What to do in Baltimore, Maryland? There are plenty of options. Baltimore is a blend of historic and contemporary, as development around the city suggests.
Quite possibly no better example of this is Camden Yards, the baseball stadium for the Baltimore Orioles, which has become one of the key elements in renovating the central city. Camden Yards works because it manages to be both contemporary and historic (its vintage styling was the prototype for several other "throwback" stadiums).
This kind of new-old blending happens a lot in Baltimore. Up-to-the-minute restaurants and clubs inhabit vintage neighborhoods. Historic figures such as Babe Ruth are celebrated in recently built museums. It's a city that keeps an eye on its past without ever getting stuck there.
A great place to see the mix of tradition and innovation is at the lively Baltimore Inner Harbor (a close neighbor to Camden Yards). Once a run-down warehouse district, it has been transformed into a colorful, thriving area that serves as the heart of the city and contains several first-rate visitor attractions.
Location
Cruise ships dock at Baltimore's South Locust Point Terminal near Fort McHenry. The cruise terminal is equipped with restrooms and public phones. Long-term parking for passenger cars (US$15 per day) and recreational vehicles (US$20 per day) is nearby (a shuttle to the terminal is available). Payment for parking must be paid on arrival and is accepted in cash or traveler's checks only.
Cruise-ship passengers who fly to Baltimore usually arrive at the Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Most cruise lines offer transportation from the airport to the cruise terminal. You can also take a taxi or use the shuttle service—tell the driver you're headed to Locust Point Cruise Terminal. Phone toll-free 800-258-3826. http://www.supershuttle.com.
Shore Excursions
With so much to see in Baltimore and the surrounding region, shore excursions are a must. Most ships offer a variety of half-day and full-day tours including a city tour of Baltimore that takes in the Inner Harbor, Fort McHenry and Babe Ruth's birthplace. With the city's location in the heart of the mid-Atlantic, tours that include historic Annapolis, Washington D.C., Arlington National Cemetery and Mount Vernon are also available.
Consider signing up for the excursions offered by your ship. They may not be the least expensive way to see the area, but you won't have to waste time making arrangements—and you won't have to worry about missing the ship. Shore excursions and their prices vary from cruise line to cruise line.
