city skyline across body of water during daytime

Baltimore

Baltimore is a harbor city where you can see the Inner Harbor, Fort McHenry and Fells Point in a long weekend.

Find a room in Baltimore Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Baltimore

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Baltimore is a port city on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, on the U.S. East Coast, and most trips start at the Inner Harbor. The waterfront has promenades, restaurants and the National Aquarium, and Harborplace and Light Street are a short walk from the water. Fort McHenry, a short drive south of downtown, held out against a British naval bombardment in September 1814. Francis Scott Key saw the flag still flying over the fort and wrote the poem that became "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Fells Point is a historic waterfront neighborhood about a 20-minute walk east of the harbor. It has old brick rowhouses, bars and restaurants that stay busy late. Baltimore works for a long weekend or as a side trip from Washington, DC. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons, since summer is hot and humid. Plan two or three days for the harbor, the fort and Fells Point, and add a day if you want more time in the city's neighborhoods.

Baltimore in five

Start with the Inner Harbor and Fort McHenryThe harbor, aquarium and museums sit side by side, and Fort McHenry (where the Star-Spangled Banner was written) is a short ride away. Check NPS hours before you go.Fort McHenry (NPS)
Fly into BWI and take the Light RailBWI is about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown by Light Rail or car. It is often cheaper to fly here than into Washington.
Eat in Fells Point and HampdenFells Point has historic streets and pubs along the water; Hampden has local shops and diners. Both suit an evening on foot.
Use Baltimore as a Washington add-onTrains between Baltimore and Washington take about an hour, so a night or two here pairs well with the capital.Alexandria, Virginia
Settle entry rules before a BWI arrivalBaltimore trips often pair with Washington, so check once for both: Visa Waiver Program passports need an approved ESTA, and other passports need a visa.Visa checker

Things to do in Baltimore

See all attractions in Baltimore

a view of the washington monument from across the water

Historic site · BaltimoreWashington MonumentVisit on a weekday or at an off-peak time if you want to avoid crowds on the climb.

A statue of a hand reaching out of a window

Museum · BaltimoreAmerican Visionary Art MuseumGo early and allow several hours; there is a lot to see across the buildings and outdoor areas.

Aquarium · BaltimoreNational AquariumChoose a non-peak time for a calmer visit; early morning or late in the day can help you avoid busy periods.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to BaltimorePut the places you like in Baltimore on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall (BWI), about 20–30 min by Light Rail
Getting there: Fly to BWI; Amtrak from New York takes about 2.5 hours
Getting around: Light Rail, Metro Subway, buses and walking in the core
Best base: Inner Harbor or Fells Point
Time needed: 2 days; 3 with Washington or Annapolis

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low-2°Cold, quiet
FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh8°Low0°Cold, quiet
MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low3°Early spring
AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Mild, blossoms
MayRain15 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Mild, green
JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh28°Low18°Hot, humid
JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°Hot, humid
AugustRain15 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Hot, humid
SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Warm, clear
OctoberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Fall color
NovemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Cool, quiet
DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low1°Holiday, cold

Average daily high and low in Baltimore, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Baltimore

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 14°
Humidity: 46%
Wind: 9 km/h
Chance of rain: 2%

Baltimore

03:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-5

Today19°6°2%Monday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 2%.
Tue20°7°2%Tuesday: Fog. High 20°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 2%.
Wed24°11°1%Wednesday: Fog. High 24°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 1%.
Thu25°18°51%Thursday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 51%.
Fri22°16°43%Friday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 43%.
Sat16°9°29%Saturday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 29%.
Sun15°8°16%Sunday: Rain. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 16%.

Updated 12:34 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Baltimore

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

CFG Bank Arena · concertCalvin Harris 2027 North American tourApr 2, 2027 · Rooms near the venue

Day trips by train

Washington, D.C.about 40 to 60 min by trainMonuments and the Smithsonian museums.Read the guide
Annapolisabout 45 to 60 min by carSailing town and the US Naval Academy.
Alexandriaabout 1.25 hours by carOld Town and the Potomac waterfront.Read the guide

Before you go to Baltimore

Aquarium and harbor attractionsTimed entry and combo ticketsBook timed entry

Hotels and rentalsCompare areas and ratesCheck availability

eSIM for the USAData on landing, no SIM swapRead the guide

Travel insurance for the USAUS medical care is costlyRead the guide

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Rules for Baltimore, checked

Visitors from visa waiver countries need an ESTA before boarding a flight to the US. Apply on the official CBP site, and check travel.state.gov if you need a visa.Source
Declare food, plants and animal products on your arrival form, even if you think they are allowed.Source
Call 911 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in the US.
Tipping is customary at sit-down restaurants and bars, usually about 18 to 20 percent of the bill.

Plan around Baltimore

All of the USA

Parks, cities and the rules every visitor needs

Read the guide Alexandria

A Potomac river town near Washington

Read the guide Mid-Atlantic States

Routes between New York, DC and the coast

Read the guide New York

A train ride north from Baltimore

Read the guide ESTA, explained

Who needs it, the fee and how to apply

Read the guide

Baltimore FAQ

How many days do you need in Baltimore?

Two days cover the Inner Harbor, Fort McHenry and Fells Point. Add a third for a museum or a trip to Washington or Annapolis.

Is Baltimore worth visiting?

Yes, for harbor history, food and neighborhoods. It is less crowded than Washington or New York and has good museums.

Is Baltimore safe for tourists?

Visitors usually stick to the Inner Harbor, Fells Point and other busy areas. Stay aware at night, use rideshare after dark and check local advice.

Where should I stay in Baltimore?

The Inner Harbor for first-timers, Harbor East for newer hotels and dining, or Fells Point for historic streets and pubs.

When is the best time to visit Baltimore?

April to May and September to October. Summers are hot and humid, and winters are cold but quiet.