Things To Do
National Aquarium
Visit the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Spend a few hours hanging out with sharks, poison dart frogs, jellyfish, and tropical birds from around the world. Don’t miss the Maryland: Mountains to the Sea exhibit on the second floor which takes guests through all of Maryland’s amazing ecosystems from the Allegheny streams to tidal marshes and the Atlantic ocean. We might be biased but we think this is the best aquarium in the country. This was one of Michael’s favorite places to visit while growing up in Maryland and he has fond memories of visiting multiple times per year with his family. The aquarium is in the inner harbor which is also worth exploring on foot.
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Arguably one of the most famous Baltimore locations, Fort McHenry is the fort that withstood 25 hours of bombardment by the British navy during the War of 1812. Francis Scott Key was aboard a truce ship in the harbor at the time and seeing the giant American flag flying over the fort inspired him to write the poem “Defence of Fort M’Henry” which would later be set to music and become the Star-Spangled Banner, our national anthem. Visiting the fort will give you a great view of the Baltimore harbor, the spot where Michael proposed to Lily.
Star Spangled Banner Flag House
Many people think that Betsy Ross sewed the Star-Spangled Banner; however, it was actually created by Mary Pickersgill. In Baltimore, you can visit the house, now a museum, where Mary Pickersgill sewed the 30 x 42-foot flag that would fly over Fort McHenry and inspire Francis Scott Key to write the words that became our National Anthem.
Heavy Seas Beer
Visit Michael’s favorite brewery in Maryland and see where Michael’s favorite beer, Loose Cannon, is made. Loose Cannon will be available to enjoy at the wedding reception.
Guinness Open Gate Brewery
“Combining over 260 years of Irish brewing experience with American beer creativity.” Take a tour of one out of the only two Guinness breweries in the US. While there, buy yourself a nice cold stout. Lily’s favorite is the classic Guinness Draught. To check out a list of events see here: https://www.guinnessbrewerybaltimore.com/brewery-calendar
Fells Point
Take a leisurely walk around one of Baltimore’s most popular neighborhoods. Fells Point has amazing views of the harbor, historic cobblestone streets, and great dining and shopping experiences. If you are hungry you can sample one of Maryland’s best known seafood dishes, the crabcake, at Thames Street Oyster House. Other spots worth visiting in Fells Point are Pitango Gelato and the Sagamore Pendry Baltimore, a hotel built by the Under Armour founder.
Centennial Park
A 337 acre park in the heart of Howard County, Maryland where Michael used to go to play sand volleyball on an almost daily basis with his friends in high school. The park features a large lake that is encircled by a 2.6 mile paved pathway.