A Tour of Waverly
Located in the heart of Baltimore, Waverly is a tight-knit multicultural community with a growing culinary and shopping scene and a flair for festivals. Here's how to spend a day in the neighborhood.
Throughout its 200-plus year history, Waverly has continued to shape Baltimore’s commercial and cultural identities. What started as a toll road for farmers transporting produce from Pennsylvania turned into a lush summer vacation spot for city residents and is now a popular shopping and entertainment district. It’s where Babe Ruth began his baseball career, where Tupac attended high school and where hundreds of people gather each week at the city’s only year-round farmers market. Plus, its central location makes it an easy spot to add to any Baltimore weekend itinerary.
Things to Do in Waverly
Waverly’s main street, Greenmount Avenue, is teeming with locally owned shops and restaurants. Treat yourself to fresh threads and home decor from Herman’s Discount Inc., which also specializes in embroidery and screen printing. Main Street Hats sells quality, high fashion hats that are perfect for watching horse races at nearby Pimlico Race Course. And NuLanguage is a modern athleisure brand reflective of Baltimore’s one-of-a-kind street style.
With several independent bookstores and a branch of the Enoch Pratt Library, Waverly has established itself as one of Charm City’s foremost literary locales. Fuel up at Red Emma’s, a worker-owned vegan cafe and bookshop, before perusing Normals Books & Records and Urban Reads. The neighborhood is also home to the Baltimore Book Festival held every fall.
On Saturday mornings, don’t miss the 32nd Street Farmer’s market. Open year round, it’s a one-stop shop to sample some of Baltimore’s best bites, from Blacksauce Kitchen’s from-scratch biscuits to Zeke’s famous coffee, in addition to farm fresh produce and artisanal goods.
In the evening, head to Peabody Heights Brewery at the Old Orioles Park to taste a variety of beers, from sours to lagers and IPAs. Grab a burger from the on-site Fuzzie’s food truck and let your inner child loose in The Dugout arcade. Melba’s Place offers a more traditional night out. The longstanding Baltimore club is known for its strong cocktails and high-energy dance floors.
Waverly Restaurants
Check out these delicious food options around Waverly:
- Jinji Chocolate
- Melba’s Place
- Peabody Heights Brewery
- Pete’s Grill
- Red Emma’s
- Toki Underground
- 32nd Street Farmer’s Market
- Venus Pizza
Waverly Lodging
Check out these hotels near Waverly and keep an eye out for special deals.
Events in Waverly
There are several annual events and festivals in Waverly. Get a true feel for the neighborhood at these can’t-miss events and find more things to do in Baltimore.
Baltimore Book Festival
This free literary arts celebration is a book lover’s dream come true. Occupying the entire neighborhood footprint, the Baltimore Book Festival consists of multiple stages devoted to different genres and topics, including romance, poetry, fantasy and children’s literature. Attendees hear from local and national authors, with past appearances including Carla Hall, poet Samantha Thornhill, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Jason Reynolds and Terry McMillan.
32nd Street Farmers Market
The year-round Waverly Farmers Market is more than a source of good food, it’s also the neighborhood social event of the week. Typically open year-round, rain or shine, the market provides fresh fruit and veggies and thick slabs of meat ready for the barbecue as well as baked goods and preserves, among other culinary delights.
