See a baseball game, and then eat some loaded crab cakes on your trip to Baltimore. Once you’ve done all the classic activities here, it’s time to explore the underbelly of this city that delights and entertains. For those living on the East Coast of the U.S., Baltimore is a super easy and fun city to enjoy a weekend getaway, especially with its hidden gems, interesting curiosities, and many downtown hotels.
The Freshest Oysters at Nick’s Fish House
Most shellfish in Baltimore is served on the half shell and treated like shooters with a cheers from your friends. But to savor some more unique flavors alongside local oysters, foodies can head to Nick’s. These oysters are also offered deep-fried alongside tons of other crispy seafood delights. Feel free to wash them down with a Starboard Bloody Mary at happy hour or with some other lovely Old Bay-spiced nibbles that go great with the Chesapeake oysters.
Mr. Trash Wheel
Image via Flickr by bellemarematt
A few years ago, a former dock employee noticed how gunked up the Inner Harbor was getting from trash. He invented this funny-looking collector that “eats” up the trash from the water and piles it up for proper disposal. For a little more whimsy, he’s been personified and has googly eyes to judge all those littering people. They say Mr. Trash Wheel has removed more than 1 million pounds of trash from the water since 2014. If you can’t make it in person, there’s actually a live stream webcast of the Mr. Trash Wheel for all to see.
Edgar Allan Poe House
The Edgar Allan Poe House is mildly famous but often overlooked by the everyday visitor to Baltimore. You can tour the home and museum where Poe lived with his grandmother, aunt, and cousins. Nearby is Poe’s gravesite, but you’ll encounter many rumors suggesting his actual burial site. Baltimore was his final destination, as he was found stumbling around the streets and passed two days after hospitalization — although no death certificate ever surfaced.
Bazaar on Chestnut Avenue
Pick up some super weird souvenirs or just stand with your mouth open at all the oddities at the Bazaar. Many of the pieces are organic, including taxidermy objects and collectibles from nature. A pair of friends decided to open the shop for fun, and it has now become a sort of institution for the peculiar. Even if you’re not in the market for odd artwork or animal specimens, it’s worth poking around to see everything on display like a museum.
George Peabody Library
Image via Flickr by Baltimore Heritage
Called the Cathedral of Books, this incredible space is open to the public for browsing or soaking in the scene. The library’s conservatory of music has its materials encased in a winding room of high ceilings and columns that surround an atrium built in the mid-1800s. It’s a gorgeous spot for exploring on rainy days and has been lovingly preserved over time.
Have you been to Baltimore? What’s the strangest thing you found in the city? Do you like famous attractions or things off the beaten path?
