20 Excellent Things to do in Baltimore

It's easy to spend an entire visit to Baltimore exploring the famous Inner Harbor district. Why not wander a bit further and see this colorful city for all it is? Sports fans, photographers, history buffs, and those who love the ocean all have special places to visit here. There's plenty to eat here, too, from ballpark hot dogs to the city's famous crab cakes and lots of specialties in cozy restaurants -- try Little Italy and Fells Point for some great choices. For kids, the aquarium is fun and fascinating, and for couples, enjoy the waterfront park for a sunset stroll.

01 Explore historic Fort McHenry

Ever wonder where the national anthem came from? Well, Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine has something to do with it. In September 1814, this was the site of the Battle of Baltimore, where the Americans fought off the British Navy. Francis Scott Key saw British bombs landing on the fort, but at dawn, the 30 x 42 feet Star-Spangled Banner was still standing, albeit a little worse for wear. The striking image led to the creation of a poem, which, when added to the melody from a gentleman's club, became a notoriously difficult anthem to sing. You can visit the star-shaped stronghold for a reenactment of the battle.