Personal Finance King

A Personal Finance Money Blog from a Christian Perspective

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recommended Sites
You are here: Home / Travel & Finance / Quirky Baltimore – Top 8 Things to See and Do in Charm City That Are Worth Paying For

Quirky Baltimore – Top 8 Things to See and Do in Charm City That Are Worth Paying For

April 23, 2018 by Barnaby

According to TripAdvisor, these are the top 10 things to do in Baltimore:

  1. Oriole Park at Camden Yards
  2. Fort McHenry
  3. Walters Art Museum
  4. National Aquarium
  5. American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM)
  6. Baltimore Museum of Art
  7. Fell’s Point
  8. Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum
  9. Sagamore Spirit Distillery
  10. Historic Ships in Baltimore

For some grim context, the Horseshoe Casino comes in at #14.

I’ve been to all of these, but only one of these makes my Quirky Worth Paying For list: AVAM.

That’s not to say that other attractions in this list (like Camden Yards and Fort McHenry) aren’t worth paying for – they just aren’t both quirky and worth paying for.

For that, stick with me. Here’s the real Insider’s Guide to the quirky things worth paying a few bucks for in Charm City. After all, this is Baltimore, where quirky is celebrated.

1. Wax With Soul

If someone put together a Quirky Baltimore list and it doesn’t include the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, you can tune them out. They don’t know what they’re talking about.

If you are familiar with Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in London (and 23 other cities) you are halfway there. Great Blacks in Wax houses over 100 wax figures and scenes featuring people of African descent.

Pre-renovation, the museum is housed in a former fire station

But it’s more of a museum than Tussauds. When you enter, you are funneled into a model slave ship (with haunting moaning piped in) telling the powerful 400-year history of the Atlantic Slave Trade. Many years ago, the founders considered moving the museum to the Inner Harbor but decided against it; they felt that the touristy harbor area is too festive for the important, sometimes sobering, educational work they engage in.

Founded in 1983, the museum is in the midst of a $50M capital campaign that will expand its space from 15,000 to over 120,000 square feet!

2. Where Food Takes a Back Burner

You ask a well-meaning ‘Baltimoron’ where to eat that’s unique, they will probably direct you to one of these places (or something similar):

  • Phillip’s Seafood for crabs
  • Prime Rib for steak
  • Cafe Hon for a casual meal
  • Vacarro’s for dessert (and a lot of it)

I don’t have a major problem with any of these. I even patronize them occasionally (except Phillip’s, which sources its crab from Asia). But a big part of their business is the tourist trade so you have to pay the ‘touron tax.’ And the experience isn’t that special anyway.

Here’s how you know you’ve found the right place

That’s why I take visitors to the Papermoon Diner near Johns Hopkins University. Frankly, the food is so-so and the prices are somewhat inflated. But the experience is uniquely Baltimore and can’t be beat.

It’s hard to do Papermoon justice in words, so I’ll close out with another photo of the unmatched atmosphere:

3. Wet & Wild Artistry

You know how some people are described as ducks? All calm and collected above water, and paddling like crazy underwater, making good progress.

Turn the duck upside down and you have Fluid Movement. There is a lot of flailing and splashing and not much movement. But no matter – everyone (performers and spectators) is having a ton of fun. It’s an awesome combination of synchronized swimming, water ballet, and performance art.

I don’t know much about it, but the organization feels like a typical low-budget grassroots Baltimore effort. If you have a good idea, they make you a producer. If you can tread water for 5 minutes – boom – you’re a performer. From the looks of things, the majority of the budget is spent on wildly outlandish (and wonderful) costumes.

And it’s extremely accessible. Shows are at public pools in Druid Hill Park and Patterson Park. Seating is open, and $10 will buy you a front row perch or standing room only, depending on when you arrive.

4. Beef By Any Other Name

If you’re a red-meat-devouring carnivore, chances are you’ll like pit beef. Like lake trout, pit beef is a Baltimore thing.  You can read about its history here.

The best place to sample it is Chaps Pit Beef. The way you can tell is the place is flooded with cops at lunchtime. (Donuts are empty calories and burn off quick, even for a sedentary, cruiser-anchored cop). A sandwich without any add-ons is $7.75.

Founded 30 years ago and located along a grimy stretch of commercial East Baltimore, Chaps is basically an overgrown sandwich stand, dropped into the parking lot of the Gentlemen’s Gold Club (yikes!).

My only concern with Chaps is their recent taste of Hollywood (featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives and other shows) and subsequent decision to franchise. I hope they don’t lose touch with their humble, hard-working roots, and start turning out Roy Rogers roast beef sandwiches.

That would be a crime. I’m not sure which law would be violated, but I’m willing to search for something.

5. Monet Not Welcome Here

The American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) scoffs at the Old Masters and the Impressionists and their masterpieces displayed at the Walters Art Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Art.

Designated by Congress as America’s national museum for self-taught art, AVAM doesn’t do anything conventionally. It has no curators. It features no artist you’ve every heard of. It doesn’t feature specific artists or styles.

Yet, it houses some of the most inspirational – yes, visionary – art you will find anywhere, all created by factory workers, farmers, mental patients, and housewives.

Example: When we visited a number of years ago, the museum showed an exhibit of tiny weavings that were created by prisoners stitching various-color threads that they had extracted from the socks of fellow inmates. Beautifully detailed art in its own right, but even more profound when you discover its origins.

AVAM thrusts a stick into the eye of the stuffy New York art world and their ‘approved’ artists and million-dollar pieces. From my perspective, that alone would justify its existence.

6. Mini Bowling

When you go bowling, you ever wish you could throw a third ball? And not have to worry about dislocating an elbow with every heave? Or whether junior will sustain a hernia?

Then duckpin bowling is just your speed. And mine too.

Similar to candlepin bowling, duckpin was founded in Baltimore in 1900. Or perhaps in Massachusetts earlier – the history is murky.

What’s clear is that the number of lanes dedicated to it has significantly diminished, from 1,200 Baltimore lanes in the 1960s to just a handful today. There are so few left that many people are clueless about it, including Groupon:

So get out there before they’re gone. Personally, I like Stoneleigh Lanes near Towson. Despite a skinny unassuming storefront, they have 16 duckpin lanes and a thoughtful BYOB policy.

7. You Have the Most Beautiful Hippopotomus Smile

Baltimore is home to the world’s first college of dentistry, founded in 1840. Fittingly, located on site is the National Museum of Dentistry, a Smithsonian affiliate.

What could be more boring, right? But alongside displays promoting “the importance of oral health,” is a fascinating little section focused on our first president.

I feel gratitude for the George Washington Gallery. It helps me appreciate the dental health conveniences of living in the 21st century.

You learn that despite being wealthy American royalty, Washington:

  • Wore hippo ivory – not wooden – dentures
  • Used golden springs to hold them in place
  • Must have been sort of miserable

Which, I suppose, wasn’t so unusual in those days. And no doubt led to the creation of formal training at dental schools like the one in Baltimore.

8. Not Just for Christmas

You didn’t think I’d finish this post without an entry on crabs, did you?

Crabs aren’t very quirky if you’re from Baltimore, but outsiders seem intrigued and bewildered by them, so here goes.

First of all, I’m not making the mistake of wading into the “who has the best crab cake?” debate. Mainly because I think crab cakes are for sissies. Man up and buy a dozen or more live or steamed crabs, with Old Bay seasoning natch. Sure they are a lot of work to eat, but it is oh-so-rewarding.

You can go out for steamed crabs but I don’t recommend it – they are expensive enough as it is without piling restaurant overhead and waitstaff expense on top of it. And a proper crab feast takes a couple hours, so you don’t want to ruin it by feeling rushed.

Instead, go to Waterman’s Pride, take them home, spread out some old newspapers or brown paper (paper grocery bags will do) and get crackin’. If you’re a newbie, find a veteran to show you the ropes (hint: don’t eat the lungs).

And don’t forget the melted butter. Fresh luscious crab meat dripping with real butter is a little foretaste of heaven, I think.

Related:

  • Top 8 Free and Offbeat Things to Do in Baltimore
  • Top 8 Free and Offbeat Historic Things to Do in Baltimore

I’m sure I’ve missed something. What are your favorite quirky stops in Baltimore?

Filed Under: Travel & Finance Tagged With: american visionary art museum, duckpin bowling, eating crabs in baltimore, fluid movement water ballet, great blacks in wax museum, national museum of dentistry, papermoon diner, pit beef, quirky baltimore, things to see and do in charm city

Comments

  1. Sarah Deacon says

    April 23, 2018 at 6:20 pm

    I absolutely love the AVAM and PaperMoon Diner. How about HonFest and any John Waters movie at the Senator? Can’t wait to check out your other quirky selections!

    • Barnaby says

      April 24, 2018 at 7:48 am

      Yes, I’d say most every Waters movie is quirky. Or just plain weird.

  2. Kristina says

    April 23, 2018 at 10:45 pm

    Visit to the Trash Wheel; any festival / farmer’s market where the hula hoop guy is; the Book Thing; and in the summer get an authentic sno cone with that marshmallow goop on it.

    • Barnaby says

      April 24, 2018 at 7:49 am

      I’ve never visited one of the trash wheels, but they are all over the internet, so it almost feels like I have. Will have to do it in real life sometime, thanks for the idea!

About Me

About Barnaby King Welcome to the Personal Finance King blog, which explores issues of Money, Faith, Work, and Family. I am Barnaby King. More
Subscribe to Receive New Posts by Email:

Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription.

RSS RSS Feed

  • Quick Takes: Riding Greyhound, Winning Mega Millions & Human Composting
  • Know Your Value
  • My Tiny Bitcoin Investment Lost 64% of Its Value

Most Popular Posts

1. How Should We Respond to Needy People on the Street?
2. We Ported Our Landline Phone to Google Voice, Saving $46 Per Month
3. What Is the Role of Faith in Personal Finance?
4. 9 Life and Finance Lessons from “Alexander Hamilton” Biography by Ron Chernow
5. Top 8 Free and Offbeat Historic Things to Do in Baltimore
6. Why We Live in Baltimore Despite Its Problems
7. How a Prized Pocket Knife Was Imperiled on a Trip to See the Rockettes
8. Is 16 Too Old for a First Phone?

Categories

  • Earning Money
  • Faith & Finance
  • Kids & Finance
  • Love & Finance
  • Misc Finance
  • Politics & Finance
  • Saving Money
  • Travel & Finance
  • Uncategorized
  • Work & Finance

Archive

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • August 2022
  • June 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016

Copyright © 2023 · Metro Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in