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Cue LL Cool J.
A formerly crime-ridden East Coast city is making a comeback. Not to one-up Travel + Leisure but we’ve reported how underrated this city is way before their April feature.
But, they are travel experts after all and have brought some of the city’s latest appeal to the spotlight, showcasing new hotels, innovative restaurants, and an energetic shift in what was once considered one of America’s most dangerous cities.
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Baltimore back in the dark days of needing explore with your head on a swivel.
Notice how I said “pleasure” — it’s truly a great (and often misrepresented) city that rivals other major East Coast metropolises in terms of culture, cuisine, beauty, and history.
Baltimore’s only question mark has been safety. As I said last time I featured Baltimore, crime rates have dropped tremendously, and even more so now.
Just yesterday CBS News reported one of the safest months Baltimore has seen in recent memory with a 31% decrease in violent crime — a key reason why there’s a new undeniable buzz permeating in Maryland’s most populous city.
Baltimore Is Safe And Ready For Business
Baltimore is one of those cities real investors salivate over. Whether in “the hood” or random historic staples slowly crumbling downtown have changed hands more often than a politician’s promises.
There was a time when even walking through downtown Baltimore could be dicey, especially come sundown, and that’s what I was warned about years ago.
You know, the lifelong local seeing the obvious tourist, telling me to go to X but not Y and so forth.
While crime is always a fickle subject, there’s no questioning that Baltimore is on the other side of The Wire’s portrayal, like Travel + Leisure points out.
Once dilapidated buildings are no longer trap house props for rap videos, they’ve been given new life with trendy new restaurants and hotels.
Take one of Baltimore’s icons, for example. The more than century-old Latrobe Building, which went from high-end apartments in its heyday to a more recent derelict memory, now houses Hotel Ulysses, a posh boutique property garnering rave reviews.
This is one example of many. On a smaller scale, once forbidden neighborhoods are now being revitalized with remodeled homes, small business openings, and more programs to get the less fortunate off the streets.
Got Crabs? Baltimore Is One Of The Top U.S. Foodie Cities
Not everyone has a palate for seafood, but the usual concern is not knowing where your dish of choice is sourced from.
Well, there’s no better place to alleviate those concerns as the Chesapeake Bay is practically a fresh seafood buffet at your fingertips.
Baltimore’s famous blue crabs are a must for any foodie. In fact, it’s safe to say it’s a way of life.
Locals get, wait for it, crabby without indulging in a variety of crustacean concoctions, most notably served steamed or as crab cakes (my favorite).
While this has long been the city’s claim to fame in the food scene, there are numerous daring new restaurants elevating Baltimore’s culinary landscape.
These 6 innovative restaurants were highlighted by Travel + Leisure as the latest must-visits:
- Little Donna’s
- Faidley’s Seafood
- Rooted Rotiserrie
- Tavern at Woodberry Kitchen
- Roost
- Sagamore Spirit Distillery
What’s overlooked is Little Italy, perhaps the city’s most overlooked neighborhood as Baltimore is surprisingly cultural — not just a diehard football town.
My go-to is Chiapparelli’s Restaurant, a community staple since 1940 serving homemade Italian favorites like “Grandma’s Ravioli” and a salad that could put Olive Garden out of business.
Cheap Summer Stays & Surprising Attractions
If you’re a well seasoned traveler surely you know summer prices tend to spike, but not so much in Baltimore.
Let’s compare to another nearby foodie city, Philadelphia. A 4-star Marriott in downtown Philly goes for $209 this summer, while the same hotel goes for $113 in Baltimore. (Marriott Inner Harbor)
Baltimore’s harbor is a great starting point for the city, with ample walking paths and a vibrant promenade. It’s a beautiful area. So much so, Kevin Spacey refused to leave!
Whether it be fascinating art museums like The American Visionary Art Museum, the top-rated National Aquarium, or hoping to score the perfect selfie in Graffiti Alley, there’s something for everyone.
Plus, Baltimore has a few off-the-wall attractions too like finding the ouija board founder’s gravestone shaped, yes, like a oujia board, or The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum (reservations required) to find out how the Baltimore Ravens got their name, or The Peale Museum, one of America’s oldest museums.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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