Baltimore's Inner Harbor Presents Pristine Views

More than 13 million people make their way through the Inner Harbor each year, easily making the area the central hub for the city. Whether you are interested in exploring the numerous cultural attractions of the area, sightseeing or sampling some of the fine dining and shopping options in the Inner Area you will find a wide variety of activities to keep you busy.

Baltimore has served as a major seaport since the early 18th century. The shallow waters of the Inner Harbor were historically not deep enough to allow heavy industry in the area or even to suit the passage of large ships. As a result, the Inner Harbor became mainly a light freight commercial port and even served as a passenger port until the 1950s. At that time economic shifts resulted in the termination of both passenger and freight use of the Inner Harbor.

Over time the rotting warehouses and piers that remained were torn down and replaced with open parkland areas that have been frequently used for large events including city fairs. The 1970s saw significant renovation and revival of the area. In 1980 the waterfront festival marketplace, Harborplace, officially opened. In the last few years the Inner Harbor has come to be a central cultural hub for the city and is now home to many of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. Two of the main attractions in the area today include the National Aquarium and the Maryland Science Center.

Dining

When it comes to fine dining and entertainment, the Inner Harbor is the premier entertainment and dining district in Baltimore. At Harborplace you will find a variety of well known restaurants including the Cheesecake Factory, Capitol City Brewing Company and McCormick & Schmick's as well as the M&S Grill.

Shopping

Visitors will find scores of small souvenir shops throughout the pavilions scattered through the Inner Harbor. For more high-end shopping, take a trek over to Pratt Street where you will be able to shop until your heart is content at stores such as Ann Taylor, J. Crew and Banana Republic.

Entertainment

A variety of entertainment venues exist in the Inner Harbor, providing visitors with ample opportunities to enjoy themselves. The outdoor amphitheater offers free concerts as well as demonstrations through the year. In addition, there are numerous nightlife options that will keep the fun going until the wee hours of the morning.

Sightseeing

Numerous historical landmarks as well as several more modern tourist attractions are located in Inner Harbor. Museums worth seeing in the area include the American Visionary Art Museum, Baltimore Museum of Industry, Civil War Museum, Geppi's Entertainment Museum and Port Discovery Children's Museum. Visitors will also find several ships stationed in the harbor including the SS John W. Brown, and the last American Civil War ship still floating; the USS Constellation. The Baltimore Maritime Museum is home to several ships such as the USCGC Taney, the last ship from the attack on Pearl Harbor that is still floating. The last ship to sink an enemy vessel in World War II, the USS Torsk, is also located in the museum.