The first impression visitors stepping off a flight to Baltimore get is a city of interesting contrasts and happy combinations. Located in a border state, it combines northern energy and innovation with southern friendliness and charm.
Founded by the Catholic Lord Baltimore, Maryland was one of the first colonies to permit freedom of religion, and residents are proud of this heritage. Baltimore played a major role in the American Revolution, becoming the home of Congress when Philadelphia was besieged in 1776. During the Civil War, Maryland remained in the union, but loyalties were sufficiently divided that Union officials arrested many civilians as southern sympathisers. History buffs who book flights to Baltimore should visit the Baltimore Civil War Museum which is an excellent source of information on this period
Baltimore's major attraction is the Inner Harbour, one of the first and most highly praised waterfront redevelopments. You can easily spend a whole day here. The USS Constellation, the US Navy’s last all-sail warship, is docked at Harbourplace. Near Harbourplace is Federal Hill Park, with the finest view in Baltimore and the unusual American Visionary Art Museum, presenting the work of self-taught artists. Not far is the historic Fell’s Point neighbourhood, with old buildings and waterfront promenade.
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Spring and fall have the most pleasant weather, with temperatures between 10 and 15 (Celsius). Summers are hot (20s and 30s) and very humid. Winter temperatures rarely drop below zero, though Baltimore does occasionally get snow.
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Peak Season:
Spring and summer are the busiest seasons. One of the very busiest times to book flights to Baltimore is in mid to late May, when the city is full of horseracing fans attending the Preakness, the second race in the Triple Crown. In summer, there are many waterfront and neighbourhood festivals.
Off Season:
Autumn can be a bargain time to take a flight to Baltimore, since prices tend to be lower than in spring and summer, yet the weather is very pleasant.
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The airport is seven miles south of downtown Baltimore off either the Baltimore-Washington Parkway or I95. BWI provides access to limousines and shuttles, buses, light rail, and taxis, and shuttle access to rental cars.
The Airport Shuttle and Smart Ride provide door-to-door shuttle service to the Baltimore area. Baltimore’s Mass Transit Administration (MTA) bus and light rail provide service to downtown.
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If you plan to spend most of your time near the harbour, you can get almost everywhere by walking or water taxi. If you travel from the Inner Harbour north, taxis are plentiful and advisable. Bus and light rail service is limited downtown but excellent to the suburbs.
If you do hire a car, all major rentals are available at BWI in a single location with one shuttle for all.
Baltimore streets are on a grid system, with alternating one-way streets, so driving is relatively easy. However, traffic is always heavy, even outside rush hour. Parking rates downtown are high, and street parking is limited. Beware of tow zones for certain streets during rush hour, and cameras on traffic lights for drivers who run red lights.
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- Baltimore claims a number of “firsts,” including first use of an umbrella in the thirteen colonies (1772) and first balloon ascension in the US (1784).
- Like other port cities, Baltimore offers a variety of tours on the water, including narrated tours and tall ship cruises. One of the best bargains around is the water taxi, which provides a cheap cruise while taking you to many of the attractions around the harbour.
- The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum presents railroading history on 40 acres within the city.
- The Baltimore Museum of Art, in addition to its collections of art from the US, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania, offers a three-acre sculpture garden with works from Rodin to Calder, a lovely oasis in the midst of downtown.
- The Walters Art Museum houses the collection of the Walters family, begun in Paris when William Walters moved there during the Civil War. The collection ranges from pre-dynastic Egypt to 20th-century Europe. The Baltimore Museum of Industry’s exhibits show the growth of industry and technology, from a coal-fired tugboat to space exploration. Port Discovery is Baltimore’s children’s museum.
- Baltimore City Arts Net is a website that gives current information about the arts, including a list of all museums; current art exhibits; music groups and musical performances, including restaurants and clubs; theatre, film, and dance performances; and more.
- For rides and slides and all the other theme park attractions, there is Six Flags America, about 40 minutes south of Baltimore near Washington, DC.
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