Happy Birthday to Baltimore

Charm City has a come a long way since then with 279 unique neighborhoods from Patterson Park to Pimlico, Federal Hill to Fells Point, Locust Point to Little Italy and Moore. Baltimore might take a lot of shit but for those of us who live here, we love and appreciate everything this quirky city has to offer. In the words of Baltimore's own John Waters, "You can look far and wide, but you'll never discover a stranger city with such extreme style.  It's as if every eccentiric in the South decided to move north, ran out of gas in Baltimore, and decided to stay." We couldn't have said it better ourselves.

There's so much to do and see in Baltimore.  For the history buffs, there's Fort McHenry where during the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the Star Spangled Banner.  It doesn't get Moore American than that. Baltimore has a great art scene with something for everyone starting with MICA where our own grandmother Maggie Moore was a student.  And check out our art museums, the BMA, The Walters Art Museum and the fabulous American Visionary Art Museum.  Don't skip the gift shop!  The beautiful Harbor is a must visit and it's now swimmable. Really, jump right in!  And while you're there check out the National Aquarium. If fish aren't you're thing, give the Maryland Zoo a try.

Baltimore can now boast  a great restaurant scene. But we prefer Baltimore's quirky food culture. Where else but Mount Vernon's Flower Mart can you soak in spring blooms and sip on an iconic Lemon stick? In Baltimore you can make a stop at the local snowball stand for an egg custard with marshmallow topping or even find Old Bay in our ice cream. Check out The Charmery's Old Bay Caramel.  And speaking of Caramels, Baltimore gave birth to our very own caramel creams at Goetze Candy in 1918.  Sweet! I mean Domino Sugar is made here hon'. Let's not forget Natty Bohs, the perfect summer sipper for watching the Orioles at the Yard and did you know that without Baltimore we might not have the six pack?  Yup, it was invented here in Brewer's Hill. Of course you haven't truly experienced the city unless you've cracked crabs, with Old Bay of course, over a table covered in brown paper.

You've seen the benches.  Baltimore is the City that Reads.  We have over 20 independent bookstores, The Ivy Bookshop, Greedy Reads and Snug Books just to name a few.  We all know Edgar Allen Poe. But how about our favorite women writers of Baltimore, Laura Lippman, (Murder Takes a Vacation is on my summer TBR) and Anne Tyler's latest, Three Days in June?

What we love most about Baltimore is its quirky charm.  In what other city's harbor can you find a giant Mr. Trash Wheel eating garbage with giant googly eyes? We cheer on the Orioles and the Ravens but the city's most iconic bird is the plastic pink flamingo lawn ornament.  Thanks again John Waters. Who in Baltimore hasn't sipped cocoa on 34th Street during the holidays and strolled by a Christmas tree made of hub caps? And are you really from Baltimore if you haven't donned a bee hive wig at Hon' Fest?

Whether you live in Baltimore and love it's charm or  you know someone who has moved away and is missing home our Baltimore print includes all these great things about our city and Moore.  And if Snail mail is your thing, send a bit of Baltimore to someone far away. We promise it will bring a smile to their face.