Baltimore is a city of distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own character, and the choice of where to base yourself will shape your visit as much as anything you plan to see. The city's historic districts are among the earliest designated in the country, and the sheer number of officially recognised neighbourhoods means there is a part of town to suit almost any kind of trip.
For the visitor, the practical geography is straightforward. The Inner Harbor is the well-defined tourist core, with the main attractions and nearly all the major hotels. Downtown holds the central business district and the most convenient chain hotels. Beyond these, the historic districts of Fells Point, Federal Hill, Midtown and Canton offer quieter streets, more local character and better dining and nightlife. This guide covers which areas to consider, who each one suits, and how the accommodation options differ by budget.
Best areas to stay in Baltimore
1. Inner Harbor
The Inner Harbor is the city's tourist district, and it is unusually well defined. The vast majority of visitors stay here, right by the main attractions, and nearly all the major hotels in the city are located in this area.
It suits first-time visitors who want to be within walking distance of the sights and who prefer a stay where everything is close at hand. Business travellers can also base themselves here and remain close to the central business district, with better views from their rooms than they would get downtown. The trade-off is that this is the tourist core rather than a neighbourhood with local character.
2. Downtown
Downtown holds the central business district and the most convenient business hotels, which are chain properties. It is a practical base for work rather than for leisure.
If nightlife matters to you, this is not a good location: the downtown streets are empty after dark, and you will likely end up heading to the Harbor or Midtown anyway. Choose it for proximity to business rather than for atmosphere.
3. Fells Point
Fells Point is the natural option if you prefer a quieter area with more local character and better dining and nightlife options. It is one of the city's earliest National Register Historic Districts.
It suits travellers who want to stay somewhere with a sense of place rather than in the tourist core, and who are happy to trade a little convenience for a better choice of places to eat and go out in the evening.
4. Midtown
Midtown offers lovely bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels, and it is further off the beaten path than the Harbor or Fells Point. It is also one of the city's early National Register Historic Districts.
Its practical advantage is transport: Midtown hotels benefit from good public transportation to Downtown and the Inner Harbor, which is a rarity in the city. That makes it a workable base if you want local character without giving up easy access to the main sights.
5. Federal Hill
Federal Hill is another of the city's earliest National Register Historic Districts, and it sits further off the beaten path. Here you find lovely bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels rather than large properties.
It suits travellers who want a quieter stay with more local character and better dining and nightlife options than the tourist core provides.
6. Canton
Canton, like Federal Hill and Midtown, is a quieter area away from the main tourist district, with bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels among the accommodation on offer.
It is a good fit for visitors who have already seen the headline sights or who simply prefer to stay in a residential-feeling part of the city with local dining and nightlife.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: a hostel downtown, and several bed and breakfasts around the city that can also be a bargain.
- Mid-range: the chain business hotels downtown, and bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels in the quieter districts such as Federal Hill, Midtown and Canton.
- Splurge: the major hotels concentrated in the Inner Harbor, where nearly all of the city's large properties are found, with the best views available to those staying close to the central business district.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in the Inner Harbor. It is the city's well-defined tourist district, the vast majority of visitors stay there, and it puts you right by the main attractions. Nearly all the major hotels in Baltimore are located in this area, so it is also the simplest place to find accommodation that matches your budget and preferences.
Frequently asked questions
Where do most visitors to Baltimore stay?
The vast majority of visitors stay in the Inner Harbor, right by the main attractions. Few cities have such a well-defined tourist district, which is why nearly all the major hotels are located there.
Which area is best for nightlife and dining?
Fells Point is the natural option if you want more local character and better dining and nightlife. Federal Hill, Midtown and Canton are also good choices for dining and nightlife, and all are quieter than the tourist core. Downtown, by contrast, is not a good location for nightlife, as the streets are empty after dark.
Where should business travellers stay?
You can stay in the Inner Harbor and remain close to the central business district, which also gives you better views from your room. The most convenient business hotels, all chain properties, are located downtown.
Is it possible to stay in Baltimore on a tight budget?
Yes. There is a hostel downtown, and several of the bed and breakfasts around the city can also be a bargain.
Compare live prices for the area you have chosen with the booking tools on this page.