Each month, residents in participating affiliated communities will experience a different port city through fun activities, factual presentations, and delicious cuisine through the Port of Call program. During September, the Port of Call theme is Baltimore, Maryland!

About Baltimore

Baltimore is a southern Maryland port city that sits along the Patapsco River, which leads to the Chesapeake Bay. It is 40 miles northeast of Washington D.C.¹

Before the city of Baltimore was established, it was designated as the Port of Baltimore at Locust Point in 1706 for the tobacco trade. Then, in 1729, Maryland’s General Assembly declared Baltimore a city.

During its early days, Baltimore thrived refining sugar imported from Caribbean nations.² Sugar is still a big part of Baltimore today, with nearly 500 people working for the Domino Sugar plant along Northwest Harbor in Baltimore.³

Currently, over 585,000 people live in Baltimore. The main language of Baltimoreans is English, and about 6% of people speak Spanish.⁴

Baltimore’s overall weather is hot and muggy summers, and snow and cold winters. The temperatures range on average between 30 and 52 degrees in the winter, and between 79 and 89 degrees in the summer.⁵

Attractions in Baltimore

One of Baltimore’s most popular attractions is the National Aquarium located in Inner Harbor, Baltimore. You will see thousands of aquatic life during your visit to the aquarium. If you want a more special experience, you could book the Insider’s Tour, which grants you admission to the aquarium before it opens, and the chance to feed the aquatic life breakfast!⁶

If you are into history, you could tour the B & O Railroad Museum located west of Downtown Baltimore. At the museum, you will learn more about the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and its impact on the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, and WWII, and more. You will also have the opportunity to ride the Mile One Express, which is a 20-minute train ride that goes along the nation’s first mile of commercial railroad!⁷

Another historical attraction you could explore is the Edgar Allen Poe House and Museum located a quick drive north from the B & O Railroad. While at his house, you will learn about the poet’s early life with his aunt, grandmother, and cousins. Additionally, you will be able to see Poe’s historic portable writing desk and chair, telescope, and glassware. There are additional exhibits that vary from time to time so there is always something different to see with each visit!⁸

If you are looking to take in Baltimore’s beautiful water views, you could take a Baltimore Harbor Tour through City Cruises. The cruise port is located at Inner Harbor with plenty of parking nearby. Each tour is a one hour narrated tour where you will get to see various sites and landmarks. Specifically, you will be able to see the Baltimore skyline, the USS Constellation, Fells Point, the John W. Brown Liberty Ship, and more!  If you get hungry or thirsty on the bus, there is a snack bar on board.⁹

Baltimore Cuisine

Baltimore cuisine is mainly influenced by Indigenous people, British colonists, and enslaved Africans. Indigenous people introduced corn, beans and squash to Baltimore cuisine. The British brought over their love for porridges, puddings, and pies. Lastly, enslaved Africans introduced fish pepper, sweet potatoes, and onions to Baltimore. Additionally, because Baltimore is located along the Chesapeake Bay, seafood is also a major aspect of Baltimore cuisine.¹⁰

Here are some of Baltimore’s most iconic dishes:

• Crab Dip. A popular Baltimore appetizer is crab dip. Source crabs from the Chesapeake Bay and make sure your recipe calls for Baltimore’s Old Bay seasoning¹¹
• Oysters. Another popular Baltimore dish sourced from the Chesapeake Bay is oysters. You can make them either steamed, fried, raw, or grilled for lunch or dinner¹²
• Crab Cakes. One of Baltimore’s most popular foods is crab cakes with the crabs sourced from the Chesapeake Bay. Typically, Baltimoreans eat crab cakes for dinner with vegetables as a side¹³
• Otterbein Cookies. Otterbein cookies are thin and crispy cookies that come in chocolate chip, ginger, lemon, and sugar varieties. They are great to eat on their own or you can dip them in milk¹⁴