The Best Baltimore Day Trips

Since it’s just an hour from Washington, D.C., Baltimore often gets overshadowed. But there are plenty of reasons to visit Charm City. During Baltimore day trips, you can explore the city’s maritime roots around the Inner Harbor, which is lined with numerous nautical attractions. It’s also the birthplace of Babe Ruth and the final resting place of Edgar Allan Poe. And Baltimore is home to a growing foodie scene with chefs sourcing ingredients from nearby farms – and don’t forget the tasty blue crabs from the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore day trips are the best way to explore the city.

Budget

Stay: The Days Inn Baltimore Inner Harbor, in a former redbrick warehouse, is across from the convention center and a five-minute walk to the vibrant Inner Harbor waterfront area. The 250 recently renovated rooms feature mini-fridges, microwaves and free Wi-Fi. Fuel up for your day with a breakfast buffet at the on-site Harbor Grill.

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Do: Browse among the works by Pablo Picasso and other artists at the Baltimore Museum of Art, while you’ll find armor and illuminated manuscripts at the Walters Art Museum. Both attractions are free, as is the circular-shaped Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse. For baseball fans, day trips from Baltimore wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Camden Yards, home of the Orioles. During guided tours, you can see the Orioles dugout, the scoreboard, press room and more, while learning about the history of the Inner Harbor area and local hero Babe Ruth.

Dine: The Lexington Market, in operation since 1782, is a good spot for an affordable lunch. Try the award-winning jumbo lump crabcakes at Faidley Seafood, or try an authentic gyro and homemade baklava at Mt. Olympus. For a great burger, check out Abbey Burger Bistro in Federal Hill with a fun build-your-own option. Don’t worry, vegetarians; you’re in luck. Instead of a beef patty, you can choose from a fried green tomato, black bean burger or veggie burger.

Mid-range

Stay: The Hyatt Place Baltimore, in a prime location between the Inner Harbor and Fells Point, offers plenty of amenities, including free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness center, an indoor pool and snack menu available 24/7. Start your day of sightseeing with a complimentary breakfast and a caffeinated beverage from the hotel’s Coffee to Cocktails Bar. Plus, the trattorias of Little Italy are nearby.

Do: Along the harbor, tour historic ships such as the 1854 USS Constellation and be wowed by the nautical displays at the National Aquarium. Besides being home to a giant Pacific octopus, bottlenose dolphins and several kids of sharks, the aquarium also houses birds, golden lion tamarins and snakes.

And nearby is the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, the 18th century fort where Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The fort is just one of many day trips from Baltimore you can take in the area.

Dine: Head to a local crab house for piles of steamed crabs, which come sprinkled with Old Bay seasoning and mallets for cracking. Captain James Seafood Palace has an all-you-can-eat special. You can also find lively taverns in the Fells Point waterfront district. If you consider yourself a beer connoisseur, Max’s Taphouse won’t disappoint: It has 102 beers on tap and more than 1,000 bottles from which to choose, along with hearty pub fare like a tater tot bowl layered with pulled pork and melted cheese and nachos piled high with either chili, pulled pork or grilled chicken.

Luxury

Stay: After taking these great Baltimore day trips, there’s nothing nicer than heading back to the comfort of a water-facing suite at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, a AAA Four Diamond Rated property. Renew yourself in the heated outdoor lap pool, take advantage of 24-hour room service and enjoy the nightly turndown service. In the spa, indulge in a massage and dine at the farm-to-fork Wit & Wisdom.

Do: See the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra perform at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and don’t leave town without splurging for field-level seats for an Orioles game at Camden Yards and trying a National Bohemian (“Natty Boh”) beer and crab dip fries. Or take in Charm City’s twinkling skyline from aboard a Spirit Cruises dinner cruise, where guests can enjoy a buffet dinner, drinks and dancing under the stars.

Dine: At Charleston, a AAA Four Diamond Rated restaurant, chef and co-owner Cindy Wolf offers three- to six-course tasting menus showcasing her French-influenced low country cuisine. For a sublime farm-to-fork experience, book a table at Woodberry Kitchen, where you can enjoy fresh fare like heirloom tomatoes on toast, summer vegetable flatbread and cast-iron chicken and biscuits.

Book travel reservations with AAA.