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What’s going on on the East Coast? Well, it’s no longer the famous Liberty Bell.
You can say goodbye to Philly and embrace another historic foodie city nearby.
The East Coast is teeming with cultural urban sprawl, especially New York, Boston and Washington DC.
However, there are many others stuck in the shadows of this trio of popular getaways.
Philly is one on the cusp, but its claim to fame is the importance of our Founding Fathers in the timeline of America and, well, cheesesteaks, if we’re being honest.
There’s one largely overlooked city, about a third the size of Philly, that glows with its own intriguing history and serves much more phenomenal food; not just an endless string of cheesesteak stands.
It’s time to look past Baltimore’s long-standing dubious reputation and… The most underrated city on the East Coast.
I’ve been myself, and I’m sure you’ll love it!
Baltimore: No longer on the wrong side of the headlines
There are a handful of cities that are on an endless carousel ride and are nicknamed “America’s Most Dangerous City.”
Baltimore has also worn the crown before, as have St. Louis, Memphis and Detroit, among others.
But like any destination, with the good comes the bad, and crime is such a fickle subject anyway; it is almost impossible to predict.
What I can personally say is that I visited during the heyday of crime in Baltimore, which was supposedly rampant, and never saw a hint of sketchiness.
Actually, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed my visit. Even though this was years ago.
To ensure that Baltimore is indeed a safe vacation destination, a new “25 Most Dangerous Places in the US” report has been released. American news gives the trophy to Memphis, while Baltimore is neither in the top 10 nor in the top 20.
In fact, it’s not on the list at all. According to the Baltimore Policethe city has seen a “double-digit decline in gun violence, including a 36% drop in homicides and a 30% drop in non-fatal shootings.”
The only negative spin on Baltimore these days seems to be famous, award-winning actor Kevin Spacey, who refuses to leave his foreclosed home. I guess you could say he helped Baltimore turn things around script…
Fascinating history and a range of diverse cultures are intertwined
Without a doubt, the East Coast is one of the most culturally diverse regions in the US. It all started with Ellis Island in New York, where immigrants trickled through several cities and laid down roots.
Now, cities like Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and yes, even Baltimore boast a wide range of diversity.
Tourists have stayed away from Baltimore for far too long. Visitors are usually in town to play a Ravens game.
Baltimore is so much more than a sports city; it is actually a very beautiful city. The waterfront rivals its East Coast counterparts in terms of sheer beauty, but may even surpass some of their offerings with cultural richness and historic neighborhoods.
Without a doubt, the Inner Harbor is the best for sightseeing. The Cruise through the inner harbor is perfect for exploring the waterways and even better for taking epic sunset photos.
There are many more nice neighborhoods to visit. My personal favorite was Little Italy.
No, not just because of the food, but also because of the authentic atmosphere shown by the charming streets of the area. There was very little cheesiness, like for example Olive Garden.
Other than that, there are many historic districts such as Fells Point (Baltimore’s oldest neighborhood), and Federal Hill, home to Baltimore’s traditional row houses and trendy bars and restaurants – all particularly beautiful in the fall, and living up to their nickname of ‘Charm City’.
However, for history buffs, this is not to be missed Fort McHenrythe scene of the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write what would eventually become “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Tip: take a look Druid Hill Park for Baltimore’s most vibrant fall foliage!
A foodie’s dream city
In Baltimore, or Maryland in general, seafood is a way of life, especially blue crabs. Locally sourced and perfectly seasoned, whether steamed, fried or turned into crab cakes, you can’t go wrong!
Seafood is just the tip of the iceberg since Baltimore is so culturally diverse. Typically, with a vast culture, there is excellent cuisine.
Little Italy is a must-stop on your trip to Baltimore, with classics like La Tavola serves traditional Italian dishes.
And to your surprise, Baltimore is great for barbecue. Traditionally a Southern staple, add this to the city’s endless list of unexpected delights.
Tip: take a look Faidley’s Seafoodwhere tasty crab cakes have been served for over 100 years!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
