Baltimore
Monument City
General Information
Other Name: Charm City, District: Maryland, State: Mid atlantic, United States of America
Area: 92.1 square miles
Languages Spoken: English,Spanish
Long Distance Code: -
Importance: -
Best Time to Visit: - to - and During Spring season.
International Access: -Description
Baltimore is an independent city and the largest city in the state of Maryland in the United States. Founded in 1729, Baltimore is a major U.S. seaport and is situated closer to major Midwestern markets than any other major seaport on the East coast.Baltimore`s Inner Harbor has always remained a major asset, once the second leading port of entry for immigrants to the United States and a major manufacturing center.Baltimore is Maryland`s largest city and a popular vacation destination. Nicknamed “Charm City,” Baltimore has become a top tourist destination. Baltimore was established by the colonial government in 1729 and thrived as a port city. Today, the city thrives around the original port and inner harbor area. The Inner Harbor is now the city’s central tourist location. Throughout the Inner Harbor, visitors will find relics of Baltimore’s fascinating maritime history intertwined with a number of contemporary attractions. These include the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, Port Discovery Children’s Museum, the updated Harborplace and The Gallery shopping centers, and the new sports stadiums for the Ravens and Orioles.Location
Baltimore is located in central Maryland at the head of the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay, and is approximately 40 miles northeast of Washington D.C.Climate
Moderate and humid
''Visionary'' is a term used to describe art that is created by people who use ordinary media to express their own intensely personal ideas about life. This museum has assembled a wonderful collection of this very Visionary art. Since Visionary artists generally lack formal training, and work outside of established art traditions, their works are as bold, innovative and inspirational as the visions that spawned them.
The soul of this museum is its spacious wing dedicated to Modern American artists: Rothko, de Kooning, Pollock, and their contemporaries. The museum has the second largest private collection of Andy Warhol''s works. It also features Oceanic and American Indian art, a sizable Old Masters collection and a beautiful sculpture garden. The BMA is also home to the Cone collection; a treasury of Early Modern masterpieces.
Baltimore Museum of IndustryThis museum showcases the history of work in Baltimore, from the mid-19th century to the present day. The museum''s gallery space and research center offers information about Maryland''s businesses and industries, from the lost art of handcrafted tin cans to today''s technological innovations. Many of the collections change periodically, but ''Signs of the Times'' is a permanent display. This unique collection offers visitors a glimpse of the evolution of signs.
Evergreen House is the former residence of Ambassador John Work Garrett and his wife, Alice. The house is located on 26 acres / 10 hectares of land and contains 48 rooms. Attractions at Baltimore''s Evergreen House include a 35,000-volume rare book collection, 23-karat gold bath and a variety of Japanese art.
The Maryland Historical Society (MdHS), founded in 1844, is the state''s oldest cultural institution. Located at 201 W. Monument Street in the Mount Vernon Cultural District, the MdHS collects, preserves, and interprets more than seven million artifacts and documents reflecting Maryland''s diverse heritage through a museum, library, press, and extensive educational programs. The collection includes the original manuscript of Francis Scott Key''s "The Star-Spangled Banner" as well as one of the most extensive collections of Americana in the world. This museum has several permanent exhibits including Looking for Liberty, Furniture in MD Life, Maryland Through the Artist''s Eye, and Served in Style: Silver Collection of the Maryland Historical Society.
Baltimore''s Lexington Market was established in 1782 and claims to be America''s oldest continuously operating market. Since its 2003 renovation, the market has housed over 140 vendors, with attractions including a wide variety of goods such as meat and seafood, baked products, sweets and ethnic foods.
The sight of the American flag flying over Fort McHenry during the War Of 1812 inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the national anthem, the ''Star Spangled Banner.'' A replica of that flag waves over the harbor-side port, now a tranquil National Park. The restored barracks hold exhibits of military and historical artifacts, and a well-kept trail runs along the water''s edge, affording spectacular views of ships entering and leaving the busy harbor.
This Inner Harbor museum features interactive exhibits that focus on physics, marine biology and astronomy. Among the most popular recent exhibits were three-dimensional nebula models and a giant meteor hanging from the ceiling of the main hall. Of more local interest is the Chesapeake Bay estuary exhibit, which features several tanks of live creatures.
This aquarium is perhaps the greatest attraction in Baltimore''s celebrated Inner Harbor. The exhibits start small with samples of marine life from local waters, but visitors soon find themselves eye-to-eye with sharks, rays and other very large creatures. A simulated rainforest ecosystem and regularly scheduled dolphin shows round out the attractions. Admission is high, and the wait can be long, but both are worth it.
The nation''s first wax museum of African-American history and culture features more than 100 life-life figures, including Martin Luther King Jr., Frederick Douglass, Nat Turner and Harriet Tubman. The figures represent various periods in African-American history, from the colonial era to the present. A replica of a slave ship and an exhibit on youth complete the museum''s offerings.
In 1840, Baltimore became home to the world''s first college of dentistry. Today, this museum offers a fascinating and fun-filled look at the history of dental medicine. Highlights include historical dental tools, a giant mouth-shaped juke-box, and a set of George Washington''s dentures, which, by the way, were not wooden! For those interested in medicine it''s a pleasant, informative diversion.
Port Discovery offers interactive fun for the whole family. The young and young at heart will enjoy the Dream Lab and the Exploration Center, where visitors make their dreams come true and learn how to make their own art and jewelry. Children are particularly amused by Port Discovery''s three-story treehouse, where they are encouraged to climb, crawl, swing and slide.
Formerly called "The German Cathedral" due to its Southern German neo-Gothic style, St. Alphonsus Catholic Church is a historic landmark designed by the famous architect Robert Cary Long in 1845. Many saints, including Blessed George Matulaitis and St. John Neumann, have prayed here, making this church a jewel in the Catholic community.
Taste of Baltimore is a much awaited event held annually in September. More than 60 restaurants participate in this festival, offering you a glimpse into the city''s food culture. A Food Sampling Pavilion is set, where guests can sample several flavors and when thirsty, they can step into the beer garden. Get your kids along; they can spend the entire day here by participating in several games and other activities. Musical performances and more are in store! Part of the proceeds is directed to the American Red Cross.
Commissioned in 1855, the USS Constellation was the last all-sail ship built by the United States Navy. Today, the historic vessel lies at anchor in Baltimore''s Inner Harbor, where visitors can climb aboard and learn about the ship''s history, including its mission to disrupt the slave trade, and its latter role in delivering famine relief supplies to Ireland.
East meets West at the Walters. On one hand, its collection spans nearly the entire history of Western art. Its spacious galleries are home to Greek and Roman statuary, Baroque carvings, and a large collection of Renaissance paintings. On the other hand, its elegant Hackerman House wing holds one of the largest collections of traditional Asian art in the United States.
Towering above Mount Vernon Place is Baltimore''s Washington Monument. The marble Doric column towers 178 feet with a statue of George Washington at its crown. The reward for climbing the steep, winding 228 steps is a bird''s-eye view of Baltimore. The base contains a small museum with exhibits chronicling the architecture and development of the monument, which took nearly 15 years to build (1815-1829).
Baltimore''s World Trade Center - the world''s tallest pentagonal building - is a must-see for anyone visiting Charm City. That''s because the 27th-floor observation deck "Top of the World" - offers panoramic views of the Inner Harbor and Baltimore''s historic waterfront neighborhoods. It''s a great place to get a sense of the city. The observation level also contains exhibits about Baltimore and its economic renaissance.
Founded in 1878, the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is the third-oldest zoo in the country and combines excitement and education for visitors of all ages. The 161-acre / 65-hectare zoo is home to a wealth of creatures from every continent. On the Harold and Selma Taylor African Journey, attractions include leopards, cheetahs, lions, primates, elephants, rhinos, penguins, zebras, giraffes, gazelles, warthogs and more.