Baltimore’s Inner Harbor

Always a good time to be had here. It does not matter if you are taking in some history, enjoying an event, or sampling one of the many restaurants that surround the harbor. There are some that are hesitant about coming to the downtown area because of news reports or just second hand information from others. There is plenty to see and enjoy so if this is keeping you from coming here then you are missing out on of the many jewels of Baltimore.

My fiancé and I visited Baltimore’s Inner Harbor for New Year’s Day yesterday and had a great time. We visited primarily to explore the National Aquarium, which is my favorite aquarium of all time. We also explored the waterfront area and got a seafood lunch at Phillips. The inner harbor is a really fun place to spend a day. My only complaint is that there aren’t that many great seafood restaurants around. Phillips was our best choice and we were hoping for other choices. Note that there is also parking near the Inner Harbor — Lockwood parking lot was great and only half a block away!

I’m a Ravens fan, which is probably the only reason I’ve ended up at the Inner Harbor on multiple occasions. Overall, it’s not really all that impressive. Almost every place to eat in the Harbor is a chain restaurant (Hooters, Hard Rock Café, Bubba Gump Shrimp). The only somewhat good place, if you ask me, is Phillips Seafood, but even that’s a chain.
There’s a Ripley’s Museum, which is a real eye sore and can’t be any less of a tourist trap than the one in Time’s Square.
I can’t speak for the aquarium, but I’ve heard it’s good.
One of the reasons I’m stuck at 2 stars is because the Harbor was completely dead on an early Sunday night … after a Ravens home game. WTF?

If you’re a tourist — this is going to be the first place you hear about on google about Baltimore. It’s one of the nicest areas in Baltimore and there’s always lively events going around here.
From the magicians and singers performing in one corner to the Aquarium, Top of the World, Federal Hill there’s all sorts of events to come and see. If you’re too tired to walk all the way around — you can take the water taxi all around as well :)
Here’s a list of all the things in the area:
— National Aquarium (A must visit)
— Camden Yards — Watch the orioles play a baseball game!
— Federal Hill — one of the best views of the city
— Top of The World — View the city from a really tall building and see a piece of the ⁹⁄₁₁ wreck outside. .
— Historic Ships
— Paddle Boating
— Maryland Science Center
— Visionary Art Museum — Quirky art museum
— Little Italy
— Fells Points — lots of food options here if you want to get away from all the touristy parts.

I’ve been here a few times now and I enjoy my visit each time I am here.
There is so much going on around the harbor. Whether it be the WW2 submarine or the ship where you can go on them for a small fee; dining at one of the many restaurants around the harbor; listening to live music or simply taking a relaxing stroll — it offers a little bit of everything for everyone.
I am giving it 4 stars because I do feel some of the areas could be better maintained as far as trash overflow and what not. If that gets in the harbor that could affect a lot more than just the humans on shore, but also the life in the harbor itself.
Other than that — I make it a point to visit when ever I’m in town.

Its magical, its expensive, its got an allure that wants you to come back, its impossible to find a place to leave the car.
Leave it to here. Baltimore Inner Harbor is all that, and more. I’ve been to the Inner Harbor several times, especially in the last 2 years. Whether its a walk around the harbor, visiting some of the exhibits on it, or eating at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, it’s always a fun memory. Seeing an Orioles game (Camden Yards is really close by), only tops off a memorable visit here. It’s also not bad public transportation wise (the real way to get here), either you can take the Metro to the last stop, or take the Light Rail to Camden Yards from Penn Station. Either way, its a treat.
You never want to take a place like this for granted. Its like Coney Island. There’s a magical feel that comes over you while being on it, and you feel like you’re 12 again, with the sights and sounds that overtake the northeast corner of your eye when you’ve heard cannon fire, or when you finally realize, you’re at one of the major cornerstones of American history, the place where Francis Scott Key wrote the «Star Spangled Banner» and major industry was established. Its hard to not get romantic about the Inner Harbor.
And its why you should go visit.

I guess I don’t see the appeal. It’s nice for walking around and looking at water. But the restaurants and shops are obviously chain and touristy. It has a little bit of a smell, as most places around water tend to do.
I don’t know. It’s nice, but there’s nothing really here.
If I were visiting Baltimore, I’d come down to the inner harbor, but I wouldn’t stay around for very long.
If I lived in Baltimore, I’d use it on my running route. That’s about it.

Tourist trap or not, it is beautiful here! Historic big ships, WWII submarines, docked in the water, and you can check them out! So many shops, and places to check out, and the food choices are endless! We stopped and listened to a great trumpet player just hanging out by the water, and we met some nice people as we walked around. So much more to see…

My opinion only, not right or wrong… Areas that are made specially for tourist are just plain awful. The main goal is to offer travelers the comforts they may have back home in the form of terrible chain restaurants and over priced «attractions» that could be and are most likely available back home. Don’t eat at the restaurants here, no Dicks, no Phillips, no Cheese Cake, and defiantly no Hard Rock Café!
If you’re reading this Unilocal review I have the confidence that you will chose wisely and avoid the restaurants and weak over priced tourist attractions at the Inner Harbor. Simply walk past as you enjoy looking at the waterfront and use Unilocal to find yourself an «only in Baltimore» eating establishment that excites your palate and opens your mind.
For fun you ask? Baltimore is the most acetic major city in the great U.S. of A… Throw on your adventurous pants and set off to take an urban hike through this historic and quirky gem that we call Charm City.

Inner Harbor is one of the more beautiful and happening spots in Baltimore. It’s a beautiful harbor and very scenic, but not a huge area. You can probably walk around and explore the area in about 1 hour unless you decide to go to the aquarium, hop aboard the USS Constellation or take part in some of the water activities. There are also plenty of gift/​souvenir shops in the area. If you’re looking for a bite, there’s a Phillips Seafood, but for those real foodies out there, they’ll love that there’s a Shake Shack and Chick-​Fil-​A across the street — and right next to each other! Also, if you’re looking to get around, there’s the Charm City Circulator where you can get a free bus ride on 4 different colored routes. Just look for the bus stop signs with a color on it and you’ll see where it goes.

Whether you’re vacationing or in town for work this is a place to check out. This place has really good restaurants and a couple of shopping malls and the scenery is awesome.

I was last here in 2000, and 2010. It was 5 stars then, but I see it as 4 stars today.
It is still beautiful with very scenic views of boats and ships big and small, street musicians to entertain you, shopping, restaurants, the cool water taxi fleet, and all sorts of attractions in close proximity.
I noticed a distinct increase in things that cost the Inner Harbor that fifth star. A lot more vagrants, panhandlers, and poor souls who walk around muttering or talking to themselves. I understand this is a city, but here’s a question. If the Inner Harbor is Baltimore’s Crown Jewel of tourism, where is the effort to control things? I walked around here for 4 ½ days and didn’t see a cop once. That was disturbing to me.

An excellent area for family fun, date night or sight seeing. Plenty of options to entertain you and your guests while several amenities are within walking distance. The Harbor is host to paddle boats, The USS Constellation and water taxis as well as the National Aquarium.
Make sure you stop by the Charm City Carousel to relive the kid in you. This could be an area where you can plan a staycation with one of the local hotels and take in all that Baltimore has to offer. Again, all within walking distance if the weather is amicable or just hop in a cab.
I have been here a few times and upon each visit I discover something else I want to check out on my next visit to the area. There are indoor shops, restaurants that support sidewalk dining and of course plenty of watering holes to do a couple of 12oz arm curls and enjoy pub food.
I recommend making a list of places and make a day of it. It’s good for exercise, tourism and your bucket list. The only detractor I experienced was some homeless guy milking himself in public. Other than that keep a positive outlook and experience all the harbor holds.

I first came here for work-​related training in June of 2009 (again in 2013 and 2014). On our first day of training our bus drove a few blocks off the Inner Harbor and we were stuck in traffic because three people were shot at four in the afternoon. Just let that settle in, because the harbor is in one of the nicer parts of Baltimore.
The harbor is essentially a small strip of shops, a Barnes and Nobles, half a dozen restaurants, a small Aquarium and boats. That is all great, however, on hot summer nights there are a hell of a lot of rowdy teenagers and nowhere near enough cops around to babysit them. Going here during the day is fine, hanging out at night is not necessarily a good idea.

It’s ok for half a day to see the waterfront on a beautiful day with a breeze coming from the water. Walking around in the sun is fun, as you can saunter along with friends and family having casual and lighthearted conversation while watching people from all around the area and the world touring about as well.
For fun, take a ride in a dragon shaped boat, pirate ship, speed boat or cruise boat. The harbor is filled with buskers and performers at various times of the day at various locations with skills of the musical and juggling and circus tricks variety. The kids love it, and adults can find fun with the acts, too!
There are plenty of commercial sins to tempt you from big names in clothing and food for your pleasure or displeasure. Nearby, you may partake in the science museum or aquarium, but beware the aquarium lines are ridiculously long! There’s also a music venue right in the harbor, too near pier 5.
Overall, if you can find parking just north of the area at a ‘meter,’ your wallet will be happiest. Then, just be ready I have a nice walk and enjoy that sightseeing of people watching! If you get bored, walk east and north to Little Italy and Fells Point.

Came here again with the now 9 year old for food, fun and the Aquarium.
Dragon Boats, street performers, touristy stuff.
Like NY’s South Street Seaport but even better!

Wow. Baltimore Inner Harbor, huh? Maybe I’m missing something crucial, but I don’t see what the big appeal is. I’ve heard a lot of the complaints about New York’s Times Square being «Disneyfied,» cleaned up and erased of anything identifiably New York-​y, but I don’t agree with that at all. Sure Times Square is an advertising wonderland, but it is unique in the world and still EXTREMELY idiosyncratic. Say what you will about the Naked Cowboy and creepy Sesame Street knock-​off characters, they were invented in Times Square’s chaotic fabric. If any nutcase wants to do anything and get noticed, Times Square is where they do it. But those complaints about Times Square I believe in whole-​heartedly about Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
You can tell they spent a lot of money revitalizing the harbor, and unfortunately, it shows. It’s overdone. It looks like it was all built at once so that everything is shiny, new and boring. I get the feeling that the power plant is supposed to be a centerpiece, and I’m sure the building is pretty cool, but mostly it’s now serving as a billboard for Barnes a& Noble and the Hard Rock Café I know, right? Barnes & Noble and Hard Rock Café! Aren’t they both bankrupt yet? There’s a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, a Bubba Gump Shrimp… basically every store that exists in every other tourist trap is here. I even visited a McCormick’s «House of Flavor,» a very Times Square-​y McCormick’s store which stocked every flavor of spice that you can already buy in every grocery store, and little else.
There is very little about the Inner Harbor that screamed «Baltimore» to me. Except for the ships. But to learn anything about the ships, you need to pay and go into a museum. There is nary an informational plaque to be found outdoors. In fact, very little enjoyment can be had for free here. I came on a Sunday. I’ve visited other similarly sized cities on Sundays and parking is always free. In Baltimore it was $ 27. That’s highway robbery, and I’m not kidding. If you want to encourage people to spend money at your attractions, you don’t charge them like that right off the top. This is basic city planning.
I did stroll around Little Italy and Fell’s Point and those neighborhoods were nice and historic, so I suppose if the Inner Harbor drives more money into neighborhoods like that, it’s a good thing.

In Baltimore for a weekend conference, I was prepared for this to be a seedy, tourist trap of an area, with overpriced restaurants and aggressive panhandlers. But I was pleasantly surprised by how safe and enjoyable the Inner Harbor actually was, with a variety of family-​friendly restaurants and attractions.
I didn’t have time to visit the Aquarium, but the Historic Ships were terrific, and I’m looking forward to coming back in a couple of years with our kids. There are a number of first-​rate hotels, and the delights of Little Italy and Fells Point are just a short walk away. One of America’s greatest urban redevelopments, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is well worth a visit.

The Inner Harbor is absolutely beautiful. It reminded me of my hometown San Francisco with the historic boats, the beautiful waterfront and shops. The guy playing music and singing along for tips, kids running around and touristy like shops.
We were lucky enough to stay close to the Inner Harbor, it’s an easy way to get around the city. Everything was within walking distance to the Inner Harbor area. Although I only heard about the Water Taxi on the last day, it’s the best way to get around the Harbor and visit all the neighborhoods.
It’s also a great place to picnic with your sweetheart. Just pick up a few surprises for lunch and head down to watch the views, boats and people go by.

***Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is incredibly touristy like other big city waterfront areas like Pier 39 in San Francisco and Santa Monica Pier, but I actually enjoyed Baltimore’s Inner Harbor much more; it was much cleaner than those two spots; it was more spacious and there was an abundance of greenery, nice housing and attractive buildings***
When it comes to retail and dining options, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is definitely very similar to other big city waterfront areas like San Francisco’s Pier 39 and Santa Monica Pier. This waterfront area features touristy chain restaurants like Dick’s Last Resort, Hard Rock Café and Bubba Gump Shrimp (are waterfront areas required to have one of these?). Shopping choices are mostly touristy options including several souvenir stores as well as a large candy store (IT’SUGAR). One of the more interesting shops, which also felt touristy, was the McCormick spice shop. It, of course, featured a wide variety of McCormick spices like you would find at your neighborhood grocery store, but many other things were available including a good selection of gourmet candy bars.
One nice non-​retail and dining attraction is this area’s very good visitor center. It includes an incredible variety of brochures for Baltimore as well as the surrounding cities and states. The visitor center covers everything from hotels and city dining options to historical attractions, wineries and nature trips.
While dining or shopping at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor definitely feels like you could be at Pier 39 or Santa Monica Pier, this waterfront area had several advantages over those two touristy spots. It felt much more spacious so it was easy walking around; it could just be that Baltimore does not draw the crowds that San Francisco and Los Angeles do.
It was a great and picturesque walk too. There was a lot of greenery as well as many nice looking buildings. If you walk long enough along the water, you not only see great looking ships and great views of the city, but you also see a very nice and upscale residential area that is right on the water.
Because of the history and picturesque views, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is a must visit. And while you can probably skip the shopping and food, you can enjoy a nice, relaxing walk along the very clean brick-​paved path that is right up next to the water (a lot closer than a lot of waterfront areas, which gives Baltimore’s Inner Harbor a special feel).
Parking around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is expensive. You might be able to find metered street parking if you are willing to walk.