Experience the Charm of Charm City Visit, Shop, and Enjoy Baltimore’S Neighborhoods
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ACRL 2017 Carrie Bertling Disclafani and Jennifer C. Hill Experience the charm of Charm City Visit, shop, and enjoy Baltimore’s neighborhoods altimore, often referred to as Charm City, opened in 1980 as a flagship for the down- Bhas more than 250 neighborhoods, each town revival. It’s comprised of several local with its own unique quirks and personal- shops like Hats in the Belfry and McCormick ity. There’s something here for everyone. World of Flavors, which offers unique spices Whether you want to enjoy homemade pasta and blends not often found at grocery stores. in Little Italy or thrift shop in Hampden, It also includes many national retailers that you’re bound to find hidden treasures as you may be familiar with, such as H&M and you explore Baltimore’s historic streets and Urban Outfitters. There is additional indoor diverse neighborhoods. shopping located directly across Pratt Street Several of the most popular neighbor- in the Gallery Mall. If you want a break from hoods are within walking distance of the Con- shopping, check out the National Aquarium vention Center or easy to or the Maryland Science get to by public transit. Center. Need advice or The Charm City Circula- directions? The Balti- tor (charmcitycirculator. more Visitor Center (401 com) is a free bus that Light Street) is also locat- hits most of the down- ed in the Inner Harbor. town neighborhoods. Taxis and Uber rides Walk a few blocks east of the Inner are also easy to get throughout the city. Harbor along the waterfront and across the For a more scenic view, you can ride the pedestrian bridges to find Harbor East, Baltimore Water Taxi (baltimorewatertaxi. a chic neighborhood with a mix of local com) to locations around the Inner Harbor boutiques and popular stores, such as J. and even out to Fort McHenry. We’ve high- Crew, Lush, and Anthropologie. Walk down lighted several of the most popular neigh- President Street to the traffic circle, which borhoods nearest to the convention center, will put you on Aliceanna Street. One of but check out Visit Baltimore (baltimore.org/ our favorite shops is Curiosity, a home and neighborhoods-maps) for additional options gift boutique that is carefully curated by an and information. interior designer. Harbor East is also home The Convention Center is located within to the regional chain South Moon Under, a the Inner Harbor, a main tourist destination for people visiting the city. Pratt and Light Carrie Bertling Disclafani is distance education Streets are often bustling with a mix of busi- librarian for the Entrepreneurial Library Program, email: [email protected], and Jennifer C. Hill is distance ness people and visitors, strolling through education librarian/electronic resources manager, Harborplace and checking out Baltimore’s email: [email protected], at The Sheridan Libraries historic ships. Harborplace, a cluster of at Johns Hopkins University shops and restaurants lining the waterfront, © 2016 Carrie Bertling Disclafani and Jennifer C. Hill November 2016 509 C&RL News Storefronts on Thames Street from across the Patapsco in Fell’s Point. Photo credit: Preserva- tion Baltimore (https://www.flickr.com/photos/presmd/21416727309/), CC BY-SA 2.0. popular women’s and men’s clothing store. many other types of shops here, as well. Visit More upscale shops include Handbags in the award-winning indie toy store, aMuse; the City and Sassanova shoes. Warby Parker Zelda Zen, which contains jewelry from is a new addition, offering trendy glasses at around the world; and Emporium Collagia, affordable prices. Finally, a shopping trip to a self-proclaimed “treasure cave.” In addi- Harbor East would not be complete without tion, browse Su Casa, a home and gift shop, visiting the Under Armour Brand House. Bal- which has been a Baltimore staple for more timore is home to Under Armour, and here than 15 years; and check out one of the top you will find a large selection that includes places to buy records in the United States, Baltimore-exclusive products. The Sound Garden. Up for more adventures Only a few blocks further east along the after the shops are closed? Grab a drink waterfront or a short Charm City Circulator at The Horse You Came in on Saloon. It’s ride (orange route), Fell’s Point is known America’s oldest continually operated saloon for being one of Baltimore’s oldest historic and is rumored to be the last destination neighborhoods, complete with cobblestone of Edgar Allan Poe before his death. Other streets, waterfront views, and locally owned fun attractions include taking a pirate ship shops. Founded in 1730 by William Fell, ride with Baltimore’s Urban Pirates (urban- Clipper ships were built in and operated out pirates.com), joining a Saturday ghost tour of Fell’s Point, and it is one of the original (baltimoreghosttours.com), or getting deli- three settlements that merged to form the cious gelato and a coffee at Pitango. beginnings of Baltimore City. Stroll up and On the south side of the harbor, Federal down Thames Street and around Broadway Hill served as an important lookout during Square in order to hit all of the boutiques, the War of 1812 and later during the Civil restaurants, and bars. (You’ll hear live music War. The historic lookout is now a park, of- pouring out of many bars after dusk). While fering fantastic views of the harbor and city there are plenty of clothing stores, there are skyline. The greater Federal Hill neighbor- C&RL News November 2016 510 hood includes brick-front row homes, locally tage clothing or a good cigar, head northwest owned shops and restaurants, and a lively on Read Street to explore Mount Vernon bar scene. Between Light and South Charles Tobacco, Bottle of Bread, and Keepers Streets, the Cross Street Market, one of Bal- Vintage. Antique hunters should continue timore’s historic public markets, is a great just off the beaten path to the 800 block of place to rub elbows with the locals as you North Howard Street, home to several of enjoy a Natty Boh (nationalbohemian.com) Baltimore’s longstanding antique dealers. and inexpensive seafood. A very walkable Check out Imperial Half Bushel, proffering neighborhood, Federal Hill is great place 18th- and 19th-century silverware; Antique to browse boutiques, such as Brightside, Row Stalls, a multi-dealer exhibition space; Pandora’s Box, and Phina’s Fine Linen & and Dubey’s Art & Antiques, specializing in Gifts. The Book Escape is also a must visit international porcelain and ceramics. if you are a used-book enthusiast. Fed Hill A visit to Hampden requires a short taxi/ can be reached on the Charm City Circula- Uber ride, but it’s worth the trip. Among tor (purple route). Up for a little walk? The Baltimore’s quirkiest neighborhoods, Hamp- American Visionary Art Museum (avam. den’s main drag, 36th Street (aka “The Av- org) is at the base of Federal Hill and their enue”), is lined with many unique shopping gift shop is worth the trek, offering eclectic opportunities. In addition to many thrift and wares from original artwork to novelty toys antique stores, Hampden is also home to by people who are not formally trained art- several great places to find the perfect gift. ists. It’s highly recommended for all first-time Starting at Chestnut Avenue, Bazaar is truly a visitors to Baltimore. bizarre bazaar. Then, heading west on 36th, Back on the northern side of the har- you’ll find Charm City Chocolate; The Wine bor and a short Charm City Circulator ride Source (just north on Elm Avenue), sell- (purple route) up from the water is Mount ing booze, cheese, and local foods; Trohv, Vernon. Home to the Walters Art Museum, featuring gifts and furniture; The True Vine the Maryland Historical Society, Center Stage record shop (just south on Hickory Avenue); Theater, America’s first Catholic Cathedral, and Milagro, trading in globally inspired the Enoch Pratt Free Library, and George goods. At the western end of 36th, cross Peabody Library, Mount Vernon is consid- Falls Road and find Lovelyarns knitting sup- ered the cultural center of the city. Here, the ply shop and Atomic Books. In addition to grand mansions of Baltimore’s 19th-century being a great local business, Atomic Books industrialists have had their ground floors is where director John Waters has his fan repurposed into galleries, shops, and restau- mail delivered. Hang out long enough at rants. Support local artisans at Baltimore’s the small, neighborhood bar in the back, newest foodie destination, the Mount Vernon Eightbar, and you may spot Waters and his Marketplace (mtvernonmarketplace.com), famous mustache. then head east on Hamilton Street to find We hope you enjoy exploring Baltimore’s North Charles Street, the main thoroughfare many neighborhoods. While several are in this part of the city. Starting here at Ham- featured here, there are still many other ilton and Charles, you’ll find handcrafted noteworthy neighborhoods, such as Little imports at A People United and designer Italy, Canton, and Locust Point, that you eyeglasses at Paris West Optical. Walk north may also want to venture to on your own. past Baltimore’s Washington Monument and From the upscale shops of Harbor East to continue on to find funky, vintage clothing the high kitsch of Hampden, there’s a place and accessories at The ZONE or stop in at for everyone in Charm City. Stay tuned for the Spirits of Mount Vernon wine shop (free upcoming articles about Baltimore’s arts and tastings every Friday starting at 5 p.m. and culture and where to eat and drink around wine by the glass daily).