Interesting places near Baltimore Maryland?

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aspiring_sage

Part of the Furniture Now
Oct 7, 2021
556
1,946
West of the Twin Cities, MN
I'm taking a surprise work trip to Maryland all next week, northeast of Baltimore.
I'm completely unfamiliar with this part of the country. Looking for local info/advice.

I plan to bring some pipes, but wondering what sort of culture I'll find out there. How friendly to smoking will the place probably be?

Any great B&Ms people would recommend? I went to the Retailer Directory and found some places within driving distance. I've never really been to a real B&M tobacco shop, they don't seem to exist where I live. The shops around here say "TOBACCO" on the outside, but all seem to be headshops in disguise. Given the historical significance of tobacco in the area, I hope there could be a neat experience to be had. Not to mention I've got to replace some broken clay pipes.

Since I have your ear, I'm interested in recommendations for non-tobacco related sightseeing as well. Considering whether it is worth the ~2 hour drive to see DC?
 

kcghost

Lifer
May 6, 2011
15,141
25,687
77
Olathe, Kansas
The drive to DC is worth it. They have so much to see there. It is just and incredible place. Turn off the Beltway and go over a modest bridge and you are in the heart of everything. If time is limited be sure to visit the Lincoln Memorial and the Viet Nam Memorial. The first as proud as you have ever been to be an American and the second will make you feel so sad.
 
Jun 9, 2015
3,970
24,838
42
Mission, Ks
Inner Harbour tour the USS Constellation, USCG Taney, USS Torsk. Fort McHenry is across the harbor go tour that.



 

PaulRVA

Lifer
May 29, 2023
4,697
78,781
“Tobacco Row” Richmond Virginia USA
I'm taking a surprise work trip to Maryland all next week, northeast of Baltimore.
I'm completely unfamiliar with this part of the country. Looking for local info/advice.

I plan to bring some pipes, but wondering what sort of culture I'll find out there. How friendly to smoking will the place probably be?

Any great B&Ms people would recommend? I went to the Retailer Directory and found some places within driving distance. I've never really been to a real B&M tobacco shop, they don't seem to exist where I live. The shops around here say "TOBACCO" on the outside, but all seem to be headshops in disguise. Given the historical significance of tobacco in the area, I hope there could be a neat experience to be had. Not to mention I've got to replace some broken clay pipes.

Since I have your ear, I'm interested in recommendations for non-tobacco related sightseeing as well. Considering whether it is worth the ~2 hour drive to see DC?
All the Historical B&M’s in Baltimore are now defunct. If time permits head to DC and hit up Georgetown Tobacco. Well worth the drive.
If you time the traffic between 11&2
When the HOV lanes reverse you can make it in without any delays.
If Baltimore is it then Ft. McHenry and somewhere for a crab cake sandwich and a local beer.
 

macaroni

Lifer
Oct 28, 2020
1,015
3,196
Texas
. . . If time permits head to DC and hit up Georgetown Tobacco . . . .
If going to Georgetown Tobacco, be sure and pick up some Night Owl. Delicious! I've been smoking it since the late 70's. Yummy (some good Va's there too)
kindly
mike

p.s. Inner Harbor was fun. I don't recommend the Red Roof Inn on the outskirts for ANYTHING--got stuck there overnight after Baltimore AFEE's on the way to Parris Island--yuck! LOL
 

Pooh-Bah

Can't Leave
Apr 21, 2023
403
4,293
32
Central Maryland
If you feel like a bit of drive, Old Salty's down on Hooper's Island is a very solid restaurant - buddy of mine used to have a summer home there that I'd spent a weekend or two at every year. Lovely scenery for the drive - a lot of farms and water.
I also recommend Matcha Time in Ellicott City - cozy little Japanese cafe that opened up cuz a local Japanese lady was homesick.

And see if you can get some genuine Smith Island Cake somewhere, it's like... fourteen alternating layers of thin cake and fudge.

Most stores around here that say "Tobacco" are also head shops, so I've given up on walking into a B&M expecting to find something good. The lone exception to that that I've seen is Davidus Cigars.
 
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Kobold

Lifer
Feb 2, 2022
1,420
4,956
Maryland
If you are close to the PA line I would hit up Boswells. Chesapeake Pipe and Cigar in Annapolis is a great store and close to downtown historic Annapolis. Nice place to walk around and you could stop in a check out the Naval Academy.
The Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore is pretty interesting if you like outsider art. You could swing by Fells Point for some food and beer and record shopping. I would also strongly suggest taking in an Orioles game at Camden Yards. Great ballpark and the Os have a great young team this year.
I hate driving around DC and avoid it at all cost but you might be more patient than I am. If you are not I would take the Metro in and check out all the awesome museums and monuments. I’ve never been to the Georgetown tobacco shop but I probably should. Georgetown in a fun place to walk around. Adams Morgan is another fun place too with Smash Records and various eateries.
Hope that helps and I hope you have a great time!
 

WhiteCrown

Starting to Get Obsessed
Apr 29, 2023
176
520
Pac NW, USA
this is what I think of when I think of interesting places in B-More.
The Aquarium was pretty amazing back in the day I assume it still is.
Last time I went to the aquarium was about a year ago, as long as you go when there aren't to many people it still is pretty amazing. I went on a weekend once and there was barely enough space to see most of the exhibits. Probably the most crowded place I've ever been besides front stage at a concert. If you can't see anything it doesn't matter how amazing it is.

DC is absolutely worth it, just plan ahead for your parking so you aren't driving around in circles making that 2hr trip close to 3. In addition to the Capitol Mall memorials, which are absolute must-sees, several of the museums are free and definitely worth a visit.

Lastly, you should go to the big front doors on the corner of the Department of Justice and bang the big door knocker rings saying, "Hello? Is anybody in there? We are looking for some Justice, do you have any of that?" The security guard came around the corner and politely told my wife and I not to do that while chuckling. It was the highlight of my last trip to DC. They looked real but seemed to be made of plastic, very fitting.
 

Trainpipeman

Can't Leave
Feb 4, 2021
494
1,840
Rhode Island
A suggestion...traffic between Baltimore and D.C. can be horrible. MARC, the commuter agency, offers multiple trips between the two. D.C. has a good subway system, reaching many points.
 
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Streeper541

Lifer
Jun 16, 2021
3,178
20,158
44
Spencer, OH
Inner Harbour tour the USS Constellation, USCG Taney, USS Torsk. Fort McHenry is across the harbor go tour that.



I was going to recommend all these same things.
Also, there are a couple unique attractions downtown near Camden Yards (where the Orioles play) There is a Babe Ruth birthplace & museum a few blocks away, if you're a baseball fan. You can also visit Edgar Allen Poe's grave if that's your thing.

I usually try to eat at the James Joyce Irish Pub and the Rusty Scupper when I'm staying in the Inner Harbor. The National Aquarium is excellent.
 

bullet08

Lifer
Nov 26, 2018
10,199
41,435
RTP, NC. USA
They took a lot of that stuff and have it on display at Clark’s Farm now . We went this spring to check it out and it was kind of cool but the food options sucked.
While dating my wife in college, we took a trip to Baltimore. More like little off near Annapolis. First stop was Ellicott City for the Enchanted Forest. It was cute, and quiet, but wasn't for the college kids.
 
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warren

Lifer
Sep 13, 2013
12,296
18,313
Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK
Most of the entire eastern theater of the War of the Rebellion is within a day's drive from, Gettysburg/York to Sharpsburg, and Harper's Ferry. Manassas, First and Second, to Richmond and everything in between. Annapolis, the Navel Academy, is worth a day trip.
 
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georged

Lifer
Mar 7, 2013
6,016
16,328

Screen Shot 2023-08-25 at 4.43.14 PM.png
 
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lupy1234

Starting to Get Obsessed
Jul 3, 2023
138
397
Hanover, PA
Depending where in NE Baltimore, Philly and Delaware are also places to explore. Head east you will hit beaches or some amazing scenic river areas.
 

RookieGuy80

Part of the Furniture Now
Jul 6, 2023
734
2,710
Maryland, United States
I work in NE Baltimore. I'm not sure if you're going to be staying in Baltimore itself or in the County just outside. Also where are you coming from and how are you getting there?

The only real place to find pipe tobacco in a B&M around Charm City is a regional chain called Davidus. It's... ok. A few tins of C&D/GLP and a couple standards now from Peterson. If you're coming from the south on I81, swing by Winchester, VA to John B. Smith. It's worth the stop.

For food we are indeed known for our crab cakes, but the market price is ridiculous right now. Papa's, Mos, and Kokos are your best bets for an authentic Maryland crab cake. We also have a unique take on BBQ, which we call "pit [meat]". Chaps on Pulaski Highway is the famous one, all the Food Network talking heads stop by there. But the real deal is a tiny little former gas station up to the north a little called Jake's. The food is amazing, worth its... interesting parking. And Federal Hill or Fells Point are where I'd recommend getting your thirst quenched, with tons of small eatery options sprinkled in. And our unofficial drink is National Bohemian beer. But for God's sake, do not order a "National Bohemian"! You want a Boh, or Natty Boh. The pictograms in the bottle caps are fun and get progressively more challenging as the night goes on.

As far as stuff to do, that really depends on what you like. Orioles tickets are still pretty cheap, and it might be fun to check out the ball park that started the current trend of integrating the stadium into the cityscape instead of standing out so much. Ft. McHenry is a great place if you are a history buff. There as much history in this town of mine than I've seen in many places, so if there's a period you like you'll probably be able to find a historic spot to see and appreciate. If you like craft beer, a 30-45 minute trip along I70 to Frederick should definitely be on your itinerary. More craft breweries per square mile than anywhere else I've seen. And if you like live music, Power Plant Live would be your most consistent option.

Annapolis is a wonderful excursion. Parking will be most convenient at the West Street Garage. At the traffic circle, take a right going down the hill toward the harbor (I can't remember for the life of me what that street is called). Poke at the shops on your way down, but the real show is Ego Alley at the harbor. It's always nice looking out at yachts that cost more than my house and car and children's college funds. And while you're there, it's worth the $5 to get into Sandy Point State Park. It's right on the Bay, right next to one of our more distinctive landmarks.

I'm not sure how much time you'll have, where you're coming from, how you're getting there, how often you visit the area, and who you'll be with. But if you've never been, you owe it to yourself to see the nation's capitol. As long as you're not trying to drive down to DC during rush hour, I can't recommend making the trip enough. Park at BWI, take the Marc down, and the metro while you're in DC. There's too much to recommend there, so go through a guidebook and see what tickles your interests.

As far a pipe smoking here, you're ok as long as you're not smoking inside. Outside, Baltimore has too many problems to worry about someone smoking, well, anything.

Since I brought up the problems of Baltimore, I'll touch on them a minute. Yes, the news stories are true. Just pay attention to where you are. Like any other city.

If you want specific recommendations on what to do or see, let us know what you're interested in (beyond the art of turning smoldering tobacco into happiness) and I can be much more helpful. I know Baltimore is not everyone's idea of a garden spot, but still I'm glad you're coming to see Charm City for yourself. Even if it's not your first choice.

Edit: For souvenirs, I'd recommend a can of Old Bay and something with our flag on it. Maryland in general has a simple belief. If you can eat it, put Old Bay on it. If you can't eat it, put the flag on it.