Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Baltimore?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Baltimore?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Baltimore, Maryland? Most people spend two to three days in Baltimore during their visit. After all, the historic city will let you tour the famous sights and museums, taste delicious cuisine, enjoy an evening out, and go shopping.

Baltimore, Maryland is a popular destination for its impressive aquarium and fun Inner Harbor. The city is filled with diverse neighborhoods and many different museums. There are historical ships that highlight the city's maritime past. There are also many excellent restaurants that let you sample the local seafood from the Chesapeake Bay.

Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Baltimore? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is 3 days enough time in Baltimore?

For many visitors, three days in Baltimore would be just the right amount of time for this city. In fact, lots of tourists spend two to three days in the historic city to check out the amazing museums and landmarks and terrific food. Below we have some suggestions on how to spend your time here.

How to spend 3 days in Baltimore

Don't miss the National Aquarium during your trip to Baltimore, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

A few tour suggestions include:

Federal Hill Food Tour ($71)
Little Italy and Jonestown Food Tour ($73)
Fells Point Food Tour in Baltimore ($74)

Baltimore is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Baltimore a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

Public transit in Baltimore is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

Shopping in Baltimore is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Baltimore.

Is 4 days enough time in Baltimore?

Four days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Baltimore, as it's not as large as some other cities. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. Tour the famous sights and museums, taste delicious cuisine, enjoy an evening out, and go shopping. You could also use Baltimore as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

How to spend 4 days in Baltimore

Having 4 days in Baltimore will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

Baltimore is large enough to spend at least a full day exploring the local neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. It's a large city that is divided into many diverse neighborhoods. While visitors often spend their time in the Inner Harbor, there are many other local areas to explore as well.

A few tour suggestions include:

Baltimore's Cruise ship Tour-shuttle service ($25)
Baltimore Signature Dinner Cruise ($101)
Baltimore Signature Lunch Cruise ($76)

Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.

Is 5 days enough time in Baltimore?

Five days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Baltimore at your own pace to experience the museums and landmarks, the cuisine, the nightlife, and the quaint shops. Then you can use this city as a convenient base for venturing into smaller destinations nearby where you'll discover exciting day trip options.

How to spend 5 days in Baltimore

With 5 days in Baltimore, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

After you've explored most of Baltimore, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Baltimore, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.