I took a recent day trip down to Baltimore with two of my brothers and we saw some awesome sights! We started our day at Fell’s Point, and we spent most of the day exploring downtown Baltimore. If you’re looking for things to do in downtown Baltimore, from one of the most beautiful libraries in the world to Babe Ruth history, these are some of the top things you can’t miss! 🙂
Sights to see and things to do in downtown Baltimore
Visit the George Peabody Library
The George Peabody Library is known for being one of the most beautiful libraries in the world! It’s the research library for Johns Hopkins University in Mount Vernon. It was funded by George Peabody in the 1800s, and it was designed by Edmund G. Lind to be a “cathedral of books,” which I think they achieved.
The interior of the George Peabody Library was built in the neo-Greco style. The columns and ironwork are beautiful, but my favorite part is the skylights! They make the library so bright and open. The library is open to the public, so you can stop in for some pictures and they sometimes have tours so you can learn more about the library.
Walk around Mount Vernon
The George Peabody Library is in Mount Vernon, and it’s a beautiful area! After visiting the library, I definitely recommend walking around the neighborhood and seeing some of the pretty architecture. Mount Vernon wasn’t as crowded as other areas in Downtown Baltimore, and there are lots of shops and restaurants you can check out.
We didn’t have enough time to check it out, but the Walters Art Museum is in Mount Vernon!
Visit Edgar Allan Poe’s grave
You might know that Edgar Allan Poe lived in Baltimore (the Baltimore Ravens were named for his poem “The Raven”), and he’s buried downtown. Poe died in 1849, and he was actually originally buried in an unmarked grave. It wasn’t until 1865 that people started fundraising for a monument for him and his grave was marked. Today, he is buried at Westminster Hall, and there is a plaque with information about Poe’s life.
Tour the Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum
I actually didn’t know this until I started planning my trip to Baltimore, but Babe Ruth was born and raised in Baltimore! You can visit the home he was raised in and see the actual bed he was born in at the Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum.
It was really interesting learning about his family and early life, and they also extended the house for the museum. You can learn all about Babe Ruth’s famous career in baseball and see artifacts like his bats and awards he won. They also have lots of photos and even black-and-white videos of him!
See Camden Yards
Right near the Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum is Camden Yards! The Orioles weren’t in town when we visited, but it’s always fun to go to a ball game if you get the chance.
I spent about half a day exploring the sights in downtown Baltimore, but I recommend spending some more time if you have the time! You can check out museums and do some shopping 🙂
That George Peabody Library is sooooo beautiful. It looks a lot like the Trinity College Library in Dublin Ireland.
Yes I can see that!
I’ve always wanted to visit Baltimore and I’d go there just to see the George Peabody Library! It’s absolutely gorgeous. I love your pictures!
Thank you! 🙂 The library is definitely worth a visit!
Wow! The Peabody Library is absolutely stunning! I used to live in DC and make regular trips to Baltimore — never once went there. Now I’ll have to go back! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
You should go back! It’s an amazing place!
Baltimore looks gorgeous. But I think I would spend my entire life in the George Peabody Library. It is absolutely gorgeous.
I know, I could have spent all day there!
Love this post on Baltimore! Thanks for all the ideas!
I hope it helps!
I had wanted to visit that library the last time I was in Baltimore but it was closed!! It looks so gorgeous!
I hope you can go back!!
Ive only been to Baltimore once and I know I need to go back! Walking around Mount Vernon looks amazing and I would love to check out the art museum. As soon as you said Edgar Allen Poe’s grave I was sold on another Baltimore trip! The Babe Ruth birthplace looks awesome too.
You should go back! There are so many amazing places in Baltimore!
Love this! Will definitely keep this in mind on my next trip to Baltimore!
It’s such a great area to explore!
Love this list of Sights to see and things to do in downtown Baltimore!
Thanks for posting this! I was actually JUST thinking how I wanted to plan a day trip from Philly you Baltimore soon!
It’s such a great day trip from Philly!
I haven’t back tot his area in years, such a memory trip reading through this- I love that library! So so beautiful inside.
I hope you can go back soon!
George Peabody Library is so cool! I love how many floors it is.