Baltimore Neighborhood Guide

You might not know it from the outside, but the Bromo Tower features several floors of art studios, gallery spaces and museum exhibits. Photograph by J Fannon Photography.

Named for the iconic Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower that anchors the district to the south, the Bromo Arts and Entertainment District has an artsy reputation that stems not only from the countless music venues, theaters and galleries within its bounds, but from the ample support and resources it provides to its resident makers. Together, these factors make Bromo the perfect place to immerse yourself in Baltimore’s art scene. Start your tour of Bromo with a hearty breakfast from the historic Lexington Market, and end it with a show at the Hippodrome or Everyman Theatre.

Mr. Boh looks over Brewers Hill where Baltimore’s favorite beer was once brewed.

The heart of this waterfront neighborhood is a quaint village square rimmed with restaurants, pubs and shops along O’Donnell Street. But wander off the square to the surrounding blocks and find the quintessential Baltimore, from the nearly-lost Baltimore art form of the painted screen to rows of classic marble stoops on traditional Baltimore brick and Formstone row houses. Canton Waterfront Park is a hot spot for events like WTMD’s First Thursdays, an outdoor summer concert series, and the annual Baltimore Seafood Festival.

Next door, Brewers Hill gets its name from the two landmark breweries it was once home to: National Brewery and Gunther Brewing. You’ll know you’re there when you look up and spot the winking Mr. Boh illuminated at the top of the tower where National Bohemian (or Natty Boh) was once produced.

The Rawlings Conservatory features five greenhouse rooms with distinct climates holding plants from all over the world.

Dating back to 1860, Druid Hill Park is a 745-acre urban oasis located in the heart of Baltimore. Today, it’s home to several attractions including a public pool, disc golf courses, tennis courts, The Maryland Zoo and the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens. Friends of Druid Hill Park frequently schedule events to encourage use and enjoyment of the grounds including a farmers market, guided walking and biking tours, night hikes, live entertainment and outdoor fitness classes.

Downtown Federal Hill is lined with bars and restaurants for a fun night out.

Known for its sweeping views of the Inner Harbor, Federal Hill is characterized by historic brick rowhomes and locally-owned shops and restaurants. It’s also home to a mix of newcomers and families that have lived here for generations. Must-sees include the American Visionary Art Museum, Cross Street Market and the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Plus, Federal Hill is right next door to Locust Point, where Fort McHenry beckons to history buffs.

Fell’s Point is known for its ballast block streets and centuries-old buildings filled with restaurants, bars and shops.

One of the oldest neighborhoods in Baltimore, this area was once a bustling shipbuilding port. Fell’s Point’s visage has remained largely unchanged since its founding—picturesque stone streets, waterfront restaurants and cozy boutiques. Travel back in time with a stop at the oldest-standing residence in Baltimore City, the Robert Long House, which is open for tours by reservation. While you’re in the area, learn about Fell’s Point’s history at home to the first African American-owned shipyard in the country at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park Museum. Then stop for a drink at the city’s oldest bar, The Horse You Came In On Saloon (rumored to be Edgar Allan Poe’s last stop before his mysterious death).

Treat yourself to a big bouquet of flowers from the family-owned Flower Cart in Hamilton-Lauraville.

Hamilton-Lauraville is a booming network of neighborhoods along Harford Road in northeast Baltimore known for its stellar shopping and food scenes. In fact, it was named the best shopping district by Baltimore magazine in 2021. Find family-owned shops the Flower Cart and Lakein’s Jewelers, both of which have been in the neighborhood for decades, along with Koco’s Pub, the home to Mayor Brandon Scott’s favorite crab cakes. Hamilton-Lauraville also hosts a budding arts scene bookended by the Hamilton Arts Collective and The Strand, Baltimore’s only brick-and-mortar theater space to solely perform works written by female-identifying playwrights.

The Avenue in Hampden is filled with colorful shops and restaurants.

Once a 19th-century blue-collar mill town that has evolved into the epicenter of hipster Baltimore kitsch, Hampden’s main drag, aka “The Avenue,” is a great place to grab a bite, share a beer, check out some local vintage shops and see some eclectic row homes and street art. During the holidays, don’t miss the dazzling displays on 34th Street!

At the center of Harbor East is the National Katyn Memorial statue.

Luxe experiences await you in Harbor East. Treat yourself to a massage at Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, a shopping spree at a specialty boutique and dinner with a waterfront view at a high-end eatery. You’ll want to make a reservation ahead of your visit to Charleston, The Bygone and The Oceanaire Seafood Room. Love history? Be sure to stop at the President Street Station, where President Abraham Lincoln once stopped to avoid an assassination attempt. 

Head to Little Italy for fine Italian dining.

Little Italy is a small but mighty community full of families that have lived here for generations, many of which own the plethora of delicious Italian restaurants on every block. To name a few: La Scala offers traditional fare and an indoor bocce ball court, Café Gia is known for its colorful mural and balcony, La Tavola is a top pick for fine dining and family-owned favorite Sabatino’s has been around for generations. And make sure you leave room for a traditional Italian dessert from Vaccaro’s. The neighborhood also hosts a number of events throughout the year, like the Feasts of St. Anthony and St. Gabriel in the fall.

The Washington Monument stands in the center of Mount Vernon surrounded by a picturesque park perfect for a midday break.

Mount Vernon is an elegant neighborhood filled with grand old mansions that once belonged to Baltimore’s 19th-century industrialists. Today, the neighborhood is a National Landmark Historic District filled with museums, shops, restaurants and boutique hotels. There is so much to see and do in this neighborhood, but we recommend a stop at the Washington Monument, the Walters Art Museum, the Enoch Pratt Free Library and the Maryland Center for History & Culture. Then stay for a performance from the world-renowned Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

The Patterson Park Pagoda offers panoramic views of Charm City.

Patterson Park is well known for its green space, large trees, paved walkways, historic battle sites, a lake, playgrounds, athletic fields, a swimming pool, an ice-skating rink and its observation tower—the Instagram-worthy Patterson Park Observatory. Head over to the Highlandtown Arts District to get an array of ethnic foods, art galleries and shops with locally made goods.

Notable entertainers like Billie Holiday frequented the Pennsylvania Avenue neighborhood of Baltimore.

While this area’s designation as an arts and entertainment district may still be in its infancy, the neighborhood has had a long history as a cultural center for the city’s African American community. During the 1940s, 50s and 60s, Pennsylvania Avenue was the place to go to see the latest singers and musicians perform, most notably at the Royal Theater, which hosted entertainers like Cab Calloway, Billie Holiday, Ray Charles and James Brown. Unfortunately, the theater no longer exists, but a monument stands in its honor. Keep an eye on this neighborhood for big things to come soon—proposed ideas for include a museum devoted to jazz legend Cab Calloway and a museum for Black women’s history.

You can ride the first mile of track ever laid in America at the B&O Railroad Museum.

Pigtown was named in the late 1800s when cargo railcars from the Midwest would let loads of pigs out, which created a spectacle as they ran through the streets to their final destination. The neighborhood is now home to the annual Pigtown Festival which honors that heritage with the “Squeakness” pig races during a weekend full of food, drinks and music. Here you’ll also find the B&O Railroad Museum, Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum, Mount Clare Museum House in Carroll Park and Mobtown Ballroom.

Sample the latest rye whiskey at Sagamore Spirit Distillery in Port Covington.

The Baltimore Peninsula is the site of a master redevelopment plan started by Under Armour founder Kevin Plank that is transforming this formerly industrial port area into a hub of economic growth. Currently it’s home to Sagamore Spirit Distillery, maker space City Garage, seafood restaurant Nick’s Fish House and waterfront hangout South Point. Soon it will be filled with a food hall, hotel and updated green space to hold food trucks, drink offerings, events and more.

Find food options for every palate from the 10-stall food hall R.House.

Home to artists, musicians and makers, the Remington neighborhood has maintained a laid-back attitude while experiencing a boom in recent development. Hip hot spot R. House is a perfect place for families and friends to grab a bite. The 10-stall food hall boasts Baltimore chefs, each offering distinct cuisines from Japanese and Korean to Mexican and Italian. While you’re here, check out cake decorating classes at Chef Duff Goldman’s Charm City Cakes, pick up a new plant baby at B.Willow and shop for fresh duds at Get Shredded Vintage.

Enjoy sophisticated and affordable classic French bistro fare at Petit Louis Bistro.

Known for its educational institutions, green spaces and architecture, Roland Park is also home to an abundance of local shops and restaurants. Classic French bistro, Petit Louis, and Johnny’s, serving west coast cuisine, are both co-owned by James Beard award-nominated chef Cindy Wolf. Miss Shirley’s Café, one of two locations in Baltimore, offers southern-influenced breakfast and lunch and has been featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

Make time to hit one of the district’s most Instagrammable areas, Graffiti Alley

Located in the middle of Baltimore between Johns Hopkins University and the Inner Harbor, Station North actually spans three neighborhoods—Charles North, Greenmount West and Barclay. An eclectic blend of storied institutions and up-and-coming studios, it earned designation as the city’s first official Arts & Entertainment District in 2002. Since then, it’s continued to cement itself as the center of Baltimore’s creative community, attracting local makers and entertainers with its proximity to the Maryland Institute College of Art, affordable housing and studio spaces, professional development, advocacy tools and more. Home to the landmark Penn Station, Station North is the perfect place to begin a weekend away in Baltimore.