Downtown, Baltimore

In the northern part of the central area is park-like Mount Vernon Place, with the Washington Monument in the centre.

The Walters Art Museum, located in Mount Vernon's Cultural District, is a cultural institution of international renown, one of only a few museums worldwide to present a comprehensive history of art from the third millennium B.C. to the early 20th century. Among its thousands of treasures, the Walters Art Museum holds a fine collection of ivories, jewelry, enamels and bronzes and a large reserve of illuminated manuscripts and rare books. The Walters' Egyptian, Greek and Roman, Byzantine, Ethiopian and western medieval art collections are extensive, as are the museum's holdings of Renaissance and Asian art. Every major trend in French painting during the 19th century is represented by one or more works in the Walters' collection.

The Maryland Historical Society, a couple of blocks west of Walters Art Gallery, has a fine library and historical collections, including Francis Scott Key's original manuscript of "The Star Spangled Banner" and War of Independence uniforms.

South of the Walters Art Gallery, in Cathedral Street, is the Basilica of the Assumption, the oldest Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States, built in the time of Archbishop John Carroll. In the crypt are the tombs of Archbishop Carroll (1735-1815) and others.

To the south of the Basilica of the Assumption, on Charles Street and Lombard Street, is the busy Charles Center, a complex of office buildings and apartment blocks built from 1959 onwards. The building at One Charles Center was designed by Mies van der Rohe (1962). Further south, on Baltimore Street and Charles Street, is the Morris Mechanic Theatre, which puts on Broadway productions. Adjoining this is the Hopkins Plaza (concerts and theatrical shows). Also on Charles Street is the granite and steel facade of the Sun Life Building, with the 26-storey Charles Center South immediately south of it.

The grave of the writer Edgar Allan Poe is in the churchyard of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. His house, at 203 North Amity Street, is now a museum. There are guided tours of the churchyard from the house.

George Herman "Babe" Ruth was born in 1895 at 216 Emory Street, a Baltimore row house. The Babe Ruth Birthplace presents exhibits depicting the life and times of Babe Ruth. In 1983, the house became the official museum of the Baltimore Orioles. Opening of Sports Legends at Camden Yards in 2005, the Baltimore Orioles artifacts were relocated and the Babe Ruth museum reverted back to focusing on the "Babe".

Pratt Street runs west to the Mount Clare Railroad Station of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, from which the first passenger train in the United States ran west to Ellicott's Mills in 1830.The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum takes in the Mount Clare Station (1851), the Print Shop (1884) and a roundhouse that now houses an excellent collection of historic locomotives. The centrepiece is the turntable, which connects with 22 lines containing locomotives and coaches. With only a few exceptions all the exhibits are originals and in working order. In front of the building is a large open area with more locomotives. There is also a miniature railway system.

The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House was opened in 1927 and is dedicated to Mary Young Pickersgill, who made the Star-Spangled Banner that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Visitors receive a tour of the 18th century home and the adjacent 1812 Museum. The preserved house is furnished in Federal antiques and provides a great learning experience about the making of the Star-Spangled Banner, America's oldest national flag. The 1812 Museum provides military and domestic artifacts from the War of 1812.

The Washington Monument is dedicated to the nation's first President. A 228 foot spiral stairway leads to the top of the monument with observation windows and a statue of George Washington on top of the monument.

The Lexington Market was established in 1782 and still stands on the original site. The Market offers a variety of all types of food from seafood and meat to fruit to baked goods. On offer are 10 fresh produce stalls, 11 delicatessen stalls, 6 fresh fish stalls, 5 fresh poultry stalls, 8 bakery stalls, 6 fresh meat stalls, 3 candy stalls and a variety of prepared foods including 6 seafood and 19 international cuisine stalls complimented by over 80 quality vendors selling various foods.Every Friday and Saturday all year long there is free live music at noon in the arcade. The Lexington Market also features annual events such as Black History Month, Literacy week, Artisan week, and more.

ATTRACTION IS CLOSED.The Museum of Islamic Arts presents Islamic art and culture to promote a deeper understanding of the Islamic religion. The onsite library will allow the public to access more about the Islamic faith. The museum will also serve as a mosque for Muslims.

Port Discovery has interactive, entertaining and educational exhibits for young and young at heart. Some of the exhibits include the MPT studio for puppet shows or plays, KidsWorks, Adventure Expeditions take visitors back to the time of Pyramids and the Art Works Gallery.

Baltimore City Hall is an historic building in the Baroque Revival style. It has some of the finest examples of architectural ironwork in the country designed by Wendell Bollman, known for his iron railroad bridges.

The Department of Public Works Museum in Baltimore allows visitors to expolre how utilities actually work. Exhibits feature tunnels, roads, bridges, clean water, wastewater and recycling.

The National Museum of Dentistry is located on the campus of the University of Maryland including the world's first dental college. The museum building, erected in 1904, houses exhibits of dentistry and teeth that are both educational and fun.

The Fire Museum of the Baltimore Equitable Society displays include early hand-operated fire pumpers, helmets, parade hats, megaphones, fire buckets and American and foreign fire marks.

The Jewish Museum of Maryland educates visitors about the Jewish experience, and helps keep Jewish heritage alive. Displays include art, rare objects, historical photographs, videos, and hands-on activities.

Mount Vernon Place Methodist Church was built in 1874 church on the site where Francis Scott Key died in 1843. The interior of the church is ornately carved and features 3,827 pipe organ.

9 Front Street was the home of shipping magnate and Baltimore mayor, Thorogood Smith.

The Baltimore War Memorial is a tribute to Maryland citizens that were killed in WWI.

Westminster Hall and Burying Ground is the cemetery of the First Presbyterian Church with several historical figures buried here.

The Enoch Pratt Free Library is housed in a 1930's Art Deco building.