Baltimore flights and travel guide

Visitors frequently book flights to Baltimore to visit the National Aquarium, the Baltimore Maritime Museum, and the Pride of Baltimore II. But there’s more to see and do in this city than just hang out on the bay. Book flights to Baltimore for a look back at our nation’s history and an exploration into some of the finest educational institutions in America.

The Johns Hopkins Hospital, one of nation's top research hospitals, and the Johns Hopkins Hospital and University are two of the most revered medical institutions nation-wide. Take a walk through Baltimore neighborhoods like Fells Point, which is filled with cobblestone streets and historical buildings that date back to the 18^th century. Mount Vernon is home to Baltimore’s Washington Monument and tourists can relax a while in Mount Vernon Park. Frances Scott Keyes penned “The Star Spangled Banner” during the Battle of Baltimore at Fort McHenry in 1814. Within walking distance from the sight of our nation’s famous lyrics, travelers can visit the home of Mary Pickersgill, who sewed the famous flag.

Baltimore may have its historical references, but true sports fans will book flights to Baltimore during baseball season to visit Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles. Baltimore is also the birthplace of baseball great Babe Ruth. The city’s food is pretty legendary, too. Travelers to Baltimore would be remiss if they boarded Baltimore flights back home without tasting one of Baltimore’s savory crab cakes.

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Baltimore climate

Spring and fall have the most pleasant weather, with temperatures in the 50s to 60s (Fahrenheit). Summers are hot (80s and 90s) and very humid. Winter temperatures rarely drop below 30, though Baltimore does occasionally get snow.

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Best Time to Fly to Baltimore

Peak Season:

Spring and summer are the busiest seasons and when most people book Baltimore flights and hotel rooms. One of the very busiest times is in mid to late May, when the city is full of horseracing fans attending the Preakness, the second race in the Triple Crown. In summer, there are many waterfront and neighborhood festivals.

Off Season:

Fall can be a bargain time to take a cheap flight to Baltimore and find discounted hotel rates.

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Getting downtown Baltimore

The airport is 7 miles south of downtown Baltimore off either the Baltimore-Washington Parkway or I95. BWI provides access to limousines and shuttles, buses, light rail, and taxis, and shuttle access to rental cars. The BWI web site provides current information about ground transportation.

The Airport Shuttle and Smart Ride provide door-to-door shuttle service to the Baltimore area. Baltimore’s Mass Transit Administration (MTA) bus and light rail provide service to downtown.

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Getting around Baltimore

If you’re sticking to the harbor during your Baltimore trip, you’ll be able to get around by walking or water taxi. To get north from Inner Harbor, it’s recommended that you take a taxi. Downtown has limited bus and rail service, but the service in the suburbs is excellent. If you want to rent a car, all the major rental companies are located at the airport, with one shuttle servicing them all. Driving around town is pretty easy, since Baltimore is laid out on a grid with alternating one-way streets. Traffic is usually heavy, even when it’s not rush hour, and parking is expensive and limited. Make sure you watch out for tow zones during rush hour and red-light cameras at intersections.

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Baltimore Travel Information

• Baltimore claims a number of “firsts,” including first use of an umbrella in the thirteen colonies (1772) and first balloon ascension in the U.S. (1784). More facts about Baltimore can be found on the official tourism site, Baltimore.org.
• Like other port cities, Baltimore offers a variety of tours on the water, including narrated tours and tall ship cruises. The latest information on what’s available can be found at baydreaming.com. One of the best bargains around is the water taxi, which provides a cheap cruise while taking you to many of the attractions around the harbor.
• The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum presents railroading history on 40 acres within the city.
• The Baltimore Museum of Art, in addition to its collections of art from the U.S., Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania, offers a three-acre sculpture garden with works from Rodin to Calder, a lovely oasis in the midst of downtown.
• The Walters Art Museum houses the collection of the Walters family, begun in Paris when William Walters moved there during the Civil War. The collection ranges from pre-dynastic Egypt to 20th century Europe. The Baltimore Museum of Industry’s exhibits show the growth of industry and technology, from a coal-fired tugboat to space exploration. Port Discovery is Baltimore’s children’s museum.
• Baltimore City Arts Net is a Web site that gives current information about the arts, including a list of all museums; current art exhibits; music groups and musical performances, including restaurants and clubs; theatre, film, and dance performances; and more.
• For rides and slides and all the other theme park attractions, there is Six Flags America, about 40 minutes south of Baltimore near Washington, D.C.

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Baltimore airports

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

Alternative airports (distances in miles):
Washington National (30); Washington Dulles (43); Harrisburg (70); Philadelphia (90); Richmond(120)

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