Celebrate Baltimore!

Things to do in Towson

admin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Things to do in Towson

Towson, slightly north of the city of Baltimore, is a lovely place where one can visit. Upon visiting Towson, one may find the opportunity to experience the rich culture, the dated history, and the friendly residents. Towson possesses multiple things for one to do upon visiting; Hampton national historic site, Recher theater, Towson marketplace, and Unitas stadium are all opportunities one can partake of in order to experience Towson. One of the most popular things to do in Towson is visit Hampton national historic site. This history-filled, recreational experience is beloved by residents and visitors alike. The historical site dates back to colonial America, and is well intact. Homes, shops, and schools are easily accessed allowing visitors to experience colonial times. Many find the ability to virtually ‘step back into time’ thrilling, educational, interesting, and overall exciting. Not only does the Towson marketplace have shopping opportunities, it is filled with facinating residents of this wonderful town. Recher theater is centered in the middle of dense population, and shoping. The theater is home to a vast variety of concerts and talent acts brought to Towson. Visiting Towson will allow one to experience a different nostalgic situation.

The Tallest Buildings in Baltimore

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Some of the tallest buildings are located right in the city of Baltimore. There are so many tall buildings that you will be able to see if you were ever to visit the city. The tallest building in the city of Baltimore is actually the Legg Mason Building. This is a 40 story building which stands about 529 feet high. Another tall building in Baltimore is known as the Fidelity Building. This building has history because it is known to be the first high rise building in the city itself.Check out this link here. The Baltimore World Trade Center is another tall building that many people can see if they were to ever visit the city. The two tallest buildings stand at least 500 feet or more in Baltimore. There is a building that is under construction now in Baltimore which is known as the Four Seasons Baltimore and Residences. It is going to be 495 feet and have about 44 stories when it is completed. There are so many tall buildings in Baltimore. They all serve a different purpose, and they all have long history behind them. Baltimore is a big city full of many different buildings, but only the best stand tall.

The Baltimore Basilica

admin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The Baltimore Basilica was the very first Cathedral to be erected in the United States. It is located in Mount Vernon, Maryland. Construction on the Basilica was commenced in 1806 and the final touches were completed in 1821. It is also referred to as the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

The Basilica holds many historical firsts for the United States. For instance the very first formally trained architect was behind the design of the Basilica. His name was Benjamin Henry Latrobe. America’s very first Bishop, John Carroll was the guidance and contributing factor from the Catholic church in the Basilica’s design.

The Basilica has also been the location for many famous and notorious events. One such event was the funeral of Charles Carroll. This individual was the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence. The Catholic Church in America consecrated many of their first Bishops in the Basilica. These bishops then went out to serve the flocks as the migration to the west occurred.

There were also seven Provincial Councils and three Plenary Councils that were held in the Basilica. These councils became the primary bodies of influence that erected the Catholic School system as we know it today. More priests have been ordained in the Basilica than any other Catholic location in the United States. This has only just begun to change in recent years.

Best Baltimore Activities for Families

admin — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you’ve been considering a move to Baltimore but aren’t sure how much there is to do, don’t fear! There are tons of great places here for families to enjoy and if you’ve got Satellite Star Internet you can research them from home before you even make it to Maryland. Here are a few of our favorites
National Aquarium: this will come as no surprise but kids love animals! The national aquarium is one of the best in the country and it makes a great day trip for families particularly in the winter when the weather outside’s less bearable for your children.
Petterson Park: This great city park is 155 acres of some of the most fertile grass around and there’s lots of room for sports and picnics. Dubbed America’s Best Backyard, Petterson Park is one of Baltimore’s greatest assets.
The Crosswinds: Bet you didn’t imagine Baltimore would have an amazing indoor water park! It’s great for the kids and for adults since summers here can get hotter than you might expect. Bring a suit but leave the sunscreen at home!

Baltimore Back in Business?

www.celebratebaltimore.com — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 21:34:58 +0000

While no one is saying the era of economic difficulty, to put it lightly, is over in Charm City or anywhere in the country for that matter, the local Baltimore economy is certainly showing signs of life as of late. Most notably, Baltimore’s advertising agencies seem to be picking up steam, creating new positions and hiring new employees to tackle new accounts. The ad industry is a fairly good barometer by which to measure the economic health of an area, as the various clients usually span the full spectrum of market sectors. Advertising dollars are among the first to be cut when money belts are tightened, so as local ad agencies announce expansion, many local job seekers and business owners may soon breath at least a small sigh of relief. Though Baltimore isn’t one of the major players in the ad industry and the overall size of area agencies don’t match the mammoth corporations found, say, further north in New York, any job growth is a welcome sign for a city that has suffered its fair share of financial woes. Agencies are generally hiring only a few people, but even those few jobs mark an increase in economic activity in the influx of ad dollars they represent. If companies can afford to increase their ad budgets, it’s fair to say that perhaps the business climate in Baltimore is on its way back to proper balance.Even before the financial collapse that has been sending ripples down the national economy over the past few years, Baltimore has been no stranger to economic unrest. Once a powerful industrial town, Baltimore has transitioned into a service oriented economy after a heavy period of deindustrialization that cost a large percentage of residents their jobs. But with a now well established presence in financial, business and health fields, the city’s long term economic outlook looks like it might have finally course-corrected in the right direction.

Best Crab Cakes in Baltimore

admin — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:31:27 +0000

With the capital of the most powerful country in the world just an hour to its south and the central hub of global business and entertainment to its north, one might think the humble city of Baltimore might suffer from an identity crisis. Instead, Baltimore takes pride in its unique history and quirky local flavor, a place where “Hon’” is used to amicably greet females in a subtly endearing accent and crab cakes have come to serve as more than mere delicacy but a cultural icon. With a huge supply of crabs just off shore in the Chesapeake Bay, the fortunes of Baltimore and its crawling bay critters have been inseparable since its initial sea port was created in the early 1700′s. With almost three hundred years of history, and an uncountable total of cooked crabs to show for it, it’s safe to say Baltimore chefs have perfected the crab cake art, with these 3 restaurants standing out as the cream of the crop.

Faidley Seafood Your choice between the large 6.5 ounce jumbo lump crab cake or the smaller 4 ounce claw meat crab cake will provide a snack for varying appetites. These creamy crab cakes use Old Bay and mayonnaise-based binder to complement the fresh crab taste in a recipe that’s been famous since 1987.
Pappas Seafood Company Pappas takes an old school approach to their 6 ounce crab cakes, with little auxiliary sauce or flavoring to augment the lightly crisped crab cakes, complete with jumbo lumps bolstering the succulent inside. Sticking with the same recipe since 1972, Pappas has found little reason to change what some say is crab cake perfection.
Pierpoint This 5 ounce crab cake satisfies palettes in a distinctly different way compared to the thousands of dishes across the city. Pierpoint’s cakes are smoked in fruitwood, providing even more depth of savory goodness without compromising the essential crab essence.

Where the Inner Harbor Meets Baseball History

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:52:48 +0000

Baseball fans make their pilgrimages as much as any religious group, and Baltimore is one of the most important stops on a fan’s list. While Baltimore’s Inner Harbor has been celebrated for decades, the crown jewel of the area may be Camden Yards, home of the Orioles, which opened in 1992.A classic-style ballpark with all the modern amenities, Camden Yards in many ways began the revival of baseball stadiums around the major leagues. Cities like Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Houston and Cincinnati have all followed suit and tried to evoke the Golden Era of baseball as Camden Yards did.However, there are many things about Camden Yards which cannot be duplicated. For one, Camden Yards has an old warehouse as its backdrop, one which legend (and a good deal of fact) has identified as the stomping grounds of none other than George Herman ‘Babe’ Ruth. Ruth haunted this neighborhood as a child, and Baltimore’s famous son still the most important figure in baseball history lives on in the imagination of every fan that walk through the gates at Camden Yards.If you visit Camden Yards, you might wonder where the gates are at all. The most unique feature of this ballpark is the way fans enter. Ticketholders pass through the gate one block away from the stadium which serves as the de facto entrance. Once you are on this street, you pass in between the warehouse on the left and the stadium itself down on the right. Fans literally walk off the street and down into an open Camden Yards, in stark contrast to all of the ascending which is normal for fans at a stadium.Is Camden Yards the best stadium in baseball? While new Yankee Stadium has all the glamour, Fenway Park and Wrigley Field all the history, Camden Yards has combined the two so well you can say it’s the best modern ballpark in the classic, and definitely one of Baltimore’s treasures.

The City of Baltimore: Inspiration for the Small and Silver Screen

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:22:06 +0000

If there is any city that has recently experienced a serious renaissance in its residents, that city definitely has to be Baltimore. Once a mere stopping ground on I-95 for those heading from Washington D.C. to New York or Boston, Baltimore is starting to hold its own as a center for culture. Surprisingly enough, a lot of young artists who were once relocating to Brooklyn or Providence are starting to make their way to Baltimore, where they can live in spacious houses and create their latest records and paintings without having to worry about rent getting hiked sky-high. But there is another reason that so many younger, artistic people are finding themselves in Baltimore. It’s the fact that a whole lot of their favorite films and television shows happen to have been based here recently.For mainstream audiences, the most obvious project that has led to increased exposure for the city of Baltimore is the much-beloved and much-raved-about series on HBO, “The Wire.” Based on a nonfiction book that chronicles the life of the various police units out there in the streets, “The Wire” was at once a deeply touching and surprisingly funny account of life working on a somewhat difficult beat. And while there were some elements that you wouldn’t expect to immediately help out a tourist board, there were other glimpses into the revitalized world of Baltimore. Whether it happened to be shots of the rebuilt downtown skyline or a look at the condos that are starting to go up left and right on the waterfront, “The Wire” actually exposed plenty of Americans to the new Baltimore for the first time, while taking care to include well-chosen shots of city landmarks, like the Domino Sugar factory.But as far as the silver screen goes, the number one supporter of Baltimore might be well-known and beloved amongst art school students, but otherwise unknown. Baltimore’s very own John Waters has been like a one-man tourist board for the city, shooting all of his films there even after the success of movies like “Hairspray.” And beloved yet quirky Baltimore natives always had a spot in his films, right alongside some of the biggest names in the business. If there’s one real reason that people are packing it up and heading to Baltimore, this definitely seems to be it.

Where to Stay in Baltimore

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:35:53 +0000

Visiting Baltimore but unsure where you should stay? Baltimore offers a wide variety of hotels ranging from traditional bed and breakfasts to upscale luxury hotels. Here’s the breakdown of the top ten places to stay.

The Mount Vernon Hotel: this newly renovated hotel is located in the beautiful historic Mount Vernon District. Their convenient downtown location (walking distance from the Inner Harbor) makes it the optimal choice for tourist visits, business trips, or leisure. Rates start at 99 and up, depending on the season.
1840s Carrollton Inn: This dainty inn features boutique style rooms and suites complete with fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and a private garden courtyard. If you ever feel the need to get out of your personal paradise, the Inn is located a few steps away from Little Italy and the Inner Harbor. Rooms range from 175-375.
Aunt Rebecca’s Bed & Breakfast: This quaint Victorian home is located in downtown Baltimore’s cultural center, Aunt Rebecca’s is just minutes away from all points of interest. Conveniently, a bus stop and train station are just around the corner and a home cooked breakfast and free parking is included. The gorgeous assortment of rooms range from 110 a night to 150 a night, with extended stay rates available.
Baltimore’s Tremont Plaza Hotel: Not as homey as the aforementioned, the Tremont Plaza understands genuine hospitality. It is fully equipped with 303 luxury suites, conference facilities, an outdoor pool, a sauna, fitness center, restaurant, lounge, gourmet deli, room service, internet, valet parking, and complimentary newspaper. Many package options are available. What more could you possibly need?
Baltimore Marriot Waterfront: The Marriott is Baltimore’s only waterfront hotel. Located near the Inner Harbor and all of its attractions, the Marriot is a full service hotel with 753 guestrooms. It is the optimal hotel option for business travelers or guests looking to house large numbers of people.
Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards: Get all the benefits of the Marriot in the heart of Baltimore. Offering 524 newly renovated rooms, the Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards features an upscale lounge and contemporary restaurant, plus its only a quick walk to the waterfront shops.
4 East Madison Inn: If you’re looking for a small elegant place to stay, this is the Inn for you. The East Madison Inn is a 1845 manor that offers nine beautiful guest rooms and meeting and wedding facilities. Its downtown location is perfect for hitting the town and seeing the sights Baltimore has to offer.
Admiral Fell Inn: If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Inner Harbor, the Admiral Fell Inn is the place for you. Located in the historic waterfront village of Fells Point, the Inn is surrounded by spunky shops, mouth watering restaurants, and local taverns. Quality in-hotel dining is also available.

Museums, Museums, Museums

www.celebratebaltimore.com — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:19:07 +0000

Museums are boring… right? It’s time to scratch that thought and form a new opinion; you’ll have to check out Baltimore’s spunky museums to see for yourself.Babe Ruth MuseumIf you think Babe Ruth is a chocolaty peanut treat, you don’t belong here. The Babe Ruth Museum honors the legendary baseball player and 500 Home Run Club member, Babe Ruth. Check out “The Great Bambino’s” mitt, stare in wonder at his old jersey and gawk over his unprecedented records. As if Babe’s baseball greatness isn’t enough, wander over to the Sports Legends Museum and view the Oriole’s Hall of Fame.Great Blacks in Wax MuseumMaybe you’ve been to the wax museum in New York and seen the lifelike wax statues of celebrities. The Great Blacks in Wax Museum is similar to the celeb studded wax museum, but it is infused with a meaning more profound than simple entertainment. Walk through the good and bad times African Americans have faced in history and get lost in the realistic sights. Cringe at the sight of Hannibal, view Harriet Tubman up close and personal, take a picture with Malcolm X, sway to the tunes of Bob Marley, see Dr. Martin Luther King, gawk at the realistic President Obama and much, much more.American Visionary Art MuseumThis culturally rich museum presents the opportunity to build your own robot. In addition to a great place for events, receptions, and meetings, the museum showcases a wide variety of exhibits that include, but are certainly not limited to: “We Are Not Alone-Angels and Other Aliens,” “Love: Error and Eros,” “Wind in my hair” (concerning the human wish to fly), “High on Life” (about addiction), and “The Marriage of Art, Science, & Philosophy.”