Baltimore Inner Harbor

The harbour was derelict industrial water into the 1960s and was redeveloped from the 1970s in a scheme widely copied elsewhere - Harborplace opened in 1980 and became the model for festival marketplaces in a dozen cities, though its own retail has since struggled badly and redevelopment plans have been repeatedly contested. Four historic ships are moored here, of which the USS Constellation, launched 1854, is the last vessel afloat that saw Civil War service and the last all-sail warship built by the US Navy. The National Aquarium holds a rainforest under a glass pyramid and a large ray pool. Fort McHenry is downstream and the seasonal water taxi links the two.

Background

The harbor lies at the mouth of Jones Falls, which forms the short northwest branch of the Patapsco River, and its tidal water flows on to the Chesapeake Bay. Before dredging it was never more than 15 feet deep, too shallow for large ships. Old Bay Line steamers carried passengers and freight to Norfolk, Virginia, until 1962. Renewal began with the Charles Center plan of 33 acres, unveiled in March 1958, and in 1963 the program grew to cover 240 acres around the harbor. On July 4, 1976, eight ships from other nations drew large crowds, and Harborplace followed on July 2, 1980. As many as 100 other cities took ideas from the scheme, which collected more than 40 awards.

Source: Wikipedia, "Inner Harbor"

What to look for

• USS Constellation of 1854 - the last Civil War-era vessel afloat.
• The National Aquarium - a rainforest under glass and large tanks.
• A redevelopment widely copied - the festival marketplace model.
• Water taxis - linking the harbour, Fell's Point and Fort McHenry.

When to go

April to October. A full day.

Practical notes

Harborplace retail has declined substantially and parts have stood empty. The aquarium is expensive and timed. Parking downtown is costly. Water quality in the harbour is poor, though improving.

Nearby

Fell's Point is east; Fort McHenry is south by water taxi.

Key facts