Baltimore, Maryland

To mark the release of our March issue (now on newsstands), we’re celebrating cities over the next few weeks, and we’ve asked our readers to share what they love most about their towns. Would you send Rome a bouquet of roses? Did you get Miami a box of chocolates? Is it Rio you’re snuggling with in the back of the movie theater? Declare your love for that special city in your heart!

We’ve put together a list of fill-in-the-blank questions that should help get you started. We’d love it if you would copy and paste the list into an email, fill in your answers (as many as you like) and send your responses to IntelligentTravel@ngs.org.

Today’s city-lover is Anne Ditmeyer, of Baltimore, Maryland, who writes the lovely  Prêt à Voyager blog.

Baltimore is My City

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is the American Visionary Art Museum.

When I crave crabs I always go J.P. Steamers.

To escape B-more I head to D.C. on the $7 MARC train.

If I want to see a movie I go to The Charles.

For complete quiet, I can hide away in Peabody Library.

If you come to my city, get your picture taken with the Cosmic Egg @ AVAM.

If you have to order one thing off the menu from Tapas Teatro it has to be spinach and crab.

Sideshow is my one-stop shop for great random gifts.

Locals know to skip the Inner Harbor and check out Hampden instead.

When I’m feeling cash-strapped I go to Trinacria.

For a huge splurge I go to Housewerks.

Photo ops in my city include the Kinetic Sculpture Race and the best vantage points are the water entry in Canton.

If my city were a celebrity it’d be John Waters.

The most random thing about my city are snowballs with marshmallow fluff on top (trust me, it’s delicious!).

My city has the most skinny-jean-wearing men.

My city has the most hipster-mom tattooed women.

In my city, an active day outdoors involves farmer’s markets.

My city’s best museum is American Visionary Art Museum.

My favorite jogging/walking route is The Avenue in Hampden.

For a night of dancing, go to Blob’s Park Polka Hall. Or, for live music, check out J. Patrick’s Irish Pub.

Paper Moon Diner is the spot for late-night eats.

To find out what’s going on at night and on the weekends, read City Paper.

You can tell a lot about my city from the Charm City Roller Girls.

You can tell if someone is from my city if they call you Hon.

In the spring you should participate in the Kinetic Sculpture Race.

In the summer you should go to the water ballet.

In the fall you should go to the Great Halloween Lantern Parade.

In the winter you should visit the Miracle on 34th Street in Hampden.

A hidden gem in my city is Stoop Storytelling.

For a great breakfast joint try Miss Shirley’s.

Don’t miss the HonFest festival in Hampden every June.

Just outside my city, you can visit the Egyptian Muvico theater (it’s practically like going to Egypt – not really).

The best way to see my city is by the Ducks.

The best book about my city is The Corner.

If my city were a pet it would be a giant pink poodle with wheels.

If I didn’t live in a city, I’d live underwater.

When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is Good Morning, Baltimore.

If you have kids, you won’t want to miss the B&O Railroad Museum.

The Wire could only happen in my city.

My city should be featured on your cover or website because it’s Charm City, USA!

Thanks to Anne for her fantastic picks! Share your own by getting our fill-in-the-blank list and emailing it to IntelligentTravel@ngs.org!

Photos: Anne Ditmeyer