Where to Stay in Baltimore – 5 TOP Areas for Your Holiday

Welcome, dear traveler! It’s time to explore the beautiful Baltimore in Maryland, USA! A city with a rich history and culture and full of attractions that will make you never want to leave this place! But before you start packing your bags, you should first figure out where to stay in Baltimore. 

To make things easy for you, I compared all Baltimore areas and came up with a definitive list of 5 best neighborhoods to stay in Baltimore. I also handpicked the top hotels in each of these neighborhoods (sorted by price), so regardless of your budget, you’ll find a good option for your stay. 

Downtown & Inner Harbor are the best areas to stay in Baltimore; these neighboring areas feature many notable attractions, great restaurants, and some of the best hotels in the city. 

Finally, I have to tell you to book your hotel in advance. By doing this, you’ll get the best deals, plus avoid all the fuss of finding a great hotel last minute!

I think we’re ready to go. Buckle up because we’ve got lots to see!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Eager to book your hotel ASAP? Then, have a look at this list of the best hotels in Baltimore, all situated in Downtown & Inner Harbor:

Here’s a map of Baltimore and the 5 best neighborhoods I’ll be talking about in this post:

1. Downtown & Inner Harbor – where to stay for first-timers

Planning your stay in Baltimore? Well, there’s no better place to look for hotels than Downtown Baltimore and Inner Harbor, as the two areas are set next to each other and make up a fabulous spot for first-time visitors. Here, you can join the lively atmosphere and explore the many cool attractions throughout the neighborhoods. 

Downtown Baltimore is the city’s business center, and the architecture here is simply stunning. Although the media sometimes portrays Baltimore as a scary city, I’ve got to tell you that they didn’t do any justice to all the tourist attractions here, such as the CFG Bank Arena (map) and the Port Discovery Children’s Museum. 

NOTE: Although Baltimore isn’t such a dangerous place, it’s better to stay safe and not roam alone on the streets at night. 

If you like exploring various markets when visiting a new city, then Downtown Baltimore City is definitely the right stop for you! Check out the Baltimore Farmers’ Market (map) – open on Sundays – and definitely stop by the Lexington Market (map), which is open 6 days a week (Monday through Sunday) and offers some of the most delicious crabcakes in the city. 

FUN FACT: The Lexington Market, first established in 1782, is the oldest continuously operating market in the US. This market is also part of the Baltimore Public Market System, the oldest system of this type in the US. 

While Downtown Baltimore is super modern and perfect for business travelers, the Inner Harbor, which is within walking distance, is one of those historic neighborhoods that you’ll never get tired of exploring.

One of the top things to do in Inner Harbor is museum hopping; the area abounds with museums, and the best ones are the National Aquarium, the Historic Ships in Baltimore, and the American Visionary Art Museum. 

There are also plenty of restaurants and bars in Inner Harbor, so you can spend your evenings dining, drinking, and having fun. If you want to relax during the day, head to West Shore Park (map) to enjoy the views of the water and cool off in the splash pad in the summer months. 

Inner Harbor is one of the most popular places to stay in Baltimore, but I should warn you that hotels can be pricier than in other Baltimore neighborhoods. However, if you want to splurge on your trip, this is a great spot for a vacation and one of the safe areas to stay in Baltimore.

Other options in Downtown & Inner Harbor

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Since Downtown and Inner Harbor are such nice areas in Baltimore, they are extremely popular among tourists. So, I decided to recommend an extra hotel option in each price category in case the recommendations above aren’t available for your dates. 

• Hotel Indigo ($$$) – guests at the Indigo Baltimore will enjoy on-site dining, including a hot breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and they can also order room service and work off the calories in the fitness center
• SpringHill Suites by Marriott ($$) – at this hotel, you can enjoy a delicious complimentary breakfast every morning, get access to private parking, and relax in the shared lounge
• Candlewood Suites ($) – although it’s a bit lower-rated, this hotel is an excellent choice for a budget stay in Baltimore, offering an on-site restaurant, a fitness center, and free Wi-Fi

Things to do in Downtown & Inner Harbor

• Attend a concert at the CFG Bank Arena
• Have fun with the kids at the Port Discovery Children’s Museum
• Spend a few hours exploring the Maryland Science Center
• Spot cute animals at the National Aquarium
• Admire the art at the American Visionary Art Museum
• Visit the Historic Ships in Baltimore
• Pay a visit to the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum
• Shop at the Baltimore Farmers’ Market and try crab cakes at Lexington Market
• Go up to the Top of the World Observation Level and enjoy the view

2. Fells Point – best place to stay in Baltimore for nightlife

This lively neighborhood is a 30-min walk Southeast of Downtown and the Inner Harbor and is one of the oldest areas to stay in Baltimore, with houses dating back to the 1700s. Fell’s Point isn’t just another charming and historical place – there are so many music venues, pubs, and taverns here that will keep the locals and tourists entertained. 

I do recommend exploring Fells Point’s cobblestone streets, as you’ll come across a few art galleries and museums. Plus, you’ll have a chance to admire all those unique houses that still look amazing. If you want to stay in one of these vintage homes, check out our post with the best Airbnbs in Baltimore! 

Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park (map) is one of the first places you should visit in Fells Point; this park overlooks the water, features several gallery exhibits, and even has a ferry terminal (map) if you want to take a nice short trip. Best of all – there are free water taxis that can take you to Locust Point and Canton Park. 

TIP: If you’re exploring the Canton neighborhood, pay a visit to Patterson Park (map), a large green space featuring a lake, a playground, and an observatory. It’s an excellent place to spend a relaxing day in nature. 

At night, Fells Point truly comes alive; if you want to go for dinner, the Thames Street Oyster House (map) offers an amazing seafood experience, and Barcocina (map) serves contemporary Mexican dishes. 

If you feel like grabbing a drink, I highly recommend Max’s Taphouse (map), a cool pub that has a large selection of both draft and bottled beers. 

Now, let’s check out the best accommodation options in Fells Point! great list!

Other accommodation options in Fells Point

Things to do in Fells Point

• See the art exhibitions at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park
• Take a water taxi to the Canton neighborhood and visit Patterson Park
• Eat delicious dishes during a food tour in Fell’s Point
• Have a seafood dinner at Thames Street Oyster House
• Grab some Mexican food at Barcocina or a drink at Max’s Taphouse

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3. Little Italy – best area to stay in Baltimore for foodies

Little Italy is known for its strong Italian-American heritage and gives off strong Italian vibes. Located a 20-min walk Southwest of Downtown and Inner Harbor, this area is the perfect place to stay in Baltimore for anyone who loves Italian food or any other type of food, for that matter. 

However, the area is small, and there aren’t as many tourist attractions, but that’s no reason to worry! You’ll be within easy walking distance of both Downtown and Inner Harbor, meaning you can check out one of the city’s top attractions. Also, Fells Point and Harbor East are within walking distance of Little Italy, so you can pay them a visit, too! 

TIP: If you have some extra free time during your stay in Baltimore, rent a car and visit Washington, DC – It’s only a 1-hour drive away! 

While you’re here, take a moment to explore Little Italy and stop at one of the many restaurants to eat a delicious Italian lunch. Angeli’s Pizzeria (map) and La Tavola (map) are some of the best ones around!

Other accommodation options in Little Italy

Things to do in Little Italy 

• Grab a breakfast at Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop (map)
• Enjoy an Italian lunch at Angeli’s Pizzeria or La Tavola
• Try your hand at indoor golf at Five Iron Golf
• Get a taste of Sicilian cuisine at La Scala (map)

4. Harbor East – where to stay in Baltimore for luxury

If you want to indulge in some luxury on your Baltimore trip, then staying in Harbor East is the obvious choice. Just a 20-min walk Southwest of Downtown and directly to the West of Fells Point, this upbeat neighborhood is perfect if all you want to do is relax, enjoy nice views, and treat yourself to a stay in an upscale hotel. 

Harbor East is centered around National Katyn Memorial Park (map), a small urban park that’s recognizable for its impressive statue – it’s the tallest statue in all of Baltimore! From here, you can head to the waterfront and enjoy a nice walk – don’t forget to snap a photo of Mr. Trash Wheel (map), a really cool invention that scoops up the trash from the harbor!

Since this is a smaller and more modern neighborhood, there aren’t too many cultural attractions, but lucky for you, there are some really cool bars and restaurants. I definitely recommend grabbing a drink at The Elk Room (map), a speakeasy-style bar, or treating yourself to some Mediterranean flavors at Ouzo Bay (map). 

If you’re a baseball fan, be sure to check the schedule at Oriole Park at Camden Yards (map), home to the Baltimore Orioles. This stadium is just a 30-min walk from Harbor East, so if you’re in town for a game, Harbor East is a good place to base yourself. 

If you’re more of a football fan, you can see the Baltimore Ravens play at the M&T Bank Stadium (map). And yes, the team was named after Edgar Allan Poe’s poem The Raven! 

FUN FACT: The famous American poet and short story writer Edgar Allan Poe was born in Baltimore and spent a few years of his adult life living in the city. Baltimore is also Poe’s final resting place, and today, you can still visit his grave (map)! 

Other accommodation options in Harbor East

Things to do in Harbor East

• Visit the statue in the National Katyn Memorial Park
• Walk along the waterfront and snap a photo of Mr. Trash Wheel
• See a movie at Harbor East Cinemas
• Enjoy a drink at The Elk Room
• Sample Mediterranean cuisine at Ouzo Bay
• Attend a baseball game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards
• See the Baltimore Ravens play at M&T Bank Stadium

5. Mount Vernon – trendiest place to stay in Baltimore

Although all the Baltimore neighborhoods are unique, the trendy neighborhood of Mount Vernon stands out as the city’s cultural and historic center. Located directly North of Downtown, this is possibly the safest place to stay in Baltimore and an ideal choice if you want to be within walking distance of many notable attractions. 

While in Mount Vernon, you’ll find plenty of ways to spend your time. I suggest starting with a visit to The Walters Art Museum, a historic gallery where entrance is free of charge – sounds awesome, right?

Be sure to stop by the George Peabody Library (map), an impressive 19th-century building that serves as the official library of Johns Hopkins University. From here, you can easily reach the Washington Monument (map) – the first monument to George Washington in the United States! You can even climb to the top of the monument – tickets are available here.

If you’re a history buff, definitely check out the Maryland Center for History and Culture, where you can see the original manuscript of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’ the USA’s national anthem. 

NOTE: If you’d like to see the birthplace of the national anthem, visit the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (map), located in the Locust Point neighborhood. 

Mount Vernon is a very walkable area – in fact, all of the neighborhoods featured in this article are very walkable and, better yet, within walking distance of each other. That’s great news if you don’t want to worry about getting around the city. 

However, if you want to have more freedom of movement or you’re short on time, you should rent a car. Even though Baltimore has a public transport network, I wouldn’t recommend it – it’s not too reliable, and it’s also not the safest way to explore the city, especially after dark.

And if you’re worried about parking, don’t be – Baltimore has plenty of parking garages, and you can easily locate them with the SpotHero app! There aren’t that many free options, so to save some money, look for hotels with free parking so you won’t have to pay for parking 24/7.

Other accommodation in Mount Vernon

Things to do in Mount Vernon

• Admire the collections at The Walters Art Museum
• Visit the George Peabody Library
• Go up to the top of the iconic Washington Monument
• Explore the nearby Midtown neighborhood (map)
• See the national anthem manuscript at the Maryland Center for History and Culture
• Go out to Locust Point and visit the Fort McHenry National Monument

👑 Luxury price:	US$200
💵 Mid-range:	US$150
🛏️ Budget:	US$90
📍 Best area:	Downtown & Inner Harbor
🛎️ Best luxury hotel:	Renaissance Harborplace
🧳 Best mid-range hotel:	Staybridge Suites
👛 Best budget hotel:	Hampton Inn Baltimore

FAQs about where to stay in Baltimore, Maryland

Final words on the best places to stay in Baltimore

This city sure has lots of things to do and see! I hope this guide was helpful in understanding the city and deciding where to stay in Baltimore. 

I featured so many hotels in this article, so if you can’t decide which one to pick, here are my top 2 favorite ones, both located in Downtown & Inner Harbour: 

• Renaissance Harborplace – this modern hotel offers fantastic harbor views, a swimming pool, and a bar
• Staybridge Suites – this perfect mid-range hotel sits near the National Aquarium and has a fitness center

Remember what I said earlier! Book the hotels for your stay in Baltimore in advance. The city tends to get super crowded, and these accommodations will sell out very early! 

However, if you have any other questions about where to stay in Baltimore to be safe or what Baltimore neighborhoods to avoid, leave me a comment below, and I’ll answer them as soon as I can! 

Have a fun holiday, 

Victoria

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