Things to see and do

In the neighborhood

The Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, a fixture of the Ridgely’s neighborhood, showcases Baltimore native and international sports icon George Herman “Babe” Ruth. The museum is located in the building where the Babe was born. It was the home of his maternal grandfather, Pius Schamberger, a German immigrant working as an upholsterer. At the time, Babe’s parents lived above the saloon they owned and operated on Camden Street, which is now in short-center field at Camden Yards, but his mother made the short journey to her father’s home to give birth to Babe.

The complex was saved from demolition in 1969 by a group of concerned citizens and opened to the public in 1974 as the only birthplace of an American athlete to be designated a National Historic Landmark. An extensive renovation in 2015 featured a new main entrance and lobby on Dover St., ADA accessibility, new wiring, and refreshed exhibit galleries with new installations.

Around the neighborhood

Oriole Park at Camden Yards has been the home of Major League Baseball’s Baltimore Orioles since 1992. The ballpark lies just outside the neighborhood, making it easy to drop in for a game.

The Baltimore Ravens have played at M&T Bank Stadium since its construction in 1998. The stadium earned a LEED-certified “Gold” designation in 2013.

Just north of Ridgely’s is the B&O Railroad Museum, which houses the most comprehensive collection of American railroad memorabilia in the world. The museum is located in the B&O Railroad’s old Mount Clare Station and an adjacent roundhouse that was originally used as a passenger car shop. The site marked the beginning of the US’s first regular railroad passenger service in 1830 and is considered the birthplace of American railroading.

The Hippodrome Theater opened in 1914 and operated as a vaudeville house and movie palace. Since its 2004 renovation, the theater now serves as a performing arts center and is located at the heart of the Bromo Tower Arts & Entertainment District.

The Walters Art Museum in the historic Mount Vernon Cultural District was born out of the collection of philanthropist Henry Walters. He left his extensive art collection to the city along with two buildings and an endowment that has kept the museum open and free to the public since its inception in 1934.

The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum is located in a small brick house on North Amity Street where the writer lived from 1833 to 1835. Now the house, which is a National Historic Landmark, features exhibits about Poe’s life and serves as a well-preserved example of a home from that time. Visitors can also see Poe’s grave, which is a short walk from the museum on West Fayette Street.

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor provides a wide range of entertainment and activities. Highlights along the beautiful waterfront include a sprawling promenade, the National Aquarium, historic ships hosting daily tours, and the Maryland Science Center. Every fall the area celebrates the literary and visual arts by hosting the Baltimore Book Festival and Light City. Around the holidays, it’s home to an authentic German Christmas Market featuring food, vendors, and local artisans.

The nearby Federal Hill neighborhood lies south of the Convention Center and features the newly renovated Cross Street Market, the American Visionary Art Museum, and many shops and restaurants. Continuing along the waterfront past the Inner Harbor is Fells Point, a picturesque neighborhood with a mix of historic row houses, restaurants, bars, and shops.