| With a population rapidly approaching | | | | amongst those most desirable, although the |
| 700,000, Baltimore is the biggest city in | | | | |
| | | | Mount Vernon area is becoming an equally |
| Maryland and covers an area of more than 80 | | | | appealing place to stay. Historic hotels |
| square miles / 210 square kilometers. | | | | |
| | | | are plentiful in the Fells Point area, |
| Close to Washington DC, Baltimore lies on | | | | together with affordable family-run bed and |
| America's eastern coast and contains an | | | | |
| | | | breakfasts.Baltimore Shopping: |
| important port, complete with large | | | | |
| harbor.Many of the main sights and | | | | For the best selection of shops in the city, |
| attractions in the city can be found around | | | | head to the Harborplace area, which |
| the central | | | | |
| | | | contains over 200 shops, including a number |
| downtown district, which is divided into a | | | | of independent outlets and fashion |
| number of notable areas, such as the city | | | | |
| | | | boutiques. Also, the nearby Village of |
| center, the Inner Harbor, Camden Yards and | | | | Cross Keys is home to an array of appealing |
| also the West Side. Throughout this | | | | |
| | | | small shops and specialty stores. For |
| area you will find a large selection of | | | | antiques, take a trip to Howard Street, where |
| shops, restaurants, bars and important | | | | |
| | | | |
| structures. Also, the Fells Point area, | | | | you will find a cluster of notable antique |
| close to the Inner Harbor, is known for its | | | | stores, which have become known as the |
| | | | |
| vibrant and animated nightlife and | | | | city's 'Antique Row'. Baltimore also |
| entertainment venues.Baltimore Tourism: | | | | features a number of large and modern |
| | | | |
| There are plenty of places worth a visit in | | | | shopping malls, such as Security Square and |
| the Baltimore area and top attractions | | | | Owing Mills. The regular Lexington |
| | | | |
| include many notable landmarks, historical | | | | Market is another major shopping draw card |
| buildings, appealing museums and a | | | | and has been established for more |
| | | | |
| number of art galleries, which contain works | | | | than 150 years, with an enormous selection |
| by many famous artists. Must-see | | | | of market traders.Baltimore Restaurants: |
| | | | |
| sights in the city include the National | | | | With its scenic coastal location, it is |
| Aquarium, the Basilica of the Assumption, | | | | hardly surprising that Baltimore restaurants |
| | | | |
| Robert East Lee Memorial Park, the Maryland | | | | specialize in seafood and all things fishy. |
| Zoo African safari experience, the Star | | | | Much of the local produce comes from |
| | | | |
| Spangled Banner Flag House and also the | | | | the nearby Chesapeake Bay and many of the |
| city's most famous sight, the Fort McHenry | | | | city's restaurants serve steamed crab, |
| | | | |
| National Monument and Historic | | | | amongst other local dishes. For lively |
| Shrine.Museums in Baltimore are also | | | | dining in Baltimore, look no further than the |
| plentiful and top museum attractions include | | | | |
| the | | | | |
| | | | restaurants around Mount Vernon and Fells |
| extensive Baltimore Museum of Art, the B&O | | | | Point, while for more exclusive |
| Railroad Museum, the baseball-related | | | | |
| | | | establishments, the restaurants along |
| Babe Ruth Museum, and the Maryland Science | | | | Charles Street are some of the most highly |
| Center, complete with IMAX theater | | | | |
| | | | regarded in the city.Baltimore Transport: |
| and planetarium. Annual festivals in | | | | |
| Baltimore include the Baltimore Blues | | | | A number of public transportation options |
| Festival - | | | | are on offer in the Baltimore area, such |
| | | | |
| held in Paterson Park each May, July's | | | | as buses, trains and popular trams. Many |
| Artscape along the Mount Royal Avenue, the | | | | visitors to the city find that hiring a car |
| | | | is the most convenient way to travel around, |
| popular Taste of Baltimore festival in | | | | being particularly useful for day trips and |
| October, and December's festive Washington | | | | |
| | | | excursions to nearby towns and cities, such |
| Monument Lighting Ceremony.Baltimore Hotels: | | | | as Annapolis and Washington DC. |
| | | | |
| Baltimore and its surrounding districts | | | | Situated just 10 miles / 16 km from the |
| feature a range of fine hotels at all levels. | | | | city, Baltimore Washington International |
| | | | |
| | | | Airport (BWI) is the state's main airport |
| For budget accommodation, looks for motels | | | | and caters for large numbers of passengers |
| along nearby Interstates and close to | | | | |
| | | | each day. A range of ground transportation |
| the airport. Reasonably priced | | | | is available at the airport, including |
| accommodation is available in the city | | | | |
| center, | | | | taxis, shuttles and trains.Nia Rees writes |
| | | | for World Guides - |
| together with a number of top, five-star | | | | |
| hotels, with luxury facilities. Waterside | | | | providers of travel and tourist information |
| | | | for major cities throughout the world. |
| hotels around the Inner Harbor area are | | | | |