Wedding Blog
It was pretty tough for me to think about how to give you guys a tour of one of my favorite cities, but that’s what makes Baltimore one of my favorite cities! Baltimore is full of interesting things to see and do!
Where to Stay
I suggest staying in Downtown/Inner Harbor or in Federal Hill. It’s hard to tell you which places to stay in, because I’ve never really stayed in a hotel in my hometown. Henderson’s Wharf Inn is the top rated hotel on TripAdvisor.com and it looks very nice. They were extremely helpful when I called about blocking hotel rooms. The Scarborough Bed and Breakfast is located in Federal Hill and has a great website with fantastic reviews. Like many places in Baltimore, nice neighborhoods can also be near sketchy neighborhoods. I wouldn’t let this discourage you though, as it really is a nice city and the parts you will see as a tourist won’t be featured on The Wire anytime soon. Here is a spreadsheet we made for our guests who are looking to rent houses.
What to Do
If you’re into baseball you should certainly check out a game at Camden Yards. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but if you’re a Red Sox (boo) or Yankees fan (hiss) you’ll be surrounded by your own kind when you come to a game. Baltimore is also home to Ravens, but I’m a Redskins fan, so I’m little help on this one.
If you’re into art, you should certainly check out the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) or The Walters for tons of art exhibits. They’re on the northern side of the city, so you’ll need to take public transportation, a cab, or your own car. I suggest having a nice picnic in Riverside park overlooking the Inner Harbor and heading down the hill to my favorite museum, the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM). The Maryland Science Center and The National Aquarium in Baltimore are also near to AVAM. The Aquarium is one of my favorite date spots in the city. If you’re visiting in the summer, Fridays after 5 are when prices take a dive. If you’re into history, there are tons of fantastic spots in Baltimore - the most famous being Fort McHenry.
Where to Eat
I’d also suggest trying to visit Baltimore during one of their fantastic restaurant weeks. Two years ago I seriously went to a restaurant at least once a day for a week to explore the different restaurants of the city. There is usually a week in the winter and week in the summer when the restaurants offer a fixed course dinner for $30, or a fixed course lunch for $20. Some of the restaurants I’ve enjoyed dining at include Bicycle, Black Olive, The Brass Elephant, and Pazo, but there are tons that I haven’t tried yet. For breakfast, head to Spoons Cafe on Cross Street for local deliciousness before you stroll around the Federal Hill streets to shop in the boutiques. You’ll also have to stop for a piece of pie at Dangerously Delicious. I love this place!
How to Par-tay
As far as Baltimore nightlife, the city is a bit schizo. We don’t really have as many dance-y clubs as DC does, but I might only be saying that because I’m not really “in the know” in that department. A lot of the places to go out in Baltimore are still a bit collegiate. I love going for pizza and drinks over at Pub Dog (formerly Thirsty Dog) in Fed Hill. You can cozy up in the back by a fireplace. For a romantic night, I suggest stopping for sunset drinks at one of the city’s numerous wine bars, or dropping by the 13th floor bar at Hotel Belvedere for a fantastic view before heading out to dinner.
My personal favorite bar in the city? The Brewer’s Art downstairs, hands down. In fact, I’m a pretty big fan of the Mt. Vernon neighborhood in general. Voted the best festival a million years running is ArtScape - I hope you get to see it! I was *thisclose* to the Old 97’s the summer I first left town. The festival rocks my world every time. It’s also fun to swing by the Owl Bar. You’ll usually see a wedding party hanging out there, since The Belvedere hosts tons of weddings. If you’re looking for a bar with peanuts on the floor, head to the Midtown Yacht Club for more midtown fun. There aren’t many great places to stay in Midtown/Mt.Vernon, but you could easily spend a day visiting the museums, eating dinner at The Brass Elephant, and enjoying the nightlife.
I hope you enjoy Charm City as much as I do!
P.S. - This post made me homesick!
Previously:
San Francisco by Miss Peep Toe
Western Michigan by Miss Powder Puff
Rural Pennsylvania by Mrs. Pineapple
New Orleans by Miss Ballet Flat
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Share this post: Honeymoon in my Hometown: Get Charmed in Charm City
Hooray! The first pic looks like it could have been taken from my building at work. 
Have to add that the Washington Monument is great to go poke around if you go to the Walters - we belong to the Engineer’s Club, which is housed in the Garret Jacobs mansion on the square there. Very pretty place to sit for a spell when the weather is good!
Also, if you want Italian, there are several great places in Little Italy - notably Amicci’s, if you’re feeling budget conscious or its not Restaurant Week. (the make a tortellini with peas and prosciutto that is INCREDIBLE.)
Hope you’re not TOO homesick for Charm City - the weather has been horrendous here this week. 
loved this post, miss d! gave me warm fuzzies. mr p took me to so many of those places (13th floor, brewer’s art) during my first visits to baltimore… 5 years ago!
@Piaffette: PLEASE tell me you’re getting married at the Garret Jacobs Mansion - it is so beautiful!
OMG. I wish - my FI’s brother is getting married there this summer, and we don’t want to “repeat” 10 months later. It seems a shame to invite all the family out again to go to the same place. We probably will have a bridal shower there though. I had dreams of getting to walk UP the marble staircase in the atrium in my wedding gown into a room full of my friends and family… But I am getting some engagement photos done there…. *le sigh* It is gorgeous though - I love having an “in” at such a pretty and historic place!
I went to grad school in Baltimore… the Thirsty Dog is always a good time!
I have to give a shout out to the best pizza place in B’more: Iggies!!! It’s in Mt. Vernon on Calvert St and serves the most phenomenol Neopolitan-style pizza I’ve ever had. The gelato also rocks. And the owners are the sweetest folks around. Perhaps best of all, it’s BYOB, so you can get a big group together, bring a couple bottles of wine, and have a fantastic evening. And just an aside: my husband and I went on our first date at Iggies.
Yea! Lets go Redskins! (clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!)
Awwww I’ve been to Baltimore a few times and I’ve had great times there!
I love the Old 97’s!! I live in DC - I’ll have to make the trip up to check out ArtScape!
Me and the FH have been talking about doing a long weekend trip to Baltimore so many people tell us great things about the city.
Thanks for the tid-bits of advice. Now I think its a must!
yeahhhhh bomo! I’m a big fan of Baltimore. I went to school there for 5 years, and though I didn’t like it as a freshman or sophomore, once I got a car and could get around to where I wanted when I wanted, it was great! My friends still are amazed that I like Baltimore so much, but I really enjoyed my time there and would love to move back!
Oh, and I have to advertise The Wine Source in Hampden. I miss it so much….great prices, microbrew beers, lots of great wine, cheeses, wine tastings, AND a knowledgeable staff.
@Shay: If you have any questions feel free to PM me! @soysauce: Oh My Gah. I used to live down the way from The Wine Source - it’s the best! I’m really craving cheese now….
Ooo, The Wine Source. Best mac n’ cheese EVER. Gaaaahhhhh. Also the Danger Muffins at Evergreen Cafe. Oh and the cinnamon rolls (bigger than your head) at Blue Moon. And let’s not forget good old Natty Boh beer and Utz chips. Man, I’m hungry.
If you like chain hotels I stay in the city for Otakon,and last year the Raddison was excellent to us. Sadly the Wyndham is gone, because they were always supernice- despite the hotel being full of anime fans, and crowded as all get out with people cramming 4 (or sneaking up to 
to a room. I think the Sheraton kept all the Wyndham staff though, so its probably a good bet. I know people who stay at the Hyatt every year and swear by it. The Renaissance Harborplace Hotel has the be the worst though - stay away from there.
When you are in town, grab the City Paper - it has all the things going on around town for the week nightlife wise. (The Examiner had a better list, but it died so)
Vaccaro’s Cream Puffs are the best if you’re in Little Italy. Or the Inner Harbor
Theres like a foot of snow and ice over everything - don’t miss it too much! ( Also the Icicles on my apartment building are long as I am tall. I can see them out the window.)
Also if you are a classical music fan Baltimore has some awesome stuff, which you can find at the Baltimore City Paper online.
Ahhh Pub Dog (Thirsty Dog). I have spent waaay too much time there over the years. They opened one in Columbia a year ago which is closer to where I live so now I’m there almost every weekend.
Go Redskins!!!!
Can never get enough of the Aquarium or the whole wharf!!
Ahhhh PUB DOG!!! The best pizza and beer in the city - my favorite is the Atomic Dog pizza and Raspberry Dog beer. So good.
And if you’re into theater, check out what’s playing at the Hippodrome. They’ve got Cats and Legally Blonde playing there now.
I spent ONE NIGHT in Baltimore about 7 years ago, and I’ve wanted to go back ever since! It just had this amazing, fun energy that I’d love to experience again!
The Radisson Lord Baltimore is a nice place to stay — has a very vintage feel — and is walking distance to the Inner Harbor and the Mt. Vernon area, where you can check out the Walters Art Museum and the Washington Monument . . . both very cool places to go. I also love Brewer’s Arts and pretty much all the places Miss D’Orsay listed.
If you’re feeling adventurous, head to the Midtown Yacht Club on Charles Street and see if their secret upstairs is open. It has a very cool communist-red theme, and you can only get up there behind the bookshelves (if you go there, you’d understand).
I’d recommend Pazo for a nice dinner in Fells Point and maybe a visit to DuClaw for a taste of local brews. Get a flight of beer and sample them all, and then hit the town in Fells Point. They have tons of place to go from party bars and clubs to more low-key bars to chill.
Regardless of whether or not the Orioles are in town, hit up Camden Yards. If the O’s are out of town or it’s off season, take a tour, it’s worth it.
If it’s summer but you’re not there during Artscape season, look online and see if Honfest is going on in Hampden. If it is, definitely go and get a feel for the part of Baltimore John Waters calls home. If it’s winter, go there anyway and check out the street lit up with Christmas lights on 30th Avenue. It’s famous locally and definitely worth a view. Hampden is an awesome place to check out if you like shopping and checking out local artists. If you decide to head there, eat breakfast at the Golden West Cafe, best buttermilk pancakes EVER!
I obviously love my city and definitely enjoy seeing a Bee come from my hometown! Thanks Miss D’Orsay!
MissLucky — Had no idea Pub Dog opened up in COlumbia! That’s closer to my home too and definitely somewhere that I’ll want to check out!
Looking forward to the day we make it there for more than just doctor’s appointments … thanks for the suggestions!
My ship commissioned in Baltimore! We had a blast while we were there! We went to see the Bodies Exhibit (downtown) and the USS Constellation in Inner Harbor! The Hard Rock was a blast, as were all the clubs and night life!
For the history buffs out there, nothing stirs your American pride more than a visit to Fort McHenry!! You know the anthem?? Francis Scott Key witnessed the British attack of Ft.McHenry and was so inspired in the morning when the flag (HUGE BTW…) was raised that he wrote the Star Spangled Banner! Seeing the cannons and the history there will definitely fill you with a sense of history and pride!!
Yay! Neighbor!! Haven’t been in quite a while–your post reminds me to go back!
thanks ms. d!
the mister and i just decided tonight that we’re going on our minimoon to baltimore, and this was the first blog post i thought to revisit!
thanks for all the tips! and good luck with your wedding!
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Mrs. D'orsay, Baltimore/Lancaster UK
Age and Occupation: 24, Stay at home fiance (formerly in nonprofit communications)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Web site developer and designer; co-owner of men's skincare shop
Engagement Date: August 10, 2008
Wedding Date: August, 2009
Venue: Oakland Manor
About Me: I'm a Maryland raised environmental policy wonk/activist/organizer and communications aficionado. In the past year I've lived in Baltimore, MD, Tucson, AZ, Miami, FL and Lancaster, England. In my not so spare time I enjoy planning trips with Mr. D' Orsay, visiting friends and family and crafting like a mo-fo. I also enjoy modern dance classes, rugby and soccer but have been banned by my mother, MOHs, and Mr. D' Orsay from playing till after the wedding. I have an unnatural addiction to cheese and shoes, but love Mr. D' Orsay more than either and can't wait to become Mrs. D' Orsay!
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