BALTIMORE:
CHARM CITY
BY CLAY
LARROY
In
the world of traveling,
there are plenty of great resources available to both new and experienced
travelers alike. There are many websites, guides, books, videos, and other
resources available. By writing this blog I hope that I am providing valuable
information about wonderful vacation destinations. When you want to
plan a vacation contact me!
Baltimore is Maryland's largest
city, hard-edged and gritty on first appearances, but with character to spare
and some surprising attractions on closer inspection.
Perched
on the River Patapsco, at the top of the northwestern fork of the Chesapeake
Bay, it gives direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, and is historically the
westernmost ocean-going harbor in the US.
As
well as the working class neighborhoods that characterize a city with a strong
blue-collar past, the city is home to impressive museums, respected
universities, and picturesque, leafy residential communities.
Cars
and steel built this town, but as it evolves, thriving healthcare, technology
and non-profit organizations are helping the local economy, which means that
some of the shabbier corners of town are enjoying much-needed development.
The
Inner Harbor area is representative of the city's forward-looking attitude.
Baltimore clippers (fast two-mast schooners) were once built there; now the harbor
successfully combines business, shopping, hotels, restaurants and visitor
attractions.
Here
you'll find the National Aquarium and the Harborplace shopping mall, as well as
the hallowed Oriole Park, home to the locals' beloved Oriole baseball team. You
should temporarily pin your colors to them, or the Ravens if it's football
season, just to blend in for a while.
The
West Side's redevelopment includes the city center and thriving Lexington
Market. Established in 1782, the market still houses over 150 merchants. The
once shabby historic districts of Fells Point, Federal Hill and Harbor East
have been revamped as bustling residential communities. Mount Vernon and Little
Italy also boast a village atmosphere.
The
locals are mostly friendly. Even on the coldest of Baltimore's wintry nights
you can head to a local bar and be greeted with the local salutation of choice:
"Hi, hon!" Most Baltimoreans would consider themselves down-to-earth,
honest folk, with less pretention than some of their north-eastern neighbors.
The nickname "Charm City" didn't stick for no reason, after all.
Baltimore's
modern-day vitality is also evident on the campuses of the University of
Maryland, near Downtown, and Johns Hopkins University, to the north. Johns
Hopkins rose from being a humble greengrocer to a wealthy philanthropist in the
19th century, embodying Baltimore's work ethic and the American dream.
Baltimore's profile took a
sensational leap in recent years thanks to the global success of the TV show The Wire, and while the subject
matter may have been somewhat unsavory, enough glimpses of the city were given
to bring in swathes of curious tourists.
Residents
are not only proud of the city's heritage but also confident of the future,
preferring to shape the inevitable changes rather than be subject to them.
One
thing has remained a near-constant - it is almost considered a crime for one to
leave the city without tasting Baltimore's specialty, Maryland crabs. The
city's culinary scene is founded on remarkable seafood, and at prices that you
won't find in New England.
You
won't find frills, affectation or much fanciness at all in Baltimore, but you
will enjoy an honesty and down-to-earth approach that's refreshing, especially
given the sometime snobbery of its regional neighbors.
Things
to do in Baltimore
Activities
Biking
The city has several
biking routes. Among the most popular is the Gwynns Falls Trail, an urban
biking trail that leads into historic greenways with streams and woods.
Website:
www.baltimorespokes.org
Golfing
There are a number of
courses in and around the Baltimore area. The main ones are Mount Pleasant,
Clifton Park, Forest Park, Pine Ridge and Caroll Park. Green fees are
relatively inexpensive but call ahead to book a slot.
Website: www.bmgcgolf.com
Boating
Small paddle boats and
electric boats are available for public hire. The paddle boats come in
different designs (such as dragons), and the electric boats are relatively
sedate and easy to steer. There are piers next to the World Trade Center.
Ice skating
You're in the north east,
which means that cold weather is part of the landscape. This means that there's
a healthy interest in skating, as well as ice hockey. The place to head for a
turn on the rink is the Mount Pleasant Ice Arena,, which offer lessons as well
as sessions where you can just show up and skate as you like.
Mount Pleasant Ice Arena
Tel: (443) 984 4075.
Website: www.mtpleasanticearena.com
Tel: (443) 984 4075.
Website: www.mtpleasanticearena.com
Wine tasting
It might not be the first
thing you associate the region with, but Maryland does have its own wine
industry. There are in fact five Maryland wine trails that you can follow, and
a host of events throughout the year that bring local wines into the spotlight.
Website: www.marylandwine.com
Spectator sports
As much as in any large
American city, Baltimore locals are passionate about their local sports teams
and if you can secure tickets, then joining htem to cheer on their heroes is an
exciting experience. The football team is the Baltimore Ravens and the baseball
team is the Baltimore Orioles.
REFERENCE
SITES:
There is a saying in Baltimore that crabs may be prepared in
fifty ways and that all of them are good.
H. L. Mencken
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