Last month, David and I ventured to Baltimore for a weekend getaway. It was my first time in the city and I was so thrilled to experience the Charm City. It was the perfect place to spend a weekend with just a quick hour flight from Raleigh, and an easy Lyft ride from the airport to our hotel. We loved our time in the city and are considering a return trip this summer. It is super walkable; the only time we took a Lyft was to and from Hampden and the airport. Here is our itinerary for the ultimate weekend getaway in Baltimore.
The Ultimate Weekend in Baltimore: Where to Eat
We decided to wait on deciding where to eat until we got into the city and started checking things out. David found Wicked Sisters, so we took a Lyft (use code MBG0112 for $5 off!) over to the Hampden neighborhood and we were really impressed. The food was delicious, the decor was tasteful and rather eclectic, and the service was excellent. We started with Mac & Cheese to split, and then I ordered a crab cake sandwich while David ordered a McCabe burger.
Miss Shirley’s Cafe is a Baltimore staple, and rightfully so. We had the best brunch there after spending the morning walking around. There is usually a wait, but it is well worth it. I ordered the cold spring wedge salad with blackened shrimp. I have not stopped thinking about that salad since and am currently on the hunt to find something similar in Raleigh. David ordered the Hog Wild on a That’s How We Roll, which is a pulled pork sandwich featuring Baltimore BBQ sauce and it was yummy as well.
If you catch a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, don’t make plans to eat before because there are great dining options in the stadium. David got chicken tenders from Charm City Chicken Shack while I had a fried oyster po’ boy from Harris Creek Oyster & Seafood on Eutaw St. I haven’t had stadium food that delicious before but I was definitely impressed.
Enjoy brunch at B&O American Brasserie during your weekend in Baltimore, but be sure to make a reservation. The restaurant is located on the first floor of the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore and it was packed when we went to brunch, so plan accordingly. David ordered pancakes while I had a breakfast sandwich, but subbed the scrapple for bacon.
Order the crab dip fries at Water Street Tavern. They are absolutely delicious and the perfect way to finish out our trip to Baltimore. The location is cool, the street feels cozy and quaint, and the staff was really friendly and welcoming.
The Ultimate Weekend in Baltimore: Where to Drink
Grab a beer at Nepenthe Brewing Co. We stopped in here after having dinner at Wicked Sisters and we loved the brews, the welcoming atmosphere, and the fact that you could take a self-guided tour of the brewery. We liked the (insert beer here). Bonus, they have a kitchen with an amazing menu and additional drinks and cocktails besides beer, so it really is a great spot to meet everyone’s needs.
Union Craft Brewing is a delicious brewery with a tap room and beer garden located in Union Collective. It’s a super hip spot and one where you could really just spend the whole day enjoying a good Saturday. We really enjoyed our time and their beer, Divine IPA, is one of our new favorites.
Enjoy a nightcap at Maisy’s, located a couple of blocks from the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore. It’s a cozy spot with a great drink menu and friendly staff. The kitchen was closed when we arrived, but their menus look delicious as well!
The Ultimate Weekend in Baltimore: Where to Stay
Whatever you do during your weekend in Baltimore, book a stay at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore, which is the beautifully restored B&O Railroad Headquarters building built in 1904. Y’all know I love a good historic building, and this one has it all: a marble staircase, gilded elevators, amazing city views, and welcoming staff. I am a huge fan of Kimpton hotels because of their commitment to restoring historic buildings, but their hospitality is like no other. Their nightly happy hours, morning coffee, available bikes, and pet friendly spaces make it so inviting.
The Ultimate Weekend in Baltimore: Where to Play
Head down to the Inner Harbor and while you’re there, stop in Neighborhoods Urban Goods. David and I have a tradition of picking up an ornament for our Christmas tree when we visit a new city, so. this was the perfect spot to find one. There are great options for souvenirs and Baltimore specific food and beverage products. We spent most of our day walking around the Inner Harbor. It was a beautiful day, so we enjoyed spending as much time as possible outside. We took in the sites, spent some time in the prettiest Barnes & Noble I’ve ever been in, and just enjoying the warmth and the views.
As a history nerd, I love Baltimore for its role in educating people of their role in the War of 1812, one of the more forgotten wars in US History. Fort McHenry is right in the Inner Harbor area and worth making a visit to learn more about the role Baltimore did play in US History. Our national anthem is a stanza from a poem written while Fort McHenry was being attacked by the British during the War of 1812. If you’re interested, read the entire poem here, which is incredibly enlightening.
While visiting Union Collective, pop down to The Charmery for an Old Bay Caramel in a waffle cone treat. David had the chocolate chip cheesecake in a waffle cone which he also very much enjoyed. This location of The Charmery is also their ice cream factory and it smells amazing.
You can’t go to Baltimore and not go to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, right? The stadium is gorgeous and I love preservation that has been done to the building in Camden Yards, which was the B&O Railroad Warehouse and was built between 1898-1905. That building is used as office space and other ball park operations, but I appreciate that Eutaw St. was extended to include that space. The market light details are a nice touch and its location right in downtown made it a convenient walk. Tickets were super affordable and the food was outstanding.
Learn the story of Babe Ruth at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum. David and I visited and learned quite a bit about Ruth and his legacy. I definitely recommend for any sports fan.
I am a big fan of Edgar Allen Poe, and at Westminster Cemetery in Baltimore, you can find his grave and memorial. The cemetery is extremely old and has markers around providing historical background on various people buried there. It is walking distance from the hotel and I was glad to get to experience it.
Our Itinerary for the Ultimate Weekend in Baltimore
- Stay at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore
- Dine at Wicked Sisters
- Have a beer at Nepenthe Brewing Co.
- Stroll the Inner Harbor
- Visit Fort McHenry
- Check out the prettiest Barnes & Noble ever
- Lunch at Miss Shirley’s Cafe
- Grab a beer at Union Craft Brewing
- Indulge in a waffle cone of Old Bay Caramel at The Charmery
- Take in a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards
- Eat all the things while visiting the stadium
- Have a night cap at Maisy’s
- Enjoy brunch at B&O American Brasserie
- Learn the story about Babe Ruth at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum
- Visit Edgar Allen Poe’s Grave and Memorial
- Order Crab Dip Fries at Water Street Tavern
Be sure to check out the most charming hotel in Baltimore and my 9 packing essentials from our trip.
Shop my Looks for our Weekend in Baltimore
What a beautiful city!! I’ve never been to Baltimore but it’s not a terrible drive from where I live in Charlottesville. 🙂
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com