THE
NEIGHBORHOODS
Baltimore is home to more than 200 neighborhoods, each with a distinct personality and experience. We encourage you to explore all of the city’s vibrant communities, but here are a few of our favorites.
BOLTON HILL
Located in Central-West Baltimore, Bolton Hill is a historic neighborhood right in the middle of the city. The urban neighborhood is made up of restored mid to late 19th Century townhouses, urban mansions, churches and public buildings. Residents enjoy tranquil, tree-lined streets peppered with urban parks, historic fountains and grand monuments that complement the period architecture.
CANTON & BREWERS HILL
The heart of this waterfront neighborhood is a quaint village square rimmed with restaurants, pubs and shops along O’Donnell Street. But wander off the square to the surrounding blocks and find the quintessential Baltimore, from the nearly-lost Baltimore art form of the painted screen to rows of classic marble stoops on traditional brick and Formstone row houses.
RESERVOIR
HILL
The historic neighborhood of Reservoir Hill is located in central-west Baltimore. The diverse neighborhood near Druid Hill Park boasts access to the amenities of one the largest green spaces in the city, community gardens and cafés. The neighborhood has become a sought-after transplant spot for professionals, creatives and families from across the nation. Residents love the walkability and enjoy easy access to public transportation, including Metro Subway, LightRail and buses.
ROLAND PARK
Known for its educational institutions, green spaces and architecture, Roland Park is also home to an abundance of local shops and restaurants. Classic French bistro, Petit Louis, and Johnny’s, serving west coast cuisine, are both co-owned by James Beard award-nominated chef Cindy Wolf. Miss Shirley’s Café, one of two locations in Baltimore, offers southern-influenced breakfast and lunch and has been featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
CHARLES NORTH
Charles North, nestled along the southern edge of North Baltimore, offers an eclectic mix of arts and entertainment venues as well as historic buildings and architecturally impressive houses. Located directly north of Penn Station, the neighborhood is a great option for commuters! Residents enjoy a central location, walkability and access to entertainment.
PATTERSON PARK
Think of this as Baltimore’s backyard! Patterson Park is well known for its green space, large trees, paved walkways, historic battle sites, a lake, playgrounds, athletic fields, a swimming pool, an ice-skating rink and its observation tower – the Instagram-worthy Patterson Park Pagoda.
UPTON’S MARBLE HILL
Upton's Marble Hill Historic District encompasses approximately 7 where houses were built in the early 1890's. The houses are traditional, marble-stepped brick rowhouses, exhibiting either Queen Anne or Italianate influence.
Upton's Marble Hill Historic District is important as one of Baltimore's earliest African-American middle-class neighborhoods and for its well-preserved architectural detail. The lengthy list of historically prominent residents includes Harry S. Cummings, Sr., one of the first two blacks admitted to the University of Maryland Law School (1887), and the first black Baltimore City Councilman, T. Willis Lansey, who founded the Ideal Federal Savings and Loan (1920). Others were Henry Hall, a prominent engineer and educator, John Murphy, Sr., founder of the Afro-American newspaper, and Violet Hill White, Baltimore's first black female police officer.
DRUID HILL PARK
Dating back to 1860, Druid Hill Park is a 745-acre urban oasis in the heart of Baltimore. Today, it’s home to several attractions including a public pool, disc golf courses, tennis courts, the Maryland Zoo and the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens.
FEDERAL HILL
Known for its sweeping views of the Inner Harbor, Federal Hill is characterized by historic brick rowhomes and locally-owned shops and restaurants. It’s also home to a mix of newcomers and families that have lived here for generations. Must-sees include the American Visionary Art Museum, Cross Street Market and the Baltimore Museum of Industry.
FELL’S POINT
One of the oldest neighborhoods in Baltimore, this area was once a bustling shipbuilding port. Fell’s Point’s visage has remained largely unchanged since its founding – picturesque stone streets, waterfront restaurants and cozy boutiques. Travel back in time with a stop at the oldest-standing residence in Baltimore City, the Robert Long House, which is open for tours by reservation. While you’re in the area, learn about Fell’s Point’s history at the home to the first African American-owned shipyard in the country at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park Museum.
HAMPDEN
Once a 19th-century blue-collar mill town that has evolved into the epicenter of hipster Baltimore kitsch, Hampden’s main drag, aka “The Avenue,” is a great place to grab a bite, share a beer, check out some local shops and catch the overall vibe.
MOUNT VERNON
Mount Vernon is an elegant neighborhood filled with grand old mansions that once belonged to Baltimore’s 19th-century industrialists. Today, the neighborhood is a National Landmark Historic District filled with museums, shops, restaurants and boutique hotels.
PIGTOWN
Pigtown was named in the late 1800s when cargo railcars from the Midwest would let loads of pigs out, which created a spectacle as they ran through the streets to their final destination. The neighborhood is now home to the annual Pigtown Festival which honors that heritage with the “Squeakness” pig races during a weekend full of food, drinks and music.
PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE – BLACK ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT
While this area’s designation as an arts and entertainment district may still be in its infancy, the neighborhood has had a long history as a cultural center for the city’s African American community. During the 1940s, 50s and 60s, Pennsylvania Avenue was the place to go to see the latest singers and musicians perform. Keep an eye on this neighborhood for big things to come soon!