Meeting friends for a weekend in Baltimore. Was planning La Scala for dinner one night. What are some great seafood restaurants? Great coffee or lunch spots? We are staying near the Inner Harbor. Also, any fun recommends for things to do (3 women in our 40s). Thanks!

I can't speak to great seafood restaurants; we've eaten at the Rusty Scupper and it's, well, just okay--not great. A pleasant afternoon for us is lunch at Amicci's in Little Italy (a short taxi or walk from Inner Harbor) followed by the American Visionary Art Museum. Have fun!

Obrycki's Carb and Seafood House in Fells Point. A Baltimore tradition for crabs, crab cakes, all kinds of seafood.

http://www.obryckis.com/

oops, that is CRAB!

Unfortunately, I didn't have any "must go back to" meals in Baltimore but I am going to second the American Visionary Art Museum. I am not much of an art museum person but this one was really interesting. Not your ordinary art museum. Honestly, it was the highlight of my visit to Baltimore. Fells' Point was fun for some unique shopping.

Obrycki's is the true institution and best place for crab.

Not sure when you're coming but crab are not in yet.

If you do come in season, I strongly suggest Cap'n James - the outdoor deck, NOT the indoor restaurant.

Very good crabs, very cheap, and convenient - it's right on the water taxi route.

Again, GO, but only in season and only at the outdoor deck.

http://www.captainjameslanding.com/

And the menu:
http://www.captainjameslanding.com/_...-Crabhouse.pdf

If you want great seafood I highly recommend The Black Olive. It is located in Fells point. Its a fine dining greek style restaurant with a focus on fresh seafood. The waiter took me and my boyfriend on a fish tour, telling us all about the fish on the menu by pointing to whole fish on ice...best stuffed calamari ever. The place is classy and has a lovely terrasse. Its in walking distance to the main square in fells point. Go to Vino afterwards, its a wine bar. You can sit outside on the pier and watch the sun go down over the harbor.

Rusty Scupper is overpriced/tourist/chain. There is so much more to do than the IH (Inner Harbor)Baltimore has free Circulator busses that can take you up and down Charles St [Mount Vernon to Federal Hill] and cross town to Harbor East/Little Italy/Fells Point. A fun thing to do if it's a nice day, is buy a water taxi ticket and have a moveable feast! There are many places in Fells Point and Federal Hill that you would enjoy.

Most importantly, PLEASE pay for parking in a garage. Baltimore is a city and street parking is very limited - especially in residential areas where it is permitt only. So often I see a visitor's car being towed - up to $500 cash only to retrive along with the ticket makes $20 for all day secure parking look cheap.

Enjoy your visit!

Obrycki's is the best for crabs and other seafood.
I also liked Bertha's in Fells Point for mussels.
Amicci's in Little Italy for Italian food.

I would skip the Scupper.

Another vote for Obrycki's . . we were there last week and the hard shelled crabs were great!!

and they have their own parking lot. But they will close in October, so keep that in mind