mount vernon cultural district

It is amazing how few people realize the absolute beauty of many areas of Baltimore. This area of the city still has some of the most beautiful historic places that I have seen in the U.S. There was once great wealth in Baltimore - banking, shipping, industry all flourished here. This area is where some of the wealthiest families lived and worked. And there were plenty of regular folks living nearby too. Some of the buildings have now been redone and restored to their once amazing beauty, still others are waiting. There are parks that runs through the center of streets in this area, and it is clear that in "its day" it was as nice as anything New York has to offer. If Baltimore gets its economy off the ground ( fewer taxes for businesses would do it ) then this area, along with the rest of the city, will once again thrive. Currently, businesses are still fleeing the city of Baltimore due to the tax structure. The county has a much lower tax rate than the city, and that is where most of the jobs have gone - outside the city. Its a shame. More businesses in the city would mean more jobs , which would mean more people with some money to restore the buildings in this amazing area. Christmas time here is beautiful, with a lighting of the George Washington monument. It is a lovely occasion. There are also some gorgeous churches here. Take time to visit them, especially on a Sunday for a service. Baltimore has some amazing singers and musicians ( think of the arts schools here) and many are signing and playing in these churches in this area. The architecture of the churches is awe inspiring.

The Garrett Mansion was saved by the engineering society. The ballroom with pipe organ is a true treasure. Front desk staff are friendly - even if you are not a member of the engineering society.

The Mount Vernon area used to be where many of the rich people in Baltimore lived. It is still beautiful and well maintained with gardens, statuary, and interesting buildings to look at and visit. I recommend it as a place to walk on a beautiful day and enjoy the plantings and the people watching.

Bounded by Franklin on the South, Eager on the North, 83 to the East and Howard to the West, Mt. Vernon is one of the nicest areas to see in Baltimore because of the many lovely old buildings, as well as some local shops and restaurants. Parking is always a little challenging in Baltimore so it can be best to arrive on foot if possible. It's a great place to stroll.There are a wide variety of sites including several old churches, the Washington Monument - has a nice park around it, the Peabody, the Maryland Historical Society, and the Walters Art Museum - a free attraction. There are some cool old cobblestone streets and grand old rowhomes. I like several restaurants in the area including Brewer's Art and the Helmand. There are some antique shops on Howard St, referred to locally as Antique Row.Mt. Vernon is known as a tourist attraction. It's also an area favored for a lively LGBT scene and a popular bar scene. That popularity can attract some of Baltimore's undesirable elements, so exercise caution (like any big American city) and be aware of your surroundings.

If you want a place to go to see fantastic architecture from a more gentile time, Mt Vernon is the place! The restaurants offer many excellent choices and the Washington monument and surrounding streets offer a nice area to walk or stroll.

Many visitors to Baltimore never get beyond the Inner Harbor, but just north of downtown lies a neighborhood full of interesting places to see. The Mt. Vernon neighborhood contains a wonderful cross shaped square at it's heart with the oldest monument that honors George Washington at the center if the square. Two very fine museums also are nearby. The Walters Art Museum and the Maryland Historical Society. The Enoch Branch Public Library and the newly restored Basilica of the Assumption are at the southern end of the neighborhood. The Basilica is the oldest Catholic cathedral in the US. The area just north of the square contains numerous fine restaurants that will satisfy any taste. Get off the well worn path and head 8 blocks north of downtown.

If you love urban neighborhoods, architecture and history, you must walk around this charming neighborhood. Mere blocks away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, we wandered for nearly an entire day just looking at the historic buildings. Many others post about the great restaurants and shops, but we walked the neighborhood on a sunny Sunday. Starting early and with a walking tour map in hand, we visited at least half a dozen churches and were able to peek inside. In between Sunday services, members of the churches were more than happy to tell us all about the historic nature of their churches, which went far beyond the buildings to include the founding of many faiths here in America. In this way, we toured and learned about the first Unitarian church founded on these shores, an Anglican parish first founded in 1692 and several other "first" churches, each one charming. Not to be missed, the Baltimore Basilica ("the first metropolitan cathedral constructed in America after the adoption of the Constitution') has docent-led tours that are well worth your time. The neighborhood is also full of the former homes of historically famous Baltimore residents, one of which is now the "Engineer's Club." On Sunday mornings they have a brunch that is open to the public, which means visitors can come in and check out the AMAZING nineteenth-century building that houses the club. Designed by Stanford White and Russell Pope, the mansion was the home of Mary Sloan Frick, the daughter of a wealthy attorney. She married Robert Garrett, son of the president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He gave her this house as her wedding present. It has since been expanded to encompass four other nearby residences, has 40 rooms, 16 fireplaces, etc. There is a famous oval, spiral staircase just off the main entrance hall that is worth a visit all by itself. In between all the fabulous architecture of the neighborhood, you will also enjoy many tiny parks, many with fountains, statuary and monuments. If you have the time, pick up the walking tour map of this fabulous neighborhood, you will feel like you experienced the city the way it was 100 years ago.

This is not stereotypical Baltimore. The streets are lined with cute shops and fantastic restaurants, as well as an art museum and beautiful churches. This is not the kitschy stuff of which the Inner Harbor is made. The neighborhood is a great place for a stroll. It also feels quite safe for an urban neighborhood.

For a cultural district, I see a few things in our way.... but was raining, so my point of view may be ruined by that.

Reminded me of home! Funky cool shops little cafe's and cool hip people. The light rail is very close! They have little shops! Beautiful old buildings all over

A little history, a lot of nature, and a lot of walking. Two visits and I enjoy going to visit this site. Around Christmas the top floor is open for viewing and the basement is often open for special events.

To be in Baltimore and not to see Mount Vernon - Belvedere area defies the purpose of visiting the city. Even if one is in a rush, a quick stroll in the area is definitely going to be worth your while and will provide lasting recollections. Not only it is a home for the first memorial of George Washington, inaugurated some 69 years prior to its counterpart in Washington, DC. Not only it is a home for an amazing Walters Museum. Not only it is a home to a beautiful Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, but the entire architectural ensemble, with its stately mansions, fountains, statues of philanthropist George Peabody (1795–1869), the founder of Peabody Institute, and of Marquis de Lafayette among others, with splendid gardens and ornately designed parks - all of the above makes the place a much treasured jewel of the American urban architecture of the XIXth century and shows visitors the past glory of the once great city of Baltimore.Highly recommended.

Old Baltimore exists in Mt Vernon. Although the Washington Monument has scaffolding on it, due to a preservation project (thank goodness), one must visit this area to get the feel of the gentrified area of the city, a century or longer ago. Oh, the Engineers Club has opera concert nights, silent movies with the old pipe organ improvising along with the script and pictures, nice cocktail nights, and dinners, too. Peabody always has concerts within its beautiful campus; although so few visitors even know of its existence. Just to visit Peabody and enjoy its lovely architure....is a treat! Look at the old churches, historic buildings, and sit in the park to watch the people. Imbibe in the old Peabody Court, now known as a chain (boutique) hotel, but still retaining its lovely architecture. Walk down to the Belvedere. Let the eye study the magnificent architecture. One almost feels like this is a step closer to Europe. There are scheduled guided tours available. Stop in a small restaurant and enjoy the specialized culinary delights before going on to the next adventure in town.

The Mt. Vernon district is a tribute to Baltimore, the East Coast's Charm City. For a brief moment in time you can feel like you are in Europe - the architectural style - the open square - the cultural attractions. Then you wake up and you come back to reality - Mt. Vernon is what all of Baltimore used to be - and strives to revive. It's a wonderful experience just to walk it on foot - unfortunately some care needs to be exercised because Baltimore is a city in transition but what grand ol' place.

Wonderful architecture. Try to head there in the morning if you want to see the inside of the gothic church, as though it was supposed to close at 3, that day it wasn't open at 2:15 when we arrived.