I’ve spent many days in Washington, D.C. however have never taken time to drive just a hour away to the city of Baltimore. Not only was the national anthem The Star-Spangled banner written there but Baltimore has been home to pretty famous people including Edgar Allan Poe, Billie Holiday, and Babe Ruth.

As I had business again in D.C. this week I decided to head to Baltimore for a couple of days to check it out. Let’s just say 48 hours in Baltimore is not enough time.

Where to Stay? 

Hilton Baltimore 401 W Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland

While there are many fantastic hotels in Baltimore, I am a Hilton girl. My husband and I have been long time Hilton Honors members. The Hilton Baltimore is in a great location in the Inner Harbour right next door to Camden Yards and M&T Stadium. It’s in walking distance to many restaurants, shops, and attractions.

Plus could you really get a better view than this one from my hotel room? I could wake up to this everyday.

Where to Eat? 

Annabel Lee Tavern 601 St Clinton St, Baltimore, Maryland

A really cool restaurant off the beaten path is the Annabel Lee Tavern inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe. I can’t wait to return to this place. The drinks were good and the food was even better. I highly recommend The Annapolis (grilled chicken sandwich topped with crab dip). The ambiance is a bit spooky but in a good way. This tavern is great for out of town visitors who love Poe but I also highly recommend it for date night. I will be returning during my next visit.

What to do?

There are so many attractions in Baltimore that you need more than one visit to the city to enjoy them all. While there are an array of museums in the area, I highly enjoyed walking around the city and taking it all in.

The historic neighborhood of Fell’s Point is one not to miss. For those that are soccer fans, Slainte Irish Pub and Restaurant has been voted the #1 soccer bar in Baltimore and has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. While I didn’t get to eat there as they were packed from a major soccer match on t.v., I did check out their sister restaurant Kooper’s Tavern which is right next door.  If food and beer is not what you are looking for, grab a water taxi to another popular attraction such as  Fort McHenry or the National Aquarium.

I could not visit the area without going to see where the famous Edgar Allan Poe was buried. This isn’t just because I am a fan. I have always had an interest in genealogy. One of the most interesting stories that my family discovered was that we are related to Mr. Poe. Pretty cool, right? When Edgar married his cousin Virginia, he married into my family. Visiting his grave and memorial was overwhelming and even a bit emotional for me. While I stood alone in the cemetery, I felt the presence of so many around me. It was amazing.

As I mentioned, 48 hours isn’t enough time to see this beautiful city. I plan on returning in the near future for a getaway with my husband. Have you been to Baltimore? What’s your favorite attraction?