Baltimore Inner Harbor: A Self-Guided Walking Tour Through American History

Welcome to the Baltimore Harbor Waterfront Promenade Self-Guided Tour! It’s easy. Simply follow the red brick promenade around the Inner Harbor – and beyond if you’d like. Still under construction, the promenade will stretch eight miles around Baltimore’s waterfront when it’s finished.

Baltimore Harbor in spring is a beautiful sight to behold and the self-guided tour below is a spectacular way to enjoy it. The three-mile walk around the Inner Harbor takes approximately 90 minutes at a leisurely pace.

So, ready? Set? Let’s go!

1. Baltimore Visitors Center – The tour starts at the Baltimore Visitors Center located at 401 Light Street on the Waterfront Promenade. The Visitor’s Center is information central for area attractions, guided tours, restaurants, and more.
2. Gov. William Donald Shaeffer – Upon leaving the Visitor Center, look immediately to your left at the statue of William Donald Shaeffer, the man who brought Harborplace to Baltimore. The engravings on the base of the statue tell his story.
3. Harborplace – Just past the statue on the left is the first of two Harborplace Pavilions, Light Street and Pratt Street, that brought the first open market concept to Baltimore. Built by Rouse Company in 1980, both pavilions housed unique businesses owned by Baltimore entrepreneurs. The exact fate of Harborplace is yet to be determined.
4. USS Constellation – This 1854 historic Sloop-of-War chased slave ships up and down the coast during the Civil War and continued to sail the seas until 1955. Today it is part of Baltimore’s historic ships collection and Living Classroom series.
5. World Trade Center Baltimore – The WTCB, a 31-story office building built in 1977, is the world’s tallest pentagonal tower and hard to miss. The Top of the World Observation Deck offers spectacular 360-degree views of the city from the 27^th floor. 
6. Sept. 11 Memorial of Maryland – Located in the shadow of the WTCB is an impressive collection of Memorials to the New York World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Flight 93.
7. Sculpture Garden – One of many creative resting areas along the promenade.
8. LV#116 Chesapeake – This historic 1930 Lightship, permanently docked at Pier 3, is part of Baltimore’s Living Classroom series.
9. USS Torsk – Following the promenade on Pier 3 on the left is the USS Torsk, a 1944 submarine that saw action during World War II. It is also part of the Historic Ships Living Classroom.
10. National Aquarium – Located on Piers 3 and 4 on the promenade, this two-part adventure is connected by a skywalk and contains a rain forest, jellyfish and more. 
11. Federal Hill – Federal Hill, rising majestically across the harbor, was once called John Smith’s Hill, named after the famous explorer who discovered the red clay mound in 1608. It was named Federal Hill in 1788 after a model ship called the Federalist. From here, townies witnessed the bombardment of Ft. McHenry in 1812, and later, the Union army established Fort Federal Hill. 
12. Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse – This Screw-Pile Lighthouse on Pier 5 was in use 1855-1988 and is another integral part of the Living Classroom project.
13. Pier 6 Concert Pavilion – A popular concert venue located right in the harbor.
14. Harbor East – A multiuse, upscale waterfront area that mixes commercial and residential spaces.
15. USCG Cutter #37 – This Treasury Class Cutter located on Pier 5, was in service 1935-1986 and is the last surviving Coast Guard Cutter from Pearl Harbor.
16. Little Italy – Looking to the right down Pratt Street, is a collection of restaurants serving authentic Italian food on the other side of President Street. 
17. Baltimore Holocaust Memorial – Turning left on Pratt Street going back toward Harbor Place, we pass the impressive Holocaust Memorial Park on Gay Street, dedicated to victims of the Holocaust.
18. The Gallery and McKeldin Square – Stroll past shops and restaurants along Pratt Street on the right, to McKeldin Square at Light Street on the left.
19. West Shore Park & Fountain – Take the sidewalk on the left along Light Street to the Sondheim Fountain in West Shore Park, just past the Visitors Center. See the Spirit of Baltimore, the Bay Lady, and other ships docked in the Inner Harbor.
20. Maryland Science Center & Davis Planetarium – Continuing along the promenade just ahead is the Maryland Science Center, known for its amazing dinosaur collection and hands-on opportunities. The IMAX Theatre and the rooftop telescope are also popular.
21. Rash Field – Just past the Science Center on the promenade is Rash Field, home to a skatepark, a volleyball court, and a Titanic-size view of the Inner Harbor.
22. Pride of Baltimore Memorial – At the far end of Rash Field, a Baltimore Clipper Ship mast memorializes the original Pride of Baltimore lost at sea with its Captain and three crew members aboard.
23. American Visual Arts Museum – Found between the Pride Memorial and Federal Hill, visit the happiest place in Baltimore, inside and out!
24. Federal Hill Park – We end our tour with panoramic views of Baltimore Harbor from high atop historic Federal Hill, via steep concrete steps embedded in the hillside. Enjoy the climb!

Whether from the amazing view of the city, or the climb to get there, chances are you’ll be left breathless by this tour’s end!

Tips for a Comfortable Walking Experience

• Wearing comfortable shoes is an absolute must.
• Wear weather-appropriate clothing, i.e. a light jacket carried in a backpack or tied around the waist.
• Wear sunscreen.
• Bring sunglasses to shield your eyes from glare.
• Stay hydrated! Carry water in your backpack.
• Rest when needed. Take advantage of the benches located along the promenade.
• Public restrooms and water fountains are in Harborplace pavilions and in the Visitors Center.

Sharon Schultz is a retired freelance photojournalist and proud Bay Boomer.