With attractions ranging from historical landmarks to eclectic neighborhoods to modern complexes, there is much to see and do in Baltimore. A good place to start your tour of "Charm City" is at the famous Inner Harbor, where you'll find many of Baltimore's best  attractions. 

     Along the water's edge at Inner Harbor is the modern complex, Harborplace, a Baltimore hotbed for special events and activities. Connected to Harborplace by skywalk is The Gallery, a four-story shopping mall featuring hundreds of commercial retailers (see Harborplace).

     Directly in front of Harborplace is the U.S.S. Constellation, a gigantic Civil War era Navy vessel that is docked at the center of the Harbor and is surrounded by the National Aquarium and the Maryland Science Center, the city’s most popular attractions.

     The world’s tallest pentagonal building, Baltimore's World Trade Center, is also situated at Inner Harbor and is just yards away from the Power Plant, home to Barnes & Noble bookstore, Hard Rock Cafe, Gold’s Gym, and the first ever ESPN Zone (410/685-ESPN).

     The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House and 1812 Museum (Pratt Street) is just a few blocks East from the Power Plant. Built in 1793, the Flag House is located on the outskirts of one of Baltimore’s most unique neighborhoods -- Little Italy, known for its fantastic food and charming restaurants.

     A few more blocks East is Fell’s Point, a 14-block district that has an engrossing social scene with an abundance of pubs, taverns, ethnic foods and “crabhouses”. It is also home to the oldest house in Baltimore -- the Robert Long House, built in 1765 (S. Ann Street).

     Another notable district in North-Central Baltimore is Charles Street and The Historic Mount Vernon District. Designed in 1831, the neighborhood is one of the most fashionable in the city and is the cultural center of Baltimore. Located in the Mount Vernon District are the Maryland Historical Society (201 W. Monument Street - 410/685-3750); Mount Vernon Place, where stands the towering Washington Monument, a 178-foot Doric column erected in 1829, and the famous Walters Art Gallery, which houses over 30,000 works of art, including an impressive collection of Egyptian artifacts.

     Baltimore has several fascinating historic homes: the Evergreen House is a 48-room Italianate mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Homewood House is an impressive display of Federal-period architecture (built in 1801).

     One of Baltimore’s premier historical attractions is Fort McHenry. It was here that Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812 penned America’s national anthem.

     Baltimore has six indoor food markets, all of them at least 100 years old. The two most famous are Lexington Market (1782) -- the oldest in the country and biggest in Baltimore, and Broadway Market, located in the heart of Fell’s Point.

     One of Baltimore’s most frequented musical attractions is the Lyric Opera House (140 W. Mount Royal Ave.). The venue has the shape of a Baroque hall with side balconies and has been providing entertainment to Baltimore-area art patrons since 1894. Famous speakers such as Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh have graced this stage. -- Michael Rando