Random B'more things

[parcourir]

I meant long ago to prepare a small guide for people coming to B'con, but alas, school has interfered.

Nonetheless, I did want to make special mention of a few things. First, if you have a moment of free time, I would strongly encourage walking North up Liberty/Cathedral St. There are three major items of interest in that direction: the Basilica, the Walters Art Museum and the Enoch Pratt central library. The Basilica, the first in the nation, has recently undergone restoration and is a beautiful building (and a Baltimore icon) worth seeing. The library is a great place to relax and has internet; I'm not sure how easy it is to get a guest pass, but you can always try. Plus, there are often fun and fascinating exhibits, and it, too, is a beautiful building. And finally, the Walters is just down Cathedral St. Admission is free and the collection is quirky - a little bit of this, a little bit of that.

Useful knowledge: A few blocks (2-3) up Charles St, there is a SuperFresh grocery store that is well-stocked and open reasonably late (10ish, I think). There is also a dry cleaners in the same plaza, and a coffee shop. And for a good bite to eat during the lunch break, try the Grand Cafe at the Tremont (on Charles St.). Mercy Hospital is on St. Paul and/or Calvert Sts. at the intersection w/ Saratoga (~3-5 blocks away), should there be any urgent or emergent issues. There are additionally a CVS pharmacy and a Walgreens nearby (best to ask the concierge for directions).

Finally, if you wish to see the house where F. Scott Fitzgerald lived while in B'more, take the Light Rail to Mount Royal/University of Baltimore. Walk west (to the right, uphill and away from downtown) on Mt. Royal Ave. At Lafayette Ave., take a left. Walk straight until Park Ave., take another left (Brown Memorial Presbyterian is across the street on the corner and has beautiful Tiffany stained-glass windows). Fitzgerald's old house is down the block on the left - there's a round, blue plaque identifying it. And while you're in the neighborhood (Bolton Hill, by name), get one of the best sandwiches in town at On The Hill (go back up Lafayette Ave. to John St., take a left, and it's all the way at the end of the street where it forms a T. They also have free wireless internet.)

Enjoy!

[Meredith47]

Dear Parcourir, I have checked several links about Bcon08, all useful. But this is unparallelled for pragmatism and the quick dash. (at Bcon, the quick dash is probably the only trip outside the hotels). thanks a LOT!//Meredith

[LaideeMarjorie]

That was all very useful. I will print it out and take it with me.

Now, more questions.

Are there streets or areas that I shouldn't be walking on after dark?

Is going to Poe's grave really worthwhile or is it a very touristy thing?

Are the crabcakes at Faidley's really the best?

Oh, and any other suggestions for breakfast close to the Sheraton are most welcome. I hate to pay $10 for a bowl of cereal at the hotel!

Thanks,
Marjorie

[parcourir]

Originally Posted by LaideeMarjorie

That was all very useful. I will print it out and take it with me.

Now, more questions.

Are there streets or areas that I shouldn't be walking on after dark?

Is going to Poe's grave really worthwhile or is it a very touristy thing?

Are the crabcakes at Faidley's really the best?

Oh, and any other suggestions for breakfast close to the Sheraton are most welcome. I hate to pay $10 for a bowl of cereal at the hotel!

Let us address these one by one:

1. Yes, there are places I would not walk at night. Straight north of the hotel (Downtown and Mt. Vernon, by name) is generally safe until you hit Everyman Theatre. Inner Harbor and Harbor East/Little Italy are safe. Bolton Hill (the arts district near the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall) is safe. The area around the Orleans St. Branch of the library, on the other hand, is not a place I would wander alone at night, though south a few blocks you do hit relatively safe areas. For better or worse, Baltimore is very patchy - one moment you're fine, the next block over you begin to wonder. I would simply say exercise appropriate caution. I have lived here four years, two of them in high-crime areas of East Baltimore, and I have yet to be mugged or threatened on the street.

2. I cannot give a good opinion on Poe's grave because I've never been. But I do intend to go one of these days, so I suppose I think it worthwhile. If you have access to a car and really want a feel for the city, I recommend the Baltimore Museum of Art's podcast tour of Baltimore's monuments. For a list of quirkier attractions in Baltimore, the things people at home might actually be interested in hearing about, I suggest getting a copy of the article "The Other Baltimore" from the Baltimore Sun. (It costs $3.95 on the website, or you can try your local library. Though I suspect the Sun could use the money.)

3. Ahh, crab cakes. The great Baltimore debate. I have yet to find a crab cake that I can confidently place the "best" label on, but for thorough coverage of the topic and the various opinions thereon, I refer you here.

4. Small breakfast places abound in that area, many of the same general quality. You will surely find something inexpensive and decent. Buying at SuperFresh (or at the coffee shop in the same plaza) is always an economical option. There is also an Au Bon Pain at the metro entrance near the Wachovia, though good directions from the hotel escape me at the moment. If you have time in the morning, you can take the 15-minute walk up Charles St. to Donna's, grab a good cup of coffee, and people-watch at the corner of Charles and Madison. (Incidentally, The Helmand, an Afghan restaurant owned by the brother of Hamid Karzai, is just a few doors down. As is Indigma, the Indian tapas place - yes, they exist - with prices that cannot be beat.)

Whew. I need to learn the art of editing. There are just so many good things to share. Keep the questions coming!

[parcourir]

Oh! And Hampden! How could I forget Hampden?!

Hampden is Baltimore Hairspray-style. Yes, you'll have to take a cab. (Just ask to be taken to Cafe Hon on the Avenue. Or ask the concierge for better directions.) There are many good restaurants, and this would be the place to go for fun Baltimore souvenirs. Where else would you find a shoe store that also sells chocolate? Or the self-described "mini-museum of cultural kitsch"?

[LaideeMarjorie]

Parcourir,

Thanks again for your invaluable advice.

I especially like knowing about where it is safe and less safe to walk. Of courese, you have to be aware no matter where you are going, but I know that in New York, for instance, there are place I feel fine walking around at midnight and places I wouldn't go no matter what time of the day it was!

Please share anything else that comes to mind about your fair city.

--Marjorie