both workshops start at 10 a.m. and run to 12 p.m.  Registration is open and a webinar registration is available for those who cannot attend in person.

For more information regarding the trust fund, Workshops and/or a copy of the RFP, please visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/ccp/funding/trust_fund.asp, or contact Jennifer Raulin at 410.260.8745

Shoreline Licensing For Waterfront Property Owners Opens

(February 22, 2010) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service announced that shoreline license applications are now being accepted from riparian (waterfront) property owners. Anyone owning riparian property, or persons who have the permission of the riparian property owner, may license their shoreline for the purpose of establishing stationary blinds or blind sites for hunting waterfowl, or to prevent others from licensing the shoreline at a later date.

All applications and fees must be submitted by mail or in person and received by the close of business June 1, 2010. Riparian property owners may now license their shoreline for a period of one year ($20) or three years ($60). Landowners who miss the June 1 deadline may participate in the “open” licensing process that begins August 3.

Applications and information on laws related to shoreline licensing for riparian property owners are available at the DNR website www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/riparian.html or by calling the Wildlife and Heritage Service at 410-260-8540, toll free at 1-877-620-8DNR (8367).

source: MD DNR press release