Baltimore, Maryland is one of those places not many people seek to visit. In fact, my time here was not travel-related but was to attend the national convention of the National Council of Teachers of English. I flew in the week before Thanksgiving, staying in the hotel connected to the convention center. I spent most of my energy networking, presenting, attending literacy seminars, standing in line to meet my favorite authors, and amassing suitcases full of books. So, although I was in Baltimore for a week, my guide could be accomplished in a day’s time.
Though there are more exciting attractions to visit while in Baltimore, some listed in my 1,000 Places to See Before You Die book, I stayed the course with literacy giants like Edgar Allan Poe sites and visiting the inner harbor area where I was staying. Since I was alone and quite tired from the conference you’ll see a limited number of entries. Know that I would visit here again in a heartbeat to see more!
I look forward to visiting again and hope you enjoy your trip too!
What to Do in Baltimore
Edgar Allan Poe Burying Ground & Memorial
515 W Fayette St, Baltimore, MD 21201
As a total literacy nerd, I had to take some time away from my conference to visit the resting place of Edgar Allan Poe, revered American poet. It has a certain kind of calm and quiet energy, but there was lots of wind in the trees and leaves blowing. Use your phone navigation to the Westminster Hall (former church) and head to the gated area nearest the tall tower. There you will find a small gate that leads you to the memorial. Be sure to explore the entire gravesite. You can see the memorial at the front where people leave coins and trinkets, but you’ll also want to walk further back to find the headstone that was later purchased to mark Poe’s burial site. Oddly enough, he was buried in an unmarked grave and it wasn’t until schoolchildren raised money in 1875 to purchase the headstone. Here you will also find the resting sight of soldiers and servicemen from the American Revolution and the War of 1812.
Visiting in November was perfect as the leaves were vibrant. It’s also a nice walk from the harbor area, moderately done. I felt safe in this area.
Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum
One of my most anticipated stops on this trip turned out to be a bit of a letdown. Visiting Edgar Allan Poe’s Baltimore home offers a fascinating glimpse into the author’s daily life, but the experience was shorter and more limited than I expected, mainly due to the home’s small size. The house is tiny by modern standards, though it does span three narrow floors connected by steep staircases. If you’re into photography, be warned: capturing decent shots can be tricky. On the ground floor, I had to perch on a narrow staircase just to frame a single room and even then, it was a challenge. The lighting inside is quite dim, which didn’t help either. With my less-than-perfect vision and an iPhone 11 Pro Max in hand, I struggled to get clear photos. Perhaps the creepiest part of the tour was the final climb to Poe’s bedroom, done while having to bend over while climbing (for reference, I am 5’4”). Because of the space limitations, only one person is allowed to view the room at a time and it’s viewed behind a glass partition. There is a volunteer sitting in the area to help facilitate the crowd but it made me feel like I was being watched in such small surroundings. But one thing is for sure, it’s easy to imagine how Poe wrote the dark and twisted tales he did in this environment.
Another disappointment was the gift shop, or rather, the lack of one. As a self-proclaimed gift shop girlie, I was hoping to snag a book or a quirky literary souvenir, but the selection was minimal and underwhelming.
Accessibility Note: The home requires climbing multiple staircases, and the spaces are tight. It’s manageable for most, but visitors with mobility challenges or assistive devices may find it difficult, or impossible, to navigate.
Adding to the underwhelming experience was the location. The house itself is nestled among local housing, which might surprise visitors expecting a more museum-like setting. While the map showed it was only a 23-minute walk from the harbor, I wasn’t familiar with the area and had been cautioned about safety concerns in Baltimore. I opted for a ride share both ways, which added to the cost and time making it the most expensive hour of the trip.
Oriole Park at Camden Yards – Home of the Baltimore Orioles
One of the best surprises of my Baltimore trip was that my hotel was across the street from Camden Yards, the legendary Orioles’ baseball complex. What made it even better was that it was open and free to explore. There was a very friendly staff member at the big gate who kept an eye on everything but people were free to wander about the field.
Before you enter the gate, be sure to visit some of the greatest to ever play – hall of famers Babe Ruth, the first African American Major League Baseball player #42 Jackie Robinson, and #8 Cal Ripken, Jr. who spent his entire 21-years career with the Orioles and is best known for holding the MLB record for consecutive games played at 2,632. The life-size statue of Babe Ruth will most definitely catch your eye. Though he spent most of his baseball career as a New York Yankee, he was born in Baltimore so they’re proud of this hometown hero famous for his career home run record of 714 that stood for decades. In fact, you’ll find other Babe Ruth places of interest in the area, including his childhood home that is available for tours. Once you enter Oriole park, turn to the right towards the outfield section of the stadium to find Legends Park. They have beautiful statues of other famous Orioles players.
The beautiful foliage in the park made the visit even more magical. I was nervous to visit in late November, but it ended up being a beautiful time of year to explore the area.
Historical Note: It’s called Camden Yards because the stadium was built on the site of a historic railroad facility known as the Camden Yards, and the name was a compromise between the team and the governor. The stadium’s full name, “Oriole Park at Camden Yards,” combines the team’s preference for “Oriole Park” with the site’s name, which Governor William Donald Schaefer strongly advocated for.
Where to Eat in Baltimore
Where to Stay in Baltimore
Other Helpful Information
Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport – BWI
7050 Friendship Rd, Baltimore, MD 21240
Flying solo on this trip, I wanted to fly directly into Baltimore. Even during the Thanksgiving holiday, it wasn’t busy and I was able to navigate the terminals easily. I came so early in preparation I had time for a full meal and more. I also loved the holiday decor!
The full name is the Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Marshall was a Baltimore native and the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court of the USA. This is also one of Southwest’s hubs so you might be flying into here rather than Dulles or Ronald Reagan depending on your carrier. The ease of air travel here is a huge appeal.
Ronald Reagan International Airport
2401 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Access Rd, Arlington, VA 22202
Many travelers to Baltimore come through the DC area because of its close access. If Baltimore flights are too expensive, check out the ones to Reagan International in Alexandria, VA. It’s a beauty! I love turning the corner from the gates and seeing the giant USA flag with its stars and stripes.
Day Trips from Baltimore
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