Popular Baltimore Neighborhood

Mt. Vernon is a neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, about five minutes north of downtown. Over the years, it has grown into one of the cultural hotspots of the area. It has been designated a national landmark. Originally, when the community began to form, it was considered one of the wealthiest and most fashionable neighborhoods in Baltimore. It is named for George Washington and is the site of the original Washington Monument. The statue sits in the middle of the main courtyard of the neighborhood and is known for looking down on many of the area festivals that take place in Mt. Vernon. As the neighborhood changed, it grew into a hip, artsy area, and is now known as Baltimore's Cultural District.

Home to some of the most well-known art establishments, Mt. Vernon boasts a variety of the area's most beloved landmarks. The area features the Walters Art Museum, the Maryland Historical Society, and the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, home of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Many of Mt. Vernon's residents are students and attend the University of Baltimore, the Peabody Conservatory, or the Baltimore School for the Arts. Also nearby are the Lyric Opera House, Center Stage, the Enoch Pratt Free Library, and the Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute.

One of the best reasons to visit Mt. Vernon is the architecture. Some of the areas most beautiful and well-preserved 19th century architecture on all of the east coast is located here. Just strolling down the street will allow you to appreciate the craftsmanship and care that went into these homes. Many of the areas 4-story rowhomes have been renovated and display a lot of the original architecture of the buildings.

If you are in the Mt. Vernon area, be sure to stop by the Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church. This church was built on the site of the Charles Howard mansion. This was the house in which Francis Scott Key, the composer of the National Anthem, died.

Mt. Vernon also features art galleries, hotels, retail stores, bed & breakfasts, and a variety of nightlife. Some of the most well-known restaurants in Maryland are located in Mt. Vernon, and there are a number of cozy cafes and trendy bars. Restaurants include Brewer's Art, a brewery that features its own beers, as well as what they call guest brews. There are also a variety of brandies and ports available that can be served in their lounge which features a roaring fire. There is also a pastry chef on the premises.

Another popular Mt. Vernon restaurant is Abacrombie Fine Foods and Accomodations. This is a restaurant and bed & breakfast, and features the culinary work of Bravo's Top Chef contestent Jessie Sandler. If you are in search of other unique hotels nearby, try Peabody Court, the Mt. Vernon Hotel, or The Government House, a bed & breakfast restored from a 19th century Victorian mansion.

Finally, Mt. Vernon is easy to reach. There are a lot of public transportation options including the Light Rail Line, the Metro Subway, Penn Station, and major bus routes. The next time you are in Baltimore, consider a visit to Mt. Vernon. Full of music, delicious food, and restored architecture, you will appreciate Baltimore's cultural district.