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Fell’s Point

Baltimore’s history as one of America’s most important colonial seaports is alive and well in Fell’s Point.

Named for the Englishmen who founded a ship-building company here in 1726 that would go on to produce the famous "Baltimore Schooners," Fell's Point is a spirited waterfront community in perpetual celebration of Baltimore's British nautical roots. Enjoy the 18th- and 19th- century homes and storefronts - most were once one of the "three B's": boarding houses, brothels, and bars - along streets with names like Shakespeare and Fleet and know that the neighborhood's visage has remained largely unchanged for the past several centuries. Walk the Belgian Block streets and explore the unique shops of Thames Street and Broadway.Chesapeake Bay cuisine is at its best here, whether you crave oysters on the half shell at a local pub, or upscale seafood at a charming restaurant. 

Fell's Point during the War of 1812

Fell's Point was home to a private navy instrumental in the American quest for independence during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Known as privateers, they were privately owned ships authorized by the government to attack and capture enemy ships. The fast, maneuverable ships, called the "Baltimore schooners," were designed and built in shipyards of the Chesapeake Bay, many of them in Fell's Point. During the War of 1812, approximately 55 privateers sailed out of Fell's Point, thus the British view of Baltimore as a "nest of pirates." To discover the Baltimore of 1812, take a tour of Fell's Point and see many of the historic homes maintained by the Preservation Society. Begin your visit to Fell's Point at the Visitor Center, 1724-26 Thames St. Now gentrified and populated with colorful restaurants and bars, and home to annual festivals, it is a family-friendly experience no visitor to Baltimore should miss. 

Learn more at StarSpangledBaltimore.com.