Study concerning the historical past behind The Star-Spangled Banner at Fort McHenry and revel in scenic Baltimore on this one-day tour.
As we continued the faculty tour highway journey within the northeastern US, we spent a day in Baltimore earlier than we headed to Washington DC. Baltimore is situated on the Patapsco River that flows into the Chesapeake Bay. It’s the largest metropolis in Maryland and is understood for its inside harbor, seafood, and historic Fort McHenry.
Fort McHenry Nationwide Monument and Historic Shrine
Our first cease in Baltimore was Fort McHenry Nationwide Monument and Historic Shrine, a US nationwide park and some of the common websites within the metropolis. We didn’t know a lot concerning the fort previous to our go to and had been curious why it’s so well-known. It was a pleasing shock to be taught it’s the birthplace of the US nationwide anthem and the story behind the lyrics.
Fort McHenry Nationwide Monument and Historic Shrine are made up of an schooling heart and the pentagonal bastion fort that appears like a ninja star. Within the schooling heart, there are displays concerning the historical past of the fort and a theater that performs a brief film (watch the film right here).
We watched the recount of the battle of 1812 and on the finish of the film the display screen rolled up and revealed the precise fort behind the tall window. It was extremely surreal.
Francis Scott Key’s lyrics to the nationwide anthem had been really from him witnessing the bombardment of Baltimore on Sept 14, 1814 by the British. After the fort defended itself by means of the night time and raised the “The Star-Spangled Banner” within the morning, he wrote about seeing the victorious US flag within the daybreak’s early gentle after surviving bombs and rockets all night time.
After the schooling heart, we walked to Fort McHenry the place there are volunteers who carry out weapons and music demonstrations. It was tremendous cool to see the cannon being fired.
Lastly, we walked by means of the fort and discovered concerning the numerous rooms contained in the construction and the way they had been used till the top of its historical past.
Federal Hill
After visiting Fort McHenry, we made a fast cease on the close by Federal Hill. It’s a fantastic location to absorb panoramic views of Baltimore’s downtown and harbor. Through the battle of 1812, Baltimore residents watched from Federal Hill as Fort McHenry was bombarded. All through historical past, it served as a defensive stronghold throughout wars on account of its strategic location and top.
Baltimore Waterfront
The town of Baltimore wraps round a part of the Patapsco River. This creates a big harbor space with many common locations to go to. Proper throughout from Federal hill is the Inside Harbor. House to the Nationwide Aquarium, USS Constellation and different historic ships, and the Maryland Science Heart.
To the suitable of the Federal Hill alongside the river are the American Visionary Artwork Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Trade. Throughout the river to the suitable is Fells Level, a restored historic space with loads of eating places, outlets, and motels.
Edgar Allan Poe’s Grave
Whereas researching for locations to go to in Baltimore, we additionally found that Edgar Allen Poe had spent a while within the metropolis and really handed away there. His grave is at Westminster Corridor & Burying Floor and marked with a gravestone. Apart from Edgar Allan Poe, different notable people buried there embody Common Sam Smith and different battle heroes.
Guests can even go to The Poe Home the place the poet and author lived between 1833-1835. There are a number of artifacts utilized by Edgar in the home.
Baltimore Basilica
For the following cease, we head over to the Baltimore Basilica (the formal title is Basilica of the Nationwide Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary). It’s the first Roman Catholic cathedral constructed within the US in 1821.
The Basilica was designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, America’s first architect whose iconic works embody the White Home and the US Capitol.
The constructing is gorgeous and grand and the inside is gorgeous. The Basilica underwent a big restoration effort in 2006. Through the restoration, the crypt and the undercroft had been cleared and Our Girl Seat of Knowledge Chapel was created. The chapel was a part of the imaginative and prescient by Bishop Carroll and Latrobe. Guests can be a part of scheduled guided excursions or self-tours.
Baltimore Mount Vernon
Not removed from Baltimore Basilica is the historic Mount Vernon neighborhood. We wished to see the sumptuous George Peabody library however it’s closed on Saturdays! Fortuitously, we nonetheless acquired to see the Washington Monument however we needed to skip the 227-stair climb to the highest. The Washington Monument was inbuilt 1829 by the identical architect (Robert Mills) because the Washington Monument in DC.
The bottom of the monument holds a gallery with data on the historical past and its restoration.
Captain James Seafood Palace
You possibly can’t go to Baltimore with out consuming the famed Maryland Blue Crab. After looking evaluations on-line and getting suggestions from JOC readers, we selected the ship-shaped restaurant Captain James Seafood Palace.
The crabs are ordered in packs of 6, and the value varies relying on the scale of the crab. The blue crabs are steamed and flavored with Previous Bay seasoning. It was messy to eat however a scrumptious affair. The meat was silky tender and flavorful from the seasoning. We feasted on numerous seafood and crabs on the restaurant and extremely suggest it.
Alma Cocina Latina
For dinner in Baltimore, we had revolutionary Venezuelan meals at Alma Cocina Latina. The dishes had been all tremendous inventive and scrumptious. Sautéed wild mushroom with spiced coconut milk sauce, Latin gyoza, and seafood paella with squid and chorizo simply to say a number of.
Our household actually loved the dinner as we acquired to attempt many dishes we’d by no means had earlier than.
It was a brief go to to Baltimore however our household had a number of enjoyable and discovered fairly a bit about its historical past. We stayed on the Sagamore Pendry and had been capable of benefit from the lovely harbor views each at night time and throughout the day. One final word, there are some areas of Baltimore that aren’t secure so be further conscious of the areas you’re heading to.
