Baltimore is the biggest city (but not the capital) in Maryland, USA. It has a population of over 600,000 people, within a metropolitan area of 2.7 million people. The city is location along the bank of the Patapsco River, which is part of Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is an important seaport - in fact, it was the second biggest port of entry for immigrants in the early 20th century.
The port of Baltimore was established in 1706 to facilitate the tobacco trade. The town itself was founded in 1729 and named after the first proprietary governor of Maryland, Cecilius Calvert, Lord Baltimore.
A massive fire, known today as the Great Baltimore Fire, destroyed much of the city in 1904, forcing a rebuild. In 1968 it was rocked by rioting in the wake of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
By the 1970's the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore has become derelict. Revitalization of the city took place towards the end of the 70's with the construction of the Baltimore Convention Center.
Today Baltimore has several new tourist attractions at the waterfront. It is a popular tourist destination, and is perhaps best known as the city where the US national anthem, Star Spangled Banner, was written in 1814 by 35-year-old amateur poet Francis Scott Key.
By Bus
Getting to Baltimore by bus is the most economical option. There are several bus companies with services to Baltimore including Greyhound Bus, Apex Bus, MVP Bus and Megabus.
By Train
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has train services connecting Baltimore with Washington DC
Amtrak also has a service to Baltimore's Penn Station, which is quite a distance from the Harbor area. There is however a light rail system from the station operated by MTA.
By Plane
The Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) gets mostly domestic flights. If you arrive by plane, you can take the MTA's light rail train to the city. The airport's car rental facility is located away from the airport terminal, connected by the airport shuttle bus, so you have to add an additional half an hour to rent a car out of the airport.
Travel within Baltimore
The most convenient form of budget transport in Baltimore is the MTA's light rail trains, along with its buses and subway. For just $3.50, you can buy an unlimited ride day-pass, available from the bus operator or the vending machines.
Here are some of the sights in Baltimore which you might want to visit when you're there.
American Visionary Art Museum This museum houses an eccentric collect of "art" by self-taught artists, whose medium ranges from matchsticks to artificial pearls.
Baltimore Museum of Art This museum has a good collection that inlcudes the works of Picasso, Degas, Van Gogh, Matisse and even Andy Warhol.
Fort Henry This fort defended the Baltimore harbor against British naval bombardment in 1812.
Maryland Science Center This site at Baltimore's Harbor is where the young and young-at-heart gets to learn science the fun way. It includes a Planetarium and IMAX Theater.
Maryland Zoo Formerly known as Baltimore Zoo, this is the third oldest zoo in the United States.
National Aquarium Baltimore's enormous aquarium is one of its biggest attractions.
Walters Art Museum This museum has collection that ranges from Greek and Roman classical art to Rubens, Monet and Manet.
Washington Monument Washington D.C. is not the only place with one, Baltimore also has a Washington Monument, and older too.
Westminster Hall and Burying Ground This is a graveyard and former church, most famous as the final resting place of Edgar Allan Poe.
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