Cruising Guide to Baltimore, Maryland

Disclaimer: This is not a comprehensive cruising guide to Baltimore, but a summary of our experience and recommendations and what we believe would be interesting to fellow travelers. If you have additional recommendations, please feel free to reach out.

Baltimore is one of the most underrated cities and tends to get overlooked when compared to the surrounding big northeast cities. Known as a “city of neighborhoods”, it is full of character and history.

When cruising by boat, Annapolis is the obvious stop, but it is worth going a bit out of the way and be welcomed by an amazing skyline that is enjoyable from anywhere on the harbor. We lived in Baltimore for five plus years so we may be biased, but we have yet to find a city that is this combination of affordability and accessibility for us to make living on a boat enjoyable and comfortable. Below is a list of places to stay and things to do while passing through this not-so-hidden cruising destination.

Anchorages

Boston Street Pier Park

• You can anchor directly in the Inner Harbor, but we would not recommend due to the location in relation to the water taxi stop and paddle boats. Plus there is no convenient place for land access.
• We recommend the anchorage in front of Boston Street Pier Park in Canton. It is between Anchorage Marina and Lighthouse Point Marina. Across the street is a Safeway and Ace Hardware and West Marine is next door. There is a fishing pier to tie the dinghy to and you are walking distance from big stores such as Target or the charm of Canton and Fell’s Point. However, we have never raised our anchor without also pulling up multiple plastic bags and a variety of trash. Be prepared to use a washdown hose if you have one. We would also recommend having a larger trash bag ready to pick off the smaller stuff from your chain.
• For Google Maps coordinates, click here.

Marinas

Harborview Marina

• Located on the south side of the city, Harborview offers the perfect view of the Baltimore skyline and the Domino Sugar sign. It is also walking distance from a Giant and restaurants and bars in the Locust Point/Federal Hill neighborhoods. There is a boater’s lounge, but the wifi is very weak. The bathrooms are some of the nicer ones we’ve been in with a mix of shower and toilet stalls with plenty of room. There are two washers and two dryers which are standard size, but don’t seem to get your clothes dry.
• When we came back from our adventures up north, we knew we were going to be in Baltimore for at least two weeks while we drove up to New York for Thanksgiving and to figure out where to haul out for storage. When we compared the costs of Harborview and Anchorage, it was more cost efficient to pay for Harborview for the month. It worked out because we ended up being there for three weeks.
• Cost
  • $1.25/foot/day for transient
  • $650/month at the winter rate (no prorate)
  • Metered electric at $0.25/kw (estimated at $200-250 in the winter)

Anchorage Marina

• As mentioned above, Anchorage Marina is perfectly located for cruisers to access provisions and marine supplies. There is a boater’s lounge with plenty of seating and regular events such as breakfast on the weekends. Their laundry is $2.50 a load and the washers and dryers are small. The bathrooms are decent but the showers feel like you’re at a public pool. They are all lined up in a row with little wiggle room in the stalls. Josh claims he never has hot water, but I’ve only run into the problem once.
• When doing the cost analysis to get the insurance survey done, Anchorage was the best price for the week.
• Cost
  • $475/week
  • $10/week for electric

Fuel

Inner Harbor Marina

• To get fuel in the Inner Harbor, you will need to tie up next to the Rusty Scupper at the Inner Harbor Marina. We always seemed to need fuel right before closing, but the dockhands were nice enough to stay open while we hurried over there. The cost of diesel was about $4.80/gallon.

Things to Do

• Fort McHenry – Go for the beautiful walk along the water. Stay for the emotional video at the visitor’s center. You won’t regret it.
• USS Constellation – It is the last sail-only warship designed and built by the United States Navy and it is docked right in the heart of the city.
• Patterson Park – On a summer day, this place is swarming with people and activities. Its area spans 295 acres and is known for its 19-century park design.
• Breweries – If you are a beer lover like us, you will not go without while in this city.
• Walk around the Inner Harbor – It may not seem like it to those who don’t know, but Baltimore is a very walkable city. The promenade around the harbor is a direct route to at least five neighborhoods.