Planning my summer trip

my wife & i visit Baltimore a few times per year. The Blue Moon Cafe is a MUST for breakfast. i’ll get u some more places later—i have to find out what they are called.
Later
pete

I don’t really know much about hotels except that there are a number of them within walking distance of Camden Yards. I know there is a relatively new Hampton Inn (opened last summer) across the street from Camden Yards next to Pickles Pub that looks pretty nice when I walk by it, and a friend stayed there last summer and had no complaints.

I know you said you’re not interested in touristy stuff, but if you haven’t been to Fort McHenry I think it’s worth it. Lots of history, lovely views of the water. Another sorta touristy thing to do is go to the top of Federal Hill (south of the Inner Harbor). A beautiful view of the city and more good history.

For something to do during the day, I might recommend walking to the Inner Harbor and taking the water taxi over to Fell’s Point. It’s a lovely way to see the city without being as touristy as the Ducks. We usually take the taxi over to Fells at least once a summer just because it’s nice. Once you’re in Fells, there are a number of little shops to check out, but mostly bars and restaurants. A very nice place to eat where you won’t see tourists is Peter’s Inn on S. Ann Street. My favorite bars over there are Max’s and The Wharf Rat. There’s also a Wharf Rat on Pratt Street near Camden but I much prefer the Fell’s Point location.

For seafood, a lot of people will recommend Faidley’s in Lexington Market, and rightly so. The food there is awesome, and the atmosphere is unique. But for steamed crabs and cold beer on a warm summer evening, to me nothing beats LP Steamers on Fort Ave in Locust Point. You can sit on rooftop deck and enjoy the breeze and the view (as long as it isn’t 100 degrees) or stay inside and interact with some true Baltimoreans. I’d only recommend going there for crabs, though. The rest of their seafood is just average.

Like Pete said, Blue Moon Cafe is a good place for breakfast, it’s also in Fells Point. Another good breakfast place is Miss Shirley’s Cafe in Roland Park. It’s on Cold Spring Lane and I think quite Baltimore.

I’ll think of some more stuff later, though I’m sure you’ll get plenty of suggestions.

good diner. I forget the address. I haven’t been there in years though. The 28 year old me might hate it.

I’m 27…into the history though…we’re making our way through Amish country and Gettysburg on the way back into town. The B&O sounds great. We’re more into laid back pubs and out of the way places instead of dance clubs and all that jazz. How is the national aquarium?

My only hope is that B-Rob is still on the team when we arrive or I’ll never hear the end of it. He must be all that makes the game enjoyable for my wife. Honestly, I don’t care though…so long as it frees me up to enjoy the games.

is a nice town to visit. State capital, down by the water, Naval Academy, old-timey, yadda yadda. Maybe on your last half-day you should go there.

Okay here goes -

For a hotel near the ballpark the closest is the Sheraton which is just down the way, toward the harbor. The Holiday Inn is also nearby, as is the Hyatt, on the Harbor, and another on the Harbor. I would go for the Sheraton or Hyatt.

Restaurants – Faidley’s Crabcakes in Lexington Market are a must. Get the Lump – not the backfin – the Lump, you’ll be very happy you did. The whole environment in Lexington Market is entertaining. It is as real as Baltimore gets right there, no mall scene kinda thing. A nice area to hit not too far from the ballpark is Federal Hill. There’s a whole bar & restaurant scene around the Cross Street Market over there that’s worth checking out – as is the Market itself when it’s open (which I believe is Mon-Sat, 9-6 as are all the City Markets, including Lexington). You can get a decent cheesesteak down there at MaGerks along with a beer and conversation. Bicycle is a decent restaurant for something more of a real going out to dinner kinda thing. A MUST for dessert is Vaccaro’s in Little Italy on the other side of the Inner Harbor from the Ballpark – their Cannoli are the best I’ve ever had, anywhere. Honestly there are a ton of places I could point you to – if you give me a little more idea of what kinda food you like I can narrow it down some.

For things to do, walking around the Harbor is always fun for people from out of town. I recommend just going up to the top of Federal Hill in the park and looking out over the harbor and the city. While over there, there’s a very interesting, offbeat museum called the American Visionary Art Museum which displays some pretty wild and interesting stuff – all “outsider art” meaning nothing from the traditional art establishment and entirely comprised of work by self taught artists. Again I could go on and on – if you have anything in particular you’re looking for just give me a holler here and I’ll try and steer you that way.