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Baltimore

Baltimore travel guide

Largest city in Maryland, United States

Things to do3 experiences
Best time to visitAugust and October
Nearest airportBWI · 8 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC−4
Population585,708

About Baltimore

Baltimore, also known as Baltimore City, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is the 30th-most-populous U.S. city, with a population of 585,708 at the 2020 census and estimated at 569,997 in 2025; the Baltimore metropolitan area, at 2.86 million residents, is the 22nd-largest metropolitan area in the nation. The city is also part of the Washington–Baltimore combined statistical area, which had a population of 9.97 million in 2020. Baltimore was designated as an independent city by the Constitution of Maryland in 1851. Though not located under the jurisdiction of any county in the state, it forms part of the Central Maryland region together with the surrounding county that shares its name.

Places to visit in Baltimore

  1. Inner Harbor

    Inner Harbor

    Neighborhood

    Baltimore's waterfront hub with a brick promenade, historic ships such as the USS Constellation, shops, restaurants and paddle boats, plus easy access to the National Aquarium and water taxis.

  2. National Aquarium

    National Aquarium

    Museum

    A large aquarium at the Inner Harbor with a recreated Amazon rainforest under a glass pyramid, a shark-filled ring tank, a coral reef exhibit and an Australian river gorge habitat.

  3. Fort McHenry

    Fort McHenry

    Historic · 2 mi from centre

    The star-shaped fort whose defense against British bombardment in 1814 inspired the Star-Spangled Banner, with a visitor center film, walkable ramparts, cannons and broad views of the harbor.

  4. Fells Point

    Fells Point

    Neighborhood

    A historic waterfront neighborhood of cobblestone streets and brick row houses, filled with lively pubs, seafood restaurants and independent shops, and easily reached from the Inner Harbor by water taxi.

  5. Walters Art Museum

    Walters Art Museum

    Museum

    In the elegant Mount Vernon neighborhood, this free museum spans ancient Egyptian artifacts and Greek sculpture to illuminated medieval manuscripts, arms and armor, and 19th-century European paintings.

  6. Baltimore Museum of Art

    Baltimore Museum of Art

    Museum · 3 mi from centre

    A free museum beside Johns Hopkins University with a remarkable collection of works by Henri Matisse, strong modern and contemporary galleries, and two pleasant sculpture gardens.

  7. American Visionary Art Museum

    American Visionary Art Museum

    Museum

    A quirky museum devoted to self-taught outsider artists, with colorful and often surprising works inside, a glittering mosaic facade outside and a gift shop as eccentric as the collection.

  8. Oriole Park at Camden Yards

    Oriole Park at Camden Yards

    Entertainment

    The home of the Baltimore Orioles is a downtown ballpark with a long brick warehouse behind right field, offering behind-the-scenes tours as well as games during baseball season.

Things to do in Baltimore by type

3 tours, tickets and experiences across 1 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • 1-3 hours 1
  • 3-6 hours 1
Browse all things to do in Baltimore

Top experiences in Baltimore

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 3 available.

See all things to do in Baltimore

Where to stay in Baltimore

Popular hotels in Baltimore, out of 181 properties you can book.

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Best time to visit Baltimore

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Baltimore is August and October, when average daytime highs are around 68–82°F and rain falls on about 9 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 26° – 40° 9
Feb 30° – 46° 8
Mar 39° – 59° 10
Apr 47° – 66° 12
May 57° – 74° 15
Jun 67° – 86° 13
Jul 72° – 88° 15
Aug 66° – 82° 11
Sep 62° – 77° 12
Oct 50° – 68° 6
Nov 41° – 57° 10
Dec 29° – 43° 10

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Baltimore weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 65° 46° 0%
  • Thu 22 Oct 67° 51° 0%
  • Fri 23 Oct 62° 50° 0%
  • Sat 24 Oct 62° 48° 0%
  • Sun 25 Oct 67° 49° 0%
  • Mon 26 Oct 71° 51° 1%

Know before you go

Currency
United States dollar (USD)
Language
English
Calling code
+1
Driving
On the right
Time zone
America/New_YorkUTC−4
Capital
Washington, D.C.

Upcoming public holidays in United States

  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Presidents DayWashington's Birthday

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Baltimore

These are the airports closest to central Baltimore. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • BWI Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport8 mi (13 km) from the city centre
  • MTN Martin State Airport11 mi (18 km) from the city centre
  • APG Phillips Army Airfield27 mi (43 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Baltimore

Public transportation in Baltimore is nothing spectacular. Fares to ride light rail, buses and subway are $2.00 each way, and $4.60 buys you a day pass that gets you unlimited rides on all three. You can buy a physical pass from any bus operator or vending machine at subway/light rail stations, or using the CharmPass app on your smartphone.

By light rail

As a general rule, the light rail system is far more useful for getting to the city than getting around within it. You may wish to park outside the city (for free!) and take the light rail in. The one useful section runs from Camden Yards up past Lexington Market to the Station North Arts District.

By subway

There is a single-line subway which runs from Johns Hopkins Hospital, through downtown, and out to the northwest suburbs of Pikesville and Owings Mills. The subway does not pass many tourist destinations and is mostly used by commuters.

By MTA bus

To get around Baltimore on the cheap by public transport, especially outside of the harbor area, the MTA buses are the way to go (though you will sacrifice convenience). MTA puts out very handy interactive maps.mw-parser-output .error-deadlink{color:red;background:yellow;display:none;white-space:nowrap}[dead link] of the downtown and regional bus routes, so you can plan ahead. Buses, like all of Baltimore's public transit, are well patrolled and safe.

Baltimore travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Baltimore?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Baltimore is August and October, when average daytime highs are around 68–82°F and rain falls on about 9 days a month.

What is the weather like in Baltimore?

July is usually the warmest month in Baltimore, with average highs of 88°F (31°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 26°F (-4°C). The wettest month is typically May, with about 172 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Baltimore?

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is the closest airport, about 8 miles (13 km) from the centre of Baltimore. Other nearby airports include Martin State Airport (MTN, 11 mi) and Phillips Army Airfield (APG, 27 mi).

What time zone is Baltimore in?

Baltimore uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Baltimore?

Public transportation in Baltimore is nothing spectacular. Fares to ride light rail, buses and subway are $2.00 each way, and $4.60 buys you a day pass that gets you unlimited rides on all three.

What are the best places to visit in Baltimore?

Top sights in Baltimore include Inner Harbor, National Aquarium, Fort McHenry and Fells Point. Baltimore's waterfront hub with a brick promenade, historic ships such as the USS Constellation, shops, restaurants and paddle boats, plus easy access to the National Aquarium and water taxis.

What are the top things to do in Baltimore?

Popular experiences you can book in Baltimore include Hard Rock Cafe Baltimore. Destina Holidays offers 3 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Baltimore?

The most popular types of experiences in Baltimore are shows, sports and special events (2) and gastronomy & nightlife (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Baltimore?

Popular areas for hotels in Baltimore include Inner Harbor, Suburbs and Airport Area. Well-reviewed options include William Fell Baltimore Tapestry Collection Hilton and DoubleTree By Hilton Baltimore North/Pikesville.

How many hotels can I book in Baltimore?

Destina Holidays currently lists 181 properties in and around Baltimore, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.