LITTLE ITALY 

The opportunity of railroad jobs and the great gold rush of 1849 brought the ever-affectionate Italian race to this neighborhood. At that time Little Italy was one of the biggest ports of immigration in the U.S., and by the turn of the century, everyone who owned a house within the neighborhood’s 12-blocks was Italian.

This little community, as might be expected, is known for its fantastic food and charming restaurants. From formal to casual dining, Little Italy is the place to go if you’re looking to get away from the excessive number of "crabhouse" restaurants found throughout Baltimore. Some of the district’s more renowned restaurants are Da Mimmo Finest Cuisine (410/727-6876), Caesar’s Den (410/547-0820), and Chiapparelli’s (410/837-0309), a family owned establishment that has seen such celebrities as President Jimmy Carter and singer Randy Travis. Chiapparelli’s menu includes standard dishes such as lasagna, spaghetti, manicotti and linguini; as well as other more unique and very tasty dishes that are higher, yet reasonably, priced.

However, aside from fantastic dinning, Little Italy has little more to offer. The neighborhood is quite small and lacks the aesthetic stimuli needed to attract a large amount of visitors; not to mention there are very few attractions located in the neighborhood. Little Italy is located between the Inner Harbor and Fell’s Point. If you’ve got plans to visit Fell’s Point - one of Baltimore’s most happening neighborhoods - a good idea would be to stop at any of the restaurants in Little Italy for an early dinner, then head east to Fell’s Point or Canton, located just minutes away, for an excellent experience of Baltimore’s nightlife.

Also, if time permits: on your way to Little Italy, which is within walking distance from the Harbor, stop over at The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House (844 E. Pratt Street - 410/837-1793), as it was once the home of Mary Pickersgill, maker of the American flag that so proudly waved over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, and which inspired Francis Scott Key to write America's National Anthem. The neighborhood is located east of the Harbor on Pratt Street to President Street (410/ 837-46436 or 800/ 282-6632). -- Michael Rando