Seeing is believing: downtown Baltimore is packed with surprising, rewarding finds. It boasts a dynamic theater district, a burgeoning gallery scene and is the epicenter of the city's beloved sports teams. Plus, for hungry travelers it offers everything from historic markets to swank restaurants. As the birthplace of Babe Ruth and the final resting place of Edgar Allen Poe, the heart of Charm City definitely deserves a visit.
Hotel Monaco and B&O Brasserie are a glamorous one-two punch in the heart of downtown. Both the hotel and restaurant are housed in a beautiful Beaux Arts building that was the former headquarters of the B&O railroad (hence the eatery's name). The stylish hotel harkens back to the Guilded Age, and the buzzing B&O has been named one of the best hotel bars in America. History buffs, take note of the table lamps and chairs in the bar--some are original to B&O dining cars.
