Get the inside scoop with local tips
Our love for Baltimore is big, and we adore sharing that excitement with our guests — whether first-time visitors or returning seasoned pros. Our hotel’s sincere and knowledgeable staff members enjoy nothing more than passing on their personal recommendations and locals’ insider tips.
We’ll point you in the direction of the city’s freshest crab cake, tastiest beer, most alluring art exhibit, and hottest happenings while you’re here. Our team is also happy to assist with airport transportation, rental cars, restaurant reservations, or other concierge services before or during your stay. What are you waiting for? Ask away. Stop by the front desk, email Front.Office@monaco-baltimore.com, or call 1-443-692-6761.
Where are the best places to eat within a few blocks of the hotel?
(Aside from our own award-winning B&O American Brasserie...) Maisy’s is a welcoming neighborhood gem that’s great for lunch, dinner, or happy hour. We also love David & Dad’s Café, a casual counter-service spot serving a huge menu of breakfast and lunch items. Forno is a warm, comfortable spot specializing in brick oven pizza and handmade pasta. For a little more upscale Italian experience, try Sotto Sopra for fine Italian cuisine in an elegant setting. Puerto 511 is known for their fresh and authentic Peruvian menu. Locals rave about the delicious Turkish fare at Cazbar, where you can also catch belly dancing shows on weekends.
Where’s the best place to get Maryland crab?
Faidley’s Seafood is renowned for their all-lump Maryland-style crab cakes. Find them at Lexington Market (5 blocks from our hotel), where you can also sample Baltimore’s favorite cookie at Berger’s Bakery.
What’s your favorite restaurant in all of Baltimore?
Woodberry Kitchen, for sublime farm-to-table cuisine in a serene, rustic setting.
Where should I eat in Little Italy?
There are many great family-owned restaurants in Little Italy, but our favorite is Sabatino’s; it’s less than a mile from our hotel.
Where can I find dog-friendly restaurants?
Ask at the Front Desk for a copy of the Pet Times, which reviews pet-friendly restaurants from City Café in Mount Vernon (less than a mile from the hotel – try the crab cakes!) to Riptide by the Bay, a seafood restaurant and crab house in Fells Point.
Where can I book tours of Baltimore?
The Baltimore Visitor Center is your one-stop-shop for tours, harbor cruises, and attractions, including the National Park Service’s guided walking tours of historic neighborhoods that run from April to early November. They’re located just 5 blocks from our hotel, at 401 Light Street, and open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
If you're a beer enthusiast, be sure to check out some of the many Baltimore breweries with City Brew Tours.
What’s the best way to experience Edgar Allan Poe’s Baltimore?
Visit Baltimore is a great place to start for recommended sites and tours. The Edgar Allen Poe House and Museum (a mile away from our hotel), is a must-see, as is Poe’s grave at Westminster Hall (a half-mile away).
How do I get to the National Aquarium?
The National Aquarium is an easy half-mile stroll away. Just walk south two blocks, turn left on East Pratt Street, and continue 4 blocks along the harbor. The aquarium will be on your right.
What are the best museums and galleries?
The Baltimore Museum of Art presents an internationally renowned collection of prints, drawings, and photographs as well as the Cone Collection of modern art, featuring works by Matisse, Picasso, Pissarro, Courbet, and Degas. The exceptional American Visionary Art Museum will blow your mind with outsider art. A visit to the B&O Railroad Museum, a family favorite, is the perfect complement to your stay here at our hotel, housed in the former B&O Railroad headquarters.
What are the best local breweries?
City Brew Tours is partnered with Baltimore’s best breweries to give you behind-the-scenes access to 9 local favorites. Be sure to check out our exclusive Baltimore Brews package that offers discounted tickets with your accommodations.
Where can I see live music?
Just 5 blocks from our hotel, Power Plant Live! is a hub of nightlife and entertainment, including live music, dancing, games, and sports viewing. The Prime Rib (a mile away) is a sophisticated and romantic spot where you can enjoy the piano bar while indulging in an excellent steak. For a more casual night out, head to Fells Point where you’ll find Cat’s Eye Pub and The Horse You Came In On Saloon, both hosting live bands seven days a week.
What neighborhoods should I explore outside of Inner Harbor and Downtown?
Head to Federal Hill, on the south side of the harbor, to experience the city’s best bar hopping and sample fare by some of Baltimore’s top chefs (go casual at Kippo Ramen or Ekiben, or splash out at Thames Street Oyster House). Harbor East is a charming, upscale area where you’ll find arthouse flicks at the Landmark Theater, bowling for adults at Mustang Alley’s (families should check out Patterson Bowling Center), and fine dining at Charleston, one of Baltimore’s top restaurants. Looking for a real local experience, a la John Waters? Head a little further afield to Hampden, for secondhand stores and hipster boutiques, murals and parks, funky bars and on-trend eats.
What’s your favorite Baltimore best-kept-secret?
The top of Federal Hill Park is a peaceful spot with sweeping harbor views; it’s the perfect picnic spot (and there’s a gated kids’ playground, too).