janie

I haven't been in Baltimore in a couple of years but I will be there on a Sunday and staying overnight. The Inner Harbor area doesn't hold much interest to me, but that's the only place in the city I'm familiar with. I will have a car.
I'd like to go to the Baltimore Musuem of Art or the Walters Art Museum, and I could use ideas of areas to just walk around if the weather is nice (near either museum?), a place to stay that would be convenient to UMBC where I need to be the next day, and a casual.funky dinner suggestion near the museum or hotel.

JC98

We just visited Baltimore for the first time, and were surprised by it--it's a really nice place to visit! Definitely recommend the Baltimore Museum of Art -- free except for special exhibits. Don't forget to pick up the free audio guide, where you can listen to commentaries on select paintings and objects in the museum, often by local writers and poets. I loved the Cone collection -- had never seen so many Matisse places in one place!

smetz

UMBC is outside of the city, but it is right along I-95, so any hotel location near I-95 would probably work.

You could consider the Peabody Court Hotel which is in the Mount Vernon neighborhood, only about a block or two from the Walters. There are a number of good restaurants near there, and it sounds like Ixia, Sotto Sopra, Helmand (Afghan), and Brewer's Art would be the type of thing you're looking for. If you like beer, Brewer's Art would be a great choice - the food is a step up from the usual brew pub fare, but it's a bit of a long walk from Peabody Court.

Daniel_Williams

The Baltimore Museum of Art is right near the Johns Hopkins undergraduate (Homewood) campus, which is worth a stroll to see some of the buildings. I used to live in Charles Village, a neighborhood that has some charm; there are a few places to eat on St. Paul Street around 31st or so near there.

I'll add to smetz... Mount Vernon was one of my favorite areas of the city and the Helmand would be where I would go to get my Afghan fix! Some of the rowhomes around Mount Vernon Square with the Washington Monument are just gorgeous (I was lucky enough to have a friend living in one!), and was considered a hub of Baltimore's social life around the turn of the (19th-20th) century. The Lexington Market is enjoyable too for lunch (Faidley's for seafood), and not too long a walk from the Walter's.

Enjoy!

janie

Thanks for the ideas.

tmagyari

For hotels closest to UMBC check out those near BWI airport--a short (less than 10 min drive) to UMBC, and not subject to heavy traffic.

The most interesting eateries would be near the museums, as previously mentioned. The BMA has a fabulous special exhibit right now on Cezanne and his influence on modern art; in addition, the museum itself has one of the areas best (IMHO) restaurants, Gertrude's. http://www.johnshields.com/restauran...gertrudes.html. There's a lovely sculpture garden to walk in at the museum.

For best food/most interesting near the Walter's, I'll second the rec for the Helmand--don't miss the pumpkin and garlic appetizer. http://www.helmand.com/ Open just for dinner on Sunday.

Although some folks will dress for both locations, its not necessary.