Keys to the City
Facts & Fundamentals
Approximately 635,800 people live in the city limits.
Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital, arguably the top hospital in the nation, are Baltimore's number one employers.
Sales tax is 6%.
Holidays & Business Hours
On federal and state holidays, many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours. Naturally, policies vary, but in general, the following holidays are broadly observed:
| January 1 |
New Year's Day |
| Third Monday in January |
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday |
| Third Monday in February |
Presidents Day |
| Date Changes |
Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday |
| Last Monday in May |
Memorial Day |
| July 4 |
Independence Day |
| First Monday in September |
Labor Day |
| Second Monday in October |
Columbus Day |
| November 11 |
Veterans Day |
| Fourth Thursday in November |
Thanksgiving |
| December 25 |
Christmas |
|
Coming & Going
Baltimore's proximity to three major airports makes it convenient for travelers coming from many directions. The closest is Baltimore Washington International Airport, 10 miles away. Washington Dulles International and Ronald Reagan National in Virginia also serve the area. Amtrak trains arrive daily and connect Baltimore to metros including Philadelphia, New York and Washington, DC.
Making Your Way
Once you arrive in Baltimore, there are several convenient ways to get around. The most popular neighborhoods for visitors – Fells Point, the Inner Harbor, Federal Hill and Mount Vernon–are relatively easy to explore on foot. If you're staying further out, driving may be a better option. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) light rail and buses offer efficient transportation alternatives within the city, and the metro subway system connects Baltimore to the suburbs. Light rail/subway fare is $1.60 one-way and a daypass is $3.50 for unlimited use of MTA buses, light rail and subway. Bus rides cost $1-2 one-way.
News & Views
The Baltimore Sun is the city's main daily paper. For the arts, entertainment and upcoming events, check out the weekly, free City Paper. Other popular local publications include Baltimore magazine and Baltimore Business Journal.
Quirks & Curiosities
Most of Baltimore's downtown streets are one-way. Charles Street divides street addresses between east and west, while Baltimore Street separates north and south. Look for the blue and green signs that direct drivers to major attractions.
Getting Your Bearings
When you're not familiar with a city, you feel completely adrift. That's exactly what local visitors' centers hope to ward off. They've compiled a vast collection of resources to help you better understand a particular city, and they're more than eager to share their time, hints, and literature. You may contact or visit the Baltimore Visitor Center at the following address:
The Baltimore Visitor Center
401 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
877-225-8466
Open daily 9am-6pm
Necessities - Post Offices
It's usually not too difficult to spot a drop box when you're out and about, but if you need to conduct more serious postal business, it's not always that easy. In the heart of Baltimore, several locations are convenient to travelers and residents. They include:
Post Office - Baltimore
900 E Fayette St
Baltimore, MD 21233-9715
Mon-Fri 8:30am-9pm; Sat 8:30am-5pm
410-347-4202
Post Office - Calvert
111 N Calvert St
Baltimore, MD 21202-9997
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
410-539-2335
Post Office - Fells Point
714 S Wolfe St
Baltimore, MD 21231-9998
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Sat 8am-2pm
410-732-9212
Common Courtesies
Although tipping is generally a personal matter, there are some guidelines that prove helpful to travelers. At restaurants, servers typically get 15% of the bill, although 10% acknowledges basic assistance, and 20% awards exceptional service. It is also common now for some restaurants to charge an automatic gratuity of 18% for groups. You should be aware of this possibility before providing an additional tip. Taxi drivers usually fit into similar guidelines by receiving a tip equivalent to 15% of the tab.
Often, a dollar tip covers many situations. Bartenders are customarily given $1 per cocktail, hotel maids are provided $1 for each day of a stay, bellhops get about $1 per bag, and a coat-check clerk typically receives $1 as well. The exception is a concierge, who generally receives $5-$10 for standard service (additional assistance suggests more).
Weather
Baltimore features four distinct seasons, with mild weather for most of the year. In the winter (Dec-Feb) the low is usually in the 20s with frequent rain and occasional snowfall. In the summer, average temperatures range from 62 to 88 degrees.