No trip to Baltimore would be complete without a visit to the Charm’tastic Mile. Introduced in 2016, this 1.3-mile corridor is full of restaurants, bars, museums and shops. It makes for a great stroll from the city’s Downtown West area to the Inner Harbor to the Harbor East community. Read on to find out more about the Charm’tastic Mile and what makes it so special.
History of the Charm’tastic Mile
The Charm’tastic Mile is so named as a tribute to the city it is located in. Baltimore was nicknamed Charm City back in 1975. Then Mayor William Donald Schaefer gave the city this moniker as a way of improving its image for the tall ships that would be coming into its harbor for the Bicentennial Celebration.
The corridor was christened on April 25,2016. This is a significant date among locals as April 25, 1951 was the date when the city’s iconic Domino Sugars neon sign was first displayed.
Visiting the Charm’tastic Mile
At just 1.3 miles, the Charm’tastic Mile is pretty easy to explore. However, here are a few attractions you won’t want to miss.
Ceremonial Signs: There are two ceremonial signs along the Charm’tastic Mile. The first (unveiled 9/9/19) is located at the corner of S. Calvert and E. Pratt. The second (unveiled 12/12/19) is located at the corner of S. Greene and W. Pratt St. Visitors will not want to leave without taking a photo by one of these locations.
Phillips Seafood: Phillips Seafood is the last original restaurant that dates back to opening of Inner Harbor in 1980. They moved to their current location on Pratt St. on the Charm-tastic Mile in 2011 and became the first restaurant to introduce themselves to the Charm'tastic Mile on April 15, 2019. The official introduction coincided with Jackie Robinson Day which celebrates the anniversary of the athlete becoming the first black man to enter the world of Major League Baseball back on April 15 of 1947. Be sure to taste the award-winning crab and crab cakes the restaurant has to offer.
Museums and Cultural Centers: The Charm’tastic Mile is a great place to get some culture. Museums along the corridor include the Walters Art Museum, the Port Discovery Children’s Museum and the American Visionary Art Museum. Visitors can also check out the National Aquarium, the USS Constellation and the Ripley’s Believe it Or Not.
Shops, Restaurants and Hotels: There are plenty of shops and restaurants located along the Charm-tastic Mile. Shop-a-holics will be able to satisfy their urges and foodies will have no shortage of terrific meals to choose from. And if you’re looking for a place to stay, there are several hotels on the corridor that will put you right in the middle of the action.
If you are planning on taking a trip in the near future, Baltimore is a fantastic destination and the Charm’tastic Mile puts it over the top as a great place to visit. Which of the corridor’s attractions will you be adding to your to-do list?
