FUN THINGS TO DO (AND EAT) IN BALTIMORE

FUN THINGS TO DO (AND
EAT) IN BALTIMORE
Welcome to Baltimore, your new home away from home! Baltimore is a wonderful city with endless things to
discover and countless places to explore. There’s also more to Baltimore than Hopkins—or North Charles and
Saint Paul Streets. So make sure to get out of the Hopkins bubble every once in a while and see something new!
Here is a handy guide prepared by the Housing Department. It’s organized by neighborhood (in order of rough
distance from campus) and has recommended sights to check out and even restaurants to try (and the restaurants are student budget-friendly). But don’t feel restricted to what we suggest—you’ll find the best things
when you go out on your own. Happy Exploring!
CHARLES VILLAGE
Page 2
HAMPDEN
Page 3
MOUNT VERNON
Pages 4-5
CAMDEN YARDS and
M&T BANK STADIUM
Page 6
INNER HARBOR
Page 7
FEDERAL HILL
Page 8
LITTLE ITALY & HARBOR EAST
Page 9
FELL’S POINT
Page 10
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CHARLES VILLAGE
(or within walking distance)
Hopkins definitely anchors Charles Village, but there’s more to see here than just the library or Brody! Check out some
of these other Charles Village attractions! (For restaurants, see the “Charles Village Dining Guide”)
SIGHTS:
Baltimore Museum of Art
10 Art Museum Drive
443-573-1700 / www.bma.org
So close it’s practically on campus, the museum
boasts a collection of art objects from all over the
world (everything from Botticelli and Rembrandt to
Meso-American figurines) and has an especially impressive collection of contemporary art and Matisse
works. Don’t forget the sculpture garden!
The Book Thing
3001 Vineyard Lane
410-662-5631 / bookthing.org
Come here to get free books! Seriously, they’re free.
And unlike a library, whatever books you take are
yours to keep! The Book Thing accepts book donations and redistributes them to anyone who wants
them, stocking everything from classics to biographies to cookbooks. If you’re lucky, you might
even find a book you need for one of your classes!
Evergreen Museum and Library
4545 N. Charles Street
410-516-0341 / museums.jhu.edu/evergreen.php
It’s not exactly in Charles Village, but it’s a quick Collegetown Shuttle ride away and just north of Loyola’s campus. The museum is operated by Hopkins, so
it’s free for students. Once the home of the Garrett
family (which helped establish the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad), the museum offers a great collection of art,
decorative furniture, and rare books and manuscripts.
Homewood House Museum
3400 N. Charles Street
410-516-5589 / museums.jhu.edu/Homewood.php
You probably pass it every day on your way to class,
so why not stop in and visit? It’s another Hopkinsoperated museum, so it’s also free. Come learn about
the Carroll family (one member actually signed the
Declaration of Independence) and the house that became the model for all of the buildings on campus!
Sherwood Gardens
1 block east of the 4100 block of St. Paul
guilfordassociation.org/sherwood
The Sherwood Gardens are tucked away off of St. Paul
Street in the Guilford neighborhood. It’s especially
beautiful in the springtime when all of the tulips are in
bloom, but it’s a nice spot any time of year when you
need to get away. (The tulips are best towards the
end of April and beginning of May.) Bring a blanket
and some snacks (and a friend!) to spend a day relaxing at the garden.
2
HAMPDEN
A funky neighborhood just on the other side of Wyman Park from campus and about a 15-minute walk.
SIGHTS
The Avenue
36th Avenue
36th Street, fondly known as “The Avenue,” has fun
little shops that sell everything you didn’t know you
needed. Take an afternoon and stroll up and down—
you’ll be surprised at what you find.
Miracle on 34th Street
Keswick block of 34th Street
This is a must-see during the holiday season! The
entire block decks out their houses with Christmas
lights and decorations, and it seems like all of Baltimore turns out to see the display every year.
RESTAURANTS
Angelo’s Pizza
102 Main Road So.
410-862-2224
Home to the largest pizza slice ever! One or two pies
will be sure to feed your entire floor, so ask your RA.
If you’re craving pizza—and want a lot of it—make
sure to check this place out!
pretty awesome dinner menu. It’s a great place for a
weekend brunch, but it can get crowded fast. Still,
it’s definitely worth a visit!
Golden West Café
1105 West 36th Street
410-889-8891 / goldenwestcafe.com
Golden West combines south-of-the-border cuisine with
American-style platters. They’re especially known for the
breakfast and brunch menus offering New Mexican specialties. They serve everything from tortillas to Thai chicken to green chili cheeseburgers, so they’re sure to have
something that you crave!
Holy Frijoles!
908 West 36th Street
410-235-2326 / holyfrijoles.net
When you get tired of Chipotle, check out this Mexican-style restaurant. The menu offers traditional
Mexican dishes including burritos, chimichangas, taco salads, and fajitas with a variety of meat and vegetarian fillings.
Café Hon
1002 West 36th Street
410-243-1230 / cafehon.com
This café is hard to miss as you’re strolling down the
Avenue—just look for the giant pink flamingo (see
right)! Café Hon serves brunch all week and has a
3
MOUNT VERNON
Mount Vernon was once the home of Baltimore’s Gilded Age elite, so just a stroll along its streets is a reminder of how
the other half used to live. The neighborhood is still Baltimore’s cultural and artistic center, so there’s lots to check out.
To get here, take the JHMI shuttle to Peabody!
SIGHTS
Basilica of the Assumption
Mulberry and Cathedral Streets
410-727-3654 / baltimorebasilica.org
This Catholic church was the first cathedral built in
the United States and was designed by the same architect as the US Capitol building in DC. The basilica
recently celebrated its bicentennial in 2006 and underwent a multimillion dollar restoration.
Mount Vernon Place United Methodist
Church
10 East Mount Vernon Place
410-685-5290 / mountvernonumc.org
This is the grand structure located adjacent to the
Washington Monument and across the park from
the Peabody Conservatory. The church sits where
Charles Howard’s mansion once was—and where his
father-in-law, Francis Scott Key (author of “The StarSpangled Banner”) died in 1843.
Enoch Pratt Free Library
400 Cathedral Street
410-396-5430 / prattlibrary.org
The Enoch Pratt Free Library was founded in 1882
with a gift from Enoch Pratt, a prominent Baltimore
businessman and philanthropist. The library grew to
include branches all over Baltimore and is one of the
oldest public library systems in the country. Stop by
and visit the main branch and just wander.
Walters Art Museum
600 N. Charles Street
410-547-9000 / thewalters.org
The Walters Art Museum grew out of the collecting
and artistic interest of father-son duo, William and
Henry Walters. The museum contains a stunning collection of diverse art from European masterpieces to
Asian ceramics. General admission is free, but special exhibitions may require ticket purchases.
George Peabody Library
17 East Mount Vernon Place
410-659-8179 / peabodyevents.library.jhu.edu
This gorgeous library once belonged to George Peabody, a wealthy businessman. The collection contains more than 300,00 titles in virtually every subject area except—ironically–music. In 1982, the collection was transferred to Hopkins. Visiting the library is free, but you can’t take any books out. Just
try to study here without getting distracted or staring at the rest of the library—we dare you.
Washington Monument
699 N. Charles Street
DC’s Washington Monument may be more famous,
but Baltimore’s was the first monument planned to
honor George Washington. In the beginning of December, the city of Baltimore lights up the Washington Monument like a giant Christmas tree.
4
MOUNT VERNON
In addition to being Baltimore’s cultural center, Mount Vernon is also home to a diverse mix of restaurants offering everything from Afghan food to Thai. Check out some of the restaurants here—there’s sure to be something you want to try!
RESTAURANTS
Akbar
823 N. Charles Street
410-539-0944 / akbar-restaurant.com
Akbar offers great Indian food at reasonable price.
They also offer an awesome lunch buffet every day
of the week, but unlike many buffet restaurants, it’s
not that much more expensive on the weekends
than it is on weekdays.
The Helmand
806 N. Charles Street
410-752-0311 / helmand.com
The Helmand is a great place to dive into Afghan cuisine without hurting your wallet. Dishes such as the
dwopiaza or the vegetarian dolma are highly recommended. Try the Afghan ice cream for a sweet dessert!
Cazbar
Joss Café and Sushi Bar
316 N. Charles Street
410-528-1222 / cazbar.pro
413 N. Charles Street
410-244-6988 / josssushi.com
Cazbar is a restaurant serving up Turkish cuisine.
While some dishes may stretch past your price
range, they do offer some inexpensive sandwiches
and kebabs. Cazbar is also close enough to downtown Baltimore that you can walk to the Inner Harbor for a nice after-meal stroll.
If you’re craving sushi, make sure to stop by Joss!
Their menu offers traditional Japanese dishes alongside some great sushi. Go there with a friend, order
a few rolls to split between you, and enjoy!
Dukem
1100 Maryland Avenue
410-385-0318 / dukemrestaurant.com
Have you ever had Ethiopian food? If not (or even if
you have) check out Dukem! It offers a wide variety
of Ethiopian dishes for prices that are perfect for a
student budget. The dishes range from carnivorestatus to vegetarian, so nearly every type of diet can
be satisfied.
Mughal Garden
920 N. Charles Street
410-547-0001 / mughalgarden.com
Like Akbar, Mughal Garden is another great Indian
restaurant. Best part? They’ll even deliver to your
dorm if you’re feeling lazy.
Thai Landing
1207 N. Charles Street
410-727-1234 / thailandingmd.com
When you just can’t wait until Spring Fair to get that
Pad Thai you’ve been dreaming about, visit Thai
Landing for fantastic Thai cuisine. Be adventurous
and try something new—but they’re really not
messing around with the spice level!
5
CAMDEN YARDS and
M&T BANK STADIIUM
Downtown is THE place to go and watch Baltimore’s hometown sports teams in action! To get here, take the Light Rail
from Penn Station. The two major stadiums are just a light rail stop away from each other (and it is highly recommended you take the light rail instead of walking between them), and there are a few restaurants to check out nearby when
you want to grab a bite before or after the game!
SIGHTS
Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum
216 Emory Street
410-727-1539 / baberuthmuseum.org
This museum tribute to the Great Bambino grew out
of a Baltimore row house where one of the greatest
baseball players ever was born.
M&T Bank Stadium
1101 Russell Street / baltimoreravens.com
M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Superbowl XLVII
champions, is the most exciting place to be during a
Ravens home game! Baltimore comes alive whenever its beloved Ravens play, but M&T Bank Stadium is
something else. Light Rail Stop: Hamburg Street
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
333 West Camden Street / Baltimore.orioles.mlb.com
Keeping with the bird theme, Baltimore’s other
hometown sports team, the Orioles, play at Camden
Yards, which is a beautiful stadium in its own right.
Ticket prices for the upper levels are actually pretty
inexpensive, so catching a game at Camden Yards is
highly recommended! Also, students can buy tickets
to Friday night home games for only $6!
Light Rail Stop: Camden Yards
Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards
301 West Camden Street
410-727-1539 / baberuthmuseum.org
Housed in the former Camden Station of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, this museum has exhibits
documenting Maryland’s sports history. You can also
learn about the “Midnight Move” that the Indianapolis Colts (once the Baltimore Colts) pulled off—and
why Baltimoreans are still so bitter. The second floor
of the building holds the Geppi Entertainment Museum, which is also worth checking out.
RESTAURANTS
Frank and Nic’s West End Grille
511 West Pratt Street
410-685-6800 / frankandnics.com
Just a few blocks north of Camden Yards is this restaurant, serving up American sports-day favorites
like wings, burgers, etc. Their BLT and Grilled Cheese
sandwiches are amazing, by the way.
Pickles Pub
520 Washington Boulevard
410-752-1784 / picklespub.com
Also not too far from Camden Yards is Pickles Pub,
which is more of your traditional sports bar. Try the
Chesapeake Basket or the Whiskey Island Pulled
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Pork Sandwich!
INNER HARBOR
Someone once said that being in Baltimore and missing the Inner Harbor is like being in New York and not making it to Manhattan.
This cornerstone of Baltimore’s tourist attractions has a great shopping scene, countless things to see and do and tons of restaurants to try. There’s the usual chain favorites like Five Guys and the Cheesecake Factory, so here we list places that might not necessarily be on your radar. The Inner Harbor is easily reachable: take the JHMI to Penn Station and the Purple Circulator downtown!
SIGHTS
World Trade Center: Top of the World
Fort McHenry
401 East Pratt Street
410-837-8439 / Baltimore.to/TopOfWorld
East Fort Avenue
410-962-4290 / nps.gov/fomc
This national monument, which once protected the
Baltimore Harbor, will forever be associated with
Francis Scott Key and the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
And just so you know, the giant green hill you see
across from the Harbor is NOT Fort McHenry—that’s
Federal Hill.
For $5, you can ascend the 27 stories of Baltimore’s
very own World Trade Center (the tallest pentagonal
building in the world) and see stunning panoramic
views of downtown Baltimore and the Inner Harbor.
RESTAURANTS
Miss Shirley’s
Maryland Science Center
601 Light Street
410-685-5255 / mdsci.org
Embrace your inner science nerd—you go to Hopkins, after all—and check this place out! They have
all sorts of exhibits, and even one where you get to
play Sherlock Holmes. They also have free
“Stargazing Fridays,” which is highly recommended!
750 East Pratt Street
410-528-5373 / missshirleys.com
This is an absolute Baltimore must. Miss Shirley’s is
known for their delicious breakfast, brunch, and
lunch menus. Try the Southern Slammer sandwich
and the Funky Monkey Bread! Everything on their
menu is great, so you can’t go wrong!
The Rusty Scupper
National Aquarium
501 East Pratt Street
410-576-3800 / aqua.org
A tour of the National Aquarium starts on the fourth
floor and brings you down a spiral ramp for an incredible peek into the aquarium’s four-story tank.
The aquarium is home to all sorts of sea creatures
and critters and has a spectacular dolphin show.
402 Key Highway, Inner Harbor Marina
410-727-3678 / selectrestaurants.com/rusty
Okay, so it may be a little expensive for a student
budget, but this is one of the best seafood restaurants in Baltimore. And because you’re in Baltimore,
you have to eat seafood at least once!
7
FEDERAL HILL
Nestled behind the giant hill overlooking the Inner Harbor is an eclectic neighborhood that’s great for wandering
around. It has a ton of great restaurants too—way more than we could fit here. To get to Fed Hill, walk from the Inner
Harbor or take the Purple line and get off near the Maryland Science Center.
SIGHTS
Abbey Burger Bistro
American Visionary Museum
1041 Marshall Street
443-453-9698 / abbeyburgerbistro.com
800 Key Highway
410-224-1900 / www.avam.org
This museum is dedicated to showcasing artists
pushing the envelope and defying normal artistic
conventions. It installs temporary exhibits alongside
its permanent collection, meaning there’s always
something new to see.
Cross Street Market
Between Light Street and Charles Street
A historic marketplace in the heart of Historic Federal Hill, Cross Street Market is an old-fashioned fresh
food market filled with food counters, butchers,
cheese makers, flower stalls, fishmongers, and more.
This is THE place to get a burger in Baltimore. You
can try one of their tested-and-true classics (or you
can build your own with anything from wild boar
(not kidding) to kangaroo (still not kidding).
Byblos
1033 Light Street
410-209-2495 / bybloslebanesecuisine.com
If you’re looking for inexpensive, delicious Lebanese
food, look no further! Byblos has great shawarma
and their vegetarian dishes have been known to
make even the most hardcore carnivores happy!
HarborQue
Federal Hill Park
Federal Hill Park is the giant green hill you see across
from the Inner Harbor and is often mistaken for Fort
McHenry. In fact, during the Civil War, Union troops
built a fort on the hill and pointed a cannon at the
downtown business district to ensure that Baltimore
(and Maryland) remained loyal to the Union. Today,
the hill offers stunning views of the Inner Harbor and
the Patapsco River.
RESTAURANTS
1421 Lawrence Street
410-685-7675 / harborque.com
HarborQue prides itself on offering some of the best
Carolina-style pit barbeque in Maryland. You can
grab BBQ to go or enjoy a picnic-style meal. Recommended dishes? The pulled pork or the ribs!
Midnite Confection Cupcakery
1051 South Charles Street
410-727-1010 / midniteconfection.com
You’ve probably heard of Charm City Cupcakes, and
maybe you’ve heard of Georgetown Cupcakes in DC.
Midnite definitely holds its own against these two—
their cupcakes are absolutely delicious. Try the black
8
velvet cupcake!
LITTLE ITALY & HARBOR EAST
Little Italy and Harbor East are right next to each other, so you get a great sense of Old World charm meets up-and-coming.
Both neighborhoods are great for exploring and are more famous as restaurant destinations, so this page is limited to places
for an awesome dinner (or a very fancy lunch).
LITTLE ITALY
HARBOR EAST
La Tavola
James Joyce Pub
248 Albemarle Street
410-685-1859 / la-tavola.com
616 South President Street
410-727-5107 / thejamesjoycepub.com
Unfortunately, you won’t really find an inexpensive
Italian restaurant with good food and good service
in little Italy. La Tavola is a bit higher-priced than
other restaurants in this guide, but the food is definitely worth it. This is one of the highest-reviewed
places in Little Italy and their pasta dishes are amazing.
If you’re looking for pub food or English/Irish food,
skip the touristy Tír na nÓg in the Inner Harbor and
venture a little further to the James Joyce Pub. Try
the Irish Lamb Stew or the Corned Beef & Cabbage!
They also offer traditional American bar food for
those looking for something more familiar.
Lebanese Taverna
Osteria d’Amadeo
301 South Exeter Street
410-727-8191 / osteriadaamadeo.com
If you’re looking for something a little less fancy (and
less expensive) than La Tavola, check out Osteria da
Amadeo. This place is more laid back and serves simpler—but still tasty—food, and it’s more student
budget-friendly!
719 President Street
410-244-5533 / lebanesetaverna.com
This is one of the best places to get Lebanese cuisine
in the Baltimore-DC area. Whether you get a platter
of appetizers or an entrée, it won’t be a huge stretch
on your wallet. Try the Taverna Platter and the chicken or lamb fatteh!
RA Sushi Bar
Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop
222 Albemarle Street
410-685-4905 / vaccarospastry.com
Whatever you do, you cannot graduate without having had pastries from Vaccaro’s. It is forbidden. Their
cannoli are absolutely spectacular, and try their tiramisu. They also serve sandwiches, so you can eat
here for lunch and THEN have your pastries.
1390 Lancaster Street
410-552-3200 / rasushi.com
RA Sushi is one of the top-rated places in Baltimore
to get fresh sushi. But if sushi’s not your thing, check
out their other Japanese dishes!
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FELL’S POINT
Fell’s point is a historic waterfront neighborhood that is easily reachable from the Inner Harbor via the Green Route on
the Circulator. It’s bordered to the north by Greektown, which is also another restaurant destination. Fell’s Point hosts
one of the largest outdoor Halloween parties every year (and Hopkins sponsors buses for students), which you should
definitely check out!!
SIGHTS
RESTAURANTS
Broadway Market
Blue Moon Café
Broadway between Fleet and Lancaster Streets
1621 Aliceanna Street
410-522-3940 / bluemoonbaltimore.com
One of Baltimore’s major markets, Broadway is a
two-building facility offering everything from Spanish cuisine , pizza, deli sandwiches, sweets, pretzels,
and seafood. Broadway is one of the oldest markets
in Baltimore (the most famous being Lexington Market in downtown Baltimore) and is a favorite with
locals and tourists alike.
Another favorite Baltimore brunch spot, Blue Moon
Café is tiny. Like Baltimore-row-house tiny. So if you
want to eat here (and you totally should) make sure
to come early or be prepared to wait in line. Try
their Cap’n Crunch French Toast!
Kali’s Mezze
Fell’s Point Maritime Museum
1724 Thames Street
410-732-0278 / mdhs.org
Fell’s Point was once anchored by a strong, lively
shipbuilding industry that made the Baltimore area
a crucial port for shipping. Fell’s Point shipbuilders
built the USS Constellation (now docked in the Inner
Harbor) and other early vessels for the US Navy. Baltimore became known for its quick-sailing schooners
that were great at breaking blockades and often
used by armed privateers. The Maritime Museum
explores the history of Fell’s Point’s one-time core
industry for a small fee.
1606 Thames Street
410-563-7600 / kalismezze.com
Kali’s is yet another Greek restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine. Here you can get a great Greek
meal for a very affordable price. Try the beef moussaka (a casserole with layers of beef, eggplant, and
béchamel sauce—kind of like a lasagna) and the baba ghanoush!
(side note: Baltimore also has its very own Greektown, which isn’t covered here.)
Stuggy’s
809 South Broadway
410-327-0228 / stuggys.com
If Abbey Burger Bistro is THE place to get a burger in
Baltimore, this is THE place to get a hot dog. You can
get your standard “Stuggy” hot dog (plain with no
toppings) or be a little more adventurous and get the
Crab Mac&Cheese Stuggy dog or the “Wild Thing”: a
bison dog, bleu cheese, and chopped raw onion. 10