Baltimore's Historic Charles Street
Baltimore's Charles Street - Centuries of History Rise Above the Chesapeake
| Departure: | Inner Harbor, Maryland |
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| Destination: | The Baltimore Museum of Art, Maryland |
| Time to allow: | 2 days |
Experience Baltimore’s unique history through architecture, historic homes, art museums, monuments, churches, and residential neighborhoods on Charles Street. Walk, drive or take a bus along the byway, pausing to enjoy dining, shopping, and many other attractions.
Day 1
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Start: Inner Harbor
As you pass through the Inner Harbor portion of the byway, take note--it is a visual demonstration of all that has changed in Baltimore as a result of the Charles Street and Inner Harbor renaissance that has become a model for urban harbors around the nation and around the world.
The Baltimore Visitor Center at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is simply the best place to start exploring the new Baltimore. This 8,000-square foot, state-of-the-art facility offers an array of information, resources, and services including a trailhead to help you plan your adventure.
Catch up on special events, get instant info at the touch-screen kiosks, purchase tickets for events and attractions, pick up brochures, make reservations for dining and lodging, learn about the city’s history, arts, neighborhoods, and shopping, and get a GPS guide to use during your visit-- all in one convenient location on the West Shore of Baltimore’s famous Inner Harbor.
If you'd like to spend more time in this area, explore the the Maryland Science Center or the Historic Ships also part of the Inner Harbor.
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Stop 1: Mount Vernon Place
Directions from previous place: From the Inner Harbor Visitor Center, go north on Calvert Street, make a left on Lombard Street, and then make a right onto Charles Street.
Distance from Previous Site: 1 miles / 1.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 5 hours Drive or walk up Charles Street to Mount Vernon Place National Historic Landmark District. Take an easy stroll around the park and see the Washington Monument and Museum, the United Methodist Church, and the beautiful residences including the Garrett Jacobs Mansion. Visit the Maryland Historic Society to see Francis Scott Key’s original poem, which became our national anthem. Then enjoy the Walters Art Museum and the Peabody Institute and Library. Grab some lunch at one of the wonderful restaurants anywhere within two blocks north or two blocks south of the monument. Check yourself into the Peabody Court Hotel or an authentic Baltimore hotel, the Tremont Grand in the historic Masonic temple, and take a nap before your evening experience along the byway begins.
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Overnight Point: Federal Hill Neighborhood and Cross Street Market
Directions from previous place: From Mount Vernon Place, go one block east to St. Paul Street and head south towards the Inner Harbor. After passing the Maryland Science Center and Harbor on your left, go about six blocks and make a right onto Cross Street. The Cross Street Market is on your left.
Distance from Previous Site: 1.4 miles / 2.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Have a hankering for pig’s ears, pickled eggs or oxtails? These and other foodstuffs are often available at the Cross Street Market. Enjoy the sights and sounds of an urban market while you explore the shops along Charles Street in the Cross Street Market vicinity. Next, have an elegant dinner at one of the many fine restaurants within blocks, and follow your meal with a stroll to Federal Hill park. From the top of Federal Hill, you'll get a dramatic view of Baltimore’s cityscape, lights sparkling on water, and boats sailing by.
If you didn’t check into a hotel in Mt. Vernon, stay the night in this bohemian neighborhood at a local B&B such as the Scarborough Fair Bed and Breakfast.
Total Distance Traveled in Day 1: 2.4 miles / 3.8 km
Day 2
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Stop 1: Mount Vernon Place
Directions from previous place: Go north on Charles Street to Mount Vernon Place. Make a left on Monument Street and a left on Cathedral Street.
Distance from Previous Site: 2.4 miles / 3.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour 30 minutes After an enjoyable evening stay at either Federal Hill or Mt. Vernon, grab a cup of coffee at a local cafe to get your day started. Then, head off to visit America’s first Catholic cathedral - Benjamin Henry Latrobe’s masterful Basilica of the Assumption in Mt. Vernon. Stop in the Enoch Pratt Library and take a peek-- if you’re lucky you may see the papers of H.L. Mencken, native son and internationally famous newspaperman, author, and curmudgeon. The Mencken papers are open for study by scholars year round and to the public annually on the Saturday closest to Mencken’s birthday on September 12.
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End: The Baltimore Museum of Art
Directions from previous place: From Mount Vernon Place take Charles Street North. Turn on Art Museum Drive. Follow signs to the museum-- it is well-marked. Take your time along the way, and look at the amazing architecture on both sides of Charles Street. Pay particular attention to Penn Station, which will be on your right, and the Station North Arts & Entertainment District.
Distance from Previous Site: 2.4 miles / 3.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Once you've reached your destination, the Baltimore Museum of Art, you'll experience centuries of art and history. Spend time looking at the Cone Collection a very important collection donated by the Cone Sisters and key Baltimore philanthropists. For lunch, eat at Gertrude’s, the museum’s very own restaurant. Enjoy the outdoor sculpture garden, and take a stroll to Homewood House Museum on the campus of Johns Hopkins University next door to wrap up your byway tour.
