Baltimore's heralded attractions such as the National Aquarium, Fort McHenry and Camden Yards are constantly showcased in the media and deservedly so, as they are world-class offerings sure to top the agenda of most any group. But the harborside setting offers plenty of other attractions and experiences worthy of the spotlight.
Here then is a look at 10 of Charm City's less-trumpeted temptations, from a museum with a real bite to it to a pub crawl with more than one kind of spirit.
National Museum of Dentistry
www.dentalmuseum.org
While it might sound like pulling teeth getting your group excited about a dental museum, nothing could be further from the tooth, um, I mean truth. The National Museum of Dentistry is an unexpected alcove of fun and funky exhibitions and experiences.
"See amazing teeth feats, marvel at George Washington's choppers, sing along to vintage toothpaste commercials, and discover fascinating exhibitions that encourage good oral health habits and celebrate the heritage and future of dentistry," says Tom Noonan, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore.
Guided and self-guided tours are available. The museum is located on the University of Maryland-Baltimore, home to the world's first dental school.
The Baltimore Blast
www.baltimoreblast.com
When it comes to spectator sports in Baltimore, the Orioles and Ravens are well-known franchises drawing baseball and football fans out in droves. But a local Major Indoor Soccer League flying under the radar offers an affordable alternative and a more unique experience.
"If you like sports, the Baltimore Blast is the best bargain in town. It is fast-paced and action-packed with plenty of goals and acrobatic saves," says Kevin Healey, team president and general manager. "The Blast is a throwback, with players involved in the community and playing for the love of the game."
The team has won five championships in the last 10 years and plays its home matches at 1st Mariner Arena, the city's largest indoor sports and entertainment facility. Groups of 10 or more receive a slight discount on tickets and a free welcome announcement on the scoreboard, and can even arrange to get some kicks on the field before the game. PageBreak
Babe Ruth Museum
www.baberuthmuseum.com
Everyone knows of Babe Ruth, but not many are aware the famed Red Sox and Yankees legend hailed from Charm City, giving an element of the unexpected to this likeable little attraction.
"The Babe Ruth Museum is the ultimate unique venue," says John Hein, director of business development at the facility. "Where else could you go and have a meeting or event at the birthplace of the greatest athlete America has ever known?"
Groups touring the old row house can see the upstairs bedroom where "the Babe" was born and check out exhibitions on the 500 Home Run Club, TV and film portrayals of Ruth and other nifty displays. The full facility can be rented, with space for up to about 125, or even more when incorporating neighboring Emory Street.
Coffee Cupping at Woodberry Kitchen
www.woodberrykitchen.com
Meeting-goers who have never attended a wine-tasting function are hard to come by. But how many can claim they've experienced the coffee-lover's equivalent?
Proprietors of the well-liked farm-to-table restaurant Woodberry Kitchen have opened Artifact Coffee, where groups can take part in Coffee Cupping, an interactive tasting experience much like a wine tasting. A knowledgeable barista directs attendees through a tasting, savoring the taste and smell of coffee as it goes through the various steps from grind to brew.
Groups seeking a memorable dining outing will also enjoy the restaurant, with Woodberry Hall serving as a splendid private setting for sit-down and stand-up affairs. A special "feasting" menu offers family-style dishes.
The American Visionary Art Museum
www.avam.org
"Nestled at the base of historic Federal Hill in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, the American Visionary Art Museum is a unique and exciting venue for events," says Michele Goldberg, facility rental coordinator for AVAM. "With capacities ranging from 40 to 450, we are capable of hosting corporate and private functions both large and small, and giving guests the opportunity to enjoy one-of-a-kind artwork and exhibits."
Visionary Art in this context is essentially composed of works by untrained artists that follow their creative heart more than any supposed tradition. So while you won't find any Wyeths or Renoirs "hanging around," groups will discover colorful and creative works in a unique setting sure to inspire the imagination. Among the unforgettable sections of the venue are the Jim Rouse Visionary center, home to fabulous "art cars," kinetic sculptures and much more, and the Tall Sculpture Barn, hosting among other works a massive chessboard with life-sized metal angel sculptures.
Even dining is cool and atypical at the museum, with Mr. Rain's Funhouse serving an eclectic menu with numerous ethnic flavors, craft cocktails galore and a "dinner and a movie" event every Thursday.
Countless spaces can be rented for function-hosting at AVAM, and the attraction has also long hosted a wonderfully wacky Kinetic Sculpture Race that will celebrate its 15th edition May 4, 2013. PageBreak
Baltimore Ghost Tours
www.baltimoreghosttours.com
Baltimore Ghost Tours offers three unique trails, taking groups on nightly explorations delving into the city's mysterious side. Choose from the Fell's Point Ghost Walk, Mount Vernon Ghost Walk or Fell's Point Haunted Pub Walk.
"Baltimore has been a nesting ground for America's early settlers, some of which continue to roam the streets, laying claim to the city," Visit Baltimore's Noonan remarks.
Tours last about an hour to 90 minutes—with the Pub Walk about two hours—and GhostTalks are also an option, with the legends and lore delivered right to your venue.
For groups larger than 35, a tour is usually divided up into smaller clusters, and the outing is a spirited way to find out about Baltimore's compelling past.
B&O Railroad Museum
www.borail.org
"The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum and its signature 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse is a unique venue unlike any other," Noonan says.
Here, groups can explore one of the most impressive and extensive railroad collections in the world. Dating back to the earliest roots of American railroading, the assemblage comprises vintage locomotives and rolling stock, historic buildings and small objects illustrating the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad's impact on the American transportation landscape.
Discounted tours are available for groups of 20 or more, and the venue boasts some intriguing event spaces as well, including the Baldwin Roundhouse, capable of holding up to 2,800 for a standing reception. PageBreak
The George Peabody Library
www.jhu.edu
This temple of terrific tomes makes for a memorable group getaway, particularly for book lovers and architectural buffs. Home to more than 300,000 editions, many of them from the 19th century, the library is unquestionably one of the most striking of its kind in the U.S. if not the entire world.
Located on the Peabody campus of Johns Hopkins University, the structure was completed in 1878 with a unique Neo-Greco interior highlighted by black-and-white marble flooring and an ornamental skylight set above elaborate columns and balconies.
The collections are available for public use, adding to the venue's allure as an appealing but often overlooked attraction.
Geppi's Entertainment Museum
www.geppismuseum.com
"Each Gallery in Geppi's Entertainment Museum is designed to capture a specific period or medium in American pop culture," Noonan says. "From the library filled with treasures from comics' early days to the Pioneer gallery featuring the birth of character collectibles, GEM takes you on an entertaining journey through the history of pop culture."
Among the highlights of the colorful attraction are a fantastic comic collection dubbed "A Story in Four Colors"; a "Pioneer Spirit" section focused on the city's various heroes over the centuries; and "America Tunes In," a whimsical wander through the world of post-World War II television.
Located in historic Camden Station only a stone's throw from the Inner Harbor, Geppi's location makes it a great side trip for groups before or after a ballgame or aquarium visit. Group tours of approximately one hour are available with advance planning, with discounts for groups of 20 or more. The attraction also has some superb event space available, including a handsome grand hallway with room for a seated dinner of 150 or a reception of 400.
The Lexington Market
www.lexingtonmarket.com
A superb setting for some casual down-time, the Lexington Market dates to 1782, almost as far back as our nation's birth. Local flavors abound, with countless international cuisine stalls, bakers, butchers and candy vendors. Gift shops and retailers are also on hand for any attendees with a shopping bug.
Groups might enjoy a visit even more during one of the many boisterous events enlivening the market each year, including a Chocolate Festival in mid-October and a Preakness Crab Derby in May—with actual live crustaceans clawing their way to the finish line.
Flexible event space also exists, with areas readily configured for anything from a 15-person board meeting to a luncheon for 150.
