Things to do in Baltimore upon moving (White Marsh: 2014, renting)

[jsinclair]

I'm moving to Baltimore in the upcoming weeks, and I was hoping to get some suggestions of things to do/places to see. I'll be attending UB and living in Mt. Vernon without a car, so I'm limited by public transportation. What are some relatively accessible places that you would recommend a new Baltimoron to check out?

[kharing]

You are not limited.....walk to Penn Station for Amtrak and light rail transport just about anywhere. The Walters Museum is free and within walking distance. Jump on a bus to check out Hampden, the Baltimore Museum of Art (also free) even ride to White Marsh to get your Ikea fix on! So much to see....

[mpheels]

If you have a driver's license, you can also use zipcar. I don't know specifics for UB, but most schools offer discounted memberships, and you can usually get $75 worth of free rental/share time through the Ikea website.

Definitely check out the Walters. The American Visionary Art Museum is really cool (not free), and you can stroll around the harbor to get there.

The aquarium is only $12 if you go after 5pm on a Friday.

The Constellation and other ships in the Inner Harbor are pretty cool if you're into sailing or history. They aren't free (or even cheap), but really cool.

Sail Baltimore coordinates visits from tall ships and other vessels - Sail Baltimore, bringing tall ships to Baltimore since 1975. They haven't posted a 2014 schedule, but should start in March based on prior years. Ships are usually in port for 2-3 days, with free self guided tours.

You can take the circulator banner route out to Fort McHenry (not free, unless you happen to have a National Parks Pass).

[feck]

If you must walk in the city these days, make sure you are aware
of every person and their activities within 75 feet of you. Feed the
pigeons not the panhandlers. Maintain a stern facial expression
(study Charles Bronson movies) and don't.....ever........say....
"What's up my ni**ah" to a black person if you are white.

[phoenixmike11]

Baltimore

There are lots of things to do in Baltimore-Inner Harbor, Little Italy, Fells Point, museums and you can take the MARC commuter train to DC (which now operates 7 days a week) and there are plenty of things to see there as well. The wikivoyage site is a good place to start-also I would check out a couple of local papers-

Baltimore City Paper
The Baltimore Sun | Breaking news, sports, weather and traffic in Baltimore - baltimoresun.com

[picardlx]

Originally Posted by jsinclair

I'm moving to Baltimore in the upcoming weeks, and I was hoping to get some suggestions of things to do/places to see. I'll be attending UB and living in Mt. Vernon without a car, so I'm limited by public transportation. What are some relatively accessible places that you would recommend a new Baltimoron to check out?

Mt Vernon + renting + no car = my best Baltimore years. Best area for transit (4 MTA buses, 1 Circulator, Lightrail, Subway and Amtrak/Marc, Boltbus, MVP Bus); you can walk to Harbor on good weather days; you can walk to Pratt central. I'm starting to tear-up.

[LionLady]

Sign up for ZipCar. You won't regret it. Daughter used it regularly in Richmond, VA. Students get a discounted sign up rate.

Baltimore is a wonderful city and you'll get from it (or anywhere) what you bring. Smile at people. Look around. You'll be amazed at what happens. . . Moving from Alexandria, VA, where everyone is suspicious of strangers I was stupefied by the sincere friendliness of folks everywhere, from the 7-eleven clerks to regular folks on the street here in Baltimore.

[goodlife36]

Originally Posted by phoenixmike11

Baltimore

There are lots of things to do in Baltimore-Inner Harbor, Little Italy, Fells Point, museums and you can take the MARC commuter train to DC (which now operates 7 days a week) and there are plenty of things to see there as well. The wikivoyage site is a good place to start-also I would check out a couple of local papers-

Baltimore City Paper
The Baltimore Sun | Breaking news, sports, weather and traffic in Baltimore - baltimoresun.com

Good info.

[goodlife36]

Originally Posted by feck

and don't.....ever........say....
"What's up my ni**ah" to a black person if you are white.

What a stupid comment.

[mpheels]

Originally Posted by LionLady

Sign up for ZipCar. You won't regret it. Daughter used it regularly in Richmond, VA. Students get a discounted sign up rate.

Baltimore is a wonderful city and you'll get from it (or anywhere) what you bring. Smile at people. Look around. You'll be amazed at what happens. . . Moving from Alexandria, VA, where everyone is suspicious of strangers I was stupefied by the sincere friendliness of folks everywhere, from the 7-eleven clerks to regular folks on the street here in Baltimore.

Absolutely yes! I'm from a small town in NC, and spent the past 13 years in a mid-size college town in NC. I'm used to smiling at and greeting everyone. I had people warning me before I moved that I would need to break that habit. About two weeks into my life in Baltimore, I decided not to. I'd say 95% of the people I encounter are nice. The other 5% are usually indifferent at worst. A few will ask for money, and a simple "sorry, no" is enough to end that conversation. I have yet to encounter open hostility, but that comes with a huge caveat that I do read my surroundings and will not engage people who are sending negative vibes. All in all, you have to have to be aware of your surroundings, but people are generally nice if you are polite and show people a minimum level of respect.