Baltimore, Maryland is a great city to explore – on your own, or with someone else. History lessons, delectable food, stunning views and all-around fun await your visit to the Inner Harbor.

Sightseeing

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor makes a terrific destination – for a few hours, a day or even a week or longer. The brick lined piers and streets are populated with restaurants, shops and entertainment galore. A small amphitheatre in the center is usually alive and brimming with live entertainment, enhancing a leisurely stroll near the water.

A great way to see all of Baltimore is at the top of the Baltimore’s World Trade Center. Located on the 27th Floor, Top of the World Observation deck offers guests a 360-degree view of Baltimore. Take note, the deck is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Combination tickets can be purchased to explore many of the attractions located along the Inner Harbor. The pass for the Baltimore Maritime Museum allows exploration on two ships, a submarine and a lighthouse, all located along different piers of the harbor, while a Harbor Pass is valid for three consecutive days and offers admission to 4 different attractions and a one day ticket for the water taxi. Drop by the Visitor’s Center to learn about all the different pass options available.

A fun way to maneuver around the Inner Harbor is by water taxi. A daily ticket can be purchased that allows unlimited use of the water taxi - until 11 p.m. each night, with earlier hours, and longer intervals between taxis, during the winter months. Pack a picnic (from home, or from the local eateries), then hop on a water taxi and take it over to Fort McHenry, where lush green grass and numerous shade trees make a perfect picnic spot. Watch the sailboats skimming around the Harbor as you eat, then take a walking tour of Fort McHenry. Francis Scott Key experienced “bombs bursting in air” from a boat off the point, as the battle took place at this location during the War of 1812. It inspired him to write a poem which is now known as “The Star Spangled Banner.” Learn about the sailors’ lives as they successfully defended Baltimore during a British attack in 1814.

From Fort McHenry, take the water taxi over to Fells Point. This quaint area is filled with unique shops and restaurants. At night, the “courtyard” between the shops is brightly lit with twinkling miniature lights and the storefronts and restaurants come alive.

Another way to experience the Harbor from the water is with a cruise on Clipper City or with Harbor Cruises. With Clipper City, daily sailing adventures are offered, both day and night. Most afternoon cruises last approximately 2 hours. Live entertainment is provided on Friday and Saturday evening cruises. The ship is a replica of a tall Clipper ship used in the late 1800s. Harbor Cruises provides lunch, dinner and special event cruises aboard custom-built cruise ships.

The Baltimore Ducks are Baltimore’s newest touring system. Explore the city by land and water on board one of these unique amphibious vessels.

Paddle boats are also available to rent along the piers – some look like Baltimore’s own version of the Loch Ness Monster!

The National Aquarium is a magnificent site sitting majestically as an “anchor” of the Harbor. Visitors will want to take the time to explore Baltimore’s most visited attraction with over 10,000 different sea creatures on display. Tickets are time-based entries, so get your ticket early in the day (or in advance online or in person) to make the most of your visit.

Passport: Voyages of Discovery is another fun site along the Inner Harbor. This destination transports visitors back in time, into the future or into the ocean depths with rides, movies and special effects. Ticket prices are reasonable and the educational value priceless.