Are you looking for an exciting new destination to add to your 2023 travel list? If you’re seeking new cities to explore, look no further than Baltimore, as this great city has so much to offer to new visitors. It’s been affectionately named ‘Charm City’ for good reason – keep on reading as we’ve put together a list of the top 5 reasons why you should book a trip to Baltimore in 2023!
- Epic Sports
Here in Baltimore, there’s a strong sporting spirit – after all, don’t forget we’re home to the Baltimore Ravens and the Baltimore Orioles. The iconic Oriole Park at Camden Yards frequently hosts major league baseball, which draws in baseball fans from all across the globe. It’s always a thrill to throw on some bright purple clothes and head on down to a Ravens game where the atmosphere is second to none.
For sports fans, it’s important to note that online sports betting is now legal in Maryland, so there are multiple sportsbook apps to choose from since launching in November 2022. You can pay a visit to Oriole Park and enjoy placing a bet on your favorite – and who doesn’t love the thrill of a baseball game? Interestingly, online casino gambling is not yet legal in the state, though many folks speculate that this will be set to change in the coming years. After all, the neighboring state of New Jersey has famously opened its doors to the top real money online casinos and now enjoys the most online casino gambling revenue of any US state. So, could Maryland soon follow in New Jersey’s footsteps? We’ll keep you updated…
- Fresh Flavours
The city of Baltimore is home to the oldest fresh produce market in the United States – the Lexington Market is open six days a week, and it’s jam-packed with independent stalls selling incredible local produce as well as exciting ingredients from further afield. There’s so much variety to enjoy in this incredible market – wander through the stalls and you’ll find award-winning crab cakes, Malaysian stir fries, Italian deli sandwiches, hot donuts and fresh coffee! The new ‘Bmore Vegan Joint’ will even be coming soon to the lower market, so there truly is something for everyone. It’s an unforgettable venue for foodies, so don’t miss it if you head over to Baltimore this year!
- Those Famous Crab Cakes
Okay, so we’ve mentioned Baltimore’s incredible food scene already – but we think our iconic crab cakes deserve a section all of their own. You’ll have heard that Baltimore crabs are out of this world –and we think you really just have to come and try some for yourself. Maryland blue crab is a wonder to behold, and it’s treated with a lot of love and care around here – that iconic Old Bay seasoning was invented right here in Baltimore and seriously makes the crab cakes shine. No trip to Baltimore is complete without eating at least one crab cake – we’d recommend Faidley’s Seafood down at the Lexington Market for a classic, tried-and-tested local recipe, or Koco’s Pub where they’re selling Baltimore’s largest crab cake at a whopping eleven ounces. No two crab cakes are the same, and they’re all pretty incredible, so we say please don’t leave without trying one – or five!
- Creativity and Culture
Pay a visit to the Baltimore Museum of Art and you’ll be blown away by the unbelievable array of culture on display here in the city. Fans of Henri Matisse will be delighted by the museum’s collection of over 1000 of his works. For keen music lovers, there’s a lively music scene here – we’re home to Beach House, Tori Amos and Philip Glass – and many awesome acts play here at the Baltimore Soundstage.
- Charming Waterfront Parks
For those seeking a break from the city streets, the downtown area of Baltimore has a number of peaceful waterfront parks to explore. Patterson Park is a peaceful place for a sunny walk or cycle – our favorite is Canton Waterfront Park, which is a great place for a picnic in the summer. Canton Waterfront Park also hosts the annual Baltimore Seafood Festival every fall, featuring mouth-wateringly fresh local produce, live bands, and of course those crab cakes! If you like an outdoor food festival we think this is one of the best around – the location is ideal, and the seafood is seriously out of this world.
So – when are you coming to visit? We hope we’ve opened your eyes to the unique, vibrant local culture and places to see here in Charm City, also known as Baltimore. Our crab cakes alone should do the trick, but hopefully you’ve found plenty of reasons to book a trip to Baltimore in 2023 – hope we see you soon!