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Most visitors to Baltimore don't get beyond the city's Inner Harbor during their stay (with the possible exception being a jaunt inside the idyllic walls of Camden Yards, home of baseball's Orioles, and one of the finest ballparks in the major leagues). Not that there's anything wrong with that: the USS Constellation battleship anchored there is a delight for exploring, as is the Torsk submarine. The National Aquarium immerses wide-eyed land-dwellers in a magical marine world of sharks, dolphins, and, soon-to-come, a recreated Australian underwater habitat. There is so much to see that every day is filled to overflowing with events of interest and enjoyment.
Baltimore's central business district is lined with museums, shops, restaurants and other attractions. Downtown fans out from the harbor, with Charles Street dividing the east and west sides of the city. Just to the east of downtown is Little Italy, a neighborhood of ethnic eateries and colorful, well-kept row houses. East of Little Italy is Fells Point, a historic maritime community with some of the city's most popular restaurants, bars and shops. East of Fells Point is Canton, a neighborhood pulsing with new restaurants, boutiques and evening activity.
South of downtown is Federal Hill, an enclave of renovated homes that perches on a hill overlooking the harbor. North of downtown is Mount Vernon, a stately neighborhood of elegant row houses and tree-shaded parks. This is Baltimore's cultural corridor: The Walters Art Museum, the Peabody Library and Conservatory of Music, Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, the Lyric Opera House, and Center Stage are found there. Farther north is the Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus. Ringed by the neighborhoods of Charles Village, Waverly and Hampden, this part of town is also home to the Baltimore Museum of Art and its peaceful sculpture garden.
The waterfront and Camden Yards are part of one scenic stretch of downtown Baltimore that has become the center of city life in recent years. Camden Yards is the home of the major league Baltimore Orioles, and the surrounding streets are lined with small cafes, microbreweries, and stores.
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