Fort McHenry high kick, National Aquarium and Inner Harbor, jellyfish exhibit, replica of the Star Spangled Banner flying high over the fort.

Last summer we made our first visit to Baltimore, Maryland. It’s often overshadowed by Washington, DC, which is just 40 miles away, but it definitely has the history and attractions to warrant it’s own look. Baltimore contains more public monuments than any other American city and the Inner Harbor is among best downtown waterfronts.

Our favorites:
See: National Aquarium – Widely known as one of the top aquariums in the U.S., the National Aquarium contains 2.2 million gallons of water and 17,000 animals representing more than 750 species. Prepare to spend most of a day there.
See: Fort McHenry – Standing guard over the entrance to Baltimore Harbor, this historic fort is the location where the famous “Star Spangled Banner” flew while Francis Scott Key watched from a ship and wrote the poem that would later become our national anthem.
Eat: Woodberry Kitchen – This trendy farm-to-table restaurant is located in a recently restored mill building. Great drinks and local food.
Do: Tubing on the Big Gunpowder River – Take a relaxing float on a warm summer day just a half hour drive from central Baltimore.