1. A variety of shops 2. Great for boat lovers 3. A place to visit for anyone new to Baltimore This is my first time visiting Baltimore and I have to say that I really didn't expect much from the city. I almost didn't even visit this harbor, but I'm certainly glad that my friend took me here! It's a nice place to visit for sure! Probably even better if it was a nice summer day. Then again, a nice summer day makes almost anywhere nice. Yes, but Baltimore's Inner Harbor has a variety of shops along the water. There are many food options. The ships make for nice photograph backgrounds. There's an aquarium that looked like it would also be fun to visit.There were serpent/dragon boats for expensive rides. There's also a mini lighthouse with a mini museum for your leisure browsing. The area is generally much larger than I expected, so you can easily spend an afternoon exploring. I heard the water is poisonous though, so don't touch it. (heavy chemical pollution). read more

As a Baltimore native I can say that the Inner Harbor has changed quite a bit... and for the better (in my opinion). I'm not sure why my fellow Yelpers would be upset that it has become too commercialized because the new developments helped clean everything up. When I was a child my grandparents used to take me down here very often. I attended one of the very first games ever played at Camden Yards and I saw one of the first even IMAX films at the Maryland Science Center. It was always a little dirty and now most of that has changed. I like the Inner Harbor and the hotels are reflective of how desired the neighborhood has become. My grandmother tells stories of when she used to come down and see drunken bums fall into the water. The drunks are still around, but fortunately the chains have helped keep them safe from drowning. :) read more

A must see in baltimore, although it's a major tourist trap. There is so much to do here and many great restaurants to eat at. There are many attractions such as the national aquarium, and Ripley's believe it or not. Go look at group-on for many great activities to do in the area with great prices. The views are also amazing and you will get great pictures here. read more

See all

On a nice sunny day this a great place to be which frankly didn't used to be true at all. This was the last place anyone would want to go. However, those days have passed into a faded memory and has become the tourist hot spot it is today. There are an assortment of shops, restaurants and activities available if you want to do more than catch the view. There are paddle boats and actual boats to keep people of any age entertained should they feel so inclined to get on the water. I like that there are so many things to do in one area and that a couple of my favorite stores are there as well. It tends to lean on the pricier side, especially if you are considering dining. Don't be afraid to walk a couple of blocks away to find some of Baltimore's dining gems. read more

My opinion only, not right or wrong... Areas that are made specially for tourist are just plain awful. The main goal is to offer travelers the comforts they may have back home in the form of terrible chain restaurants and over priced "attractions" that could be and are most likely available back home. Don't eat at the restaurants here, no Dicks, no Phillips, no Cheese Cake, and defiantly no Hard Rock Cafe! If you're reading this Yelp review I have the confidence that you will chose wisely and avoid the restaurants and weak over priced tourist attractions at the Inner Harbor. Simply walk past as you enjoy looking at the waterfront and use Yelp to find yourself an "only in Baltimore" eating establishment that excites your palate and opens your mind. For fun you ask? Baltimore is the most eclectic major cities in the great U.S. of A... Throw on your adventurous pants and set off to take an urban hike through this historic and quirky gem that we call Charm City. read more

My wife and I decided on the Baltimore Inner Harbor for a weekend getaway. It was worth it. We visited Top of the World, Mo's Fisherman's Wharf, the Maryland Zoo and stayed at the Hyatt Place. I hadn't been to the harbor in a long time. It was worth it. read more

See all

Lots of chain food places, hotels, a science center, an aquarium, a few museums, a convention center, and two sports stadiumd. But what do you really expect? It is the tourist spot in Baltimore. That being said, it really is a nice little area, very pretty, and fun to walk around when the weather is nice. Yes, it can be a little sketchy, but compared to other parts of Baltimore you shouldn't really complain. Also, this place is a pain in the butt to drive through, no matter what time of the day it is. read more

Use to live in Baltimore for 3 years. I've been to the Inner Harbor countless times each being it's own unique experience. There's just so many things to do like visiting one of the 10+ museums, famous ships, dine at any dozens of restaurants, shop at any dozens of stores, or check out the many attractions in this major U.S. seaport. It can be quite romantic to walk around the harbor with your companion, catch a street performer at night entertain you and dozens of other onlookers while also being a fun place to take the family. Kids love going to the IH since there's big ships and subs to explore, exotic animals to see in one of the best aquariums in the country, spend an afternoon on the water with their dads in a dragon paddle boat, or walk a short distance to a professional baseball or football game. Getting from one place to another is easy whether you're walking, paying a small fee to catch a water taxi, or hopping a free ride on the Charm City Circulator (bus). Many hotels that are within walking distance. There is something to do for every age group. read more

Super cool harbor! I can not believe how downtown has changed within few years, i will come back next year!)

Nice area - very pretty and calm at night. Everything's pretty expensive (we're talking close to NY prices) but there are lots of places where you can rent paddle boats and go on short cruises and such. The surrounding buildings are all malls, shopping places, food places, aquariums, hotels, etc. Just be careful late at night because it's still a city and some of the surrounding sidewalks are under construction so it can look a tad shady. read more

if u ask the locals through inner Harbor is over priced and a tourist tap, but I love it. It is expensive so learn to use the water taxi and city bus to get around. read more

Baltimore's Inner Harbor - Welcoming crab at the McCormick store - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

The inner harbor is pretty boring. I wasn't impressed. I took a trip to Baltimore when I visited DC. My friend was like "why are you going there? It is ghetto." Yea, I now agree after I went. read more

Inner Harbor is one of the more beautiful and happening spots in Baltimore. It's a beautiful harbor and very scenic, but not a huge area. You can probably walk around and explore the area in about 1 hour unless you decide to go to the aquarium, hop aboard the USS Constellation or take part in some of the water activities. There are also plenty of gift/souvenir shops in the area. If you're looking for a bite, there's a Phillips Seafood, but for those real foodies out there, they'll love that there's a Shake Shack and Chick-Fil-A across the street --- and right next to each other! Also, if you're looking to get around, there's the Charm City Circulator where you can get a free bus ride on 4 different colored routes. Just look for the bus stop signs with a color on it and you'll see where it goes. read more

4.5 stars... Yes it's touristy, a little bit more expensive then it probably should be, and has more chain stores then would be ideal, but the Inner Harbor is great. It's clean, safe, beautiful, with plenty to do, see, and eat. They've got lots of little shops, the National Aquarium, the USS Constellation, the USS Torsk submarine, the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse and the Inner Harbor is an easy walk to Camden Yards (where the Oriole and Raven's stadiums are) and Federal Hill. It's also a decent walk to Fells Point. Its centralized location alone makes Inner Harbor great. If you've never been to Baltimore start by exploring the Inner Harbor first and go out from there. read more

Maybe this was great before the 'boom, but any local flavor has been sucked away by the walls of hotels surrounding the harbor and the chain food restaurants within. Even the rare relic (U.S. Constellation) is so faked out & commercialized (c'mon, plastic cannons in front?!) that my two boys didn't want to go in!! The aquarium is pretty nice, although the dolphin show kinda sucked and it was wicked expensive. There are cool things in Baltimore. You'll just have to look for them. read more

You can spend an entire day at the Inner Harbor, if you have enough money, that is. Many of the major to dos are located here - the only pay attraction we took part in was the aquarium (see separate review). But there's plenty of other things to take your money - touring the submarine or the USS Constellation, the chinese drag paddle boats, the big fancy speed boats or cruises, plenty of shops & restaurants, etc. We enjoyed just walking around, looking at the boats & people watching. Yes, it is crowded and I'm sure the stores & restaurants are overpriced, but hey, it is tourist land. You can easily catch transportation from here to see the rest of town (via the CCC, public buses, taxis, water taxi, etc). read more

Looking for a super touristy part of Baltimore? Look no further than the Inner Harbor. It has all of your tourist-essentials: Ripley's Believe it or Not, museums, fire throwing shows along the sidewalk, ice skating, shops and malls, and local food chains. It's an amazing view of the water, very peaceful and calming when you need a break (from a work conference in my case). If you go along the more southern part of the Inner Harbor, there are these beautiful houses that you can walk through. I found this my favorite place around the Inner Harbor as it felt less touristy and more like a home. There are also places to have art performances (i.e. plays, concerts) and there are sand areas to play volleyball or workout. All in all, a great place if you're looking to get the full Baltimore tourist effect. Looking to get a more localized experience? I'd look elsewhere. read more

An excellent area for family fun, date night or sight seeing. Plenty of options to entertain you and your guests while several amenities are within walking distance. The Harbor is host to paddle boats, The USS Constellation and water taxis as well as the National Aquarium. Make sure you stop by the Charm City Carousel to relive the kid in you. This could be an area where you can plan a staycation with one of the local hotels and take in all that Baltimore has to offer. Again, all within walking distance if the weather is amicable or just hop in a cab. I have been here a few times and upon each visit I discover something else I want to check out on my next visit to the area. There are indoor shops, restaurants that support sidewalk dining and of course plenty of watering holes to do a couple of 12oz arm curls and enjoy pub food. I recommend making a list of places and make a day of it. It's good for exercise, tourism and your bucket list. The only detractor I experienced was some homeless guy milking himself in public. Other than that keep a positive outlook and experience all the harbor holds. read more

Very pretty area with lots of shops and eateries. It's nice how everything is in convenient walking distance and you can pretty much walk all around the harbor. This is definitely a major tourist zone. I was there is January so it was quite a bit quieter than I imagine compared to warmer months. All the boats were docked and the dragon boat operators were closed. No street performers. Most of the people who were visiting the inner harbor were families and some couples. There are plenty of things to do to keep you occupied for a weekend but be warned that only parking lot or garage parking is available so be prepared to pay some $$$. I did not like that this area is so over-run by chain stores and restaurants. Based on all the other reviews on yelp, those chain restaurants are all pretty bad. We ate at Paneras, Uno's and Five Guys during the 2 days I was there, totally because of convenience, and every meal tasted incredibly greasy and too salty. Unfortunate there aren't any good food options in this district. read more

Probably the city's biggest tourist attraction since it's not just one place, but a whole neighborhood. Many restaurants, smaller attractions, stores, and other things to visit if you're there. read more

Baltimore's Inner Harbor is very picturesque and gorgeous area to go running; I've been working up to 3 miles, mostly downhill from Mount Vernon. On some days I'll get distracted by the Harbor Gallery Mall; Coach, Francesca's, and Aldos call out, and I'm very drawn to Urban Outfitters and H&M as well (H&M sports European sizes which works great for me). I'll cruise by the Inner Harbor on the way to Harbor East and Fell's Point; The USS Constellation, USCGC Taney, and USS Torsk have become familiar friends; the street performers are always fun as well :) read more

The Inner Harbor use to s spot for me and my children when they were growing up. There was alot of fun involved and alot of education involved. Nowadays, you are lucky to get in and out alive. It's sad how times have changed. And not for the better. It's sad watching areas like these to fade away. read more

My favorite spot in America that tourists also like to visit. So indicative of Baltimore, though I think all of the city is amazing. There to be seen is the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, various-aged ships you can tour, the huge Hard Rock Cafe sign, World Trade Center, paddleboats in the harbor, the shops & eateries in Harborplace, restaurants like Phillip's, Bubba Gump, Tir Na Nog Irish, M&S Grill, Ruth's Chris & Edo Sushi, Federal Hill, the Water Taxi & plenty more. It always perks me up to go there. read more

Baltimore's Inner Harbor - Baltimore Inner Harbor June 2013 - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore Inner Harbor is packed with plenty of fresh things to see and do! Whether it's ship touring, seafood sampling, shopping or just hanging out with the eclectic crowd this place is sure to please! I personally worked there and the array of people who come through there is nothing less than intriguing. I highly suggest Johnny Rockets which is located inside the main pavilion! read more

Been coming here since I was little. The Harbor was always beautiful, but has drastically developed ! So many restaurants to choose from, places to shop ! I can't complain. read more

See all

Before going to this Harbor area, I was expecting this area to be crowded with people with and be disorganized, and with the temperatures in the area reaching near 100 degrees Farenheit, I was expecting humid conditions. However, what I didn't factor into the equation, was the factor of cooler air coming off the Harbor water. I absolutely loved looking back at the city from the edges of the cooler area nearby. It just seemed so serene by the time I got away from here, that I wanted to go back and try again. But the more I tried to go, the more worried I'd would have become addicted to this Harbor area. It is so beautiful. However, most of the area around the Harbor, is shopping malls and buildings. Not many non-shopping areas exist on the Inner Harbor area's landscape. Between all the lively people and events who meet here and all the lovely buildings, makes for one enjoyable afternoon. A big retreat for me, if I ever find myself going back to the area. read more

See all

The Inner Harbor is really the only area I like to hangout n Baltimore, MD. Plenty of restaurants and attractions to spend the day. Must visit the National Aquarium and ride the ferry before leaving the Inner Harbor. read more

Baltimore's Inner Harbor - Taken from the National Aquarium. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I used to leave work early, if I was having a stressful day and take the MARC to sit by the water and watch the activity. I love the harbor, I can't stress that enough. It's dated, but that really adds to the charm. I have a routine. I get a chicken dinner from the Chicken Shack, and sit outside and people watch. Heaven. It's the main reason I'm relocating to Baltimore. So that I can visit anytime I want... read more

I have been coming down here at least once a month for almost 40 years. It is AWESOME. Great GREAT restaurants, the fudge factory, the Aquarium, Power Plant, the Constellation... Make sure and get Blue Crabs somewhere, make sure and walk through all the inside malls. Get on paddle boats if you are feeling romantic. read more

Beautiful in the summer Great to visit with friends or family. Very touristy and lots to do. The paddle boating is my favorite read more

I have visited the Inner Harbor a few times and it is a beautiful area and has many attractions. Unfortunately many stores have closed and area after dark can become unsettling. Tonight their is a massive police presence and we were told to stay inside by the police when we attempted to cross Light street. It is sad that your family cannot enjoy the top tourist destination in the city because of safety concerns. read more

Nice area to hangout in if your visiting Baltimore. Shops, restaurants, good walking paths, views etc. Every city has an area so this is Baltimore's. Spend time on a nice sunny day, burn some calories and gain them again by eating at a nice seafood restaurant. read more

My fiancé and I visited Baltimore's Inner Harbor for New Year's Day yesterday and had a great time. We visited primarily to explore the National Aquarium, which is my favorite aquarium of all time. We also explored the waterfront area and got a seafood lunch at Phillips. The inner harbor is a really fun place to spend a day. My only complaint is that there aren't that many great seafood restaurants around. Phillips was our best choice and we were hoping for other choices. Note that there is also parking near the Inner Harbor - Lockwood parking lot was great and only half a block away! read more

Described by the Urban Land Institute in 2009 as "the model for post-industrial waterfront redevelopment around the World.", the Inner Harbor is the gem in the crown of Baltimore tourism. But like any other crown only the king gets to wear it. Paid for by tax payers and profited by private groups, the Inner Harbor was Baltimore's all out gamble in the 70's and 80's to bring tourists back to the city. It worked...for the tourists and those who turn a profit from the Inner Harbor. Whenever I have out of town guests visit I take them to the Inner Harbor on day 1 to show them the clean post card part of Baltimore, the side of our town that the city council wants tourists to see. The rest of their stay is spent back in the neighborhood because that's where Baltimore lives and plays, eats and drinks. In this way the Inner Harbor works for me much like Power Plant Live works for me: by penning all the tourists up in one central location and ensuring that I can still get a bar stool at my favorite corner bar in the hood. read more

This is a must do if visiting Baltimore. I recommend the water taxi to see a lot of the harbor and different neighborhoods. It's s great place to stroll around. Sometimes the harbor has street performers. read more

Touristy, sure - but unlike many other areas in Baltimore it felt safe to walk around. The aquarium is great, the stores nice, and the greenspace plentiful. Parking prices are a bit excessive in the area, but I guess that is to be expected. read more

Visiting the Baltimore Harbor isn't that great. First of all parking is very expensive in the area and the parking lot pricing system is often very hard to see while driving by. The range and parking fees varies but seems to average around $15-$19 in the blocks around the harbor although if you get your car Valet parked at a hotel expect to pay at least $30. The attractions around the harbor are mainly tourist trap type stores. There are some museums to visit and of course the aquarium. One thing that made me not give it one star was that they are trying to create a little area of marshland for birds. That showed some innovation but overall the area was pretty touristy. Outside the aquarium they are also doing a few other things like having a little bit of wooded area and a little waterfall where birds take baths. The one thing that bothered me about the inner Harbor where the amount of shady looking individuals hanging around some of which look like they were up to no good. I definitely recommend watching your purse or bag because I'm sure that there is some amount of theft going on. As far as I can see it is worth a visit but probably not a repeat visit. Baltimore really Needs to fix up it's downtown area. It's interesting how the streets near the harbor and downtown are pretty vacant and when you get to the harbor there are lots of tourists. read more

I think that there is something very romantic about this place (with the exception of the homeless dudes digging through the trash). When we visited after a friend's wedding a couple months ago, a police officer was kind enough to take a picture of us in front of the Hard Rock Cafe. The harbor always seems to be buzzing with life, and almost makes me want to end up living in Baltimore at some point. read more

Having visited many cities, this place is beautiful. However, you have no railing along the harbor. There are children, adults taking photos. One small step or fall and into the water they go. read more

Not a huge fan of the Inner Harbor. I really feel like that if I lived in Baltimore/the area, I would absolutely hate this place. It's nothing more than a small harbor with a ton of different chain restaurants/cheesy stores. Don't get me wrong, I do like some of the chain restaurants that are there, but I kind of wish this place was more a representation of the city of Baltimore and not just one big tourist trap. If I lived in Baltimore, I couldn't see how I would ever come down and check this place out. I guess I would only come here if I had guests visiting and they wanted to visit it. As for the restaurants - like I said earlier, lots of chains (Hooters, Uno, Cheesecake Factory and a bunch of others). I don't think every restaurant here is a chain but definitely a good portion. There are also a number of stores - I remember an H&M and a bunch of total tourist trap type places. There used to be an ESPN zone here but now that's gone. It's still a fine place to go down and walk around on a nice day, but I certainly wouldn't make this the main destination of any trip. On the plus side, there are plenty of places to go for a drink - most of them get pretty packed, though. Most of the restaurants do have a pretty good view of the harbor. read more