Conclave: Hot spots in Baltimore you won't want to miss!

Guest blogger, Molly, knows Baltimore better than anyone else at AOTA Headquarters, so I asked her to give us a run down on the best things students can do while they are in Baltimore for the 2009 Student Conclave.

Here are her tips and recommendations: (and feel free to comment with your own Baltimore hot spots!)

Fells Point: It’s one of Baltimore’s most well-known neighborhoods, and is right on the water, so there are cool views and much to see. Fells has oodles of places to eat and drink, and cool boutiques for the shoppers in the bunch. A couple of good places to check out: Horse You Came In On Saloon; Max’s on Broadway; and, yes, I know it will be November, and probably cold, but that is not really a good reason why you can’t check out Mr. Yogato, a frozen yogurt shop, also in Fells. May I just say it’s delicious? I may, and I will. Mr. Yogato  = deliciousness in a cup.

Federal Hill: Fed Hill is probably the closest neighborhood to the Hilton Baltimore and Student Conclave, and is another haven for food and drink. Up and down Cross Street and Light Street are bars and restaurants that will fit whatever you’re looking for. Mother’s is good for those sports enthusiasts (particularly any Ravens fans); if you like pie, check out Dangerously Delicious – they have pies out the wazoo. Sweet pies, savory pies, pie, pie, pie!

Little Italy: Probably my favorite neighborhood in Baltimore. So of course I have to share! It’s a foodie’s paradise, with lots of little delis and pastry shops, old Italian men playing bocce ball (AWESOME), and restaurant-wise, check out Chiapparelli’s. (I lurv their manicotti.) For those with a sweet tooth, or who simply thing dessert is their raison d’etre, do NOT miss Vaccaro’s, which is also in Little Italy, and has cases of gelato, pizzelle, tiramisu, and other such delectable Italian desserts and holy cow, excuse me, I just drooled thinking about it. In a word: Yum.

Some things to note about Baltimore: If something is available topped with Old Bay, EAT IT! Old Bay, a delicious spice you can find on everything from tater tots to crabs to pretzels and chips to…well, whatever you can dream up, is synonymous with Baltimore, and if you’ve never tried it, you really shouldn’t leave town until you do.

Also, water taxis. The parts of the city you would most likely be visiting curve around the Inner Harbor and other watery spots, and instead of hoping in a land taxi (always an option, of course) you could also partake of one of Baltimore’s well-known water taxis to get you where you want to go. Lots of different landings where the taxi will drop you off, great for exploring the city.

And: Poe! If you’re an Edgar Allen Poe fan, then Baltimore is an awesome place for you to be. You can visit the house and the grave (ooo…creepy!)…maybe recite The Raven, maybe have some absinthe…you know, like Eddie would do.

Finally: Inner Harbor. Now, I’m not the biggest fan of the Inner Harbor, because, well, it’s touristy and can be very pricey, but the Baltimore Aquarium is there, and that’s pretty nifty (though a bit expensive), and so is Howl at the Moon, which is a terrific sing-a-long piano bar.

Believe me when I say that these are just a few, tiny, miniscule ideas of places to check out around Baltimore. The tip of the ice berg. Were I to list everything, the blog would go on for days, and besides, you’ll only be in Baltimore for a few days! If none of what I’ve written suits your fancy, then the best place I can direct you is Baltimore Metromix. The site has oodles of information on hot places to go and what events are happening over the weekend. Also, since I know you all are college kids and probably low on cash, this site has a good list of things to do – FOR FREE.  (Woo!) Check it out, and have a great time in Charm City!