Best Places To Rest Your Head In Baltimore

If you're looking for a place to sleep for a day in Baltimore, there are a variety of options available to you. Baltimore Airport is open 24 hours a day, so you can sleep there overnight if you need to. However, the security checkpoints are closed at night, so you won't be able to move between landside and airside. If you're looking for a more comfortable option, there are several hotels located a short distance from the airport, such as the Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport and the Holiday Inn Baltimore BWI Airport. Baltimore also has a range of luxury hotels, including the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore and the Inn at the Black Olive. For a more unique experience, you might want to try a boutique hotel such as Hotel Revival Baltimore or Ulysses, an Ash Hotel.

Sleeping at Baltimore Airport

Baltimore Airport (BWI) is open 24 hours a day, so you can sleep overnight if you have an early morning flight or a delayed flight. However, security checkpoints close at night, so you won't be able to move between landside and airside.

Where to Sleep

There are plenty of seating facilities at Baltimore Airport, but most have armrests and are either wooden or metal. Concourse C has some armrest-free seating, while Concourses D and E have padded benches, narrow couches, and quieter corners for privacy. The observation deck is darker than other areas of the airport, but it is still quite bright. It is recommended that you bring sleeping gear, such as a sleeping bag or mat, and earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones, as the airport can be quite cold and noisy.

If you're looking for more comfort and privacy, there are Minute Suites located at Concourse C near Gate C3. These suites offer small rooms that can be rented for a few hours or overnight and come with a daybed, pull-out trundle, Complimentary Direct TV, Netflix, and Wi-Fi. Each room can accommodate a maximum of four people. However, these suites are quite expensive.

Hotels Near the Airport

If you prefer to stay in a hotel, there are several options located a short distance from the airport that provide free airport shuttles:

• Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport
• Comfort Inn & Suites BWI Airport
• Wingate by Wyndham Baltimore BWI Airport
• Holiday Inn Baltimore BWI Airport
• Aloft BWI Baltimore Washington International Airport
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Baltimore – BWI Airport North
• Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Baltimore BWI Airport
• Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, BWI Airport
• Hyatt Place Baltimore/BWI Airport
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Baltimore BWI Airport

Baltimore's best hotels

Baltimore has a wide range of hotels to suit all budgets and tastes. Here is a selection of some of the best:

Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore

This luxurious hotel is located in Harbor East and offers all the amenities you would expect, including a private catamaran sail around the Inner Harbor. The rooms and suites boast floor-to-ceiling windows and soaking tubs, and the hotel also features an on-site spa, pool and restaurant. The Presidential Suite even comes with a baby grand piano.

Sagamore Pendry Baltimore

This hotel is located on Recreation Pier and offers sleek harbor-view rooms and suites. The outdoor infinity pool overlooks the seaport harbor, and the hotel's restaurant, Rec Pier Chop House, serves seasonal Italian classics.

Hotel Revival Baltimore

This boutique hotel is located in the historic Mount Vernon neighborhood and features rotating local artworks and a rooftop restaurant, Topside, with city views. There's also a secret speakeasy karaoke bar, accessed through a jukebox. The hotel offers a range of events for guests, including yoga sessions and complimentary wine hour every Tuesday.

Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore

This comfortable hotel overlooks the Inner Harbor and features a rooftop bar, an indoor pool, and a spa with a dry sauna. The rooms and suites are spacious, and the hotel also has a bee apiary in its rooftop herb garden and an official mascot, a horse known as 'The Viscount of Baltimore'.

Hampton Inn & Suites Baltimore Inner Harbor

This conveniently located hotel offers easy access to local attractions and features a fabulous buffet breakfast, helpful staff, and valet parking. The rooms are clean and standard, with decent views.

Baltimore Marriott Waterfront

This towering landmark hotel is a great choice for business travelers, offering multiple meeting spaces, a 24/7 gym, dry cleaning services, and a convenience store. The hotel has over 700 rooms, many of which offer deep bathtubs and stunning harbor views. There is also a concierge lounge with an honor bar and delicious canapés.

Baltimore's bed and breakfasts

Baltimores Bed and Breakfasts

1840s Carrollton Inn

Named for Founding Father and Declaration of Independence signer Charles Carroll, the 1840s Carrollton Inn is a series of interconnected rowhomes, some of which date back to the 19th century. Located within walking distance of Power Plant Live, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and Port Discovery Children's Museum, the inn offers lush sheets, whirlpool tubs, plush robes, and a gourmet breakfast.

BlancNoir Bed and Breakfast

With just four rooms, BlancNoir is a quaint escape in the heart of Little Italy. Each floor features spacious sitting rooms stocked with Smart TVs, wine glasses, books, and board games. Guests can choose to dine al fresco on the grand deck, the patio, or in the dining room.

Gramercy Mansion

Located just outside the city, Gramercy Mansion is a lush romantic oasis with beautifully landscaped gardens, eleven bed and breakfast rooms, and the oldest organic farm in Maryland. Owner Anne Pomykala offers guided tours of the estate in spring, summer, and fall, showcasing the sculptures, fountains, and flowers that give Gramercy its whimsical charm.

Madison House

Once the first orthopedic clinic in America, Madison House played host to famous figures like John F. Kennedy, Katherine Hepburn, Franklin Roosevelt, and Errol Flynn. The 1850s mansion was restored in 2016 and now features nine artfully decorated guest rooms with Egyptian linens and luxe bathrooms. Common areas include an entertainment room, spacious salon, parlor, a large courtyard, and a private parking lot.

Rachael's Dowry Bed and Breakfast

Historic charm meets modern convenience at Rachael's Dowry Bed & Breakfast, which is within walking distance of the Inner Harbor, Camden Yards, and Federal Hill. The property played host to George and Martha Washington in the 1790s and retains its 18th-century atmosphere with antique decor, a library, and a private garden. Guests can enjoy a gourmet two-course breakfast and afternoon tea.

Wilson House Bed and Breakfast

A Best of Baltimore winner, Wilson House has a storied past, including being the place where William Jennings Bryant tapped Woodrow Wilson to be a presidential candidate in 1912. Guests can start their day with an elegant breakfast on antique German china and enjoy complimentary wine and cheese in the music parlor.

Baltimore's restaurants

Baltimore's restaurant scene is vibrant and diverse, with a mix of longstanding favourites and exciting newcomers. Here is a guide to some of the city's top dining spots:

Longstanding Favourites:

• The Prime Rib: A Baltimore classic, this elegant steakhouse offers luxurious dining with rich leather seating, tuxedoed waitstaff, and live musicians. The steaks and seafood are exceptional.
• Charleston Restaurant: This upscale Harbour East restaurant has been a beloved favourite since the late 1990s. Chef Cindy Wolf's innovative French-inspired cuisine combines classic techniques with the comforts of South Carolina.
• Thames Street Oyster House: A Chesapeake-meets-New England eatery in Fells Point, offering impeccably fresh oysters and a great take on Baltimore's famous orange crush cocktail.
• The Helmand: This venerable Afghani restaurant in Mount Vernon has delighted diners for over 30 years with its exotic, spice-rich cuisine. Signature dishes include kaddo borwani (baked baby pumpkin with yogurt garlic sauce) and zardalu challow (lamb simmered with sun-dried apricots and prunes).
• Peter's Inn: A quirky, intimate restaurant in a former biker bar, offering a unique blend of casual and fine dining. The menu features elevated bistro fare, including pan-roasted salmon, rigatoni Bolognese, and a famous garlic bread.
• La Scala Ristorante Italiano: This old-school Italian restaurant in Little Italy has been run by chef-owner Nino Germano for over 25 years. Expect traditional dishes like calamari fritti, veal scallopini, and homemade pasta.
• Restaurante Tio Pepe: This subterranean Spanish restaurant on Franklin Street has been a Baltimore stalwart since the 1960s. While the menu is stuck in the past, dishes like hollandaise artichokes, soft-shell crabs, and suckling pig are worth savouring.

Exciting Newcomers:

• Alma Cocina Latina: This Venezuelan restaurant in Station North offers a vibrant, plant-filled dining room and a menu showcasing the diverse cuisine of Venezuela. Signature dishes include Nikkei crudo (hamachi and tuna tartare) and red snapper in coconut milk sauce.
• Bunny's Buckets & Bubbles: Top Chef alum Jesse Sandlin transformed a former neighbourhood bar into a whimsical, rabbit-themed restaurant. The menu features buckets of crisp fried chicken, fluffy biscuits, and perfectly paired bottles of Champagne.
• CookHouse: This Bolton Hill bistro serves inventive, chef-driven dishes in an intimate setting. Standouts include vegan "scallop" curry with king oyster mushrooms and Thai coconut curry, and a lamb leg with eggplant purée and chimichurri.
• Little Donna's: This Upper Fells restaurant took over the space of a neighbourhood stalwart and has since been featured in The New York Times. It offers a homey atmosphere and a menu of comfort food with a twist, including a Serbian-influenced crab pancake and thin-crust tavern pizzas.
• Ammoora: Baltimore's first fine-dining Syrian restaurant, located in the Ritz-Carlton Residences. Executive chef Dima Al-Chaar's menu offers a journey through the bold flavours and spices of Syria, including chargrilled lamb kofta and kebbet karaz meatballs.
• The Tilted Row: A casual yet fine-dining spot near Maryland Institute College of Art, serving Middle Eastern dishes with a Maryland twist. Highlights include falafel-encrusted salmon, lamb kofta with hummus, and a Sunday brunch with cinnamon rolls and crab Benedict.

Baltimore's tourist attractions

Baltimore is a city brimming with attractions for visitors to enjoy. Here are some of the top tourist spots to check out:

National Aquarium

Head to the Inner Harbor to dive into an underwater world at the National Aquarium. This giant aquarium is one of the most influential in the world, with stunning exhibits like Shark Alley, Blacktip Reef, and the Amazon River Forest. You can also enjoy the immersive 4-D theatre experience.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

For sports fans, a visit to Oriole Park is a must. This is the home field of the Orioles and one of the newest major league baseball stadiums. The park has an intimate feel and the charm of an old-fashioned stadium. It's a great place to catch a game and experience Baltimore's sports culture.

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

Fort McHenry is a historic site that played a significant role in the War of 1812. It's also the birthplace of the American national anthem, as Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner" here. The fort now serves as a museum and public park, offering serene views and a scenic walking trail.

The Walters Art Museum

Art lovers will appreciate The Walters Art Museum, which displays an eclectic mix of Asian, Ethiopian, and European art. The museum has a historic building and features rotating special exhibits and activities for children. It also boasts ancient artefacts, with some pieces dating back seven millennia!

Fells Point

Take a step back in time and party like a pirate in Fells Point! This quaint neighbourhood was once called a "Nest of Pirates" by the British Navy. You can explore the cobblestone streets and feel the ghosts of buccaneers past. Fells Point also offers great dining and shopping options, as well as live entertainment and outdoor markets.

American Visionary Art Museum

This unique art museum showcases the unconventional creativity of self-taught artists. With indoor and outdoor exhibits, including a whimsical treehouse and intriguing sculptures, it's a delightful experience for all ages.

Baltimore Museum of Art

Don't miss the Baltimore Museum of Art, which showcases a diverse range of global art, including the Cone Collection's Impressionist works and notable contemporary pieces. It's set in a beautifully designed space and is a must-visit for art enthusiasts.

B&O Railroad Museum

All aboard! The B&O Railroad Museum takes you on a journey through the history of rail travel. It features historical locomotives, model trains, and interactive exhibits. You can even take a ride on one of the historic trains and explore the iconic Roundhouse.

Four Seasons Hotel

If you're looking for a luxurious stay or a relaxing spa experience, the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore is the place to be. It offers a five-star spa, a rooftop pool, and a Harley Pasternak-designed fitness facility. You can even request an in-room Peloton for your workout needs.

Baltimore Water Taxi

For a unique way to get around, hop on a Baltimore Water Taxi and cruise around the Inner Harbor. It's a fun and convenient way to get to your next destination while enjoying beautiful views of the city.

Frequently asked questions