What you need to know before you book your airfare and tickets
Next time you find yourself in the neighbourhood of Washington DC, don't miss out on visiting Baltimore. It might not appear on many peoples itinerary, but its not a bad place to take a break. This is the city where the national anthem was written by Francis Scott Key after the Battle of Baltimore in 1812. You'll find out more about this when you walk along one of the many trails set up by the Star Spangled Trails tour company. They have a wide variety of guided and self guided tours about which you can find more information at the visitor's centre. If you prefer to just walk around aimlessly, head over to Mount Vernon where the Nation's first monument to President Washington is located. Wander around the streets that are lined with quaint shops, galleries, restaurants and small museums. Don't miss the collection at the Walters Art Museum while you're here. Browse for antiques on Antique Row on Howard Street and West Read Street. This area is located near the Historical district of Baltimore. Check out an exhibition at the Maryland Historical Society and learn more about the local history. If you're here with children, then the Inner Harbour is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Head over to the National Aquarium and watch creatures from the oceans from up close. Check out Sports Legends at Camden Yards or visit the Port Discovery Children's Museum. No need to go hungry in this area either. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from. Prefer to eat a bit further away from all the buzz in the harbor? Then walk over to Little Italy where you can pick from over 2 dozen restaurants. This is also where the Open Air film festival takes place which is a great thing to do on a summer evening.
