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Baltimore is known as the "Charm City," and rightly so. This popular Maryland destination is filled with multiple museums, great art, and architecture, a vibrant nightlife, trendy shops, and a slower lifestyle than most metropolitan cities. Lying on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay, this famous port town features plenty of things to do and plenty of sights to see, especially in the hot and humid weather of summer.
So if you're planning a trip to this exciting city this summer, here are the top 6 sights to see in Baltimore that you shouldn't miss:
A visit to Baltimore is never complete without a visit to the National Aquarium. It's massive and packed with over 20,000 aquatic animals that you would probably never see in their natural habitat. The Aquarium features award-winning exhibits, you can learn about conservation, and it has been a national model for dolphins in human care since 1991.
The Aquarium also features daily talks, a natural seawater sanctuary for healthier aquatic homes, and guests can even enjoy Aquarium sleepovers with the entire family.
And for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, adults can dive in the Atlantic Coral Reef, making for an exciting adventure right in the middle of the city.
Before you visit the museums and monuments, you can see it all from the vantage point of Federal Hill Park. Offering the best views of the Inner Harbor and the Baltimore skyline, the Park is found in the south of downtown. It is an elevated area with a peak that you can reach by climbing 99 steps or by hiking through the rolling hills.
The 10-acre park if the perfect place to give you a bird's eye perspective of the attractions across the waterfront. You can find a good number of restaurants and pubs scattered nearby, and there's plenty of bench seating and picnic areas for a great afternoon excursion.
The sight is not only great for recreation and leisure but it features a historical significance in the city. The elevated park was a major lookout spot during the Civil War and the War of 1812.
Food is always a great attraction in any city you visit, and Baltimore is no exception. The Lexington Market is one of 6 public markets in the city but it's the most vibrant and the most visited. This 236-year-old food market is home to over 100 vendors selling every kind of food imaginable, from seafood to fresh produce, to corned beef, crab cakes, and fried chicken and waffles.
A unique food shopping experience, this is the pace to witness both locals and tourists come together to enjoy the greater flavors of Baltimore.
Whether you're a fan of baseball or not, you will definitely love visiting the Oriole Park, either on a tour or as a spectator at a game. It is an MLB (Major League Baseball) ballpark and the first of the "retro" major league ballparks built in the country.
Home of the Baltimore Orioles, which is the official baseball team of the city, the stadium is located right in the heart of downtown. It is said that the park revolutionized baseball when it opened in 1992, and during the regular season of June to August, fans and visitors alike are witness to the festive atmosphere that goes on when games are in play.
If you prefer a tour, the Park is open to the public for a fee, with guided tours that take you to the dugout and the Scoreboard Control Room among others.
But to get a full experience, watching a game and joining the local fans as they cheer on and munch on pretzels, hotdogs, and beer is the best way to truly witness the genuine spirit of Oriole Park and the city in the summer.
With all the museums and galleries in Baltimore, one site stands out from the rest. The Green Mount Cemetry is filled with great art and architecture, and it's open to the general public.
In the pre-museum era, cemeteries were the best places to see the best sculptures, art, and the most beautiful gardens. This tradition did not stop in Green Mount Cemetery, and in fact, it is celebrated until today.
The cemetery is where many of the city's elite are buried, which include Elizabeth "Betsy" Patterson Bonaparte, the famous abandoned socialite sister-in-law of Napoleon, as well as John Wilkes Booth, the stage actor who assassinated Abraham Lincoln.
Today, the cemetery is open for walking and self-guided tours, where visitors can bear witness to the great art and architecture that surrounds, as well as the natural landscapes. One of the best highlights of the cemetery is the exquisite stone gates, as well as its 68-acre gardens. Birdwatches have witnessed rare species from the site, which is home to wildlife not commonly seen in any city. The view of the beautiful downtown area can also be seen from the cemetery peak.
Baltimore was the first to begin construction for a George Washington monument and it's one of the most iconic sights of the city. Visitors can take the 228-step spiral staircase to its apex, where they are rewarded with incredible views of the Baltimore skyline.
You can find the monument at Mount Vernon Place, which is the central plaza in the city's cultural center. The monument and surrounding parks host outdoor events using the summer, and it's a great meeting place for both locals and tourists. Some of the city's best festivals and celebrations are held in the plaza.
If you wish to visit the rest of the city's cultural and historical sights, Mount Vernon Plaza is the best starting point. From there, you can walk to Mount Vernon neighborhood, which contains a great number of historical architectural marvels such as the Palazzo-style Walters Art Museum, a Norman-Gothic church, and the famous Geoge Peabody Library.
Baltimore boasts of a waterfront city that's bursting at the seams with charm, creativity, culture, and history. For the perfect summer getaway in this beautiful city, these top 6 sights to see will definitely fill your bucket list with awe-inspiring attractions and activities that will create unforgettable memories of a lifetime.
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