How safe is Baltimore?

We are from Miami and are planning on visiting Baltimore. I usually am the one being ask this question about my city, but now I m the one asking. lol.. How safe is Baltimore? I will be staying in the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront. How safe is this area? I will travel with my wife and 5 year old.

I understand most big cities have some danger, but is the danger unbearable? I plan on visiting the Aquarium, catching a game at Camden Yards, maybe the oo, the train museum. What do you think? Honestly. Is it safe to go there with a family? If so, can you walk or should you always take a cab. I plan on having a nice breakfast everyday, seeing some of the sites, eating out and being back to the hotel bfore 8 or 9 pm.

Any help you can give me is appreciated. Thank you!

C from Miami

How safe is Baltimore?

';I understand most big cities have some danger...';

I think you already know the answer to your question, which is likely the same as what you give to those visiting Miami. The attractions appealing to tourists are generally not located in the ';war zones';--the areas known for gangs, drugs, poverty, etc. If they were, they wouldn%26#39;t survive for long. Exercise big-city common sense wherever you are, and you should be fine.

Baltimore certainly has sections rivaling Opa Locka, Overtown, Carol City, etc. in your hometown, and these skew the city%26#39;s high crime rate. It%26#39;s very hard to stumble onto these areas unintentionally, they are far off the safe, beaten tourist path.

The area stretching from Camden Yards east to your Marriott and beyond (Fells Point) is entirely on the tourist path and walkable, if you have the legs to walk it.

The B%26amp;O railroad museum is the only attraction you mention that%26#39;s slightly off the path and I%26#39;d suggest taking a taxi or driving there. In small part because of the gentrifying neighborhood, in larger part because of the distance from the rest of the major attractions.

Enjoy your trip!

How safe is Baltimore?

ditto on all of the above. You actually could even walk to the B+O museum though it is a good walk. Even though it is out of the ';tourist '; area I think you would be fine. I work downtown and I have a co-worker who lives in the new townhomes next to the museum and we walk to her house from work everyday. Ii depends on your comfort level and time of day you are going.

I have to agree. tubman nailed it! Baltimore is a wonderfully diverse city with a host of things to do. Enjoy yourself, enjoy the Inner Harbor, Camden Yards (even if you don%26#39;t make a game the ballpark itself is a must see.) and all the other ';touristy'; things on your list. Use your common sense and walk to your hearts content.

the only destination you mentioned that might be a bit difficult...is the zoo. it%26#39;s a bit of a ways from the harbor and you do NOT want to attempt walking to it. cab would be fine...but i%26#39;m not sure how easy it would be to get a cab back.

The Zoo is struggling financially, unable to draw crowds by being so far from the rest of the city%26#39;s attractions (4 miles from the Harbor) that get all the attention. Without the crowds, they can%26#39;t fund top-quality attractions; without the attractions, they can%26#39;t draw the crowds. It%26#39;s a vicious cycle. Funding by the state has also been cut substantially, and facilities are deteriorating.

In short, the long-term prognosis for the zoo is grim (closure is talked about fairly frequently) and it shows. I was there a few years ago and it was a little depressing seeing so few people in there on a bright, sunny weekend.

I would only recommend the zoo if you%26#39;ve never been to one and don%26#39;t have one where you live. Also think about a side trip to D.C. just an hour away, which has a great zoo. Like most everything else that people go to D.C. to see, admission to the zoo there is free.

The National Zoo in DC is great, my kids loved it there and you can%26#39;t beat a fun free zoo! I agree it%26#39;s worth the hour trip down to DC.

Suzanne

visited there three years ago downtown by the ballpark, yes it is safe, so safe, I%26#39;m return for another O%26#39;s game this month. Walked seven blocks from my hotel to the ballpark last time, safe, just make sure you know your surroundings and always alert, anywhere, not just where ever you are visiting.

very depressing about the zoo. it%26#39;s been a long time since i%26#39;ve been there, but i KNOW the directors have been trying SO hard to keep it going... what a shame.

Don%26#39;t worry about crime but be prepared to be asked for money a lot.

Like all the posters say--Use COMMON sense! Don%26#39;t flash your money in public. Don%26#39;t leave camera%26#39;s, purses, wallets, loose cash, other vaulables in your car in plain site. If you are walking somewhere and you start to get nervous TURN AROUND.

ALL cities have problems and crime area%26#39;s. You should have a great time but if you act like an air headed tourist you may be setting yourself up. Also, make sure your hotel room door locks correctly. Don%26#39;t let strangers into your room.

Now before you start thinking, ';OMG!! It IS dangerous in Baltimore!'; These suggestions can apply to ANY city, town or location.

ie