Things To Do
Mount Vernon (Neighborhood)
Mount Vernon is a centrally located and elegant neighborhood filled with grand old mansions that once belonged to Baltimore’s 19th-century industrialists. This historic district is filled with museums, shops, restaurants and boutique hotels. It is also where Pete lived and where we had our second date that cinched the deal:)
The Walters Art Museum
Located in Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood, The Walters Art Museum is a free and features over 36,000 objects spanning 7,000 years. Founded on the collection of William and Henry Walters, it highlights Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and 19th-century European art.
George Peabody Library
If you explore Mount Vernon, be sure to visit The Walters Art Museum, The Engineering Society (look for the elliptical spiral stairs were capped by a Tiffany glass dome) and The George Peabody Library. The George Peabody Library is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful library spaces in the world.
The Coral Wig
Although not a Tiki Bar, the design and menu of the Wig allude to island nostalgia reminiscent of a 1980's-era Manila, Philippines in the officers clubs and cafés where owner Lane Harlan's Mother Lola came of age. The sound of walking through heavy wooden beaded curtains and the taste of cocktails laced with lush, tangy tamarind and bright acidity set the tone for an intimate evening out in the heart of Baltimore’s most beautiful historical neighborhood of Mt. Vernon.
Alma Cocina Latina
Alma is not just a restaurant with deeply imaginative, exquisitely crafted food, it is a space that transports you into Venezuelan culture with every detail.
CookHouse
Elegant, cozy atmosphere, Cookhouse is located in the beautiful historic neighborhood of Bolton Hill. The back-lit, mirrored bar area takes up an entire side of the restaurant. The menu changes weekly, also serving exceptional hand-crafted cocktails.
Ceremony Coffee Roasters - Mt. Vernon
Really good coffee! This was my spot when I would visit Pete in Mount Vernon.
Charles Village (Neighborhood)
Home of the Baltimore Museum of Art and Johns Hopkins University, Charles Village is a vibrant, walkable neighborhood in north-central Baltimore. Painted Lady home fronts are a well-known and charming characteristic of the neighborhood. Enjoy tree-lined streets, beautiful gardens, shopping at the 32nd Street Farmers Market and relaxing in Wyman Park Dell.
Baltimore Museum of Art
The beautiful Baltimore Museum of Art is located in the heart of Charles Village and the Johns Hopkins Campus. The jewels of the collection are the African Masks, The Cone Collection, and the contemporary wing (it's all AMAZING)! Gertrude's, the BMA restaurant is tasty too.
Fadensonnen
Beautiful indoor and outdoor courtyard. Fadensonnen is a beer garden & tavern focusing on fresh beer, wine and sake made by small producers. It is also an experimental music venue. Located in Baltimore’s historic Old Goucher Neighborhood.
W.C. Harlan
We met here for our first date. Moody, wax dripping from candle and love potion cocktails.
Clavel
Taqueria & Mezcaleria serving food deeply rooted in Sinaloan ritual. Make a reservation.
Dutch Courage
Dutch Courage is a gin-centric cocktail bar located in the historic Baltimore neighborhood of Old Goucher.
Club Charles
This venerable dive bar with crimson hue, neon “Cocktails” sign, and Lynchian aesthetic is a Baltimore institution.
Le Comptoir du Vin
Le Comptoir du Vin is a neighborhood wine bar & bottle shop in Baltimore, MD. Yummy food!
Rawlings Conservatory
Opened in 1888, the historic H.P. Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens is one of Baltimore’s most important architectural treasures. Featuring five distinct greenhouses, one 1/2-acre garden with many flower beds, and a kaleidoscope of colors all year round.
Hampden (Neighborhood)
Hampden is centered on West 36th Street, known as The Avenue, a colorful stretch of shops, restaurants and bars in converted row houses. Small galleries and indie stores sell vintage clothes and quirky art, while retro diners and dive bars sit alongside trendy craft cocktail spots. The neighborhood hosts HONFest in spring and Hampdenfest in Fall, celebrations of classic Baltimore art and kitsch. Stop by Dylan's Oyster Bar for oysters on the half shell!
Dylan's Oyster Cellar
Dylan's Oyster Cellar is a rustic, cozy bar and restaurant in Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood. It is known for its excellent selection of oysters and cocktails, as well as a seasonal menu that includes traditional Maryland dishes like coddies and fried oyster sandwiches, plus other favorites like a popular burger. The atmosphere is intimate and casual, and the staff is known for being knowledgeable and friendly.
Woodberry Kitchen
The Woodberry works with ingredients sourced directly from the hardworking farmers and watermen of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. WK’s model prioritizes environmental and community impact and aims to support regenerative agriculture practices that respect the abundance and traditions of the region, while helping to ensure its future. That vision is paired with unparalleled hospitality and culinary excellence. In 2015, Spike Gjerde became the only chef in Baltimore’s history to take home a James Beard Award for “Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic.”
Artifact Coffee
Food and drink to fuel body & soul. Seasonal & handcrafted.
Roland Park (Neighborhood)
Roland Park is a historic neighborhood in Baltimore full of beautiful architecture, old trees and gorgeous front yard gardens. The foot paths allow another view of the homes that make Roland Park so special. Take a walk and enjoy the changing leaves. Stop by Johny's for lunch.
Johnny's
Cozy (but large enough for big groups) neighborhood spot. I like to grab a crab cake or shrimp salad here after I take a walk through Roland Park.
Cylburn Arboretum
A 200-acre urban oasis in Baltimore City, Cylburn is a place of natural beauty and learning with hundreds of specimen trees and plantings, gorgeous gardens, wooded trails, a historic mansion, and a nature center. Open to the public year-round, there’s always something to see, learn, and do at Cylburn!
Fells Point (Neighborhood)
Fells Point is a historic waterfront neighborhood in Baltimore. If you want to experience cobble stone streets, locally owned shops and waterfront patios this is a great area.
The Wren
Located in the waterfront neighborhood of Fells Point, the wren is a cozy pub. Note they cannot accommodate parties greater than four.
Cat's Eye Pub
Dive bar.
American Visionary Art Museum
America’s official national museum, education center, and repository for self-taught and intuitive artistry. Located in the historic Federal Hill neighborhood of Baltimore, overlooking the Inner Harbor.
Housewerks Salvage
Architectural salvage treasure! "Strolling through Housewerks feels like wandering through old movie sets. Turn one corner and see elements of Fritz Lang's "Metropolis"; turn another and see something from "Casablanca" or the "City of Lost Children."
Second Chance Inc.
Architectural salvage and furniture with a cool mission that values object and people. Second Chance is a nonprofit that provides people, materials and the environment with a second chance. They deconstruct buildings and homes, salvage usable materials, and make those and other donated items available to the public for reuse at their more than 200,000 square foot retail center. With the revenue generated, they provide job training and workforce development for those with various employment obstacles in the Baltimore region.