Fell’s Point Ghost Tours
Written by Amy Lynwander - Owner
Fells Point Ghost Tours was named Best Tour, City Paper’s Best of Baltimore, 2003 & 2002. Ranked #2 ghost tour nationwide by DigitalCity.com, 2003.
Make a Day of it in One of Baltimore’s Most Interesting Neighborhoods - Follow the brick promenade east past the skyscrapers that overlook Baltimore’s famous Inner Harbor and you’ll suddenly find yourself in an 18th century maritime village known as Fell’s Point. It’s easy to imagine the neighborhood bustling with sailors, immigrants, and ladies of the night calling out of windows to passers-by and walking in and out of the boarding houses and taverns that lined the streets. Beneath you, paving the quaint narrow streets of the neighborhood, is the Belgian block that arrived in Fell’s Point as ballast for cargo ships returning from Europe over 100 years ago. Before you are the Federal and Victorian style rowhomes where dashing captains-turned-privateers and ship carpenters lived side by side.
William Fell, a Quaker ship carpenter from England, founded Fell’s Point in 1730. From its humble beginnings as a mosquito-infested marshland, the neighborhood quickly grew into a bustling port town. The famous Baltimore Clipper ships, instrumental in America’s defeat of the British fleet in the War of 1812, were built and launched here. The neighborhood also saw its share of immigrants; Baltimore’s ports were second only to Ellis Island in the numbers of immigrants who passed through their doors. These days, the neighborhood is home to many young professionals, “empty-nesters”, artists, and writers.
Fell’s Point’s historic taverns, funky shops, day and evening attractions, and intimate hotels make it the perfect day or weekend trip for visitors from Baltimore’s neighboring cities and towns. Start your day at one of Fell’s Point’s breakfast stops. The Blue Moon Cafe on Aliceanna Street can get crowded on weekends when you’ll see a crowd waiting patiently on the sidewalk for their shot at a breakfast burrito. Jimmy’s on Broadway is a neighborhood institution, where you may find yourself rubbing elbows with local politicians like William Donald Schaefer or Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski.
From there, check out some of the antique shops and boutiques lining Fleet, Aliceanna, Broadway, and Thames Streets. aMuse, a toy store on Thames Street, carries unique and quality toys for children of all ages. Sheep’s Clothing is tucked away on Shakespeare and Bethel Streets and is an Anglophile’s dream of tweed caps and sweaters. Head up to the Antique Man on Fleet Street to see the world’s largest ball of string, the store’s resident mummy, and his extensive collection of oddities.
Lunch can be a quick affair in the Broadway Market, one of Baltimore’s historic markets. Theresa’s Deli is perennially packed with locals chowing on such favorites as the lima bean soup. Kooper’s Tavern on Thames Street and Duda’s Tavern on Bond Street are also masters of the burger- and Duda’s makes a mean crab cake. For sushi lovers, Kawasaki Cafe at the end of Ann Street is sure to please with a wide selection of sushi as well as yakatori and other Japanese dishes. Next to Kawasaki is the Bonaparte bakery. The owners of this authentic French bakery have supplied bread to the White House. The pastries are so pretty; they look [almost] too good to eat.
After lunch, head up to the Tattoo museum on Bond and Eastern where vintage tattoo art and instruments are on display. At this point, you may want to return to your hotel to rest up. Both the Admiral Fell Inn on Broadway and Henderson’s Wharf on Fell Street fit the bill with their warm atmosphere and comfortable rooms.
Remember those goosebumps you got while you were walking around Fell’s Point? See if your intuition was correct on the Fell’s Point GhostWalk (www.fellspointghost.com, 410-522-7400). Buy your tickets online at www.fellspointghost.com or by calling 1-877-Baltimore. The one-hour walking ghost tour leaves from Max’s Sidebar, 731 S. Broadway at 7:00 p.m. Saturdays from March through the end of November and Fridays and Saturdays from July through the first week in November. Guides regale the group with tales of spirits, history and lore. The tour was named “Best Tour” by the Baltimore City Paper, Best of Baltimore issue, 2002 and 2003 and was ranked the #2 ghost tour by DigitalCity.com, 2003.
After the tour, sample steamed shrimp loaded with Old Bay seasoning at John Stevens on Thames Street, or try Peter’s Inn on Ann Street and Eastern Avenue known for their innovative, affordable dishes. Ze Mean Bean Cafe is slightly off the beaten path on Fleet Street, but well worth the trip for mouth-watering Eastern European specialties such as their pierogi platter, borscht, or sandwiches made on freshly baked bread- and don’t miss their desserts! For those wishing to partake of world class fresh seafood, make dinner reservations ahead of time at the Black Olive on Bond Street or Kali’s Court on Thames Street.
Fell’s Point starts jumping at around 10:00 p.m. with live music at many pubs, including Fletcher’s on the corner of Bond and Aliceanna Streets, Leadbetters on Thames Street, and the Horse You Came in On Tavern on Thames Street. Blues lovers will want to make a stop at the Full Moon Saloon on Aliceanna. Then head back to your hotel for some well deserved rest.
