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adytum
The Inevitable RiseAnd FallRegistered User regular
The Inevitable RiseAnd FallRegistered User regular
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Outdoor activities - If it's nice there is Fort McHenry, or a beach volleyball court near the science center (rash field). if you are willing to get away from the downtown area a bit, there is a frisbee golf course near the zoo, there is also the zoo. there unfortunately isn't a lot of outside stuff except eating, and walking around/shopping. You can rent segways from a place over near Canton, either on your own or take a tour.
Restaurants - Are you looking for fine dining as in pricey and good? Harbor East is a good bet Oceanaire, Roy's James Joyce (highly recommend) and some others. Mount Vernon has some nice places as well. The harbor has lots of good restaurants as well: Capitol Grille. If you want good crabs downtown, Obrycki's (Fells Point, they were on Man vs Food)is a nice place. For less classy and more local, try LP Steamers in Locus Point.
There are TONS of restaurants though, so it depends on what you like. for nightlife(read: bars), the main places are Canton, Fells Point, or Federal Hill. There is also Power Plant Live, but that can get a little douchey. the other areas can be as well, but there is more of a normal crowd.
Definitely looking for fine dining, preferably unique local restaurants. It doesn't need to necessarily be around the harbor, just delicious. Capital Grill wouldn't really be something I'd look at as they're a chain with plenty of locations around.
I used to hang out at Sonar a lot, and they have a fair amount of shows still. Are there any other good spots for live music?
Alternatively, the lightrail can also get you further north, such as Hampden or Clipper Mill. If you're looking for a unique Baltimore experience that qualifies as fine dining, take the Lightrail to the Woodberry stop and eat at Woodberry Kitchen, about a block west from the LR stop. Really good food, and the prices are fair for the quality.
The Circulator buses can get you to bars that are more local, which would be in Fells, Canton, and Federal Hill, and Canton and Federal Hill has good nightlife and restaurants, too. Federal Hill is younger and trendier with more college-aged people, while Canton is older yuppies.
Like Dr.F points out, there's a lot of good restaurants around now, and Harbor East is basically right next to the Inner Harbor and has great stuff. No one actually eats IN the Inner Harbor, because the restaurants there are all super lame and overpriced. I mean, there's a Five Guys there which is great but c'mon.
For live music, it depends. Station North has a LOT of stuff going on, music-wise, with free shows at Joe Squared (a pizza place) and very eclectic stuff at Wind-up Space. The Charles theater up there also gets good indie movies in, and is across from Club Charles and Zodiac, which are fun places to get a drink afterwards or before. The Tapas Teatro next door is also really good food if you decide to turn it into a movie night. The circulator will take you to Brewers Art, which is a very popular spot -- fancy restaurant up top, dive bar in the basement.
unfortunately, most of the restaurants right by the harbor are chains, you have to go off the beaten path a bit for the good local stuff.
Water Taxis are great, but not if you are in a hurry.
Brewers art is a must visit if you like beer. I highly recommend a resurrection, and some rosemary garlic fries. just don't try to kiss anybody soon after.