Planning a Baltimore weekend getaway? Two days give you enough time to discover a city that is far more varied than you might think. I absolutely love it here.
I’ve put together this Baltimore travel itinerary for a first visit, grouping stops geographically so you spend less time crossing the city and more time exploring it.
Whether you’re planning a girls’ getaway, a couples’ break, a solo Baltimore weekend trip, or want to see more of the city, here’s how I’d spend 2 days in Baltimore.
Before you go, read these tips for travelling to Baltimore for more help planning your stay.
Your Baltimore Weekend Itinerary at a Glance
This route combines some of the best-known Baltimore attractions with neighborhoods where you can slow down and explore.
Day one: Breakfast near the Inner Harbor, USS Constellation, a waterfront stroll and an afternoon and evening in Fell’s Point.
Day two: Fort McHenry, lunch in Federal Hill, the American Visionary Art Museum and a skyline view from Federal Hill Park.
This plan assumes two full sightseeing days, ideally with arrival on Friday evening.
If you arrive on Saturday morning, skip the sit-down breakfast.
Day One of Your Baltimore Weekend Getaway
Start with Breakfast at Miss Shirley’s Cafe
Start your day at the Inner Harbor branch of Miss Shirley’s Cafe, at 750 East Pratt Street.
Its menu includes blueberry pancakes, chicken and waffles, and coconut cream stuffed French toast.
Give yourself around an hour for breakfast before walking west along East Pratt Street to USS Constellation at Pier 1.
It’s about a 10–15 minute walk, so there’s no need for another taxi or rideshare.
Tip: Check the ship’s opening time for your date and enjoy the waterfront if you arrive early.
Step Aboard USS Constellation
You’ll probably want around 60–90 minutes aboard USS Constellation, depending on how much time you spend exploring the lower decks.
There are four decks to explore, from the open-air sailing deck to the guns and captain’s cabin below.
Farther down are the crew’s living quarters and the hold where supplies were stored.
Check Historic Ships in Baltimore for current admission, opening hours and which vessels are available.
Keep Constellation as your main visit, leaving the rest of the collection optional so the morning stays relaxed.
Please Note: Lower decks require stairs or ship’s ladders.
An elevator and gangway provide access to the top deck;
Check access arrangements with staff beforehand. Wear flat, closed-toe shoes.
Baltimore Weekend Getaway: Walk Along the Inner Harbor and Stop for Lunch
After the ship, follow the waterfront east towards Harbor East.
It’s roughly a 20–25 minute walk to lunch, although I’d give yourself longer because
this is one of those stretches where you’ll probably stop for photographs.
Stop at Lebanese Taverna in Harbor East, at 719 South President Street.
It fits naturally between Pier 1 and Fell’s Point, and its windows look towards the water.
From here, the character of the weekend begins to change.
Leave the busier Inner Harbor behind and continue east towards Fell’s Point,
where Baltimore starts to feel older, smaller and more neighborhood-like.
My Baltimore Inner Harbor guide has more ideas if you want to spend longer here.
Prefer some time on the water? Book an Inner Harbor sightseeing cruise before continuing east, shortening your shopping time to fit.
Check the departure point and sailing time before arranging lunch.
Explore the Shops and Streets of Fell’s Point
Spend the afternoon in Fell’s Point, one of the most atmospheric parts of Baltimore.
Old brick row houses, Belgian block streets, waterfront buildings and small independent shops
give the neighborhood a very different feel from the more open Inner Harbor.
From Lebanese Taverna, allow 15–20 minutes to reach Broadway Square.
Walk east along Aliceanna Street, then turn south on Broadway towards the water.
The Pier 1-to-Fell’s Point journey is roughly 35–45 minutes on foot in total, broken up by lunch.
Wander along Thames Street and around Broadway Square rather than treating Fell’s Point as another attraction to tick off.
This was once one of Baltimore’s great shipbuilding districts, and the old waterfront buildings and narrow streets still give you a sense of that history.
Frederick Douglass also lived and worked in Fell’s Point as a young man.
Wear comfortable shoes with a good grip, as the old paving can be uneven.
If you prefer exploring with a guide, consider a Fell’s Point culinary food tour.
Check its start time, duration and dietary arrangements, and let it replace lunch or dinner and some independent exploring.
Tip: Book lovers, don’t miss Greedy Reads at 1744 Aliceanna Street.
This independent bookshop makes a lovely stop for choosing a holiday read or gift.
This is the part of the weekend I wouldn’t over-plan.
Leave yourself time to browse, sit beside the water or stop somewhere simply because it looks interesting.
Baltimore Weekend Getaway: Book a Seafood Dinner
For dinner, Thames Street Oyster House keeps you right in Fell’s Point.
Set in a historic row house, it serves Maryland and other regional seafood, with a raw bar and a changing menu.
Reserve ahead for a weekend evening. Check alternatives in advance if someone in your group doesn’t eat seafood.
Oleum is a great choice for vegetarians and vegans.
Day Two of Your Baltimore Weekend Getaway
Discover the History of Fort McHenry
Have breakfast at your hotel or a nearby café, then head to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.
During the War of 1812, the fort’s defence against the British helped inspire Francis Scott Key’s words for ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’.
Seeing the fort, the water and the place where the story unfolded gives the song much more context.
Allow around two hours for the visitor center, historic fort and some time on the grounds.
Check the ranger program when you arrive.
The fort is about three miles from the Inner Harbor.
Allow roughly 15–25 minutes by taxi or rideshare from a central harbour hotel.
If this is not you, use the morning for a slower breakfast and begin Federal Hill with lunch.
After a morning centred on Baltimore’s national history, head back towards the city for a much more local-feeling afternoon in Federal Hill.
Baltimore Weekend Getaway: Have Lunch in Federal Hill
From Fort McHenry, it’s roughly a 10–15 minute taxi or rideshare to Cross Street Market in Federal Hill, making it an easy place to stop for lunch.
Cross Street Market has a mix of independent food vendors, so it works particularly well if everyone in your group wants something different.
Browse the stalls and choose something substantial enough to keep you going through the afternoon.
From the market, walk north on Light Street, then east along Key Highway to the museum at number 800.
Allow 15–20 minutes.
This part of your Baltimore getaway takes you from the neighborhood’s brick row houses back towards the waterfront.
After lunch, Baltimore changes character again.
The afternoon moves away from military and national history and towards one of the city’s most individual and creative attractions.
Visit the American Visionary Art Museum
Aim to reach the American Visionary Art Museum around 1:30 pm.
Around two hours gives you enough time to explore without rushing.
This is one of the most unusual places to visit in Baltimore.
The museum focuses on work by self-taught artists, so expect unconventional objects,
deeply personal stories and plenty of things you won’t see in a traditional art museum.
Outside, look for Vollis Simpson’s Whirligig, a colourful, wind-powered sculpture standing 55 feet tall.
Simpson was a farmer and mechanic who created it at the age of 76.
Finish with the View from Federal Hill Park
After the museum, allow 5–10 minutes to reach a viewpoint in Federal Hill Park.
The museum sits at the hill’s base, so this is a short uphill walk.
The view across the Inner Harbor towards downtown makes the climb worth it.
The view across the Inner Harbor towards downtown makes the short climb worth it and gives you one of the best final views of the weekend.
Baltimore Weekend Getaway: Essentials Packing List
Here are my tips on how to pack lightly. using a carry-on when traveling. And WHY it is almost a necessity!
This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors.
These RFID sleeves are another solution.
This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry on all my trips.
Don’t forget Apple AirTags to track your luggage. (Whether you fly or drive.)
My daughter gifted me this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday.
It is made of lightweight aluminum and is so easy to use.
I never leave home on a trip without a non-disposable water bottle.
Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle would work well for you as well.
This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great for a daily go-pack.
These unisex polarized sunglasses come in many lens colors and frame designs and are extremely affordable, too.
If you like aviator-style sunglasses, these polarized aviators may interest you.
As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from your qualifying purchases.
Baltimore Weekend Getaway: Where to Stay
For a first Baltimore weekend, I’d choose between the Inner Harbor and Fell’s Point.
Stay around the Inner Harbor if sightseeing convenience matters most and you want to minimize transport.
Choose Fell’s Point if you’d rather have historic streets, restaurants and evening atmosphere outside your hotel.
Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor
The Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor, at 300 Light Street is is particularly convenient for this itinerary.
You’re close to Pier 1 and within walking distance of Federal Hill, making it a practical base for both days.
Book a room specifically labelled with a harbour view if that matters to you.
Check rates and availability on Booking.com.
Pendry Baltimore
For a splurge, Pendry Baltimore occupies historic Recreation Pier in Fell’s Point.
It makes more sense for a special occasion or if you particularly want to stay in Fell’s Point.
Check rates and availability on Booking.com.
If this is your first visit and you’re following this itinerary closely, the Inner Harbor is probably the more practical base.
Fell’s Point wins on atmosphere
Practical Tips For Your Baltimore Weekend Getaway
You don’t need to rent a car for this itinerary.
The Inner Harbor, Harbor East, Fell’s Point and Federal Hill are walkable in sections,
while a taxi or rideshare makes more sense for Fort McHenry.
Wear comfortable shoes with a good grip, particularly for Fell’s Point, where some of the historic paving is uneven.
If you do bring a car, check your hotel’s daily parking charge before booking.
Once you’re staying centrally, you may find it easier to leave the car parked rather than use it for every stop.
Baltimore’s waterfront areas can involve more walking than they first appear to on a map,
so don’t fill every spare hour with another attraction.
This itinerary deliberately leaves some breathing room.
As you would in any unfamiliar city, know how you’re getting back to your hotel in the evening, particularly if you’re travelling alone.
Questions About Planning Your Baltimore Weekend Getaway
Is Two Days in Baltimore Enough?
Yes, two full days are enough for a first visit covering the Inner Harbor, Fell’s Point and a handful of major sights.
For a longer Baltimore vacation, add another day rather than squeezing more museums into this route.
What Are Good Things to Do in Baltimore When It Rains?
Keep the American Visionary Art Museum and shorten the outdoor walks.
USS Constellation has covered decks, but boarding and the top deck are exposed to the weather.
For persistent rain, replace the ship visit or Fort McHenry with the Walters Art Museum, which has free admission and opens on weekends.
It’s in Mount Vernon, north of the Inner Harbor, so allow for transport back to the waterfront afterwards.
Traveling to Baltimore: 10 Things You Need To Know