In the midst of a sweeping renaissance that has brought a lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere, Baltimore has retained the distinctive flavor of its past as a port city on the Chesapeake Bay. The nationally acclaimed Inner Harbor is the centerpiece of the City's renaissance.
Summer brings a splash of colorful festivals celebrating Baltimore's cultural and ethnic heritage.
The highlight of the season is the City Fair, said to be the largest urban festival in the world. Visits to the homes of Edgar Allen Poe, Babe Ruth and H.L. Mencken provide a look into the lives of some of Baltimore's most famous citizens. Baltimore's cultural scene is as diverse and lively as the City itself. The Meyerhoff Symphony Hall is home of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The elegant Lyric Opera House, the Peabody Conservatory and the outdoor stages at Merriweather Post Pavilion, Pier 6 and Oregon Ridge play host to every musical taste from classical and jazz to country music and rock.