To mark the release of our March issue (now on newsstands), we're celebrating cities over the next few weeks, and we've asked our readers to share what they love most about their towns. Would you send Rome a bouquet of roses? Did you get Miami a box of chocolates? Is it Rio you're snuggling with in the back of the movie theater? Declare your love for that special city in your heart! We've put together a list of fill-in-the-blank questions that should help get you started. We'd love it if you would copy and paste the list into an email, fill in your answers (as many as you like) and send your responses to IntelligentTravel@ngs.org.
Today's city-lover is Anne Ditmeyer, of Baltimore, Maryland, who writes the lovely Prêt à Voyager blog.
Baltimore is My City
The first place I take a visitor from out of town is the American Visionary Art Museum.
When I crave crabs I always go J.P. Steamers.
To escape B-more I head to D.C. on the $7 MARC train.
If I want to see a movie I go to The Charles.
For complete quiet, I can hide away in Peabody Library.
If you come to my city, get your picture taken with the Cosmic Egg @ AVAM.
If you have to order one thing off the menu from Tapas Teatro it has to be spinach and crab.Sideshow is my one-stop shop for great random gifts.
Locals know to skip the Inner Harbor and check out Hampden instead.
When I'm feeling cash-strapped I go to Trinacria.
For a huge splurge I go to Housewerks.
Photo ops in my city include the Kinetic Sculpture Race and the best vantage points are the water entry in Canton.
If my city were a celebrity it'd be John Waters.
The most random thing about my city are snowballs with marshmallow fluff on top (trust me, it's delicious!).
My city has the most skinny-jean-wearing men.My city has the most hipster-mom tattooed women.
In my city, an active day outdoors involves farmer's markets.
My city's best museum is American Visionary Art Museum.
My favorite jogging/walking route is The Avenue in Hampden.
For a night of dancing, go to Blob's Park Polka Hall. Or, for live music, check out J. Patrick's Irish Pub.
Paper Moon Diner is the spot for late-night eats.
To find out what's going on at night and on the weekends, read City Paper.
You can tell a lot about my city from the Charm City Roller Girls.You can tell if someone is from my city if they call you Hon.
In the spring you should participate in the Kinetic Sculpture Race.
In the summer you should go to the water ballet.
In the fall you should go to the Great Halloween Lantern Parade.
In the winter you should visit the Miracle on 34th Street in Hampden.
A hidden gem in my city is Stoop Storytelling.
For a great breakfast joint try Miss Shirley's.Don't miss the HonFest festival in Hampden every June.
Just outside my city, you can visit the Egyptian Muvico theater (it's practically like going to Egypt - not really).
The best way to see my city is by the Ducks.
The best book about my city is The Corner.
If my city were a pet it would be a giant pink poodle with wheels.
If I didn't live in a city, I'd live underwater.
When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is Good Morning, Baltimore. If you have kids, you won't want to miss the B&O Railroad Museum.
The Wire could only happen in my city.
My city should be featured on your cover or website because it's Charm City, USA!
Thanks to Anne for her fantastic picks! Share your own by getting our fill-in-the-blank list and emailing it to IntelligentTravel@ngs.org!
Photos: Anne Ditmeyer
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Killer summation of Baltimore - although I think my personal fave museum is still the Great Blacks in Wax Museum, as good as the Visionary is. Also, hard to beat a view of the city from Federal Hill. Reading this took me back to my years at Hopkins...
I agree, you nailed the kitchy side of Baltimore perfectly. But I have to admit, my current city of NYC has WAY more "skinny jean wearing" men.
Love this post - and wanted to point out that the link to Anne's blog is not working.
Snowballs with marshmallows are the BEST...I miss them now that I live in Seattle. And Blobs is awesome, cheap beer, dancing and people who reserve their tables with custom, handmade wooden plaques.
The post looks great, and I'm loving all the feedback! Also, just wanted to share the link to a Baltimore design guide a friend and I created a year ago (and there's tons more Bmore stuff on my own blog for anyone planning a visit):
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2007/11/baltimore-design-guide.html
Cheers!
Anne
Thanks - we fixed the link!
Yeah, Baltimore! I love these places, especially Miss Shirley's and AVAM and I've been dying to visit Housewerks for some good ole architectural salvaging. Where oh where can you get snowballs 'n fluff?
@Emily: any respectable local snoball stand in the city should have marshmallow fluff as a topping. There is a great one on Fleet and Clinton Streets in Highlandtown. Also, if you're looking for the quintessential Bmore experience, order egg custard with fluff. Seriously, it is GOOOOOD!
I agree with Kate - egg custard with fluff is the way to go (I was taught by a true Baltimorean who used to work at a snow ball stand). I tend to frequent a snow ball stand in Federal Hill - off Heath Street between Charles Street and Riverside Park...of course snow balls are more of a summer thing. (Stands pop up on random street corners during the summer as well).
Enjoy!
Anne
P.S. I even dragged my friend who went to culinary school to get one once. He was definitely skeptical, but unltimately very impressed and gave his seal of approval!
Great list - I look forward to trying out some of these places.
I love this list - but have to disagree that the Ducks are pretty lame.
Oh, and Billy's Snowballs in Hampden ftw!
Oops, that's HAMILTON!!! (not Hampden)
I think Baltimore is a wonderful historic city. If you love history, it is a must to stay at one of the historic Baltimore Hotels because those are incredible places.
I enjoyed staying at a historic Baltimore Hotel, the Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore. At the time, it was the largest 23-story building in the state- 1928.
Great thoughts on Baltimore. We had a short review or Baltimore on our site, but you have added lots of great details!
Thanks for all the info! You can learn so much in a short time by signing up for the Baltimore Tours. We ended up staying at a Pet Friendly Baltimore Hotel in downtown Baltimore, great accommodation. It is a wonderful historic city!
I like this...wish can go to and enjoy
Traveled to Baltimore for the first time a few weeks ago. We opted to stay at one of the Baltimore Airport Hotels and hired a Baltimore Limousine for a day of sightseeing with this article in hand. The Water Ballet was wonderful!
Love the Peabody Library. Staying at one of the Baltimore Airport Hotels gives lots of options for public transportation to many of these places.