Baltimore Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know

The port city of Baltimore is one of the most historic in the United States. The largest city in the state of Maryland, Baltimore is the birthplace of the national anthem and the site of many important events in the history of the nation, including a battle during the War of 1812 that the song commemorates. Founded in 1706, Baltimore has more historic monuments per capita than any other city in the country, and almost one-third of Baltimore's buildings are designated as historic on the National Register.

Baltimore has a storied history. But it's not a city that's content to rest on the past. Baltimore has undergone intensive regeneration efforts in the last few decades, making it one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the eastern United States. In short, Baltimore is a city unlike any other. Drop off your heavy bags at a Baltimore luggage storage locker and start exploring it for yourself.

5 Best Ways to Experience Baltimore in 2024

Charm City has so much to offer that sometimes it can be a little confusing knowing where to start. Well, here are a few selected companies who might be able to pave the way to your having a far more entertaining and informed visit than you might have had if you tried to go it alone. These companies offer you an opportunity to explore this city in unique ways and give a slightly different perspective from that enjoyed by most tourists. 

To make your visit more enjoyable, drop your bags at a convenient Bounce luggage storage center and dive into your new adventure unencumbered by large bags.

Best local tours — I Love Baltimore – Personal Tours

There is no better way to get to know a city than to have a local guide you through its landmarks and history. They will be able to reveal background and detail that you simply would not otherwise have access to. I Love Baltimore Personal Tours are here to do just that. They will take you to those places you might not ordinarily have found, and offer you in-depth explanations that only a local can offer. 

Their culturally rich tours include the local art scene, some stunning murals, and, of course, those famous historical churches, including America’s first Cathedral, ‘The Baltimore Basilica’. Contact them at iracphone@gmail.com or tel 1443-854-6690.

Best Birdseye view — Charm City Helicopters

Whether you are visiting the city or a local celebrating a wedding, anniversary, or another momentous event, Charm City Helicopters help you add a little style into the mix. As the only tour helicopter company operating in Baltimore, there is no better company than Charm City Helicopters to let you take in this city and its landmarks from a vantage point normally reserved for birds and angels. The company offers more than just helicopter tours. Be sure to ask about their fly and dine package deals which are bound to impress your traveling companions.

The company flies all year round and they offer exclusive integrated packages or allow you to tailor-make your own experience. Contact them at info@charmcity.com or call them on 1443-472-4887.

Best food tours — Baltimore Food Tours

There are few better ways to dive into the real heart of a culture than through its cuisine. Baltimore Food Tours has built on this idea by combining culinary adventures with historical and architectural tours. This enables you to discover different aspects of this city while enjoying dining experiences and family restaurants you may never otherwise have found. Here you will not only get to taste the different cuisines on offer, but you will also gain a deeper understanding of how these dishes became entwined in Baltimore culture.

The company offers a wide range of packages that include everything from company team-building adventures to tours of the local craft beer makers. They can be contacted at info@foodtourcorp.com or by calling 1202-683-8847.

Best local guide — Baltimore Tour Guide

It is not just informative to have your own tour guide when you visit an unfamiliar destination; it’s kind of comforting too. Baltimore Tour Guides use only licensed local guides to introduce you to the destinations of your choice. They will make your visit so much more enlightening. Baltimore Tour Guide will tailor tours to suit you and will deal with everything from individuals or families, to small groups. They can also advise you on what sites will most appeal to those members of your touring party. 

Baltimore Tour Guides can help you on and off the van, getting around the sites you have chosen, or can join a pre-existing tour to offer in-depth local insights. Contact them at info@BaltimoreTourGuid.com or by calling 1410-453-6623. 

A weekend in Baltimore

A weekend in Baltimore will only scratch the surface of what this city has to offer. But with only a couple of days to spare, you'll be able to at least visit some of the city's top attractions. Leave your bags behind at a Baltimore suitcase storage and see part of what makes the city so special.

• Fort McHenry defended Baltimore from British forces during the War of 1812. This is the battle the Star-Spangled Banner was written about, and this national park is a must-visit to understand the history of the country.
• Port Discovery Children's Museum is one of Baltimore's best family attractions. This unusual museum is aimed at children up to the age of 10 and lets them explore the world through interactive games and playgrounds that will keep them entertained for hours.
• Visit the birthplace of Babe Ruth. Possibly the most famous baseball player of all time was born in Baltimore, and the Baltimore Orioles gave him his first professional contract. The house where he was born has been converted into a museum that celebrates the life and legacy of this American icon.
  

Baltimore lockers

As a historic city, Baltimore packs a lot of attractions into a relatively small area. Make it easier to see what the city has to offer by dropping off your bags at a Baltimore luggage storage service. The less you have to carry, the easier it will be to find your groove in the city of neighborhoods.

Off the beaten path in Baltimore

Beyond the more famous monuments and museums, Baltimore has plenty of lesser-known attractions to explore. Drop off your bags at a Baltimore luggage locker and explore the more eccentric side of the city.

• Fans of the supernatural won't want to miss the chance to visit the grave of Elijah Bond. Bond was the man who first patented the Ouija board, and his headstone in Green Mount Cemetery is itself a Ouija board. Where better to communicate with the dead?
•  The Book Thing isn't a bookstore. In fact, it's kind of the opposite. Customers are prohibited from paying anything for the books here. Browse the shelves and help yourself to anything you want from this incredible free library.
• Bazaar is…well, bizarre. This shop of oddities is located in one of the city's most eclectic neighborhoods. Here, you'll find taxidermied animals, old medical devices, skulls, weird art, and all kinds of other strange items. It's the perfect place to shop for souvenirs you won't find anywhere else.

What to do alone in Baltimore

Baltimore is a fascinating city to explore by yourself. Traveling solo means you can spend more time devoted to what you like, and it can make it easier to get around this big and bustling town. Whether you're in the city for business or for pleasure, you won't struggle to find things to do in your downtime.

• The Baltimore Orioles are the city's professional baseball team, and visiting a game is a proud tradition. You'll make friends fast if you cheer for the home team, and it's a great way to spend a day like a local in the city.
• The American Visionary Art Museum is unlike any other art museum. Opened in 1984, it is dedicated to the art of self-taught artists. As a result, you won't find the big names in art history here. What you will find is unique works by lesser-known talents that may become new favorites.
• Explore pop culture at Geppi's Entertainment Museum. The collection here explores popular culture from the seventeenth century up to the present day. Music, film, comic books, television, and every other aspect of popular culture are explored through the fascinating exhibits of the museum.
  

The best souvenirs in Baltimore

If you're going to be attending an Orioles game anyway, why not pick up a shirt or some other branded merchandise from Baltimore's baseball team? Alternatively, if you are looking for something more classically touristy, visit Crabby Jack's General Store in the Inner Harbor. You'll find all the usual memorabilia here to remind you of your visit. But if you're looking for something a bit more unique, try 2910 On The Square. The items here proudly display their Baltimore roots but are quirkier than you'll find in a regular souvenir store.