Watch CBS News

Best Sightseeing Tours In Baltimore

Want a fun way to truly see the best of Charm City? Whether you live locally or are entertaining out-of-towners, these sightseeing tours are both traditional and unique, bringing the personality and history of Baltimore to the forefront.

Entertainment_Cruises

Entertainment Cruises
561 Light St.
Baltimore, Md. 21202
(866) 845-7245
www.entertainmentcruises.com

When visiting downtown, the best view in the house is often found on the water. Entertainment Cruises steps in to provide both locals and tourists with delightful expeditions. The Inner Harbor Spirit offers a 75-minute, informative tour from the Inner Harbor to Fort McHenry and back. You will learn about Baltimore's rich history from animated narration as you pass historic locations, such as the USS Constellation, in addition to prominent modern features like the National Aquarium. On the other hand, if you want a more fast-paced tour, the yellow Seadog speedboat offers a 50-minute cruise on the Patapsco River. An entertaining guide will tell historical tales as you pass Federal Hill, the Francis Scott Key Bridge and other locations.

Urban Pirates
Photo Credit: urbanpirates.com

Urban Pirates
912 South Ann St.
Baltimore, Md. 21231
(410) 327-8378
www.urbanpirates.com

Ahoy matey! Prepare to set sail on this pirate-themed ship, complete with a Jolly Roger flag and treasure chest. The Fearless sets sail from Fells Point for an hour of touring the historic waters of Baltimore's Harbor. Once on board, feel free to get dressed up as a pirate for family adventures. A witty and friendly crew will entertain and make you feel right at home on the open sea with singing, dancing and games. Adult cruises are also available, provided you BYOG (bright your own grog). The ship can be rented for birthday parties, weddings, reunions, field trips, businesses and other events.

Related: A Guide To The Maryland Zoo

B & O Railroad Museum's Ellicott City Station
Photo Credit: EllicottCity.net

Ellicott City Tours
8267 Main St.
Ellicott City, Md. 21043
(410) 313-1900
www.visithowardcounty.com

As if you need an excuse to walk Main Street, the Howard County tours offer fun experiences, with guides dressed in period clothing. Some tours delve into the supernatural as various mediums have said that certain factors contribute to the area's paranormal activity, including the large amount of granite in the ground and buildings, as well as the preservation of historic architecture and antiques. Ye Haunted History of Olde Ellicott City ghost tours have three, 75-minute routes recounting eyewitness tales of strange, ghostly occurrences. The more adult-themed Spirits of Ellicott City tours are for those 21 and older, where you will stop among the Ellicott Mills Brewing Company, The Wine Bin, Portalli's Italian Restaurant and other locations. If ghost stories aren't your thing, there are Heritage Walking tours of Ellicott City, to learn more about the first national road, the local railroad bridge and hidden cobblestone alley, all of which come to life when their stories are revealed.

Related: Best Haunted Graveyard Tours In The Baltimore Area

Nightlife & Music Summer Concerts, Rams Head Live
Photo Credit: Rams Head Live via Facebook

Annapolis Tours & Crawls
The Maryland Inn
16 Church Circle
Annapolis, Md. 21401
(443) 534-0043
www.toursandcrawls.com

Adults can get a closer look at the Annapolis nightlife, having a fun time uniting area history with local pubs. The Craft-Brewed Beer tour, specifically for those with an appreciation for beer, offers intriguing tales from various Maryland breweries. The Twisted History Crawl touts "murder, mayhem, sex and scandal." You'll hear stories of pirates in taverns and founding fathers in brothels as you visit three local bars like Middleton Tavern, Rams Head and Dock Street Bar & Grill, among others. Though drinks are not included, tours are two hours long and set out from the Maryland Inn at the Church Circle.

Trolley

Baltimore Trolley Tour
6809 Ritchie Highway
Glen Burnie, Md. 21061
(410) 768-1148
www.baltimoretrolleytour.com

When the weather is too hot or cold to tour Baltimore, a trolley is a classy way to see the sights. A 90-minute tour takes you all over Baltimore. Learn of Fells Point in the 18th century filled with seamen, brothels and immigrants. Ride by the first monument built to George Washington in Mount Vernon. Check out the Maryland Institute College of Art, the host of the country's largest art festival, Artscape. Additional locations include Lexington Market, City Hall, Enoch Pratt Library and Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

Pam Smith graduated from Penn State with a B.A. in English and a passion for writing. Her adaptive nature led her to work in the scientific, energy supply, and business industries while writing on a multitude of topics for various online media. Pam currently resides in Baltimore County. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.