A guide to Baltimore’s architectural tours

Baltimore is a city with a rich architectural history dating back to its founding in the 17th century. The city’s buildings reflect a wide range of architectural styles, from Federal and Greek Revival to Beaux-Arts and Art Deco. There are many ways to learn about Baltimore’s architecture, but one of the best is to take a guided tour.

There are a number of different architectural tours available in Baltimore, offered by a variety of organizations. Some times focus on specific neighborhoods, while others cover a broader range of the city. Some tours focus on particular architectural styles or periods.

Here is a guide to some of the most famous architectural tours in Baltimore:

• Baltimore Architecture Foundation: The Baltimore Architecture Foundation (BAF) offers a variety of architectural tours throughout the year, including walking tours, bus tours, and boat tours. The BAF also offers self-guided tours of the city’s many historic neighborhoods.
• Baltimore City Hall: The Baltimore City Hall offers free guided tours of the building on weekdays. The tours last about 45 minutes and cover the history and architecture of the building.
• Washington Monument: The Washington Monument offers free guided tours on weekends. The tours last about 45 minutes and cover the history and architecture of the monument.
• Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum: The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum offers guided tours of the house where Poe lived and wrote from 1832 to 1835. The tours last about 30 minutes and cover the history of the house and Poe’s life in Baltimore.
• Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine offers guided tours of the fort, where the Star-Spangled Banner was written during the War of 1812. The tours last about an hour and cover the history of the defense and the War of 1812.

In addition to these general architectural tours, there are also a number of more specialized terms available, such as:

• Art Deco Baltimore Walking Tour: This tour takes participants through the Mount Vernon neighborhood, which is home to a number of Art Deco buildings, including the Bromo-Seltzer Tower and the Hippodrome Theater.
• Industrial Baltimore Walking Tour: This tour takes participants through the historic industrial areas of Baltimore, including Fells Point and Canton. The term covers the history of Baltimore’s industry and the architecture of its industrial buildings.
• Historic Churches of Baltimore Walking Tour: This tour takes participants through the Mount Vernon neighborhood, which is home to a number of historic churches, including the Basilica of the Assumption and the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore. The tour covers the history and architecture of these churches.
• Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church Tour: This tour takes participants through the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, which is known for its beautiful stained glass windows and its unique architecture.
• George Peabody Library Tour: This tour takes participants through the George Peabody Library, which is known for its five-story atrium and its collection of over 300,000 books.

No matter what your interests are, there is sure to be an architectural tour in Baltimore that is perfect for you. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your architectural time:

• Wear comfortable shoes. Most architectural tours involve a lot of walking.
• Bring a camera. You’ll want to capture all of the beautiful buildings you see.
• Ask questions. Your guide is there to help you learn about Baltimore’s architecture. Be bold and ask questions about the buildings you see and the history of the city.
• Take your time. Enjoy the tour, and don’t rush. There is a lot to see and learn.

Baltimore is a city with a rich architectural heritage. By taking a guided tour, you can learn about the city’s history and culture through its buildings.