Communities in Baltimore

Baltimore is a colorful, eclectic patchwork of more than 200 neighborhoods, each with a distinctly unique personality. Most neighborhoods are within walking distance of each other and of the city’s major attractions.

Bolton Hill

Tree-lined Bolton Hill, once home to such luminaries as F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, is a quiet urban retreat near the city’s cultural district. Bolton Hill’s 19th century mansion homes are interspersed with modern town homes and small, fountain-adorned parks.

Butchers Hill

In east Baltimore, the diverse community of Butchers Hill represents a wide range of ages, ethnicities, interests and housing styles — from restored row houses to grand residences. Founded in the mid-1800s, it derived its name from the many butchers and poultry prepares who once lived there.

Canton

The upscale Canton, with its waterfront setting and sizzling nightlife, is known as one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods. Yet it also is a neighborhood seeped in tradition, with a working-class heritage stretching back over two centuries.

Charles Village

Charles Village, developed in the late 19th century, is known for its beautifully ornate Victorian row homes and abundance of students from nearby Johns Hopkins University.

Federal Hill

Just south of the Inner Harbor is Federal Hill, a community of renovated 19th century brick row homes. It was named for the celebration that took place here after the US Federal Constitution was ratified. Federal Hill Park, one of the city's prime landmarks, once served as a lookout point during the War of 1812 and the Civil War. Today, it provides a spectacular view of the Harbor and downtown skyline.

Fell’s Point

Fell’s Point is a popular waterfront neighborhood just east of the Inner Harbor. A National Historic District and the oldest section of Baltimore, it still has the distinct feel of an old English village, complete with pubs and cobblestone streets.

Hampden

Hampden in north Baltimore, made famous by movie director John Waters, was once home to 19th century mill workers. Today it has evolved into an attractive residential neighborhood, with a small-town flavor and lots of funky stores and eclectic restaurants.

Inner Harbor

The Inner Harbor is the heart of the city and the location where Baltimore City was founded nearly three centuries ago. Since its transformation in the late 1970s, from dilapidated wharves to a world-class entertainment and shopping district, the Inner Harbor attracts millions of tourists each year.

Jonestown

Jonestown, a historic community just east of Baltimore’s Downtown, offers up a treasure trove of history. Founded in the late 17th century across the Jones Falls from Baltimore Town, it was once the home of the very wealthy, who wanted a life away from the busy bustle of horse-drawn carriages.

Little Italy

Little Italy is a delightful neighborhood where most of its colorful residents are of Italian descent. The area is best known for its fabulous selection of restaurants.

Mount Vernon

A National Register Historic District, Mount Vernon has the feel of a grand European city, with stately Victorian townhomes and carriage houses. It not only serves as the cultural centerpiece of Baltimore, but also as home to a diverse group of businesses and residents, from college students to empty-nesters. The neighborhood is also the site of the nation’s first Washington Monument, a 178-foot-tall white marble column.

Patterson Park

The family-friendly Patterson Park neighborhood, filled with row homes and Victorians, wraps around the city’s 185-acre Patterson Park.

Union Square

The historic Union Square in southwest Baltimore (the locals call it “Sowebo”), considered one of the city’s friendliest communities, is marked by brick sidewalks, period street lamps, and distinctive pre- and post-Civil War architecture. It also offers up an array of museums, art galleries and studios.

West Side

Baltimore’s 20-block West Side, once the city’s major shopping district, is in the midst of a major renewal project. The $160 million public-private project, scheduled for completion by 2007, will transform the area into a mix of new stores, modern offices and upscale houses while preserving its historic architectural styles.