Event Planning Guide
Baltimore

Flying: Located 15 minutes from downtown, Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) serves as the main point of entry for travelers.

Train: Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor line stops at Baltimore’s Pennsylvania Station, which is located in the heart of the city. Some Amtrak trains also stop at the BWI station. You can reach the city from Washington, D.C. via the commuter rail (MARC).

Car: Baltimore is less than four hours by car from New York City, two hours from Philadelphia, and one hour from Washington, D.C. Several major highways are accessible from the city including I-95 and I-83. The I-395 turn-off from I-95 leads directly into the harbor area. Take note: Street parking can be nearly impossible to find.

Some say the best time to visit Baltimore is during the summer months when it’s the warmest, but the city is really a prime travel destination three seasons out of four—anytime between April and November. In the spring, expect mild weather, which is ideal for exploring on foot, and in the fall, you may encounter a chill in the air, so pack a jacket. Baltimore’s prime event season begins in late May with the Preakness Stakes, plus baseball season gets into full swing in April. Major summer events include the largest free arts festival in the country, Artscape, and Baltimore’s largest crab festival, the Chesapeake Crab, an all-you-can-eat crab bonanza. The Baltimore Craft Beer Festival features more than 60 of Maryland’s craft breweries and takes place in the fall.

Walking: Getting around Baltimore on foot isn’t really feasible, but you can easily walk the promenade at the Inner Harbor.

Transit: Operated by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), Baltimore's public transportation system includes light rail, buses, and a subway line that runs from Johns Hopkins hospital to the northwest suburbs. When visiting, the free Charm City Circulator hop-on, hop-off shuttle is the most useful option since it covers most of the city’s tourist areas.