How many days do I need in Baltimore?

Question

I'm planning a trip to Baltimore in April and trying to figure out how to allocate my time. I'll be starting with a drive to Gettysburg and I need to allocate the days between the driving locations (right now thinking Gettysburg, Frederick, Antietam, and Harpers Ferry) and the sights in the city.

Currently I have 5 full days for the driving locations, a day to drive to Baltimore (I'll return the car at the airport and take public transportation into the city), 3 almost full days (one has a 1.5 h zoom meeting I'd like to be at), a day for the conference that was the reason for the trip, and then fly home the next day in the evening (6PM ish).

On my list for Baltimore, I currently have the following sights (in no particular order):

National Museum of Dentistry

Peabody Library/Washington Monument

Botanic Garden/Conservatory

Ft McHenry

Star-Spangled Banner Flag House

Basilica

Walters Art Museum

Baltimore Museum of Art

Edgar Allen Poe house and grave

Possible sights if time:

American Visionary Art Museum

Evergreen Museum and Library

Homewood Museum (may duplicate Evergreen?)

Graffiti Alley

I don't feel like I have a good idea of how long those places will take to see. I'd plan on public transport and walking if that's safe for all those places as a solo female.

I'm mostly interested in history, then art, but not so much modern art. I tend to lose the point somewhere around Picasso. I also have an interest in science.

I haven't booked a hotel yet as I want to figure out the days, but I'll probably be staying near Camden Yards as that's near the conference.

Thanks.

Answer

It sounds like you have a packed schedule, but Baltimore has a lot to offer, especially for someone interested in history, art, and science. Here’s a breakdown of how you can allocate your time to fit in most of your sights while balancing your conference and other activities.

Based on your itinerary, I suggest the following approach:

Day 1 (Arrival and Travel to Baltimore): Since you’re planning to drive to Baltimore from your previous destinations, the first day might just be for travel and settling into your hotel near Camden Yards. Once you’ve checked in and returned the car, you can explore the nearby area if you have time.

Day 2 (History Focused): Dedicate this day to the historical sites. These are the ones I think you'll find most engaging based on your interests:

Ft McHenry – The site of the Battle of Baltimore, where the inspiration for the Star-Spangled Banner was written. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours here.
Star-Spangled Banner Flag House – It’s located near Ft McHenry, so you could visit it right after. Allow 1-1.5 hours.
Edgar Allan Poe House and Grave – Poe’s home is small and can be toured quickly. Spend about 1 hour. The grave site at the Westminster Hall is nearby.

This leaves you with a good chunk of the day to explore these places in depth.

Day 3 (Art and Culture): For your second full day, dive into the city’s art scene, focusing on the museums you mentioned:

Baltimore Museum of Art – A great spot for fine arts. Spend around 1.5-2 hours here.
Walters Art Museum – It’s a wonderful museum with a more classical collection. Allocate 1.5-2 hours for this as well.
Peabody Library and Washington Monument – Both are within walking distance of each other, so you could group them together. The Peabody Library is stunning and can take about 1 hour, while the Washington Monument (the first one built in the US) will take 30-45 minutes to explore.

This will be a more art-focused day but with some history mixed in.

Day 4 (Science, Nature, and Extras): If you have a full day to explore, you can use this day for your science and nature-related interests:

National Museum of Dentistry – If you're a fan of quirky museums, this is a must-see, and it’s unique to Baltimore. Allow 1 hour here.
Botanic Garden/Conservatory – If the weather is nice, this is a peaceful spot to explore for an hour or more.
American Visionary Art Museum – This museum offers a unique perspective on art and might be more up your alley since it’s not focused on modern art but rather unconventional art. Spend 1.5 hours here.

If you still have time, you could explore Graffiti Alley or Homewood Museum. You might be able to fit in one of these depending on how long the other activities take.

Day 5 (Flexible/Relaxed Day): If you find that you still want to fit in some more, this day can be flexible. You could use it to revisit any sites, explore more of Baltimore’s neighborhoods, or simply take it easy before your flight.

If you didn’t make it to the Evergreen Museum and Library or Homewood Museum, this would be a great opportunity to do so.

Regarding transportation, Baltimore has a reliable public transit system, and many of these sights are within walking distance of each other. The Inner Harbor area is particularly walkable, so you’ll likely find it safe and convenient to get around on foot. Just keep in mind that Baltimore is a larger city, and some areas can be a bit spread out, so public transportation or Uber/Lyft might be necessary for longer distances.

Based on your interests, I think that 3 full days in Baltimore will be enough to cover most of the sights on your list without feeling rushed. You can adjust as needed depending on how much time you want to spend at each place.

Have a wonderful trip!