Baltimore in 3 Days for Friends - Inner Harbor & National Aquarium
A lively 3-day Baltimore weekend for friend groups: food halls, a harbor paddle, quirky museums, brewery vibes and live-music evenings. Spring-friendly pacing with group-friendly venues and active options.
Highlights
- Inner Harbor & National Aquarium
- Lexington Market & R. House food hall
- Waterfront kayak sessions
- American Visionary Art Museum and Fort McHenry
- Local breweries and live music in Fells Point / Station North
Itinerary
Day 1
Get acquainted with the Inner Harbor, eat local at historic food halls, squeeze in an afternoon paddle, then enjoy dinner and live music.
Brunch — Miss Shirley's Cafe (Federal Hill)
Start with hearty, shareable Southern-inspired brunch plates in Federal Hill to fuel the day.
Tips from local experts:
- Call ahead or put your name on the waitlist online for a group of 4–6; Federal Hill location manages groups well.
- Split big plates family-style to try more dishes and keep costs down.
- Bring a light jacket — May mornings near the water can be breezy.
National Aquarium — Inner Harbor exploration
Iconic Baltimore aquarium; plan for ~2–3 hours to see major exhibits and the tropical rainforest gallery.
Tips from local experts:
- Buy timed-entry tickets in advance and show them on phones to avoid lines for groups.
- Use on-site lockers for backpacks so the group can move quickly between exhibits.
- Head to the shark and dolphin viewing windows first (they're busiest midday).
Lunch — Lexington Market (historic food hall)
Casual, lively market with local vendors — order at stalls, share plates and sample Maryland specialties.
Tips from local experts:
- Make it a sampler lunch: several people can share crab cakes, pit beef, and ethnic stalls to taste more.
- Bring cash for smaller vendors (many accept cards, but small bills are handy).
- If your group prefers a single table, scope out group-friendly vendors and ask them to suggest large-plate options.
Afternoon Paddle — Waterfront Partnership kayaks
Try a guided or drop-in kayak session on the Inner Harbor — a playful, active way to see Baltimore from the water.
Tips from local experts:
- Bring light layers and sunscreen — spring sun reflects off the water; a small dry bag helps keep phones safe.
- Arrive 15 minutes early to sign waivers; groups should check availability and reserve if possible.
- Share splashes and photos: designate one person to keep a phone dry in a waterproof case for group shots.
Golden-hour hangout — Federal Hill Park (views & photos)
Walk up for sweeping Inner Harbor skyline views — perfect quick photo stop and wind-down between activities.
Tips from local experts:
- Bring a portable speaker for low-key music (respecting others) and a blanket for relaxed seating.
- Parking can be tight — consider rideshare or street parking apps; meeting at a landmark helps keep the group together.
- Great photo spot: head to the southern overlook for skyline shots as the sun sets.
Dinner — R. House food hall (Remington)
Casual group-friendly food hall with diverse vendors — everyone picks their dish and you dine together at communal tables.
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve a large table if you can; otherwise, send one person to secure seating while others order.
- Divide up food bills by vendor to avoid messy single checks — many accept cards, and vendors are used to groups.
- Try several vendors family-style and split platters to taste more regional and fusion options.
Live music late — Ottobar (Station North) or similar gig
Catch an energetic local or touring band at Ottobar — iconic, but check the calendar (or choose another Station North venue).
Tips from local experts:
- Buy tickets ahead for headline shows or arrive early for smaller gigs so your group can find a spot together.
- Ottobar can get packed — pick a meet-up point outside and plan a rideshare pickup to leave together.
- Bring cash for merch and tip the band if you enjoyed the set; groups often split cover charges to save time.
Day 2
Quirky art, hands-on experiences and a distillery tour — finish with dinner and bar-hopping in historic Fells Point.
Morning — American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM)
See outsider and folk art that’s playful and surprising — great for group conversations and unusual photo ops.
Tips from local experts:
- AVAM is compact but dense — plan to roam exhibits together and pick a meeting spot near the entrance.
- Buy group admission online for faster entry and ask about guided highlights if you want a quick insider tour.
- Don’t miss the sculpture garden — it’s a good place for a relaxed chat and group photos.
Brunch — The Food Market (Hampden)
Contemporary comfort-food brunch in a lively neighborhood — group-friendly seating and sharable plates.
Tips from local experts:
- If you're a group of 4–6, call ahead to request a larger table; mid-morning arrival beats the brunch rush.
- Split a few appetizers and mains so everyone gets to taste favorites without a huge bill for one person.
- Hampden has quirky shops nearby — plan a quick stroll after eating to burn off brunch.
Group challenge — Escapology (escape room experience)
Work as a team on puzzles and time-based challenges — great for laughs, cooperation and bragging rights.
Tips from local experts:
- Book a room that fits your entire group (or split into two rooms) so everyone participates and the energy stays high.
- Arrive 15 minutes early for briefing and to store bags; wear comfortable clothes for moving around.
- Photos after the room are a must — plan a fun group photo spot nearby to celebrate (or commiserate!).
Sagamore Spirit Distillery tour & tasting (Canton)
Baltimore rye whiskey distillery with engaging tours and tasting flights — lively for groups who enjoy local spirits.
Tips from local experts:
- Book the tour slot in advance (tastings limited) and designate one person to handle the group reservation.
- Bring photo ID for everyone — tastings require 21+ IDs, and the distillery enforces limits per person.
- After the tour, linger on the patio for skyline views and split a cocktail flight to sample flavors affordably.
Dinner — Thames Street Oyster House (Fells Point)
Classic seafood spot in Fells Point — book a table for a lively, seafood-centric group meal.
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve a table for your full group (Fells Point restaurants fill up fast, especially on weekends).
- Order a platter or a few appetizer rounds to share; seafood towers are great for splits.
- Plan to keep the night flexible — Fells Point's bars are steps away for post-dinner drinks and dancing.
Fells Point nightlife — bar hop & live music (The Horse You Came In On Saloon)
Historic Fells Point pub scene — lively bars with live music, dancing and pub games — easy for groups to roam.
Tips from local experts:
- Start at one recommended spot and make a simple walking route so no one gets lost between bars.
- Many Fells Point bars don't seat large walk-in groups — plan to rotate between spots or split into smaller groups.
- Use rideshare for the late-night run; designate a meetup checkpoint and time to regroup.
Day 3
Brewery vibes and history — morning market, a brewery visit, a fortress with views, then a relaxed Harbor East afternoon before a final night of trivia-style pub games.
Morning bites — Cross Street Market (Federal Hill)
Bright market with several breakfast vendors; good quick group start before a brewery visit.
Tips from local experts:
- Grab several small bites to share and keep the group moving — Cross Street Market has lots of quick options.
- There are limited large tables; rotate seating or take food to nearby Federal Hill Park if sunny.
- Pick up bottled water and snacks for later activities (brewery queues or Fort McHenry walks).
Union Craft Brewing — tour & tasting (Canton)
Local brewery with a roomy tasting room — friendly for groups, with communal tables and tasting flights.
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve a tour or book a group table on busy weekend afternoons; tasting flights are easy to share.
- Order snack plates or pretzels to keep the group going between tasters.
- Consider a brewery souvenir (crowler or merch) to split costs for a memento of the trip.
Visit Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine
Historic fort with harbor views and a relaxed, walkable site — a cultural capstone to the trip.
Tips from local experts:
- Bring walking shoes and a light jacket; the grounds are exposed and can be breezy in spring.
- Buy National Park admission in advance for groups or check for ranger program times for a mini guided experience.
- Pack a small picnic or grab snacks beforehand to enjoy on the grassy areas if the weather’s nice.
Harbor East stroll, shopping & coffee break
Relaxed afternoon walk around Harbor East boutiques, coffee shops and waterfront seating.
Tips from local experts:
- Harbor East is stroller- and group-friendly; pick a café with outdoor seating for easy conversation.
- Check out small boutiques for locally made gifts — split purchases or buy a shared souvenir.
- Plan a short rest here to recharge phones and regroup before the evening — there are plenty of benches and cafes.
Dinner & optional trivia-style pub games — Max's Taphouse (or nearby pub with trivia)
Final social night: craft beers, shareable plates and either an organized trivia night (check local schedule) or DIY pub quiz at your table.
Tips from local experts:
- Call ahead to ask if there's a scheduled trivia night; if not, bring your own phone-based quiz to run a group game.
- Max's and similar pubs handle groups well in the early evening — reserve seating to avoid a long wait.
- Split rounds and share a few appetizer platters to keep costs manageable and the energy social.
Itinerary Attributes
| Days | 3 |
| Highlights | 5 |
| Season | - |
| Month | - |
| Persona | Friends |
| Transfers | - |
| Restaurants | 6 |
| Total Activities | 18 |
| Total Places | 18 |
| Activities Types | Restaurant, Attraction, Meal, Outdoor, Neighborhood, Nightlife, Culture, Experience |
