Brockett’s Baltimore
Weird Stuff Only in Baltimore
Here are some things I love that can only be found in Charm City.
one half block north of North Ave is a great instagram spot and some rad graffiti. Go during daylight.
18 locals recommend
Graffiti Alley
Graffiti Alleyone half block north of North Ave is a great instagram spot and some rad graffiti. Go during daylight.
Patterson Park isn’t weird or unusual, but it’s our favorite park. Old trees, nice view, an old pagoda open on Sundays in warmer months, free zumba, ice skating, swimming pool, ball fields, dog walking, sledding, people watching.
236 locals recommend
Patterson Park
2601 E Baltimore StPatterson Park isn’t weird or unusual, but it’s our favorite park. Old trees, nice view, an old pagoda open on Sundays in warmer months, free zumba, ice skating, swimming pool, ball fields, dog walking, sledding, people watching.
Bromo Seltzer Tower has tours on Saturdays, and it’s worth it to see the clock.
14 locals recommend
Bromo Seltzer Tower
21 S Eutaw StBromo Seltzer Tower has tours on Saturdays, and it’s worth it to see the clock.
Bazaar
3534 Chestnut AveBazaar a weird store in Hampden with taxidermy, old medical devices, and other strange gifts.
Parkway Theatre
5 W North Avethe best art films in a gorgeous restored theater.
a farmer's market under the overpass!? Open April–December. We go every Sunday for produce, brunch, and people watching
54 locals recommend
Baltimore Farmers Market and Bazaar
a farmer's market under the overpass!? Open April–December. We go every Sunday for produce, brunch, and people watching
You have to get a photo of this Hogwarts-like library associated with the music conservatory at Johns Hopkins University.
44 locals recommend
Peabody Library
17 E Mt Vernon PlYou have to get a photo of this Hogwarts-like library associated with the music conservatory at Johns Hopkins University.
won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is a very unusual (and woefully underfunded) wax museum with figurines from Black History. Powerful stories. In a blighted neighborhood, small admissions fee.
71 locals recommend
Great Blacks in Wax Museum
1601-03 E North Avewon’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is a very unusual (and woefully underfunded) wax museum with figurines from Black History. Powerful stories. In a blighted neighborhood, small admissions fee.
Music
If you don’t already have tickets for something at one of the larger venues, check the shows at any of these.
An die Musik LIVE!
409 N Charles Stjazz or classical
Creative Alliance
3134 Eastern Avetop-notch smaller traveling acts
Keystone Korner Baltimore
1350 Lancaster Stjazz, particularly with vocalists
Cat's Eye Pub
1730 Thames Streetsalty pub with local cover bands
HandleBar Cafe & Bike Shop
511 S Caroline Stlocal cover bands on weekends.
Germano's Piattini
300 S High Stgreat jazz trios and traveling acts in Little Italy
The 8x10
10 E Cross Stnice size venue for indie bands
where all the art school kids go. a dive music venue with korean food
19 locals recommend
The Crown Baltimore
1910 N Charles Stwhere all the art school kids go. a dive music venue with korean food
museum and performing arts center dedicated to jazz
9 locals recommend
Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center
847 N Howard Stmuseum and performing arts center dedicated to jazz
Memorable Meals
never fails to impress in an old mill building in the hip Hampden neighborhood. you probably need a reservation, though.
116 locals recommend
Woodberry Kitchen
2010 Clipper Park Rdnever fails to impress in an old mill building in the hip Hampden neighborhood. you probably need a reservation, though.
The PaperMoon Diner
227 W 29th Sttechnicolor diner with burgers. Great for kids.
I would eat here every night if I could afford it. Esquire magazine's most romantic restaurant. Baltimore has lots of 8–10 table restaurants with amazing meals, Le Comptoir du Vin is among the best. French-inspired but subtle flavors. Make sure to order bread. Go at 5:30 and try to sit at the bar, or get a reservation.
My favorite date night:
• ride scooters along the bike path (west on Madison then north on Maryland)
• early dinner at Le Comptoir du Vin
• movie at Parkway or The Charles
• take a ride share home
8 locals recommend
Le Comptoir du Vin
1729 Maryland AvenueI would eat here every night if I could afford it. Esquire magazine's most romantic restaurant. Baltimore has lots of 8–10 table restaurants with amazing meals, Le Comptoir du Vin is among the best. French-inspired but subtle flavors. Make sure to order bread. Go at 5:30 and try to sit at the bar, or get a reservation.
My favorite date night:
• ride scooters along the bike path (west on Madison then north on Maryland)
• early dinner at Le Comptoir du Vin
• movie at Parkway or The Charles
• take a ride share home
Food Closest to Our Apartment
Neighborhood corner restaurant with a great lunch buffet. Usually full of Hopkins residents or employees
Tandav Indian Cuisine
1725 E Lombard StNeighborhood corner restaurant with a great lunch buffet. Usually full of Hopkins residents or employees
No food! Only beer in a renovated Catholic church. I'm a wine drinker, but the architecture here is enough to keep me interested.
19 locals recommend
Ministry of Brewing
1900 East Lombard StreetNo food! Only beer in a renovated Catholic church. I'm a wine drinker, but the architecture here is enough to keep me interested.
HandleBar Cafe & Bike Shop
511 S Caroline Stthis is an amazing french bakery with two tables. espresso, croissants, macarons, cakes.
Patisserie Poupon
820 E Baltimore Stthis is an amazing french bakery with two tables. espresso, croissants, macarons, cakes.
huge brunch scene and gourmet meals at the neighborhood spot
52 locals recommend
Water For Chocolate Catering LLC
1841 E Lombard Sthuge brunch scene and gourmet meals at the neighborhood spot
Neighborhoods
One of the oldest neighborhoods in Baltimore, Fell's has great architecture, waterfront views, tug boats, tourist shops, bars and restaurants at all price points, and excellent people watching. You can probably find a crabcake at any restaurant.
15–20 minute walk
Suggested path: turn right from apartment and walk about four blocks along Baltimore St, turn right on Ann St, then eight blocks to the water. Fell’s Point is great for a range of offerings at different price points. You can probably find a crabcake at any restaurant.
FAVORITE FOOD + DRINKS IN FELL'S POINT
• Papi’s Tacos fun and affordable Mexican
• Thames Street Oyster House special occasion fancy crabcakes and oysters
• Pitango Gelato yummerz
• Pitango Bakery pastries, coffee, sandwiches
•
Sofi’s Crepes is casual and cheap
• Peter’s Inn for local charm
• Ekiben best bao we’ve had outside of Vietnam
• Cocina Luchadoras neighborhood Mexican
• Broadway Market food hall for people watching, snacks, drinks. We go to Sal’s once a week for fish and chips
• Choptank is really hot right now for crabs and the scene, but we have never been
• Saturday Farmer’s Market in the square April –December
• Max’s Tap House for hundreds of brews
• Sacre Sucre notable pastries, glam
FAVORITE VISITS IN FELL'S POINT
// Walk through the Sagamore Pendry hotel to the pool bar for the view of Domino’s Sugar and Under Armour
// Walk the promenade and watch boats
// Ride the water taxi. On weekdays, there’s a free one called “Charm City Circulator” that leaves from behind Frederick Douglass and Isaac Myers Maritime Park
// Look for murals and painted screens
// Lady Day Way is great for instagram shots, a street of murals dedicated to Billie Holliday. Start around 200 South Durham St
// Greedy Reads bookshop on Aliceanna St.
// Listen to music pouring out of Cat’s Eye Pub, Admiral’s Cup, or Waterfront Hotel
// Listen to music pouring out of Cat’s Eye Pub, Admiral’s Cup, or Waterfront Hotel
357 locals recommend
Fell's Point
One of the oldest neighborhoods in Baltimore, Fell's has great architecture, waterfront views, tug boats, tourist shops, bars and restaurants at all price points, and excellent people watching. You can probably find a crabcake at any restaurant.
15–20 minute walk
Suggested path: turn right from apartment and walk about four blocks along Baltimore St, turn right on Ann St, then eight blocks to the water. Fell’s Point is great for a range of offerings at different price points. You can probably find a crabcake at any restaurant.
FAVORITE FOOD + DRINKS IN FELL'S POINT
• Papi’s Tacos fun and affordable Mexican
• Thames Street Oyster House special occasion fancy crabcakes and oysters
• Pitango Gelato yummerz
• Pitango Bakery pastries, coffee, sandwiches
•
Sofi’s Crepes is casual and cheap
• Peter’s Inn for local charm
• Ekiben best bao we’ve had outside of Vietnam
• Cocina Luchadoras neighborhood Mexican
• Broadway Market food hall for people watching, snacks, drinks. We go to Sal’s once a week for fish and chips
• Choptank is really hot right now for crabs and the scene, but we have never been
• Saturday Farmer’s Market in the square April –December
• Max’s Tap House for hundreds of brews
• Sacre Sucre notable pastries, glam
FAVORITE VISITS IN FELL'S POINT
// Walk through the Sagamore Pendry hotel to the pool bar for the view of Domino’s Sugar and Under Armour
// Walk the promenade and watch boats
// Ride the water taxi. On weekdays, there’s a free one called “Charm City Circulator” that leaves from behind Frederick Douglass and Isaac Myers Maritime Park
// Look for murals and painted screens
// Lady Day Way is great for instagram shots, a street of murals dedicated to Billie Holliday. Start around 200 South Durham St
// Greedy Reads bookshop on Aliceanna St.
// Listen to music pouring out of Cat’s Eye Pub, Admiral’s Cup, or Waterfront Hotel
// Listen to music pouring out of Cat’s Eye Pub, Admiral’s Cup, or Waterfront Hotel
HARBOR EAST + LITTLE ITALY
15 minute walk
Suggested path: turn left from apartment and walk about two blocks along Baltimore St, turn left on Eden St, then eight blocks to the water. Most of the attractions in Harbor East are expensive and luxury chains.
FAVORITE FOOD + DRINKS in HARBOR EAST
• Ceremony Coffee for zen-like atmosphere, on Harbor Point
• Cinemark for popular movies with a bar
• Ouzo Bay or Loch Bar for a meal of a lifetime. Special occasions, very expensive but fresh seafood
• Bygone $15–20 cocktails in a bar near the top of the Four Seasons Hotel with amazing views
•
Teavolve for great brunch or pot of tea
• Fleming’s for steaks, we go for happy hour
•
Vacaro’s for desserts in Little Italy is a must if you are nearby (check the bocce court at 902 Stiles St.—random, but if you like bocce, there is also a court in La Scala restaurant)
• sweetgreen for salads
• Elk Room speakeasy bar has extraordinary cocktails
• We are regulars at Keystone Corner jazz club
FAVORITE VISITS in HARBOR EAST
// Walk along the promenade
// Visit Mr Trash Wheel near MECU pavilion at Pier 5.
// Under Armour flagship store
// Katyn memorial on the circle
// Duckpin or regular bowling at Mustang Alley’s
124 locals recommend
Harbor East
HARBOR EAST + LITTLE ITALY
15 minute walk
Suggested path: turn left from apartment and walk about two blocks along Baltimore St, turn left on Eden St, then eight blocks to the water. Most of the attractions in Harbor East are expensive and luxury chains.
FAVORITE FOOD + DRINKS in HARBOR EAST
• Ceremony Coffee for zen-like atmosphere, on Harbor Point
• Cinemark for popular movies with a bar
• Ouzo Bay or Loch Bar for a meal of a lifetime. Special occasions, very expensive but fresh seafood
• Bygone $15–20 cocktails in a bar near the top of the Four Seasons Hotel with amazing views
•
Teavolve for great brunch or pot of tea
• Fleming’s for steaks, we go for happy hour
•
Vacaro’s for desserts in Little Italy is a must if you are nearby (check the bocce court at 902 Stiles St.—random, but if you like bocce, there is also a court in La Scala restaurant)
• sweetgreen for salads
• Elk Room speakeasy bar has extraordinary cocktails
• We are regulars at Keystone Corner jazz club
FAVORITE VISITS in HARBOR EAST
// Walk along the promenade
// Visit Mr Trash Wheel near MECU pavilion at Pier 5.
// Under Armour flagship store
// Katyn memorial on the circle
// Duckpin or regular bowling at Mustang Alley’s
INNER HARBOR
15–20 minute walk
Suggested path: turn left from apartment and walk about eight blocks along Baltimore St, turn left on President St, right on Pratt St.
FAVORITE VISITS IN THE INNER HARBOR
// Walk along the promenade (or scoot!—download apps for Lime, Jump, or Spin)
// Visit historic boats like the Constellation
// Federal Hall, walk up the hill itself for a view
// Seven foot Knoll Lighthouse
// The observation deck in the World Trade Center has an exemplary view
We think the food is over-rated, but there are tons of options! Ask for advice or see guidebooks on the shelf.
One favorite is the new Alexander Brown Restaurant. stylish, clubby
534 locals recommend
Inner Harbor
INNER HARBOR
15–20 minute walk
Suggested path: turn left from apartment and walk about eight blocks along Baltimore St, turn left on President St, right on Pratt St.
FAVORITE VISITS IN THE INNER HARBOR
// Walk along the promenade (or scoot!—download apps for Lime, Jump, or Spin)
// Visit historic boats like the Constellation
// Federal Hall, walk up the hill itself for a view
// Seven foot Knoll Lighthouse
// The observation deck in the World Trade Center has an exemplary view
We think the food is over-rated, but there are tons of options! Ask for advice or see guidebooks on the shelf.
One favorite is the new Alexander Brown Restaurant. stylish, clubby
City advice
Don't miss
Berger Cookies
local delicacy, chocolate-covered heaps of sugar. Buy in any 711 or Royal Farms.
Don't miss
Formstone
Formstone is the “polyester of brick,” a stucco material that was applied to the fronts of brick rowhouses after WWII.
Don't miss
Back on My Feet
Back on My Feet is a running group that meets at homeless and rehabilitation shelters on MWF at 5:30am. We’ve run with them for a decade.