For the five years I was in grad school, I called Baltimore home. While Baltimore can be a bit rough, it’s called Charm City for a reason. The city has lots to do, including free art museums, the National Aquarium, and several unique neighborhoods to explore. I lived in one such neighborhood, Mount Vernon.
Located just north of the convention center and downtown, and easily accessible on the Charm City Circulator Purple Route or light rail, Mount Vernon is host to several restaurants and bars, museums, cultural centers, shops, and much more. Central to Mount Vernon is the original Washington Monument, completed in 1829, forty years before work on the monument in DC began. Today, the Washington Monument is a landmark in Mount Vernon, and can be used orient yourself in the neighborhood.
Mount Vernon has several great restaurants. My favorites include Home Slyce Pizza, Doobys, City Café, and Mick O’Shea’s, among others. I highly recommend Mount Vernon Marketplace, a food court featuring a collection of diverse vendors, and local beers on tap. If you’re in the mood for oysters, check out The Local Oyster, an oyster bar featuring locally sourced oysters, crab cakes, lobster rolls, and more. If the cold weather has you looking for something warm, stop by Mi & Yu Noodle Bar, which serves several varieties of ramen and bao. One of my go-to’s is Cucina Al Volo, an Italian shop with homemade noodles and sauce. You can take their noodles to cook at home, and I’m planning on taking some back to San Diego with me. I’ve only highlighted a few of the vendors at Mount Vernon Marketplace, and it is worth a visit. There is something for everyone, and it’s located right off the Centre Street light rail stop.
Aside from excellent food, Mount Vernon has some fantastic bars and cafes. Stop by the Bun Shop or Baby’s on Fire for a warm drink. Baby’s on Fire doubles as a record shop, so you can sip coffee and browse the selection. Wet City is a relatively new pub in the area featuring diverse beers and an interesting menu. For happy hour, be sure to check out Brewer’s Art. A Baltimore institution, Brewer’s Art has been around for over 20 years. Their downstairs bar has a speakeasy feel to it, and it’s a great place to grab a beer. Across the street from Brewer’s Art is the Owl Bar, located inside the historic Belvedere Hotel. The Owl Bar was one of Baltimore’s most notorious speakeasies during Prohibition, and that same atmosphere is maintained today. The Owl Bar has a great cocktail menu, with something for everyone, as well as great food.
If you’re not hungry, Mount Vernon has lots to do, including the Walters Art museum, which is free!!! The Walters has an eclectic collection of art spanning 7 millennia and the globe. Aside from the permanent collection, the Walters also hosts several rotating exhibits, and there is something everyone can enjoy at the Walters.
Baltimore is a diverse city with lots to do and explore, and I hope you have the chance to travel a little north and check out what Mount Vernon has to offer!
-Danielle
Home Slyce: 366 N Charles St
Doobys: 802 N Charles St
City Café: 1001 Cathedral St
Mick O’Shea’s: 328 N Charles St
Mount Vernon Marketplace: 520 Park Ave
Bun Shop: 239 W Read St
Baby’s on Fire: 1010 Morton St
Wet City: 223 W Chase St
Brewer’s Art: 1106 N Charles St
Owl Bar: 1 E Chase St
Walters Art Museum: 600 N Charles St