Top Universities in the US by State 2014/15 | Top Universities Top Universities in the US by State 2014/15 01:00AM Sep 30, 2014 This content can be saved to the "My Activity" tab in your user profile. 161 shares This content can be saved to the "My Activity" tab in your user profile. 161 shares **Click here to read about the top universities in the US by state in 2016/17. A total of 144 top universities in the US are featured in the QS World University Rankings® 2014/15 , more than any other country in the world. Of this number, 28 are ranked within the top 100 universities worldwide, and six are placed within the top 10. Over the last academic year (2013-14) 28.3 million students were enrolled at universities across the US, of which approximately 24.5 million were undergraduates and 3.8 million graduate students.

While the US has long been a dream study destination for prospective international students across the globe, over the previous academic year (2012-13), US universities saw an increase of 7.2% in the numbers of international students enrolled. This shows that, even more than ever, the US is a vast and popular international study choice. Below is the full list of the top universities in the US featured in this year’s QS World University Rankings, grouped by their respective states. Adjacent to each school in brackets you’ll find the institution’s overall world rank, as well as their national rank within the US. Ranks with ‘=’ beside them indicate that the position is shared by another university. Top universities in Alabama Bordered by Mississippi in the west and Georgia in the east, Alabama is home to two internationally ranked US universities, both located within an hour’s drive of state capital Montgomery, as well as Birmingham, the largest city.

University of Alabama (501-550 in the world; 98=* in the US) Auburn University (701+ in the world; 128= in the US) To find out more about studying in Alabama, visit our state guide > Top universities in Arizona Hunkered down in the south-west region, adjacent to California in the west and Mexico in the south, Arizona hosts two of the top universities in the US. Arizona State University is located in downtown Phoenix, the capital and largest city, while the University of Arizona can be found just over 100 miles to the south. University of Arizona (215= in the world; 53rd in the US) Arizona State University (294= in the world; 63rd in the US)​ To find out more about studying in Arizona, visit our state guide > Top universities in Arkansas Situated between Oklahoma and Mississippi in the south, Arkansas is known as the birthplace of former president Bill Clinton as well as for its mountains, forests and natural diversity. The capital and largest city in Arkansas is Little Rock.

University of Arkansas (701+ in the world; 140th in the US) To find out more about studying in Arkansas, visit our state guide > Top universities in California One of the top five US states for international students, California is the most populous state in the nation, due in large part to its attractive west coast location and leading industries within technology (Silicon Valley), agriculture (grapes) and education (see below)! Of the top US universities in California, Caltech is the ranking’s highest-placed ‘small’ university, while the University of California, Santa Cruz climbed the highest number of ranks this year, from 307= in the world to 265=. The state capital is Sacramento and its largest city is Los Angeles.

Stanford University (ranked 7th in the world; 3rd in the US) California Institute of Technology (Caltech, 8th in the world; 4th in the US) University of California, Berkeley (UCB, 27th in the world; 14th in the US) To find out more about studying in Colorado, visit our state guide > Top universities in Connecticut Located in the New England region, to the north-east of New York State, Connecticut is one of the three smallest states and also one of the most densely populated. The capital city is Hartford and the largest city is Bridgeport. Yale University (10th in the world; 6th in the US) University of Connecticut (401-410 in the world; 82nd in the US) To find out more about studying in Connecticut, visit our state guide > Top universities in Delaware Located on the exotic-sounding Delmarva Peninsula on the east coast, Delaware is the second smallest state in the US, with Dover as its capital city.

This year the state’s sole representative in the QS ranking climbed two classes, from 451-460 to 431-440 – good going! University of Delaware (431-440 in the world; 84= in the US) To find out more about studying in Delaware, visit our state guide > Top universities in Florida Florida, home of oranges, leisure parks and the Kennedy Space Center, is relatively isolated on its south-eastern peninsula, stretching out almost halfway to Cuba via the Straits of Florida. Tallahassee is the capital city, but Miami remains Florida’s largest metropolis. University of Florida (192= in the world; 49th in the US) University of Miami (239th in the world; 55th in the US) Florida State University (451-460 in the world; 90= in the US) To find out more about studying in Florida, visit our state guide > Top universities in Georgia To the north of Florida is the US state of Georgia. With a southeastern subtropical climate, Georgia, known as The Peach State, has the city of Atlanta as its capital and most populous city.

Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech, 107th in the world; 30th in the US) Emory University (156= in the world; 42nd in the US) To find out more about studying in Georgia, visit our state guide > Top universities in Hawaii An island state known for its beautiful weather and strong North American and Asian cultural influences, Hawaii boasts much natural scenery, an abundance of beaches and awesome sunsets. The state’s sole representative in the global ranking moved up three places this year. The state capital is Honolulu. To find out more about studying in Hawaii, visit our state guide > Top universities in Illinois The resting place of Abraham Lincoln, Illinois has a strong history of being central to social, cultural and political change. With three universities ranked within the global top 100, it’s also one of the five leading US states for numbers of international students. The capital of Illinois is Springfield and the largest city is Chicago.

University of Chicago (11th in the world; 7th in the US) Northwestern University (34th in the world; 15th in the US) To find out more about studying in Indiana, visit our state guide > Top universities in Iowa Bordered by both the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, Iowa is another Midwestern state, which was once part of a French colony. Boasting a diverse economy rooted in agriculture, Iowa has been listed as one of the safest states to live in. Its capital and largest city is Des Moines, where the University of Iowa is located. Iowa State University is based in Ames, about 30 miles north of Des Moines. University of Iowa (269= in the world; 58th in the US) Iowa State University (348= in the world; 71st in the US) To find out more about studying in Iowa, visit our state guide > Top universities in Kansas Bordered by Missouri in the east and Oklahoma in the south, the US state of Kansas offers a rich, sometimes bloody, history and a high yield of sunflowers, wheat and corn.

The largest city in Kansas is Wichita, but the capital city is Topeka; both of the state’s internationally ranked universities are located within an hour of the latter. University of Kansas (371= in the world; 75th in the US) Kansas State University (501-550 in the world; 98= in the US) To find out more about studying in Kansas, visit our state guide > Top universities in Kentucky Home to the largest system of caves in the US, Kentucky also hosts the largest numbers of deer and turkey. Found in the eastern south-central region, the state is also favorably reputed for its Bourbon distilleries and Bluegrass music. University of Kentucky (501-550 in the world; 98= in the US) To find out more about studying in Kentucky, visit our state guide > Top universities in Louisiana Located at the base of the Mississippi River in the south, Louisiana holds large areas of marsh and swamp lands, giving the state a thriving natural world bursting with birds, tree frogs and fish. Its capital city is Baton Rouge, where Louisiana State University is located, while its largest city New Orleans is home to Tulane University.

Tulane University (421-430 in the world; 83rd in the US) Louisiana State University (LSU, 501-550 in the world; 98= in the US) To find out more about studying in Louisiana, visit our state guide > Top universities in Maryland A small and densely populated state, largely located on the Delmarva Peninsula to the west of Delaware, Maryland boasts the US’s highest average household income levels, making it (on this measure) the wealthiest state. Its capital is Annapolis, but its largest city is Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University (14= in the world; 9= in the US) To find out more about studying in Maryland, visit our state guide > Top universities in Massachusetts Another of the most popular US states for international students, Massachusetts hogs 11 of the top universities in the US, three of which are ranked within the world’s top 100. Located in the northeastern region of New England, known for its stunning autumnal (fall) colors, Massachusetts is the third most densely populated state. Two thirds of the population lives in the metropolitan area of Greater Boston – Boston being the capital and largest city.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, 1st in the world; 1st in the US) Harvard University (4th in the world; 2nd in the US) Boston University (78th in the world; 25th in the US) Tufts University (214th in the world; 52nd in the US) To find out more about studying in Massachusetts, visit our state guide > Top universities in Michigan Located in the Great Lakes region and sited on two peninsulas, Michigan is known as a state in which you are never more than six miles from a natural water source. Its capital is Lansing and its largest city is Detroit. The University of Michigan is the highest ranked public university in the US.

University of Michigan (23rd in the world; 12th in the US) Michigan State University (195= in the world; 50th in the US) Michigan Technological University (551-600 in the world; 103= in the US) To find out more about studying in Michigan, visit our state guide > Top universities in Minnesota Minnesota, the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’, is known as one of the healthiest US states, as well as the most literate. Many of the residents are of Scandinavian and German descent, with over 60% of the population living in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, which is home to an internationally recognized arts community. The University of Minnesota is located in Minnesota’s largest city, Minneapolis. University of Minnesota (119th in the world; 34th in the US) To find out more about studying in Minnesota, visit our state guide > Top universities in Mississippi Named after the river that winds along the entirety of its western border, Mississippi is a southern state known for catfish farming.

Its capital and largest city is Jackson, but the University of Mississippi is found in Oxford, to the north and close to a national forest. University of Mississippi (375th in the world; 76th in the US) To find out more about studying in Mississippi, visit our state guide > Top universities in Missouri Largely made up of plains, mountain ranges and rivers, Missouri is the state where both the Missouri and Mississippi rivers merge (near the city of St. Louis). As well as an official state dinosaur named the Hypsibema missouriensis, Missouri is home to three of the top US universities. Its capital city is Jefferson and its largest is Kansas City. To find out more about studying in Missouri, visit our state guide > Top universities in Nebraska Found within the Great Plains region of the Midwest, Nebraska is characterized by often unpredictable weather, and the treeless prairies which are used for farming. The capital city is Lincoln and the largest city is Omaha. To find out more about studying in Nebraska, visit our state guide > Top universities in New Hampshire Located in New England and offering a number of the largest ski mountains on the east coast, New Hampshire is a major destination for fans of winter sports and mountaineering.

The state is also home to the White Mountain National Forest Lake and the road which takes drivers up 6,288 feet to the top of Mount Washington. Its capital city is Concord and its largest city is Manchester. Dartmouth College (136th in the world; 39th in the US) To find out more about studying in New Hampshire, visit our state guide > Top universities in New Jersey Located just south of New York, New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the US and the second wealthiest in terms of median household income. A leading employer of scientists and engineers, New Jersey is home to the only Ivy League university to climb in the world rankings this year (Princeton University, which climbed from joint 10th to 9th). Trenton is the capital city, but Newark is the largest. Princeton University (9th in the world; 5th in the US) To find out more about studying in New Jersey, visit our state guide > Top universities in New Mexico With a unique culture characterized by strong Hispanic and Native American influences, New Mexico is the fifth largest US state by area. A mountain state located in the south, New Mexico’s largest city is Albuquerque and its capital is Santa Fe.

This year, the University of New Mexico shot up 33 places in the rankings! To find out more about studying in New Mexico, visit our state guide > Top universities in New York New York State is located just above New Jersey in the north-east, sharing borders with Canada. The state capital is Albany, but its most populous is the world-famous “New York, New York”, home to 8.3 million people and huge numbers of international students. Top US universities in New York include Columbia and Cornell, making it the only state to hold more than one Ivy League member.

Columbia University (14= in the world; 9= in the US) Cornell University (19th in the world; 11th in the US) New York University (NYU, 41= in the world; 17= in the US) University of Rochester (164th in the world; 43rd in the US) Yeshiva University (280= in the world; 61st in the US) To find out more about studying in Ohio, visit our state guide > Top universities in Oklahoma A southern state, Oklahoma is rich in Native American ancestry, with over 25 Native American languages are spoken – a number second only to California. Comprised of small mountain ranges, prairies, mesas and forests, and inclined to unpredictable weather, Oklahoma’s capital and largest city is Oklahoma City.

University of Oklahoma (451-460 in the world; 90= in the US) Oklahoma State University (701+ in the world; 128= in the US) University of Tulsa (701+ in the world; 128= in the US) To find out more about studying in Oklahoma, visit our state guide > Top universities in Oregon Situated on the Pacific Coast in the north west of the US, Oregon provides a diverse landscape of coastline, volcanic mountain ranges, waterfalls and a large number of national forests. Salem is the capital city and Portland is the largest. Oregon State University (451-460 in the world; 90= in the US) University of Oregon (551-600 in the world; 103= in the US) To find out more about studying in Oregon, visit our state guide > Top universities in Pennsylvania With the Appalachian Mountains running straight through its center and surrounded by many ‘Great Lakes’, Pennsylvania is a beautiful and diverse study destination. Located in the northeast to the south of New York State, Pennsylvania’s capital is Harrisburg and its largest city is Philadelphia.

University of Pennsylvania (13th in the world; 8th in the US) Carnegie Mellon University (65= in the world; 23= in the US) University of Pittsburgh (111th in the world; 32nd in the US) Pennsylvania State University (112th in the world; 33rd in the US) Drexel University (551-600 in the world; 103= in the US) Lehigh University (601-650 in the world; 111= in the US) Temple University (601-650 in the world; 111= in the US) To find out more about studying in Pennsylvania, visit our state guide > Top universities in Rhode Island Another in the New England region, Rhode Island claims the title of the smallest US state and is the second most densely populated. Rhode Island’s capital and largest city is Providence, where Ivy League member Brown University is located.

Brown University (52= in the world; 19th in the US) To find out more about studying in Rhode Island, visit our state guide > Top universities in South Carolina Boasting a myriad of lakes and rivers which pave their way through the state down to the Atlantic coast, South Carolina is popular among nature lovers and extreme water sports fans. The Chattooga River on the western border is particularly good for white-water rafting. The state’s largest city is Columbia. To find out more about studying in South Carolina, visit our state guide > Top universities in Tennessee Within reach of the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River, Tennessee has a diverse natural landscape as well as a rich cultural setting, perhaps most notable for its huge influence on American popular music including blues, rock and roll and country genres. The capital city of Tennessee is Nashville and the largest city is Memphis.

Vanderbilt University (182= in the world; 45= in the US) University of Tennessee (431-440 in the world; 84= in the US) To find out more about studying in Tennessee, visit our state guide > Top universities in Texas Texas, the “super-sized state”, is the second most populous and second largest state in the US, sharing an international border with four Mexican states. Industry within energy, technology, biomedical science and aerospace continues to thrive here, and, with seven top US universities, Texas boasts one of the highest communities of international students. Austin is the capital and Houston is the largest city. To find out more about studying in Texas, visit our state guide > Top universities in Utah Located towards the western part of the US, Utah is famously home to large Mormon communities. Although this is one of the vaster US states, the majority of the population (some 80%) is clustered along the Wasatch Front – a chain of cities and towns along the Wasatch Range of mountains. In 2012 Utah was voted the best state to live in based on health, lifestyle and economy.

University of Utah (313th in the world; 66th in the US) Brigham Young University (651-700 in the world; 121= in the US) To find out more about studying in Utah, visit our state guide > Top universities in Vermont Small and sparsely populated compared to many other US states, Vermont is situated in New England and is the leading producer of maple syrup in the US. The capital of Vermont is Montpelier and its largest city is Burlington, where its one internationally ranked university is located. University of Vermont (481-490 in the world; 96= in the US) To find out more about studying in Vermont, visit our state guide > Top universities in Virginia Nicknamed the ‘Mother of Presidents’ and located in the South Atlantic region, Virginia has a diverse landscape shaped by the Blue Ridge Mountains and Chesapeake Bay, as well as big industry in technology and media. The capital city is Richmond, and Virginia Beach is its largest.

University of Virginia (141= in the world; 40th in the US) Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech, 355= in the world; 73rd in the US) To find out more about studying in Virginia, visit our state guide > Top universities in Washington Founded in the northwest upon the pacific coast and bordering the Canadian province of British Columbia, is the US state of Washington. Nicknamed ‘The Evergreen State’, Washington is home to the Olympic Mountains, an area covered in temperate rainforest. Washington’s biggest city is Seattle and its capital is Olympia. University of Washington (65= in the world; 23= in the US) Washington State University (379= in the world; 78th in the US) To find out more about studying in Washington, visit our state guide > Top universities in Washington DC Not actually a state, Washington DC is the capital district of the United States (DC = ‘District of Columbia’), located in the east below the state of Maryland. All thirteen branches of the federal government are located in Washington DC, as well as 176 foreign embassies and most famously the White House.

Many students within the district are politically active. Georgetown University (200= in the world; 51st in the US) George Washington University (300= in the world; 64= in the US) American University (431-440 in the world; 84= in the US) Howard University (601-650 in the world; 111= in the US) To find out more about studying in Washington DC, visit our state guide > Top universities in Wisconsin Bordered by Lake Michigan to the east and Lake Superior to the south, Wisconsin is a Great Lakes state in the Midwest. Nicknamed ‘America’s Dairyland’, Wisconsin also has major economies in tourism and manufacturing. Its capital is Madison and its largest city is Milwaukee. University of Wisconsin-Madison (41= in the world; 17= in the US) Marquette University (701+ in the world; 128= in the US) “America in Miniature” – Bernadette A. Moyer My Maryland! By Bernadette A.

Moyer Some of the best things about Maryland is that we have it all here, literally known as “America in Miniature” because so much is here in our 10,460 square miles of land and water. We have the ocean and we have the horse farms and we have the best crab cakes you will ever eat. Our state is diverse with ethnic groups of every origin. Maryland is also called the “Free State” because of Maryland’s long tradition of political freedom and religious tolerance. There is money here and part of Maryland is so close to Washington D.C. that many end up living here who are involved in politics. Annapolis Maryland is the capital of Maryland and the county seat of Anne Arundel County. And Annapolis is known as “America’s Sailing Capital” and home to the United States Naval Academy. Marylanders are proud of their home grown corn and tomatoes. The annual Preakness is held here in Baltimore for 140 years now and is the second leg of the Triple Crown after the Kentucky Derby and before the Belmont Stakes.

Baltimore City, Maryland is the home of the professional baseball team with the Baltimore Orioles and with professional football in the Baltimore Ravens; we have two state of the art stadiums with Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Stadium. Oriole Park recently won yet another award as the #1 baseball stadium in the league because of its design. The Inner Harbor in Baltimore City continues to be a tourist destination with a water taxi system and paddle boats among other water vessels. The views from Harbor East include beautiful homes, walkways, docks, piers and boats. Little Italy retains its “old world charm” with many fine Italian restaurants, pizzerias and bakery. The brick sidewalks and tight little streets are home to several Catholic Italian festivals every single year. We are not without great theater and museums either with The Baltimore Lyric Opera House, The Walters Art Museum and Baltimore Museum of Art. Currently the series VEEPS and House of Cards is being filmed here in Baltimore. Classics movies like Diner, Tin Men, Cry-Baby … And Justice For All and many more have been filmed here in Maryland. Today there are currently 55 colleges and universities in the state of Maryland.

Top ranking schools like University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, Towson University and Goucher College are not just home grown favorites but draw students from across the country and internationally. We have really good hospitals here too with Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Maryland Hospital, Mercy Medical Center, Kennedy Krieger Institute and the Greater Baltimore Medical Center and others. People come from all over the world for Johns Hopkins Hospital. Maryland has been home to many famous people like Cal Ripken Jr, Michael Phelps, Jada Pinkett Smith, Toni Braxton, David Hasselhoff, Edgar Allan Poe, Montell Williams, Linda Hamilton, Tom Clancy, Frank Zappa, Barry Levinson, John Waters, Frank Perdue and others. But it really is about the everyday people that make Maryland so special, people that have that balance of pride and humility and most have a desire to succeed and to do better for themselves and their families. My husband was born and raised here; he has lived in Baltimore City and now resides in Baltimore County. After 35 years he retired from the City of Baltimore. Like most native Marylanders he is proud of his home teams in the Orioles and Ravens and a huge fan of both teams. He is Maryland through and through.

Me, I am a transplant from Pennsylvania but have called Maryland “home” for over 32 years now. We are well travelled and we have flirted with moving out-of-state but truth is that my Maryland is our Maryland and we are happy here and then again why wouldn’t we be with a tagline like “America in Miniature” we believe that we have the best of all worlds and we have it all here in Maryland! Bernadette on Facebook at NEW BOOK! Along The Way available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble Photo by my friend, author, artist, photographer, beloved teacher and fellow Marylander Rus VanWestervelt Maryland Livestock Breeders Fatti maschii, parole femine (Manly deeds, womanly words) About Maryland Maryland is located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Maryland has the highest median household income of any state, with a median income of $70,545.

Maryland was the seventh state to ratify the United States Constitution, and three nicknames for it, the Old Line State, the Free State, and the Chesapeake Bay State are occasionally used. Maryland is a major center for life sciences research and development. With more than 350 biotechnology companies located there, Maryland is the third-largest nexus in this field in the United States. Institutions and government agencies with an interest in research and development located in Maryland include the Johns Hopkins University, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, more than one campus of the University System of Maryland, Goddard Space Flight Center, the United States Census Bureau, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Celera Genomics company, Human Genome Sciences (HGS),the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), and MedImmune - recently purchased by AstraZeneca.

Admissions Blog Admissions Blog Mar 25, 2014 8:00:00 AM EDT Posted by: Amy Galloway A few years ago, we used the slogan “The World is Our Campus” on our Academic Prospectus and other printed materials. With ongoing research in over 130 countries , that statement is certainly true. But while the world is our campus, Baltimore, Maryland is our home. And today is a very special day in our home state. On this day in 1634, 150 settlers landed on St. Clement’s Island to establish the colony of Maryland. Three hundred and eighty years later, Maryland is the land of the Chesapeake Bay, blue crabs, Black-eyed Susans and Johns Hopkins University . Happy Birthday, Maryland! Baltimore – Travel guide at Wikivoyage History[ edit ] Baltimore has a very long and rich history. It is perhaps most well known for being the site of the historic Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. Over the course of the battle, British invaders bombed Fort McHenry with rockets as Francis Scott Key wrote what would become the American national anthem.

Baltimore was also the site of the first casualty of the American Civil War. It also has a large African-American population that has played an important role in its history. African Americans have had a major presence in Baltimore since the Revolutionary War. During that time they were brought to Baltimore as slaves from Africa. Baltimore was also one of the hotbeds during the American Civil Rights movement and famous African-Americans such as Thurgood Marshall and Kweisi Mfume have made Baltimore their hometown. R&B artists such as Tupac, Dru Hill and Mario have also emerged from Baltimore. Currently, African-Americans form a majority (within the city limits) at 64%. Geography[ edit ] Baltimore lies in an arm of the Chesapeake Bay, the third largest estuary in the world. The eastern two-thirds of the metropolitan area lie on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, between 15 and 50 feet above sea level, and contain many peninsulas jutting out into the bay. The western third of the city slowly rises into rolling hills, and leads to the piedmont region. It is located about 40 miles from Washington, D.C. , and approximately 100 miles from Philadelphia .

The Atlantic Ocean lies about 2 hours to the southeast. 8 inch guns at Fort McHenry See Baltimore's 7 day forecast Baltimore lies within the humid subtropical climate zone, and weather is primarily affected by three factors: its proximity to a warm marine estuary, its low elevation, and the wall of mountains to the west and northwest. These factors make the area's climate milder and less extreme than other U.S. cities at this latitude. Summers are humid and hot, but not extremely so, with highs reaching the high 80s to low 90s Fahrenheit and lows in the 60s to low 70s. Winters are cold to mild and moist, with highs in the upper 40s to low 50s, and lows in the 30s and 40s. It is almost never below 10°F in the city proper. Light snow can sometimes fall in winter, although some years there is no significant accumulation and once every few years a coastal storm can dump 8 inches to a foot of snow on the city. Spring and fall bring pleasant temperatures in the 50s-70s(°F), and southern breezes.

While weather in the region can vary, Baltimore does not experience the extremes of weather change that occur further north and inland. Visitors will be able to venture outdoors without a jacket from approximately mid-March to late November. The hot humid summers invite the wearing of shorts on many days. The Baltimore area experiences pleasant fall foliage, usually beginning in mid October and ending in early December. The long warm weather season means that swimming pools are very popular for much of the year as well. Film[ edit ] Baltimore boasts a surprisingly influential, albeit small-scale, film industry. Self-dubbed the "grandfather of filth" native John Waters is the Baltimore equivalent of New York's Woody Allen—he has directed movie after movie, set and filmed on location in Baltimore, drawing heavily for inspiration from Baltimore's most bizarre subcultures and its strangest neighborhoods. He became famous for his "gore" flicks in the 1970s, which combine the single-minded purpose of grossing-out (or perhaps scarring-for-life) the viewers along with intensely bad acting, outrageous Baltimore accents, subversive humor, general trashy perversion and violence, and one enormous Baltimore drag queen named Divine.

Of this era, Pink Flamingos achieved a certain cult-classic status, although it is absolutely not for the faint of heart (or the pure of spirit). Pink Flamingo over Cafe Hon in Hampden Waters' films post-1970s mellowed out dramatically, albeit still maintaining his signature interest in subversive campiness, culminating in his most famous work, Hairspray, a 1962-fabulous story of a plus-size girl with plus-size hair who wanted to bring a black boy to the locally-televised dance show against the forces of racial segregation and bigotry. He has gained considerable success within the Manhattan art world for his more recent work across all sorts of mediums—but he rails against that same art world in Pecker, a movie soaked in the local colors of Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood. His dogged loyalty to his city has earned him a lot of goodwill here. A recent mayor proposed creating a local John Waters holiday, and the Hampden neighborhood erected a giant pink flamingo statue up on the main street.

But don't let all this lull you into a sense of complacency—unless it's Hairspray or perhaps Crybaby and maybe Serial Mom, don't show his films to your kids! Barry Levinson is perhaps the most well-known film maker to come out of and make films about Baltimore. His directing career began with Diner, a movie set in the Baltimore of his youth, and a movie that would begin the famous four-movie series of "Baltimore films" along with Tin Men, Avalon, and Liberty Heights. Another big name in Baltimore film-making is undoubtedly David Simon, famous for his Baltimore-centric crime dramas Homicide: Life on the Street (which he co-produced with Barry Levinson), and, of course, The Wire, which has been called by nearly every major journalistic publication in the English language "the best show on television"—although several have contended this doesn't go far enough, calling it the best TV series of all time. The Wire is set principally in the most blighted neighborhoods of West Baltimore, dealing with startlingly realistic, cliché-less portrayals of the life of the city's (and America's) underclass and the drug crime that pervades the neighborhoods and housing projects that underclass lives in.

A veteran reporter for the Baltimore Sun and a novelist in his own right, Simon also turns his camera on the city government, the police department, and the public schools, and never in too favorable of a light. (If you are a fan of the series, check out The Wire Tour !) For an even starker portrayal of life and drugs in Baltimore's most blighted neighborhoods, check out his documentary-style miniseries, The Corner. Don't let these crime dramas get you down, though; most city visitors are unlikely to have any encounters with the drug trade or really much anything to do with Baltimore culture for that matter.

All the more reason why The Wire is practically required reading for a serious visitor—the show is filmed on location throughout the whole city, and nowhere else will you be so quickly and delightfully introduced to Baltimore in all its local character and sense of place: Baltimore club music, beautiful and dilapidated old row houses with marble stoops, the legendary horse-cart fruit vendor, coddies and pit beef, bottles of rye by the docks, the East-West rivalry, all sorts of local hip hop, a few good corrupt Polish cops, some angry young men in the projects, and above all that sense of restlessness that keeps this city alive. By bus[ edit ] Buses are an affordable way to get in to Baltimore if you are already in the Eastern Seaboard, especially if you are coming from New York or Philadelphia. There are also routes to Baltimore from outside the region on Greyhound and Megabus. Greyhound offers connections to most major cities in North America. The terminal is in an industrial area a few blocks south of the stadium district, about a 30-minute walk to the Inner Harbor . Another option to get to downtown or Mt.

Vernon is MTA's route 27, which serves the station directly; there are also usually cabs waiting. BoltBus runs a service from New York 's Penn Station to Baltimore's Penn Station in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood. From there, the light rail or Circulator can get you Downtown or to the Inner Harbor . Megabus picks up and drops off at a mall parking lot in suburban White Marsh, about a 25-minute drive or one-hour bus ride (MTA route 35) from the city center. Although the stop location is considerably less convenient than BoltBus, this is made up for by the much greater variety of destinations Megabus offers, including cities across the Northeast, upper South, and even Toronto . NY-DC Express is a Chinatown bus service that offers buses from New York, with rates that are sometimes less than BoltBus and Megabus. You can find other Chinatown bus services between New York and Baltimore at GoToBus . By car[ edit ] Baltimore is served by several interstate freeways: I-83 from Harrisburg and points north; I-70 from Pittsburgh and points west; and I-95 from Philadelphia , Washington, D.C.

, and other East Coast cities. If arriving from the south, the I-395 spur from I-95 will take you right into the harbor area. If arriving from the north on I-95, you will have to pay a $4 toll to take the Fort McHenry Tunnel under the harbor before you hit 395. You can avoid the toll and see more of the city by exiting I-95 at Eastern Avenue (exit 59), which will take you through the diverse neighborhoods of Southeast Baltimore before terminating in Harbor East . Car parking is expensive in the inner city, roughly $5/hour around the harbor area. If you're planning to stick to the central part of the city and don't mind walking, you can save money and stress by parking for free at one of the suburban Light Rail or Metro stations and taking transit into the city.

Both of the freeways between Baltimore and Washington, DC (I-95 and MD-295, the Baltimore-Washington Parkway) can be extremely congested on weekdays: although the cities are just 40 miles apart, the drive can take up to two hours at peak times, roughly 6AM to 9:30AM and 3:30PM to 6:30PM The MARC commuter train can be a better option. By train[ edit ] The Male Female Statue in front of Penn Station Amtrak offers frequent, fast, and comfortable services into Baltimore along its Northeast Corridor route; the city is also served by several long-distance trains to cities in the South, with connections to trains headed west in New York and Washington. Taking the train to Baltimore from New York, Boston, or Philadelphia will be much more expensive than a bus, but seats on the long-distance trains are often comparable to bus fares. All Amtrak trains arrive and depart at Penn Station on Charles Street in Midtown , about two miles from the Inner Harbor . You can ride the Light Rail or the free Circulator bus to get to downtown and the Harbor.

Some Amtrak trains also stop at the BWI Airport station, which is in a suburban area not convenient for tourists. The MARC commuter train system runs trains between Baltimore and Washington, DC . At $7 each way, it's much cheaper than Amtrak, and considerably faster than driving. The Penn Line serves Penn Station, running throughout the day roughly once per hour on weekdays up until about 10:30 at night. On weekends, Penn Line service operates at much reduced frequencies. The Camden Line serves the Camden Yards station, adjacent to the Orioles stadium and three blocks from the harbor proper; however, it runs only during the morning and evening rush hours. Both routes depart from Union Station in Washington. By plane[ edit ] BWI Airport—or, in full, Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport ( IATA : BWI) is located about 10 miles from the city center and offers non-stop flights from just about every major airport in the country, with a handful of international flights. (More international flights are available at the two D.C. airports.). Car rental facilities are located in a centralized facility located away from the airport. To get there, you must take a free airport shuttle bus between the facility and the terminals.

Plan an extra 10 to 15 minutes to get out of the airport. Also, if heading to Washington D.C., the signage from the airport's car rental facility is very poor and confusing, especially to Route 495. However, all roads ultimately lead to highway access in either direction (north or south). You have two options for getting into the city by transit. One is to take the free shuttle to the BWI Amtrak/MARC station, where you can take either an Amtrak ($11–28 one way) or MARC commuter train ($4, runs weekdays only) to Penn Station, a 15-minute ride. The other is to take the Light Rail, which departs directly from the terminal. The ride to the Inner Harbor is about 30 minutes and the fare is $1.60. By MTA[ edit ] The light rail by Camden Station Public transportation in Baltimore is nothing spectacular. Fares to ride light rail, buses and subway are $1.70 each way, and $4.00 buys you a day pass that gets you unlimited rides on all three. You can buy the pass from any bus operator or vending machine at subway/light rail stations.

As a general rule, the light rail system is far more useful for getting into the city than getting around it. You may wish to park outside the city (for free!) and take the light rail in. The one useful section runs from Camden Yards up past Lexington Market to the Station North Arts District . There is also a single line subway which runs from Johns Hopkins Hospital, through downtown, and out to the northwest suburbs of Pikesville and Owings Mills. The subway does not pass many tourist destinations and is mostly used by commuters. To get around Baltimore on the cheap by public transport, especially outside of the harbor area, you will sacrifice convenience, but the MTA buses are the way to go. MTA puts out very handy interactive maps [dead link] of the downtown and regional bus routes, so you can plan ahead. Buses, like all of Baltimore's public transit, are well patrolled and safe. By Charm City Circulator[ edit ] Unlike the MTA, the recently launched Charm City Circulator is a city-run service. And unlike the MTA, the Circulator is free. Funded by parking taxes, several routes are now online. The Orange Route runs east to west from Hollins Market to Harbor East.

The Purple Route runs north to south between Penn Station and Federal Hill. A third route, The Green Route, runs mostly east of downtown, serving Power Plant Live, Fells Point, and the Johns Hopkins medical complex. The Banner Route, running from the Inner Harbor to Ft. McHenry hits the roads in June 2012. The buses, smaller and quieter than the MTA trains, but more stylish and fun to ride, are ideal for people staying downtown looking for a very economical way to get out towards Fells Point, Federal Hill, Mount Vernon and other areas underserved by the MTA. If staying outside the city and taking Light Rail or Metro Subway in, the ?Circulator routes were thankfully designed to coordinate with key stops like Baltimore Street, North Howard Street (along which the Light Rail runs), Charles Center and the Convention Center. By car[ edit ] You don't need a car to visit Baltimore, but it helps, especially if you're planning to visit some of the more outlying areas of the city which are poorly served by public transit.

Baltimore has an incomplete freeway system: protests in the 1970s halted the construction of a proposed east-west freeway that would have destroyed neighborhoods including historic Fells' Point, so I-83 (known within the city as the "Jones Falls Expressway") and I-395 both terminate downtown without connecting to each other. This accounts for heavy traffic downtown during rush hours and on game days. Pratt and Lombard streets can be particularly slow due to the confluence of car and pedestrian traffic around the harbor. If you're headed east or west across downtown, it's often quicker to drive a few blocks north to take U.S. Route 40, even if your destination is south of Route 40. Streets in the central region of the city follow a grid pattern, with alternating one-way streets in many neighborhoods, particularly downtown and on the East Side. In the outer parts of the city, the street pattern becomes more suburban, centered around radial roads. Charles Street divides "East" streets from "West," and Baltimore Street divides "North" from "South" (early city planners clearly had no idea of how far north the city would grow!).

Streets that don't cross Charles Street or Baltimore Street don't have a directional label. Most Baltimore street signs have the block number on them, which helps with navigation. It's not hard to find paid parking garages and lots near all major sights in the city center, usually charging parking rates commensurate with proximity to the Inner Harbor. Beyond the central neighborhoods, on-street parking is widely available. You pay for street parking at electronic kiosks which take your money (they accept cash or credit cards) and issue a receipt stating the time at which your parking will expire, which you display on your dashboard. Parking enforcement in Baltimore is known to be ruthless. If you don't have a car, Baltimore has several reliable taxi companies. Taxi fares start at $1.80 and increase by $.20 for each 1/11 mile ($2.20 per mile) or for 30 seconds of waiting time. It's easy to hail a cab on the street downtown, in Fell's Point and Mt. Vernon, but elsewhere you'll have to call.

By water taxi[ edit ] One of the most popular (and unique!) modes of transportation in Baltimore is the water taxi system +1 410 563-3901. Rarely a useful mode of transport for everyday life, it is an especially nice way of touring the city's main sights for a day (and admiring the skyline from the water). From May–September, it stops throughout the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, Fort McHenry, and even Canton, at intervals of about 15–20 minutes. Day passes, adults: $9.00, kids under 10: $4.00. In cooperation with the Charm City Circulator system, some routes across the harbor are also free from 7AM to 7PM, including Maritime Park, Tide Point, and Canton Waterfront Park. By bicycle[ edit ] Biking is a fun way to explore Baltimore's neighborhoods as well as an activity in itself. Scenic areas to explore by bike include the affluent neighborhoods of North Baltimore , the Gwynns Falls Trail and Druid Hill Park on the West Side , and East Baltimore 's Patterson Park.

The city center is fairly flat, although the northern part of the city can get quite hilly. Although Baltimore hasn't achieved the bicycle-friendliness of its neighbor to the south, the city government is making an effort, slowly installing new bike lanes and marked bicycle routes. Drivers are generally tolerant, although some are liable to pass uncomfortably close (Maryland law requires drivers to allow at least 3 feet when passing a bicyclist, but it's rarely enforced). The city publishes a handy Bicycle Map , available online and in print at bike shops. You can bring bicycles on Metro and Light Rail (but not MARC) trains. All MTA buses (but not the Circulator) have a front-loading bike rack. Three excellent bike shops are located in areas frequented by visitors: Light Street Cycles , located at 1124 Light Street in Federal Hill, less than a mile walk from the Inner Harbor; Baltimore Bicycle Works , at 1813 Falls Road near Penn Station; and Joe's Bike Shop at 723 S. Broadway in Fells Point. Light Street Cycles and Baltimore Bicycle Works offer bike rentals by the day. Baltimore's bike scene has an irreverent side.

Instead of a Critical Mass ride (where large groups of cyclists take over the street during rush hour to promote biking), Baltimore has the Baltimore Bike Party , a slow-paced, carousing mass ride replete with costumed riders, decorated bikes, and noisemakers. The Bike Party meets at 7PM at the Washington Monument in Mt. Vernon the last Friday of every month; there's always an afterparty (and sometimes a pre-party) with food and beer. Bicycle theft is a serious concern. You must have a strong, solid lock—a cable lock makes your bike easy prey. In 2010 and 2011 there were reports of gangs assaulting cyclists and stealing their bikes after dark in the area between Midtown and Charles Village, North Avenue to 25th Street. Although such reports have been less frequent in the past couple years, it's safest to stick to well-lit, heavily-travelled streets after dark. See[ edit ] Lion at the Maryland Zoo As Baltimore is a predominantly African-American city, there are many opportunities to experience African-American history in this town. The most prominent is the Great Blacks in Wax Museum located on East North Avenue in East Baltimore close to Johns Hopkins University.

This museum showcases African American History through art. Another site of interest may be the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Black History located close to the Harbor Area. The Baltimore Harbor is the busy center to the city, a major tourist attraction, a must-see, often featuring live music by jazz groups and crooners and plenty of eating and shopping. While locals scorn the Inner Harbor as a pre-fabricated tourist mecca devoid of true Baltimore culture, visitors should see the harbor, and especially should visit some of its excellent museums and other attractions. Highlights range from the Historic Ships in Baltimore (including the USS Constellation), the kid-mesmerizing Maryland Science Center, to the crowded and enormous National Aquarium, to the radically eccentric American Visionary Arts Museum. The tourist district of the Inner Harbor is a great destination, where you will have a great time. But it is oddly ahistoric in one of America 's most historic cities. The most prominent historical attraction is Fort McHenry across the harbor at the tip of Locust Point .

It gained an iconic status in American history by successfully defending the Baltimore harbor from the British naval bombardment in the War of 1812, at which time Sir Francis Scott Key was inspired by the tattered but still waving American flag on the fort to write the poem that would later become the national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner. The other very rewarding historical destination in Baltimore is just east of the Inner Harbor in Fells Point , once a separate town founded in 1730, which became wealthy throughout the 18th and 19th centuries on shipbuilding and the maritime trade (and anti-British privateering). Architecturally, little has changed for more than a century, and the cobblestone streets, old pubs, and quaint harbor area are more than enough to lure visitors. While you won't run out of attractions to visit in the Inner Harbor, there are a bunch of big attractions throughout the city that you should not miss. Look especially for Westminster Hall and Burying Ground Downtown , the Maryland Zoo in Druid Hill Park , the original Washington Monument and the Walters Art Museum in Mount Vernon , and the Baltimore Museum of Art up by Johns Hopkins University .

Itineraries[ edit ] The Wire Tour — a grand 3.5 hour driving tour of prominent filming locations for the highly acclaimed HBO series, The Wire. Tour the Baltimore Basilica , at 409 Cathedral St. Benjamin Latrobe was the architect for this incredible cathedral, built in neo-classical style. Latrobe went on to redesign the US Capitol after it was burned by the British. The first Catholic Cathedral in the United States, the building has been completely restored. Docents are available to give free tours, or you may walk around on your own. The dome, whose design was influenced by Thomas Jefferson, is worth the visit, even if you don't have time for a tour. Be sure to check out the undercroft, where the large brick foundations that support the dome are clearly visible. Architectural and religious beauty... this place has it all... right in downtown Baltimore. Do[ edit ] Creative Alliance , 3134 Eastern Ave, ☎ +1 410-276-1651 . The Creative Alliance is a vibrant arts center with over 200 events a year ranging from costume dance parties, to folk music performances, rap, world music, and indie film screenings.

The space holds two art galleries, a theater, classroom, media lab, live/work studios for 8 artists, and a bar/restaurant. Pimlico Racetrack, home of the Preakness Baltimore has several professional sports teams and events. Teams[ edit ] Professional Sports Teams Baltimore Blast . The city's Major Indoor Soccer League team. They play their home games at 1st Mariner Arena. Baltimore Orioles . The city's Major League Baseball team. They play their home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Ravens . The city's National Football League team. They play their games at M&T Bank Stadium. Notable College Teams Johns Hopkins Blue Jays Lacrosse . Are one of the most successful, oldest, and well known men's college lacrosse teams in the United States. Currently they have 9 NCAA Division I championships. [dead link]Loyola Greyhounds Lacrosse . Are a team that found a lot of their success in the late 1980s and 1990's, but finally won their first NCAA men's Division I in 2012. Sporting Events Baltimore Marathon . Is the flagship race of several races collectively known as the Baltimore Running Festival.

Preakness Stakes . Is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course Festivals[ edit ] Downtown Baltimore. Baltimore Pride . A two-day weekend festival in June of each year celebrating Baltimore's LGBT community. There is a parade through the city, a festival in Druid Park, and a block party in Mt. Vernon, as well as other events. Maryland Deathfest . For those who enjoy a good headbang, an annual metal festival is held at the city's SONAR venue at the end of May. Artscape: This festival to showcase the arts is held every July in Mt Vernon. This festival features opportunities to experience and purchase arts and craft produced by Baltimore artisans and tailors. It also features concerts of both local and national talent. Past performers have included Common, India Irie, The Temptation and Patty Labelle Afram: This festival to celebrate African American culture is held every June downtown. It feature vendor selling seafood, soulfood and other American favorites. It also has concerts by African American artists and carnival rides. Otakon .

One of the largest and longest-running anime conventions in the United States, held over a three-day weekend in July or August (varies depending on the year). Even if you are not into anime, you'll get to see throngs of Japanese cartoon-inspired costumed attendees (cosplayers) take over the Baltimore Convention Center and Inner Harbor during the convention. StoneSoul Picnic: This festival is held every August in Druid Hill Park to celebrate African American heritage. It usually appeals to youth but has vendors, clothing and other items for sale that can be purchased by all ages. There is also usually a concert by a younger hip hop artists. Past performers have included J Holiday, Tiffany Evans and Mario. Baltimore Book Festival . 3 day book festival with over 100 exhibitors/booksellers, author signings, cooking demos and other events and activities held in late September at the Inner Harbor in downtown Baltimore (it used to in Mt Vernon) to celebrate reading. Free admission. Learn[ edit ] Baltimore Career Training . A career training school located in Baltimore.

39.31028 -76.65861 1 Coppin State University , 2500 W North Ave, ☎ +1 410-951-3000 , toll-free: +1-800-635-3674 , e-mail: admissions@coppin.edu . A historically black college that is part of the University of Maryland System. Johns Hopkins University . A school most notably known for its medical program. Buy[ edit ] You will find that the Inner Harbor area has most of the stores. There are often souvenir shops in many of the interesting attractions, providing expensive, but unique, items. However, many of these are tourist traps. There are some interesting stores in the suburbs, for those of you who are touring the surrounding area. A drive to the nearby Wegmans or IKEA may be well worth it. Eat[ edit ] Strange food on offer in Lexington Market A wide variety of dining options can be found in Baltimore, but no visit to Maryland is complete without a sampling of the local favorite: steamed crabs!

During the summer harvest season (May to September), picking crabs is a popular way to spend the afternoon with family and friends at a crab feast. However, crab may be imported from as far away as Texas during the off-season. Often crabs are accompanied by steamed shrimp, corn on the cob, and beer. If steamed crabs are too adventurous, you should at least sample a crab cake, crab bisque, or vegetable crab soup. Then again, if crabs aren't adventurous enough, there is an impressive range of strange local foods that most visitors never hear about, the preeminent among which is the Baltimore pit beef sandwich. An odd tradition born of the meeting of the American barbecue world with the culinary tastes of Baltimore's Polish immigrants, the pit beef is slowly barbecued all day and night in a deep pit, then put on a kaiser roll, plus onions and horseradish to your liking (don't wuss out on the horseradish—it's an integral part of the experience). It's best served very rare. Unfortunately, pit beef can be hard to come by within the city limits. The favorite pit beefery is probably Chaps, located next to an industrial area on the extreme east of the city .

Vying for local fast food preeminence is Baltimore lake trout. It's not trout (rather, whitefish), and it doesn't come from a lake. But it is impressively fresh, lightly breaded, surprisingly not so greasy, and just all around finger-licking good. It is sort-of served in a sandwich, but you get such a huge quantity of fish in there (for chicken-feed), it's not possible to eat it like a sandwich. Lake Trout takes you far from East Baltimore's pit beef into the west side , but where to get the best fish is a matter of contention. The most accessible, and visitor friendly, is a regular contender for the crown—The Roost. Coddies represent the final major player in local fast food lore. Nothing fancy here—it's a thick, satisfying codcake served in a sandwich of two saltine crackers, and the coddie should be topped with simple yellow mustard. They can be hard to find, but you'll get great ones at Faidley's for absurdly low prices. The market place, near the harbor, is full of fresh seafood and food bars.

But for a more local experience, head to the neighborhoods surrounding it: Little Italy, Fells Point, Federal Hill, Canton, Mount Washington, etc. all feature both local and international cuisine. Lexington Market is an especially popular lunchtime destination, with countless vendors selling all kinds of food imaginable. There are standing tables in an open area on the ground floor, as well as a large seating area on the upper level above that. If you are looking for a deep Baltimore culinary experience, head to standing room only Faidley's, where you can get your coddies, some of the world's most acclaimed jumbo lump crab cakes, and even local artifacts like terrapin, raccoon, and muskrat! (Those artifacts are available only seasonally, and only to take home to cook.) Canton Square offers a diverse selection of good restaurants, but one of the standouts is Nacho Mama's (2907 O'Donnell St). Fun atmosphere, good Mexican food, and many "priceless artifacts" representing everything Baltimore. There also the must-see Greektown, which hosts a wealth of authentic Greek restaurants and coffeehouses.

Vaccaro's in Baltimore's Little Italy is a place to die for when it comes to desserts. This intimate Italian bakery is a little on the high side but features a wide variety of traditional Italian pastries. Located two blocks from the inner harbor area at the corner of Albemarle and Stiles street. They also have a location in Canton Square. Here's a local meal! A jumbo lump, two coddies, and washed down with a Natty Boh. Don't miss the Helmand Restaurant in Mt. Vernon . Owned by Mahmood Karzai, brother of former Afghan president Hamid Karzai, the cuisine here is from Afghanistan and delicious! The prices are inexpensive (around $15.00 for an entree), and they boast 4 star quality service. Try the pumpkin appetizer.

In Hampden , there are several (quirky) dining options, including Suzie's Soba (Asian fusion), Cafe Hon (featuring kitschy retro decor and a blue plate special menu), Holy Frijoles (a dark, hip margarita-and-burritos place), Rocket To Venus (eclectic rock-n-roll bar/restaurant) and Golden West (featuring eclectic Southwestern cuisine in equally eclectic surroundings, known for excellent food, a laid-back bar scene, and family-friendly seating. Be warned: it's nicknamed "Golden Wait" by locals for the lackadaisical service.) If you wish for a more formal (and expensive), dinner, try the business district. Also of note is the local dinner theatre, Toby's, which for a sizeable price will give you a fancy three-course buffet dinner and a roughly two hour theatre production. Baltimore recently passed a smoke-free ordinance, so be aware that all restaurants and bars are completely non-smoking. Drink[ edit ] The two neighborhoods with the largest concentrations of drinking establishments and clubs are Fells Point and Powerplant Live! . Other fine wining (or boozing) and dining neighborhoods include Canton Square , Mt.

Vernon , Federal Hill , Hampden , and the Station North Arts and Entertainment District . Baltimore is also the home of the oldest Irish pub in the United States, Patrick's of Pratt Street, established in 1847. Fells Point is the city's most popular district for both eating and drinking, it is located about a 15 min walk from downtown, or a short cab ride. Many bars in this area feature live music and most have excellent selections of Maryland and imported craft beers. The Full Moon Saloon on Aliceanna Street brings outstanding blues artists to the stage, while the Cat's Eye pub on Thames (pronounced as it is spelled, not like the river in London) has jazz and blues. Also be sure to visit Bertha's on Broadway, John Steven Ltd. on Thames, and Max's Taphouse for the widest beer and shooter selection plus Quiz-a-ma-jig trivia every Thursday night. Max's on Broadway is Baltimore's veritable beer museum, with a long list of hard-to-find beers from around the world. Powerplant Live! is an area just off of the Inner Harbor that has two blocks of nothing but bars, clubs and restaurants.

It has an outdoor area that has music and other events during good weather. Drinks and food are low quality and overpriced (since there is an unending stream of tourists unfamiliar with the city strolling in), but even the most hip Baltimore hipsters will find themselves here every now and then for the free live performances. Brewer's Art on Charles St specializes in Belgian ales. Cross Street Market in bar-saturated Federal Hill has a fine sushi and raw bar, and an excellent happy hour on Friday. National Bohemian (affectionately known as 'Natty Boh') is the popular local cheap beer. They are generally no more than $2–3 anywhere in Baltimore, and most places serve them in cans. Please note that all bars in Baltimore (and the state of Maryland) are completely non-smoking. Splurge $200 and up The vast majority of visitors stay in the Inner Harbor , right by the main attractions. Few cities have such a well-defined tourist district, and it is therefore no surprise that nearly all the major hotels in the city are located there. Business travelers can certainly stay in the Inner Harbor and remain close to the central business district, and this way get better views from their rooms.

But the most convenient business hotels, chain hotels all, are located Downtown . Bear in mind that Downtown is not a very good location if you are looking for nightlife—you would always wind up going somewhere else, and the empty streets in the business district can be creepy after dark. Now if you prefer to stay in a quieter area, with more local character, and better dining and nightlife options, you should look to Fells Point as the natural option, but even further off the beaten path you can find lovely bed and breakfasts and other small hotels in Federal Hill , Midtown , or Canton . The Midtown hotels particularly benefit from good public transportation (a rarity in the city) to Downtown and the Inner Harbor. For those on a tighter budget, Baltimore is the home to a Backpacker Hostel and several inexpensive B&Bs. Stay safe[ edit ] Sharks—not the only safety hazard in Baltimore Baltimore's reputation as a dangerous city was cemented internationally by the HBO series The Wire, and this is not far from the truth. Its nickname, the "Charm City", has been updated by local cynics as the "Harm City," and you can probably find an I *heart* Baltimore t-shirt for sale in which the heart is made of guns and knives.

An even less inviting nickname of recent years is the grisly "Bodymore." This reputation is in no small part due to its very high murder rate and its status as a major transit point for drugs. The reputation is warranted, but the average traveler should not get overly concerned. Most crime occurs between individuals that know each other, or in impoverished areas of the city, in which tourists will have little reason to go to. Few if any travelers will have any experience with that isolated culture of drug and gang-related activity, where the murders are occurring. Muggings are the crime for tourists to be concerned with, however. The areas of Baltimore that attract tourists are safe. You shouldn't worry when going to the opera, museums, aquarium, etc. The popular Inner Harbor area in particular is saturated with police day and night, as the city government relies heavily on this area to bring in locals and tourists and generate tax revenue. Some areas just north of the waterfront (downtown above the Inner Harbor around Lexington Market, and around the big public housing projects just northeast of Little Italy) can get a little dodgy after dark, and even during the day sometimes.

If you're parking your car on street in the Charles Street entertainment district or even in Fells Point, don't leave anything — even trash — visible in your car, in order to deter smash-and-grab robberies. Generally, the worst annoyance for tourists and residents around downtown are the homeless and/or drug addicts, who ask for money. Most will leave you alone if they do or don't receive anything from you. But if one follows you asking for money, it's best to ignore them and keep walking, as they almost always give up after a few seconds. Avoid confrontations or yelling back. Above all, though, just exercise the usual precautions for any large city in the world: know where you are going and how you are getting there. At night, walk in groups if possible and on well-lit streets, and do not carry large amounts of money. Call a cab if the trip back at night seems beyond your comfort zone. Connect[ edit ] Some restaurants and many libraries have WiFi in Baltimore. There is free City WiFi in parts of the Inner Harbour, and it's available in other areas of Baltimore by subscription.

Question: Which US state is nicknamed 'Little America' or 'America in Miniature'; it is home to John's Hopkins University?
Answer: Maryland