Other Things to Do in Baltimore

If you are looking for other things to do in Baltimore, it’s a great town to spend your time (and dosh) in. Here’s some other stuff to check out while you are in Charm City.

FELLS POINT

Walking around the shops and bars of this harbor side part of town is generally a very fun experience. For those looking for maps on where to go, the heart of everything kind of occurs within a couple blocks either way from Thames Street and Broadway. It’s home to our supporters club bar Slainte (as well as its sister-brand bars Koopers and Woody’s on the same block). Also nearby, is Alexander’s Tavern, which is run by a longtime supporter of LFC Baltimore’s efforts and boasts possibly the best breakfast and booze prices in that part of the city (try the tots… smothered in either cheese, chipped beef, or crap dip they are heart-stoppingly good).

The best fancy beer bar (reads Belgians) is Max’s Tap House. It’s right around the corner from Slainte and has like infinity beers on tap. Ok, so that’s perhaps an over-exaggeration, but it’s pretty close when you’ve had a few of the high octane offerings and your face is dipping closer and closer to the bar with one eye permanently shut.

If you like music, then visit SoundGarden, regarded as perhaps the best record shop in the country (according to Rolling Stone). It is also on Thames St, about two blocks west of Slainte. Cheap prices, great selections, vinyl and hipsters that DON’T have bad attitude problems whatsoever…what’s not to love.

CONCERTS

Aside from the benefit show for LFC fans with Yellow Dubmarine on July 28^th at Rams Head Live, the venue will also will host a shows with Fuel and The Dan Band (the funny/filthy wedding band featured in Wedding Crashers and The Hangover) on Friday the 27^th. The Warped Tour hits Merriweather Post Pavilion in nearby Columbia.

If you’re looking for a little more highbrow experience, The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is performing on the waterfront of the Baltimore Inner Harbor at Pier Six Pavilion on Thursday and Friday.

COMEDY

There’s Baltimore Comedy Factory Friday – Sunday about five minutes (cab) from the hotel. It’s a brand new club in a trendy, tourist-friendly district of the city.

Also, for those interested in a bit of a drive, there’s also Magooby’s Joke House in Timonium and the Washington DC Improv.

BALTIMORE RESTAURANT WEEK 

It starts on the 27^th and you can get great three-course dinners for around $30 for some great places ($20 lunches at some others with gourmet quality). Some favorites to look into:

Upscale: B&O Brasserie (Downtown), The Prime Rib (Mount Vernon)
High-End Breweries: The Brewer’s Art (Mount Vernon), Heavy Seas Ale House (Little Italy)
New American in Cool Pub Settings: Salt Tavern (Upper Fells Point), Blue Hill Tavern (Canton)
Fun, Relaxed Atmosphere with Great Service and Food: Tapas Adela (Fells Point), Regi’s American Bistro (Federal Hill)

BASEBALL

The Orioles, who actually aren’t terrible this year, have a six-game homestand through Sunday of the LFC game week. Tickets are readily available and cheaper than in cities like Chicago, Boston and NY. The stadium, Camden Yards, is among the best in the sport. The stadium is about a 10 minute or so walk from No Idea Tavern (S. Hanover Street) and there are a row of divey pubs directly outside. (Note: I would implore people to avoid Pickles Pub, as it is the most crowded of the nearby bars and, also, representatives from there have mislead and tried to swindle LFC Baltimore in the past. Few, if any, local Reds with pride frequent the establishment as a general rule.

There is also a Babe Ruth Museum (www.baberuthmuseum.com) within a very short walk of the stadium. There are also typically tours of Camden Yards available most afternoons, which are nice for you stadium/baseball geeks (like SHAP).

FAMILY-STYLE ATTRACTIONS

The Maryland Zoo – It’s a lovely place to visit on a nice day and a pretty cheap option.

The Baltimore Aquarium – One of the finest in the nation…pricey, but good. Also nearby is the Maryland Science Center which has various interesting exhibits/IMAX showings/etc.

Ft. McHenry – The Star Spangled Banner was penned here by Francis Scott Key. Yeah, that’s pretty badass for those of you who are history buffs and worth a pass through.

Art Museums – Closer to the beautiful Mount Vernon neighborhood, you find a host of Art Museums such as the Walters and the Baltimore Museum of Art (lots of Matisse and Van Gogh, fyi).

NEARBY TOURISM

Speaking of DC…it’s only about an hour away and there obviously are all the monuments (the World War II and the FDR memorial are personal favs) and museums (Smithsonian, etc.) available to you. It’s all well worth the drive.
Other fun DC museums, closer to Chinatown, include the Museum of Crime and Punishment and the International Spy Museum. Both are about one block away from the Verizon Center/downtown arena/a Metro subway stop.

Well, that’s pretty much a quick look at some alternatives for you if world-class football doesn’t blow your hair all the way back. We hope you enjoy our little town as much as we will having you here.

YNWA