Things To Do
Walk, shop, & eat in Fells Point
This is a charming neighborhood of cobblestone streets on the waterfront, with a lot of historical significance as a port city. Fells has a bunch of small, sweet shops for browse, pubs with live music, and new american restaurants to sit and enjoy a bite. We recommend Broadway market for a family that needs a variety of food options to please the whole crew, Max's Taphouse for one of the longest beer lists you've ever seen, and Duda's for a fantastic crab cake.
Cafe chillin' at Pitango
Great vibes for drinking a coffee and eating a chocolate croissant or tasty sandwich on homemade focaccia, while sitting outside near the water and dog watching.
Ekiben
We and so many others use major superlatives while eating Ekiben-- "it's THE BEST." Think: fried chicken, zesty sauces, pickled toppings, on a fluffy bao or in a rice bowl. Currently only doing online orders, so take food to-go for lunch or dinner and eat in Broadway Square in Fells! They also has a location in Hamden (911 W 36th St).
Ministry of Brewing
This gorgeous church was de-sanctified when it was converted into a brewery. Sophia patiently watched the conversion process as she walked to work at Hopkins Hospital from Upper Fells Point. There is plenty of space for seating and often has a food truck on weekends. Love to gaze at the ceilings.
Ice Cream at BMORE LICKS
Soooooo many flavors of hard & soft serve. Toppings galore and free sprinkles! It is right on the edge of the Patterson Park (where our wedding ceremony will be), so grab a cone and stroll to a nice bench to sit and see what there is to see.
National Aquarium
Make sure you check out the sharks and the jellyfish!
Washington Monument
This is the first monument that Robert Mills designed to honor president George Washington. Construction began in 1815, before construction for the DC Washington monument began in 1848 (throwing this in for fun competition with DC)! It is located on Charles Street, the walkable main street in the historic Mount Vernon neighborhood, which also has several good restaurants for international foods. Get a snack or drink overlooking the monument, skyline, and more, at Topside--the rooftop bar in Hotel Revival.
Walters Art Museum
This is a quality art museum--just 2 blocks from Hotel Indigo. For more art check out the Baltimore Museum of Art -- it's a little farther from the hotel but a true smithsonian-quality location. Both options are FREE.
Mount Vernon Marketplace
There are dozen or so food and drink vendors in a food court setting with open seating. There are options for any kind of meal, two blocks from Hotel Indigo!
Ceremony Coffee Roasters - Mt. Vernon
The closest high-quality (though pricier) cup of coffee to Hotel Indigo.
Explore Federal Hill Park & neighborhood
Walk the path through the Inner Harbor attractions, up to Federal Hill Park. It's an elevated green space with great views of the city skyline. If you have time, right down the (federal) hill is the American Visionary Arts Museum--you won't be able to miss the sparkles! It's full of fantastically creative and unique exhibits. There are many cute historic row homes that are nice to look at on the walk from Fed Hill to Light Street, the main drag, which also has many restaurants and shops.
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
The historic site from which the Star-Spangled Banner was written. Fort McHenry has a nice path around it to walk or bike along the water on the outskirts of Baltimore harbor.
Home Maid
Breakfast that is true excellence, but always has a wait. If you're with a small group, put your name in and get a coffee at Order&Chaos for an hour. If you're with a larger group, skip this place, and go to Little Havana's across the street for good seating for large groups (including outdoors). The food is delicious, and we always have a great time (nice deals for mimosas & bloody marys too!).
Union Brewing
This brewery is great for groups! It has large indoor and outdoor spaces, and an attached pizza kitchen. Union Collective is like an adult playground, with a big parking lot to serve various clients: EarthTreks, a rock climbing gym; The Charmery ice cream shop; The Baltimore Wine Collective; and Baltimore Spirits Company - all in the same complex.
Cylburn Arboretum
Head away from the downtown for a peaceful walk among the spring flowers! There is also plenty of space to sit and picnic. The Jones Falls Trail is a bike path from Baltimore City that is protected most of the way up to this arboretum, so if you prefer to ride here, it is very doable. The bike lane to get started is visible from Hotel Indigo.
Grist Mill Walking Bridge
Patapsco has a bunch of trail options! The grist mill trail is a pleasant, family-friendly, flat trail that runs along side the Patapsco River. I type "Patapsco Valley State Park- Avalon Area" into google maps for the location where we would park to hike this trail.