Baltimore/South Baltimore

[[file:Baltimore camdenyards banner.jpg|1280px|Halal Travel to South Baltimore|caption=Camden Yards}} Fort McHenry flag and cannon - Fort McHenry

South Baltimore is the entrance point for most visitors to the city, coming in off I-95 from the south and home to one of the city's number one attractions—Fort McHenry, as well as both the Orioles and Ravens stadiums. Those who dig a little further will find a vibrant dining and dining scene in beautiful, historic Federal Hill, as well as venerable, but less visited neighborhoods that define what it is to be authentic Baltimore.

Introduction to Baltimore/South Baltimore

South Baltimore was traditionally the industrial heart of Baltimore, even more so than Baltimore/Southeast Baltimore|Southeast Baltimore, but real estate in the neighborhoods closer to the Baltimore/Inner Harbor|Inner Harbor have soared over the past 15-20 years, seeing rampant gentrification by former suburbanites and even D.C. commuters attracted by affordable historic homes close to the town center. As with all neighborhood change, this has displaced, disrupted and at its extreme destroyed the old local communities. On the upside, though, it has introduced a lot of good restaurants to Federal Hill, which is a fairly easy walk from the Inner Harbor hotels and the Convention Center.

Most, however, visit South Baltimore for one sight: Fort McHenry. The defense of this fort on the Chesapeake and thus the defense of Baltimore, was pivotal in the defense of the nation in the War of 1812 against the re-invading British forces. Even more famously and the defense of the Fort saw the arrival of one Francis Scott Key, who, seeing the flag still flying after the bombardment, here composed the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner, which later would become the U.S. National Anthem.

Anyway, on to the neighborhoods, which, like most all Baltimore neighborhoods, have fiercely independent characters:

Federal Hill is a historic neighborhood containing several restaurants, named after the ratification of the Federal Constitution. In part because of its proximity to the Inner Harbor and the stadiums and other attractions, thit is both the wealthiest and most popular neighborhood with city visitors. The rowhouses, many dating back even to eighteenth century, are wonderfully restored and the streets are beautiful. There are plenty of dining options that are far better than the average places around the big hotels to the north and dining is vibrant (if a little too drunken and trashy F-Sa nights).

Locust Point has a scary name, but is actually a pretty nice place to hang out and have a meal after visiting the Fort. Though the giant condominium building at Silo Point (replacing the old defunct granary) is doing its part to gentrify the neighborhood, it still retains a familiar working class, classic Baltimore community. Fans of the Wire might recognize this neighborhood as the home of the longshoreman (including Nick) from season two.

South Baltimore map - 700px

Ridgely's Delight is a small little triangular neighborhood just northwest of Camden Yards and east of Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. It's another very pretty old neighborhood with cobblestone streets, but the local pubs can be a little bland (but perfectly acceptable to hang out with fellow fans on game days). The University of Maryland Baltimore campus is just north, so you'll find plenty of college students.

Pigtown! Yes, Pigtown. No, not Washington Village, no matter how hard real estate agents try to rebrand the neighborhood (and to thus destroy it). Pigtown is just too catchy a name to die. The name comes from its position along the route that pig farmers would once march their livestock to sell at the railyard. Legend has it that the residents at basement level would reach out their street-level windows to snatch a sfruit cocktail or two for dinner. Today, Pigtown has an extraordinary demographic mix—it may be the only neighborhood in the Northeast where rednecks and black folks live together happily and harmoniously. So what's in it for a traveler? Savvy parking spots—visitors don't know about parking there and you can find something even on a game day, if you are OK with a bit of a walk. Nick's Rotisserie Chicken would be the other good reason to visit.

There are plenty of other neighborhoods throughout the south of Baltimore: Violetville, Westport, Lakeland, Cherry Hill, Curtis Bay, Brooklyn, etc. But you are probably less likely to find yourself there, as they are generally hard to get to by public transport, are far from the center and low on tourist amenities.

Travel to Baltimore/South Baltimore

Federal Hill-Locust Point map - 700px

How to travel to Baltimore/South Baltimore by car

It's extremely simple to get into South Baltimore by car—it's just hard to park anywhere near the stadiums or the Harbor (Locust Point isn't too hard, though). From I-95, exits #52 for Russel Street and #53 for I-395 to Light Street will both take you right to the stadiums or the Inner Harbor respectively. Exit #54 will take you right into Locust Point and is well signed for Fort McHenry. The B-W Pkwy simply terminates here and turns into Russel St. The main streets running from Downtown through federal Hill and on to Locust Point are Light Street to the Key Highway to Fort Ave.

For Pigtown and the entrance is on Washington Blvd just southwest of its intersection with Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, which you can pick up from I-395 just before it ends in the Inner Harbor, or from any westbound street from the Harbor or Downtown. Washington Blvd also runs from I-695 (just west of I-95).

Brooklyn and the other far south neighborhoods are best reached by I-695 or I-895 southbound (I-895 northbound does not have exits, since they want to force you to pay the tolls). Coming from the city, take either Washington Blvd to Patapsco Ave, which is the primary street running along the very southern edge of the city, or take the Hanover Street Bridge from Federal Hill (Hanover will continue southeast to Brooklyn).

By rail

The MARC Camden Line runs straight from Union Station in Washington, D.C. to the stadiums, but only runs on weekdays and doesn't run very late.

The Light Rail, on the other hand, is pretty handy if you are going to the stadiums (Camden Yards for the Orioles and Hamburg Street for the Ravens), Federal Hill, Westport, or even Cherry Hill. Past Cherry Hill it heads on to BWI Airport, while to the north of Camden Yards it runs past the Convention Center and Lexington Market Baltimore/Downtown|Downtown and on through Baltimore/Midtown|Midtown to Penn Station and beyond.

Travel by Bus

Consider Baltimore buses to be only for the adventurous and those with a bunch of spare time on their hands. There are some good routes through South Baltimore, though—as long as they are running on time and not too crowded to board. Bus 1 is the best route around, running south from Charles Center (Charles Street & Baltimore St) near the Convention Center down Light Street through the center of Federal Hill and on through Locust Point all the way to Fort McHenry itself. Bus 36 runs down Martin Luther King Blvd from Fayette downtown to Pigtown and then running the length of Washington Blvd. Bus 64 runs through Federal Hill on Light Street all the way up to Penn Station and on to North Ave in Baltimore/Midtown|Midtown and south across the Hanover Street Bridge to Cherry Hill and Brooklyn.

The purple /sites/default/files/Purple_Route_Map_10.pdf Circulator bus runs along Charles Street and Light Street in Federal Hill and goes straight north up Charles past the Washington Monument and on to Penn Station.

If you're feeling really adventurous, you could take the light rail down to the Patapsco stop and try to take Bus 14 to Annapolis. Make sure you are well armed with bus and rail schedules for that trip!

By water taxi

During the months of April–September, you can take Ed Kane's water taxi back and forth between the pier at Baltimore/Fells Point|Fells Point.

What to See

• Babe Ruth Museum - 216 Emory Street - ☎ +1 410 727-1539 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10AM Monday - 5PM $6 adults, $3 children 3-12 This museum is actually in the house where the Great Bambino himself was born. The museum isn't huge, but should be considered a can't-miss attraction for baseball fans. There is a white baseball "trail" leading from Camden Yards straight here, so it isn't hard to find. Plan to spend about a half hour looking at the exhibits on his life and also the neat new one on the 500-homer club.

• Baltimore Museum of Industry 1415 Key Highway 39.2739,-76.6014 ☎ +1 410 727-4808 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10AM Monday - 4PM $10/8/6 (adults/seniors/children & students) Baltimore Museum of Industry Baltimore's museum of the common man defies the idea that history is just about politicians, wars and artists. You'll see recreations of a cannery, a turn of the century textile factory, a printing press, Dr Bunting's old pharmacy and exhibits on the Domino Sugar Factory. There are plenty of good hands-on activities for kids—they can even become child laborers in the textile shop!

• Federal Hill Park 300 Key Highway 39.2798,-76.6086 Just look for a really big grassy hill! Federal Hill Park A This big hilly park is one of Baltimore's best points for picture taking, as it overlooks the Inner Harbor, with great views of both the north and south skylines. You'll note that the cannons all seem to be awkwardly pointed at the city's central business neighborhood. The cause for this was the Union troops's suspicion of the famously irascible and rebellious Baltimoreans from siding with the Confederates in the Civil War (or simply from generally rioting). They set up on this well located hill to intimidate the city into submission.

• Fort McHenry 2400 E Fort Ave 39.263056,-76.58 ☎ +1 410 962-4290 Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 4:45PM daily $10, children under 15 are free Fort McHenry - FtMcHenryEntrance -QQQ634 - Really a must-visit for any tourist in Baltimore, thit is the birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner and the United States National Anthem. The fort's military history is best known for it's central role in the defense of the nation in the War of 1812, simply named the Battle of Fort McHenry. At the time, Baltimore was the industrial powerhouse of the United States and was a critical producer of ships and armaments. Fort McHenry remained relevant in future wars: a prison for captured Confederate soldiers in the Civil War, a military hospital during WWI and again an active Coast Guard base during WWII. Since 1925 it has been designated as a National Park (and since 1939 doubly listed as a National Monument) and is today a museum, with plenty of cannons and nooks and crannies to explore. Back to the National Anthem, it was Francis Scott Key, who was escaped here from British captivity in the War of 1812, joins Edgar Allen Poe, Thurgood Marshall and H L Mencken as a preeminent icon of the city and the eponym for dishes at restaurants, bridges and one impressive golden statue in Baltimore/Midtown|Bolton Hill. He might be a little sad to see that the flag is not still there. It was getting extra raggedy after all these years and was moved to the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C./National Mall|Washington, D.C. for preservation.

Muslim Travel Tips

Domino Sugar Plant - Domino Sugar Plant

• Mobtown Ballroom - 861 Washington Blvd - ☎ +1 410 218-8197 Opening Hours: Hours vary—call or check the calendar online The city's home for swing/blues/lindy hop dancing. Come single or in pairs and expect to be dancing. Lessons are offered at all levels and are usual followed by social dancing. Music is often live.

• Ultra Nate's Deep Sugar - 1310 Russel Street - ☎ +1 410 837-9100 Home to Baltimore's premiere house parties. They're a bit infrequent, so check the website.

• The Sandlot BWI - 713 E Ordnance Road, loc. 319 - Go to the back of the industrial/business park ☎ +1 410 590-3224 Opening Hours: Hours change seasonally—check the website or call for current hours Rates change monthly—check online or call for details Like much anything in this far flung area of Baltimore (Curtis Bay) and the Sandlot is pretty hard to find, but worth it for baseball enthusiasts. They offer batting cages and pitching tunnels by the hour, for baseball or softball, with very competitive rates. Private and group lessons are also regularly available.

• Hollywood Cinema - In the far-southern neighborhood of Arbutus.

• Horseshoe Casino Baltimore 1525 Russell Street 39.2808,-76.6233 +1-844-777-SHOE Horseshoe Casino Baltimore - Horseshoe_Casino_Grand_Opening_2014 -

Festivals

• African-American Festival - Afram - This festival to celebrate African-American culture is held every June at M&T Bank Stadium at Camden Yards. It features carnival rides, vendors selling lip-smacking soul food specialties and musical performances by African-American artists.

Sports

• M&T Bank Stadium - Baltimore Ravens - 1101 Russel Street 39.278056,-76.622778 ☎ +1 410 230-8000 M&T Bank Stadium M&T Bank Stadium DoD 41336 Baltimore's new American Football|football team, in the form of the former Cleveland Browns, is wildly popular with local residents, especially following their Superbowl wins in 2000 and 2013. As for the stadium itself, known unimpressively as "M&T Bank Stadium," but better referred to "The Bank", "The Nest", "The Asylum," or just "Ravens Stadium," is new as of 1998 and quite nice. For food, be sure to pick up some boardwalk fries. For parking, just don't. It's $40 and game day traffic is emphatically not fun.

• Oriole Park - Baltimore Orioles - 333 West Camden Street 39.283889,-76.621667 ☎ +1 410 333-1560 Oriole Park at Camden Yards OrioleParkAtCamdenYardsJune2013 41174 The local Baseball in the United States|baseball team plays at Oriole Park, better known as Camden Yards. It's often considered one of the nicest in the nation, with a retro style, but modern facilities (constructed in 1992). No name is better associated with the stadium than Cal Ripken Jr., who set the world record for playing 2,131 consecutive games on 6 September 1995, (a little less well known, but still historic, was Eddie Murray's 500th home run, exactly one year later to the date). Avoid trying to park here, for the same reasons as below for Ravens Stadium. Even when a game is not being played and the team still offers ndex.jsp tours of the ballpark starting in March (though check their website for times).

Shopping in Baltimore/South Baltimore

• Alliance Comics - 904 Light Street - ☎ +1 410 685-0021 Opening from Monday to Saturday 11AM Monday - 7PM, Sunday 11AM Monday - 5PM The City Paper's best comics store awards lately have to be considered a bit of an upset (and maybe just a mistake) over Collectors Corner in East Baltimore! But it is a great comic book store, with frequent release parties, tabletop/rpg gaming sessions and all sorts of merchandise associated with comics (clothes, figurines, etc.).

• The Book Escape - 805 Light Street - ☎ +1 410 576-8885 Opening Hours: 10AM Monday - 6PM daily Federal Hill's used bookstore also has garnered several "best of Baltimore" awards from the City Paper over the years and it is indeed a fun place for book lovers to stop in. The selection is wide and refreshingly well-organized.

• Cross Street Tobacco - 1103 Light Street - ☎ +1 410 752-9220 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 10AM Monday - 9PM, F-Sa 10AM Monday - 10PM, Sunday 11AM Monday - 6PM Thit is one of Baltimore's best cigar shops, with nice owners and a friendly cigar lounge in the back with coffee and cable TV.

• Curiosity - 1033 South Charles Street - ☎ +1 410 727-6262 The name gives it away—you won't find whatever you were looking for, but something amongst the fun browsing inside will get your interest piqued. Good spot for gifts, particularly retro, antique, or just plain eccentric home decor.

• Dan's Brothers | 1032 South Charles Street - ☎ +1 410 752-8175 Classy shoestore with classy shoes and classy service. The selection is big and the staff are excellent. Not a place for sneaks.

CamdenYards 2005-05-08 - Camden Yards

• Funky Beehive | 920 South Charles Street - ☎ +1 410 685-4483 Opening Hours: W-Su As the Hon-do name suggests, thit is a fun place to shop for Baltimore souvenirs, with requisite hon glasses and Natty Boh apparel. Fun, eccentric gifts abound.

• Housewerks - 1415 Bayard Street - ☎ +1 410 685-8047 Opening Hours: F-Sa 10AM Monday - 6PM, Sunday noon-4PM Baltimore's most eccentric home salvage/antiques store has an assortment of goods that is just plain strange. Even if you don't plan to buy something, a browse is certainly an interesting way to pass some time.

• Pandora's Box | 50 E Cross Street - ☎ +1 410 244-1442 Opening 10AM Monday - 7PM, Saturday 10AM Monday - 8PM, Sunday 11AM Monday - 6PM This funky little shop has all sorts of eclectic gifts, from home decor to jewelry to silly mugs.

• Zelda Zen | 46 E Cross Street - ☎ +1 410 625-2424 Opening 10AM Monday - 7PM, Saturday - Sunday 10AM Monday - 6PM Ditto the description for both Curiosity and Pandora's Box—the quirky gifts market here is fiercely competitive! Except this one also has christmas ornaments, some clothes and a bit of Baltimore souvenirs. If this sounds appealing, you should obviously stop in both here and in Pandora's, which is virtually next door.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Baltimore/South Baltimore

• Baba's Mediterranean Kitchen - 745 E Fort Ave - ☎ +1 410 727-7482 Opening 11:30AM Monday - 2:30PM,5PM Monday - 9PM, Saturday 11:30AM Monday - 9PM, Sunday noon-8PM $9-19 An almost startlingly good little place in Locust Point, with a Palestinian owner who knows his falafel.

• Barfly's | 620 E Fort Ave - ☎ +1 410 682-7227 Opening 4PM Monday - 2AM, Saturday - Sunday noon-2AM $7-14 Thit is the best spot for Pizzas within a few blocks of the Inner Harbor, with a tasty, thick fresh dough crust and a nice café.

• Berger Cookies | 2900 Waterview Ave - ☎ +1 410 752-5175 As Natty Boh is to Baltimore Berger Cookies are to Baltimore sweets. Incredibly rich, you should only ever eat one and probably get two glasses of milk handy. The cookie is of the soft sugar variety (German vanilla wafer, to be precise), with a fudgy Chocolates top so thick that it's better to think of it as an extra brownie. Berger's has been turning out these cookies for 175 years and it's a true Baltimore tradition. You can buy them online, you can find them at Lexington Market (at De Bauffre Bakery), but adventure seekers can head straight here, to the factory itself, for the fix.

• Byblos - 1033 Light Street - ☎ +1 410 209-2495 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 11AM Monday - 9:30PM, F-Sa 11AM Monday - 10PM $9-14 Whether to go to this Lebanese hole-in-the-wall or to Baba's for your Middle Eastern fix is a questions generally best determined by proximity. It is similarly excellent, cheap, friendly and informal. But it also can claim to be one of the best places in South Baltimore for vegetarian/vegan diners. Because it is in the thick of Federal Hill, though, it will be more crowded!

• Cross Street Market | 1065 South Charles Street - Opening from Monday to Saturday 7AM Monday - 7PM One of Baltimore's many covered markets, this little known building houses a lot of tasty, quick, good quality food. Some local favorites include Bruce Lee's Wings, Hot Corner Lee's for the real deal Philly cheese[ Steak and O's Breakfast and Barbeque (Monday to Saturday 7AM Monday - 5PM and especially for that breakfast!).

• Harborque - 1125 South Charles Street - ☎ +1 410 685-7675 Opening Hours: Monday - West 10AM Monday - 3PM, Thursday - Saturday 10AM Monday - 8PM, Sunday 10AM Monday - 6PM $8-16 While definitely uneven (and, in fairness, most cue shops are), Harborque has very well-regarded eastern Carolinas-style pulled Beef sandwiches, which alone make it worth a stop. So beware a bit the rest of the Meat, which is not up to the same standard, but the sides are great and it's a nice relaxed place to linger about in the area.

• Nick's Famous Rotisserie | 813 Washington Blvd - ☎ +1 410 539-9100 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 11AM Monday - 8PM, F-Sa 11AM Monday - 9PM, Sunday 11AM Monday - 6PM $3-9 Nick's Chicken is very very good—maybe the best Chicken of any sort in the city. Beyond the scrumptious birds, roasted, smoky, spiced, juicy, succulent and the menu is a short list soul food, with the mac n' Cheese and corn muffins being especially recommended (small mac n' alal-cheese/ Cheese, listed as a "salad," is 99¢, so there are no excuses). They also offer subs, but it's not clear if anyone ever orders them. Nick's is not too far into Pigtown, coming from Camden Yards and is honestly worth the walk (and putting up with the often rude staff). Carryout only, so plan to find a bench quickly.

• Polock Johnny's - 3212 Washington Blvd - ☎ +1 410 644-5997 $2-6 Thit is the last outpost of the venerable Polish Sausages maker in Baltimore City proper (the other is at Security Mall west of the city), after the much lamented exodus from Lexington Market. Johnny's Sausages are famous for a reason (and the sandwiches and especially the Ocean City boardwalk fries are highly recommended as well).

Federal Hill rowhouses - Federal Hill rowhouses

• Reuben's Crepes - 1043 South Charles - ☎ +1 443 756-0667 Opening 7AM Monday - 9PM, Saturday - Sunday 8AM Monday - 9PM $5-10 This Mexican creperie (wtf?) is good for... both Mexican dishes and crepes. The overlapping crepes with Mexican ingredients are a treat and really everything is done well and fresh here. Definitely a good place for a couple that is having trouble agreeing on what type of food to eat. Or just hungry people on a budget who want a really solid breakfast.

• Rheb's Homemade Candies - 3352 Wilkens Ave - ☎ +1 410 644-4321 Opening from Monday to Saturday 8:30AM Monday - 4:45PM 1 lb truffles for $17, 1 lb fudge for $10 Well hidden—no, really, you'll have to work hard to find the place—Rheb's is a classic Baltimore Candies shop, with great, homemade Chocolates. Coming westbound on Wilkens Ave, turn into the unmarked alley/small street (Bloomfield Ave) instantly after passing Caton Crossroads Professional Center (a large red brick building with green awnings).

• El Salto - 5513 Ritchie Highway - ☎ +1 410 789-1621 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 11AM Monday - 10PM, Friday 11AM Monday - 11PM, Saturday noon-10PM, Sunday noon-9PM $7-17 A cheap, no frills restaurant, with friendly service and authentic Mexican cuisine. The margaritas are big and stiff and the staff speaks precious little English.

• Abbey Burgers Bistro - 1041 Marshall Street - ☎ +1 443 453-9698 Opening Hours: Monday 5PM Monday - 1:30AM, Tuesday - Sunday 11:30AM Monday - 1:30AM $11-25 Federal Hill's spot for loaded gourmet burgers, with a list of options long enough to keep you busy for a good 10 minutes figuring out what to order!

• Hersh's Pizzas 1843 Light Street - ☎ +1 410 438-4948 Opening Hours: S,M,W-Thursday5PM Monday - 10PM, F-Sa 5PM Monday - midnight $12-25 While new (late 2011), Hersh's has garnered a lot of positive attention around town for cool ambiance, high class cocktails, craft soft drinks on tap and some really good gourmet Pizzas (and pastas).

• Italiano's - 2229 Washington Blvd - ☎ +1 410 468-3377 Opening Hours: 7AM Monday - 4AM daily $8-26 The Italian food at this middle-of-nowhere spot is surprisingly quite good, unsurprisingly cheap, open until 4AM every night(!) and actually has a drive-thru for called in orders! Being in Southwest Baltimore, perhaps it's not surprising that they also have some soul food on the menu (the fried Chicken is another surprisingly good dish). A simple place, no doubt, but a pretty sure bet for a solid meal.

• L.P. Steamers - 1100 E Fort Ave - ☎ +1 410 576-9294 Opening Hours: 11:30AM Monday - 11PM daily (last seating for crabs 9PM) $7-20, crabs market price If you want a truly authentic Baltimore crabs/seafood experience, Locust Point has got to be the place to have it (the fact that you are further off the beaten path means a cheaper meal as well). L.P. Steamers is widely recognized as one of the city's best spots for steamed crabs and has a nice menu of other seafood be it steamed, broiled, or deep fried. Their crabs are not served with Old Bay, but rather with a house blend of spices. While this may seem to the untrained eye to be sacrilege, remember that way back in the day just about every Maryland crab shack had its own spices—thit is tradition. Rooftop dining in the summer equals fantastic views over the Inner Harbor.

• Matsuri - 1105 South Charles Street - ☎ +1 410 752-8561 Opening Hours: Lunch: Monday to Friday 11:30AM Monday - 2:30PM; dinner: Sunday - Thursday 5PM Monday - 10PM, F-Sa 5PM Monday - 11PM $5-20 Matsuri is considered by many the best Japanese restaurant in the city, for its fresh sushi, crisp and tender tonkatsu and satisfying tempura in a casual, calm environment. Not everything is perfect here, but Baltimore is not exactly a sushi destination!

• Maynard's - 3916 South Hanover Street - ☎ +1 410 355-8924 Opening 11AM Monday - 2AM, Saturday - Sunday noon-2AM $10-22 Maynard's is somewhat of a local center for the Brooklyn neighborhood—popular for lunch and dinner in the day and for DJs and live music after hours. The menu is assertively Baltimorean, with "hon fries," "Greektown gyros," "Bawlmer crab dip skins," "Francis Hot Key sandwiches," etc. Crab manages to show up in over half of the dishes. What the deal is with the Nixon posters is not exactly clear.

• Miguel's Cocina y Cantina - 1700 Beason Street - Behind the main side of the building, Silo Point, by the granite columns, with the entrance from an interior hallway ☎ +1 410 438-3139 Opening Hours: Monday 5PM Monday - 10PM, W-Thursday11:30AM Monday - 1PM, F-Sa 11:30AM Monday - 11PM, Sunday 11:30AM Monday - 2PM (brunch until 2PM Saturday - Sunday) $14-30 Classy—but not overly fancy, modern, cool, quite hard-to-find and featuring upscale, authentic Mexican cuisine. Their margaritas are also some of the best (and often most creative) you will find in Maryland and weekend brunch can see some great bottomless drinks deals. Thit is one of those places that will impress people you take there (if only for the difficulty in finding it!) and one of those places that makes clear the inexorably changed reality in Locust Point. There is a parking garage across from the main entrance to the building, where you can park on the lower level.

• Regi's - 1002 Light Street - ☎ +1 410 539-7344 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 11AM Monday - 10PM, F-Sa 10AM Monday - 11PM, Sunday 10AM Monday - 10PM $13-28 Regi's is Federal Hill's local classic, upscale, traditional American restaurant. The filet mignon threatens to melt in your mouth. The seafood and indeed the crabcakes stand up to the best in the city. And the prices aren't runaway.

• Ryleigh's Oyster 36 E Cross Street - ☎ +1 410 539-2093 Opening Hours: 11AM Monday - 2AM daily $14-42 Though beleaguered by the Cross Street mob scene F-Sa nights, thit is actually a really good seafood restaurant the rest of the time. The pub theme is updated and pretty sleek and the raw café serves some of Baltimore's best oysters on the half shell. If you just want pub grub and they do that quite well too.

• (Thai) Arroy - 1019 Light Street - ☎ +1 410 385-8587 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 11:30AM Monday - 3PM,5PM Monday - 10PM, Friday 11:30AM Monday - 3PM,5PM Monday - 11PM, Saturday noon-11PM $14-25 Federal Hill's solid neighborhood (Thai) restaurant. It's perhaps not worth hunting down if coming from, say, Fell's Point, but if you are in the Inner Harbor west area or by the stadiums and are in the mood for (Thai), it's certainly worth a walk.

• Bluegrass Tavern - 1500 South Hanover Street - ☎ +1 410 244-5101 Opening Hours: Kitchen: Tuesday - West 5PM Monday - 10PM, Thursday - Saturday 11AM Monday - 11PM, Sunday 10AM Monday - 10PM $17-40 Casual atmosphere and decidedly non-casual, upscale, contemporary American cuisine and a long bourbon list. The menu is creative and long, but a pretty clear favorite is the smoked fried Chicken.

• Wine Market - 921 E Fort Ave - ☎ +1 410 244-6166 Opening Hours: Monday 5PM Monday - 10PM, Tuesday - Thursday 11AM Monday - 10PM, Friday 11AM Monday - 11PM, Saturday 5PM Monday - 11PM $26-50 Thit is probably South Baltimore's nicest option for a dinner (or lunch), with a full restaurant, cafe, café and shop rolled into one. Expect the dishes to be composed of all local ingredients and expert counsel from the sommelier. Fans of the HBO TV series The Wire may recognize this as a personal favorite of one Senator Clay Davis.

Far South

• Sorrento of Arbutus 5401 East Drive - ☎ +1 410 242-6474 +1 410-242-7694

In the far-southern neighborhood of Arbutus.

Silo Point Baltimore MD Dec 11 - Silo Point, symbol of South Baltimore's recent gentrification

Federal Hill is packed with Halal dining and has a good number of legitimately cool venues. The weekends, in the center of the neighborhood (Cross St), are not for everyone, though. It's a frat party after 11PM or so F-Sa and it is what it is. To be clear, we're euphemizing unabashed douchebaggery, with overuse of the word "bro," affordable hook ups, rampant littering and not all that infrequent café fights. Move to the outskirts of that neighborhood, though and you'll find some real gems for any night of the week.

• The 8 x 10 - 10 E Cross Street - ☎ +1 410 625-2000 Opening Hours: Shows get started around 8PM One of Baltiore's best set-up live music venues occupies a Goldilockean not-too-big, not-too-small space, although it does get overcrowded on the weekends with the weekend Federal Hill crowd. Shows tend to be rock and the dance floor can be a very good time depending on the clientele that night.

• Bobby's Jazz Club - 1140 South Paca Street - ☎ +1 410 545-0610 Thit is a throwback lounge that features live jazz on Friday nights. It also offers cigar smoking up on the rooftop deck that overlooks the southwest side of the city. Located in a sparse warehouse area about thrree blocks west of M&T Stadium, its something of an oasis as it stands alone from any other food/drinking establishment. The predominantly African American clientèle there consider it a hidden gem. You can buy cigars on site and yes, even the women light up!

• Camden Pub - 647 West Pratt Street - ☎ +1 410 547-1280 Opening Hours: 11AM Monday - 2AM daily Of the Camden pubs, the Camden Pub probably distinguishes itself more than any other way by having the best wings—smothered in Old Bay. On game days, expect a healthy mix of gamegoers and University of Maryland in Baltimore students.

• Harbor Way Inn | 737 West Pratt Street - Most of the various pubs right around Camden Yards lack soul, but this dive is the black sheep of that boring family. In addition to being somewhat quiet and attracting local residents, it has a Lithuanian bent, with bottles of good Lithuanian organic juice ($4) and virytas, a delicious but potent honey Colas. Even more oddball and the café is kind of anti-sports—don't expect to chat Orioles news with the bartender and don't plan even on watching the TV. Pool table in the back.

• Hull Street Blues Cafe - 1222 Hull Street - ☎ +1 410 727-7476 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 11AM Monday - midnight, F-Sa 11AM Monday - 2AM, Sunday 10AM Monday - midnight Famous above all for its excellent brunch, this older establishment that treads the line between the gentrification crowd and the neighborhood is a fine place for a reliable lunch or dinner in the middle of the week, or just for the café (which has free shuffleboard!).

• Idle Hour | 201 E Fort Ave - ☎ +1 410 468-0357 Thit is one of the best dive bars in this part of the city. Quiet, not too crowded and away from the frat party to the north. The cocktails can actually be pretty good and worth a slightly higher price than you would find at a more off-the-beaten-path dive café (which would pretty much be limited to gin & tonics and rye & sodas anyway). The patrons also tend to be a bit older and more mature and there are rumors of hipsters, although it's a little doubtful you would find any in Federal Hill.

• Illusions Magic Cafe & Lounge - 1025 South Charles Street - ☎ +1 410 727-5811 Opening Hours: W-Sa 5PM Monday - 1AM; shows on F-Sa nights, 8:30PM (reservations needed) They're not kidding—thit is literally a magic bar, with magicians coming in to perform. Yes and the patter is a little corny, but the tricks are cool and the atmosphere is classy and the stiff martinis are actually pretty good. All in all, thit is a nice change of pace, if you are in the mood for something different.

• Mum's | 1144 South Hanover Street - ☎ +1 410 547-7415 Opening 2PM Monday - 2AM, Saturday - Sunday 1PM Monday - 2AM Mum's is pure Baltimore. It's dark, dank, local, loud and free of the occasionally awful wannabe-Jersey Shore Federal Hill crowd. It has been in the neighborhood a long time and was reasonably well known in the punk/hardcore days of the city (they still occasionally have live music). If you feel like forgetting your evening and waking up in some random part of Baltimore, or potentially another town, try some shots of "Evil." Pool table in the back.

• Nevin's Cross Street Station | 31 E Cross Street - ☎ +1 410 468-4078 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 5PM Monday - 2AM It's a dirty, eccentric dive café with affordable booze and fun, bad karaoke every night of the week save Monday. Interesting crowd!

• Pub Dog - 20 E Cross Street - ☎ +1 410 727-6077 Opening Hours: 5PM Monday - 2AM daily A rare breed on Cross St, thit is actually a pretty laid back pub with good Pizzas and even better microbrews—mostly fruit-infused. It's also a hit with dogs. The "Dog Deal" is a very impressive two (smallish) mugs of organic juice for $4.

• Ropewalk Tavern - 1209 South Charles Street - ☎ +1 410 727-1298 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 4:30PM Monday - 2AM, F-Su 11:30AM Monday - 2AM Surprisingly and there do appear to be Republicans in Baltimore and the only place you can reliably find them is at this bar/lounge, decorated with statues of conservative icon President Reagan. If Republican, you've found a haven full of like-minded singles. If not Republican, it's still a fun (and even kind of souvenirsy) party, with swimmingpool and good café food.

• Sliders Grill | 504 Washington Blvd - ☎ +1 410 547-8891 Opening Hours: 10:30AM Monday - 2AM daily Thit is likely the best café by the Ravens and Orioles stadiums, a big sports café that does most things right, in particular the regional craft soft drinks on tap and the big LCDs and the proud, friendly Baltimore sports loving crowd.

• Stalking Horse 26 E Cross Street - ☎ +1 410 244-6722 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 4PM Monday - 2AM, F-Su 11:30AM Monday - 2AM The three floors are packed (especially intense F-Sa), with a popular sports café up front and a second floor dance floor full of people dancing the night away to Top 40 under the influence of vodka red bull slushies (really). Half price crab cakes on Wednesday nights!

• Zeeba Lounge - 916 Light Street - ☎ +1 410 539-7900 Opening Hours: Su,W-Thursday6PM Monday - midnight, F-Sa 6PM Monday - 4AM $10 minimum Zeeba probably has Baltimore's swankiest hookah set up, with comfy seating, fairly expensive hookah and good Middle Eastern Halal food available. Clientele is surprisingly Middle Eastern. F-Sa nights have belly dancing starting at 10PM. Watch out for the barely advertised $10 minimum per patron.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Baltimore/South Baltimore

Baltimore/South Baltimore - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Baltimore/South Baltimore, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Baltimore/South Baltimore. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Baltimore/South Baltimore and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Baltimore/South Baltimore. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Baltimore/South Baltimore. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Baltimore/South Baltimore: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Baltimore/South Baltimore.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Baltimore/South Baltimore: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Baltimore/South Baltimore, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Baltimore/South Baltimore.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Baltimore/South Baltimore, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Baltimore/South Baltimore, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Baltimore/South Baltimore and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Baltimore/South Baltimore, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Baltimore/South Baltimore, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Baltimore/South Baltimore without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Baltimore/South Baltimore is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Baltimore/South Baltimore.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Baltimore/South Baltimore is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Baltimore/South Baltimore, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Baltimore/South Baltimore Media: info@ehalal.io

Ramadan Celebrations in Baltimore/South Baltimore

Ramadan 2025 in Baltimore/South Baltimore

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

FederalHillPark - Federal Hill itself, cannons aimed at Downtown

Although Federal Hill is pretty and close to major attractions, it actually is devoid of any hotels. South Baltimore really isn't the place to stay, unless you are at one of the hotels just north of the stadiums, on the verge of the Inner Harbor and Downtown.

• Holiday Inn Express at the Stadiums - 1701 Russel Street - ☎ +1 410 727-1818 $100-140 The location is a little blah. It's very close to Ravens Stadium, which is good, but it's neighbored by gas stations for refueling before hitting the highways. While close to Federal Hill and the walk back under the highway overpass at night would be too lonely and would suggest a cab. On the upside, though, it's affordable and has parking ($15/day), as well as an outdoor pool, gym and business center.

• Motel 6 | 1401 Bloomfield Ave - Exit 50A off I-95 for southbound Caton Ave ☎ +1 410 646-1700 $55-65 A dirt affordable place to crash, convenient to anyone with a vehicle coming to Baltimore. The downside, though, is that the location is conveniently just off I-95, but inconveniently located in a seedy neighborhood that can attract a seedy element to the motel.

• Bridge Street Henrietta Plaza Apartments | 911 South Charles Street - ☎ +1 410 296-0900 $120-170/day If you do want to stay in Federal Hill and the neighborhood, Bridge Street Apartments is the only option. They crucially offer nice, serviced apartments with a five night stay minimum.

• Hampton Inn Convention Center | 550 Washington Blvd - ☎ +1 410 306-5105 $145-180 If the four diamond Hilton below is too pricey, you can always sleep across the street in the Hilton-owned three diamond Hampton Inn (which actually tends to get "better for the money" reviews).

• Hilton Baltimore | 401 West Pratt Street - ☎ +1 443 573-8700 $210-280 The Hilton is big, quite new, expensive, centrally located and very nice. Big gym, heated indoor lap pool, private secluded sauna and whirlpool.

• Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards - 110 South Eutaw Street - ☎ +1 410 962-0202 $180-300 Upscale chain hotel just north of Oriole Park at Camden Yards and the M&T Bank Stadium (where the Ravens play), just a few blocks from the Convention Center.

• Rachael's Dowry Bed & Breakfast - 637 Washington Blvd - ☎ +1 410 752-0805 $145-270 Rachael's occupies one of the oldest surviving buildings in Historic Ridgely's Delight. This fully restored Bed & Breakfast is one block from the Baltimore Convention Center Hotels and the Orioles at Camden Yards and the University of Maryland.

Telecommunications in Baltimore/South Baltimore

The Federal Hill/Locust Point area actually has some pretty great coffeeshops for lazy, caffeinated wireless surfing.

• Koba Cafe - 644 E Fort Ave - ☎ +1 410 986-0366 Opening 6:30AM Monday - 6PM, Saturday - Sunday 7:30AM Monday - 6PM Free WiFi in a really friendly setting, with good coffee drinks and sandwiches.

• Metropolitan Coffeehouse & Wine Cafe - 902 South Charles Street - ☎ +1 410 234-0235 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 7AM Monday - 10PM, F-Su 7AM Monday - 1:30AM There is a lot to like about this place—quite good upscale food, soft drinks by the glass or bottle, good coffee and free WiFi! Cool music playing and a nice vibe that attracts a more mature crowd in Federal Hill.

• Peace & a Cup of Joe - 713 Pratt Street - ☎ +1 410 869-4515 Opening 7AM Monday - 7PM, Saturday - Sunday 8:30AM Monday - 6PM Free WiFi in Ridgeley's Delight right by Camden Yards, a devoted local following, open mic Thursday evenings and Zeke's Coffee.

Stay safe in Baltimore/South Baltimore

In the extreme south, particularly in and just around Cherry Hill and there are a few gang-ridden areas that you might want to avoid walking around, but for the most part South Baltimore is pretty safe, albeit looking rough around the edges. Except around the bars at closing time on weekends, Federal Hill is very safe, Locust Point is always fine and Pigtown is safe, if not always that friendly (definitely don't walk around there overdressed).

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