Find some magic in Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland, is home to Fort McHenry, where the American National Anthem was written by Francis Scott Key. It is also where the railroad was born. Billie Holiday, Thurgood Marshall and Frederick Douglass all lived here at some point in history. This waterfront town is located in an inlet of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is full of history and harbors, New Englanders and tourists looking to enjoy some sun and seafood. Visit these three attractions to float on the swells, watch some baseball and even regain a belief in magic:
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Looking to catch the Baltimore Orioles Major League Baseball team in action? Drive your Baltimore rental car to 333 West Camden Street and grab a seat in Oriole Park. This stadium is supposedly the first to incorporate itself into the historic district around it without surrounding its walls with parking lots and greatly changing the immediate area. It opened on April 6, 1992 on what used to be a railroad center. Babe Ruth was born just 2 blocks away. There are 45,971 seats available for audience members looking to train their eyes on the deep green Kentucky Bluegrass field. Why is this facility and team named after an orange and black bird? Colonists named the species after the state's founder, Lord Baltimore. The birds can still be seen today throughout Northeastern America. They live in backyards and parks, and can often be found at feeders drinking nectar and eating fruit.
Urban Pirates
Are you traveling with little ones, or someone who wishes they were Captain Jack Sparrow? Stop at the Ann Street Pier to hop on the Fearless, a ship crewed by the fiercest (and funniest) group of swashbuckling pirates that ever were! The whole family will be entertained by this boat and its inhabitants. Younger visitors can shoot water cannons, don tri-cornered hats and even bust a few dance moves. The captain and his crew also cater to parents and older travelers with their humor and suspenseful stories. All of this goes on while the boat sails about in the inner harbor. You'll enjoy the cool breeze and sea air - don't forget to bring sunscreen and a camera!
Illusions Bar and Lounge
Looking for some magic? Drive your Baltimore rental car to 1025 South Charles Street to grab a drink at the Illusions Bar and Lounge. Open Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., this amusing locale is also a theater. Inside you'll find magicians, illusionists and an audience of people who seek something a little different than a club on a weekend night. Baltimore was once a hub of magicians, and this bar is just one place in the city where you can see old-timey acts reminiscent of Harry Houdini. You may even see someone make their way out of a straitjacket. Doves, rabbits, top hats and card tricks are all standard here. CNN even named the Illusions Bar and Lounge to its top nine speakeasy bars in the U.S.A. list.