What’s crackin’ in the East Coast? Well, it’s no longer the famous Liberty Bell.
You can wave goodbye to Philly and embrace another historic foodie city close by.
The East Coast is teeming with cultural urban sprawls, most notably New York, Boston, and Washington DC.
However, there are many others stuck in the shadows of this trio of popular getaways.
Philly is one that’s on the cusp, but its claim to fame is the important significance of our Founding Fathers in America’s timeline and, well, cheesesteaks, if we’re being honest.
There’s one vastly overlooked city roughly one-third the size of Philly beaming with its own intriguing history and serving up way more phenomenal food; not just a never-ending dual of cheesesteak stands.
It’s time to look past Baltimore’s long-standing iffy reputation and embrace the East Coast’s most underrated city.
I’ve been myself, and I’m sure you’ll love it!
Baltimore: No Longer On The Wrong Side Of Headlines
There are a handful of cities on a never-ending carousel ride taking the moniker of ‘America’s most dangerous city’.
Baltimore has worn the crown before, as well, as St. Louis, Memphis, and Detroit, among others.
But like any destination, the good comes with the bad, and crime is such a fickle topic anyway; it’s nearly impossible to predict.
What I can personally say is I visited during Baltimore’s heyday of crime allegedly running rampant and never saw an inkling of sketchiness.
Actually, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed my visit. Albeit, this was years ago.
To ensure you Baltimore is indeed a safe vacation destination, a new ’25 Most Dangerous Places in the U.S.’ report from U.S. News gives the trophy to Memphis, whereas Baltimore doesn’t crack the top 10, nor the top 20.
In fact, it doesn’t make the list at all. According to the Baltimore Police Department, the city has seen ‘double-digit reductions in gun violence, including a 36% decrease in homicides and a 30% decrease in non-fatal shootings’.
Baltimore’s only negative spin these days seems to be famous resident, award-winning actor Kevin Spacey, refusing to leave his foreclosed home. I guess you could say he helped Baltimore flip the script…
Fascinating History And An Array Of Diverse Cultures Intertwine
Without a doubt, the East Coast is one of the most cultural regions of the U.S. It all started with New York’s Ellis Island, where immigrants trickled across different cities and laid their roots.
Now, cities like Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and yes, even Baltimore boast a wide range of diversity.
Tourists have stayed away from Baltimore far too long. If anything, visitors are usually in town to take in a Ravens game.
Baltimore is so much more than a sports town; it’s actually a really pretty city. The waterfront rivals its East Coast counterparts in terms of sheer beauty, but may even exceed some of their offerings with cultural richness and historical districts.
Without a doubt, the Inner Harbor is the best for sightseeing. The Inner Harbor Cruise is perfect for exploring the waterways and even better for capturing epic sunset photos.
There are many other cool neighborhoods to check out. My personal favorite was Little Italy.
No, not just for the food, but the authentic feel showcased through the area’s charming streets. There was very little cheesiness factor, like Olive Garden, for example.
Other than that, there are many historic districts like Fells Point (Baltimore’s oldest neighborhood), and Federal Hill, home to Baltimore’s traditional row homes and trendy bars and restaurants – all especially pretty in the fall, living up to their ‘Charm City’ moniker.
However, for history buffs, don’t skip out on Fort McHenry, the scene of the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write what would ultimately become “The Star-Spangled Banner”.
Tip: Check out Druid Hill Park for Baltimore’s most vibrant fall foliage!
A Foodie’s Dream City
In Baltimore, or Maryland in general, seafood is a way of life, especially Blue Crabs. Locally sourced and perfectly seasoned, no matter if they’re steamed, fried, or batched into crab cakes, you can’t go wrong!
Seafood is just the tip of the iceberg since Baltimore is so culturally diverse. Typically, with immense culture, there is excellent cuisine.
Little Italy is a must-stop on your Baltimore trip, with classics like La Tavola serving up traditional Italian dishes.
And to your surprise, Baltimore is great for barbecue. Traditionally a southern staple, add this to the city’s endless list of unexpected delights.
Tip: Check out Faidley’s Seafood, serving up tasty crab cakes for over 100 years!
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