Top Rated Attracties in Baltimore

Considered one of the finest examples of Neoclassical architecture, the Baltimore Basilica is the nation's oldest Catholic cathedral. Begun in 1806 and completed in 1821, the cathedral was designed by Benjamin Latrobe, architect of the U.S. Capitol. With its six Corinthian columns fronting a grand portico, the cathedral resembles a Greek temple. Nine stained-glass windows fill the massive interior with light. Visitors in recent years have included Pope John Paul II and the late Mother Theresa.

Opened in 1992, this baseball stadium incorporates the old Baltimore & Ohio RR Warehouse building into its asymmetrical design. The home plate and right field foul pole came from the old Memorial Stadium, the former home of the Orioles. Ninety-minute tours are given on weekday mornings as long as there isn't an afternoon game. If the O's are in town, be sure to grab a ticket, as seeing a game here is a real treat!

'Visionary Art' is a term used to describe art that is created by people who use ordinary media to express their own intensely personal ideas about life. This museum has assembled a wonderful collection of this very Visionary art. Since Visionary artists generally lack formal training, and work outside of established art traditions, their works are as bold, innovative and inspirational as the visions that spawned them. Children under six years of age are free.

The sight of the American flag flying over Fort McHenry inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the 'Star Spangled Banner'. The fort is best known for the part it played during the War of 1812, successfully holding off an attack by the British Navy. When Scott Key saw the flag still flying over the fort after surviving the attack, he wrote the poem that became the national anthem. Today, the fort is a National Historic Park. The restored barracks hold exhibits of military and historical artifacts and a well-kept trail runs along the water's edge, affording spectacular views of ships entering and leaving the busy harbor.

This aquarium is perhaps the greatest attraction in Baltimore's celebrated Inner Harbor. The exceptional exhibits start small with samples of marine life from local waters, however, visitors soon find themselves eye-to-eye with amphibians, reptiles, sharks, rays, and other wonderful sea creatures. Here, the simulated rainforest ecosystem and the regularly scheduled dolphin tours are not just popular but even awe-inspiring. A multiple awards winner for various categories like best aquarium and attraction, this aquarium is a big favorite of people of all sizes, especially children.

The soul of this museum is its spacious wing dedicated to Modern Art masters like Rothko, de Kooning, Pollock, and their contemporaries. A haven for art enthusiasts and even culture seekers, The Baltimore Museum of Art is famed for housing the second-largest private collection of Andy Warhol's works and displaying exquisite artworks spanning various styles and times. Also, exquisite collections by celebrated artists like Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse, Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh are displayed here. It also features African art, Asian art, American Indian pieces, European art, and a beautiful sculpture garden. The BMA is also home to the Cone Collection, a treasury of Early Modern masterpieces.