Places to Visit in Baltimore

Each neighborhood has a particular flavor, so one may choose to sample each neighborhood and its sights in the mornings and others in the afternoons and evenings. There is plenty to do and see, and the temptation might be to try to see and do everything at once. Below are a few of the markets one may choose to see in Baltimore. Each offers the unique flavor of the neighborhood it is located in, together with endless shopping and dining options to delight the venturesome and significantly shrink the wallet.

Broadway Market is located between Fleet and Lancaster, in the historic Fells Point district. This is the place to be if one wants a taste of the local craftsmanship and flavor at its finest. This market is a truly eclectic place, where many people get lunch or a snack. True to the old market style, it is also an excellent location to find local crafts, specialty foods, fresh flowers and the types of gourmet items that make wonderfully thoughtful gifts. The two buildings that comprise the market were built around 1785. The interiors have been renovated since then, of course. Here one may grab a slice of cake or a sandwich, and enjoy it outside while taking in the view of the waterfront and the comings and goings of the people who live and work here.

Harbor Place & the Gallery are located at 200 East Pratt Street in the Inner Harbor district. An enormous shopping emporium which is located in the charming and lovely Inner Harbor area, the Gallery offers an attractive and convenient setting for some of the best shopping venues in Baltimore. More than 200 shops line the street. In them one may find everything from clothing to keepsakes, souvenirs to quality furnishings and house wares, technology and electronics, jewelry and a great deal more. Truly Baltimorean dining experiences include an international food court, which ensures that the wandering visitor will not have to shop or tour on an empty stomach.

Towson Town Center is located at 825 Dulaney Valley Road in the Towson district, and there are two things that set this mall apart from the pack: the number of shops - and there are more than two hundred of them - and the quality of those shops. These run the gamut from Abercrombie & Fitch to Crabtree & Evelyn. Nordstrom is here, anchoring Towson along with Hecht's. One may browse the delectable offerings of Godiva Chocolatier, and window shop Crate & Barrel, and Gadzooks. There is lovely dining to be had here as well, and the architecture and design really set a pleasant scene for a day of shopping.

Village of Cross Keys is located at 5100 Falls Road at Gatehouse and is just a short jaunt from the downtown area. The Village is an appropriate name for this collection of shopping outlets, as the charming neighborhood setting is open and out of doors. There is an entire collection of attractive, upscale boutiques. Concerts in the central courtyard add to the feel of the place. Shops include Talbot's and Williams-Sonoma, but one may also find local independent merchants more than the well-known chains. Bibelot is a great local bookstore, and Ruth Shaw offers women’s clothing for the discriminating connoisseur.