Explore Baltimore, Maryland for Less Than $50 a Day

I used to live between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., venturing into both cities as often as my schedule allowed. While there are countless free museums, monuments, and places to explore in  D.C., Baltimore is just as worthy of a day trip, especially when you’re on a budget. In fact, there are plenty of cheap things to do in Baltimore, and some activities are even free. Come along as we explore Baltimore, Maryland, for less than $50 a day.

Our morning began at Federal Hill Park.

Federal Hill Park is one of my favorite places to take visitors to Baltimore. Here, you can discover sweeping panoramic views of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. While exploring the Inner Harbor itself is magnificent, there’s something about seeing the water from a higher vantage point that makes Baltimore feel even more special.

The hill was used and fortified as a fort by the Union Army during the American Civil War and was later acquired by the city of Baltimore in 1880 when it was established as a city park. My daughter loves the playground here, and it would be an excellent spot for a picnic.

Spent: $0

Next up was Edgar Allen Poe’s Grave.

Perhaps one of the most famous individuals associated with the city of Baltimore, Edgar Allen Poe, is buried at Westminster Hall, a former Presbyterian church turned event venue with early Gothic revival architecture.

The Hall’s Burying Ground is the resting place of several other notable figures, including generals and heroes of the American Revolution and War of 1812. Though small, the cemetery is one of the most fascinating I have seen, with catacombs under the hall and several aboveground gravesites — including crypts and mausoleums — throughout.

Spent: $5 for parking

From here, we walked over to Lexington Market.

First established in 1782 and rebuilt and reimagined as recently as 2022, Lexington Market has an impressive history in Baltimore. It is the oldest public market in the United States and is thought to be one of the world's oldest continuously operating public markets. The 60,000-square-foot space houses more than 45 vendors serving everything from coffee and pastries to Asian and Southern favorites. There is also a fish market, butcher shop, soap company, and micro-bookstore.

I am obsessed with Korean food, so the moment I saw Dosirock — and the chicken katsu curry on their menu — I immediately knew I had to try it. I ate the dish often in Hawaii but didn’t find it on many menus in Maryland, so I was excited to try Dosirock’s version. While it was a splurge at $19.06 for the curry and a drink, it absolutely did not disappoint. The meal was so large that I took my leftovers home to enjoy later.

After lunch, I grabbed a cup of coffee for the road — an iced honey lavender vanilla latte from Black Acres Roastery in Lexington Market, to be exact — for a total of $7.24. Coffee is undoubtedly getting expensive, but I love trying new coffee shops, and this latte combined all of my favorite coffee flavors into one — it was so worth it.

Note: There are cheaper options at the market, so if you’re looking to spend a little less, it’s 100% doable.

Spent: $26.30

After lunch, we made our way to Mount Vernon Place.

Here, you will discover Baltimore’s Washington Monument — the first monument to George Washington constructed in the United States. It is surrounded by four small parks and stunning architecture, including the pictured Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church, which was built in the Norman-Gothic style and completed in 1872.

We wanted to visit the George Peabody Library, but it was unfortunately closed to the public the day we were in Baltimore. I have yet to visit this neighborhood when it was open, but I hope to make it eventually.

Spent: $3.75 for street parking near Mount Vernon Square

The biggest (and last) stop on our day trip was the Walters Art Museum, a historic three-building art museum with free admission. It's a great spot for those looking for free things to do in Baltimore.

With more than 36,000 objects, the Walters Art Museum’s collection spans seven millennia, from 5,000 BCE to the 21st century. The historic building is a work of art itself, and I am always inspired tremendously by this free art museum. The museum even offers family-friendly programming, including Drop-In Art-Making most weekends from September through June. A previous trip to the Walters on a sunny spring Saturday led to crafting with our toddler.

Spent: $0

While this day wasn’t jam-packed with activities, I enjoyed some of my favorite things in Baltimore — a stellar view, an art museum, a few historic spots, Korean food, and coffee. All in all, it was a successful and affordable Baltimore day trip.

Spending Total: $35.05

As you can see, Baltimore on a budget is doable! I even had $14.95 left over for more food, souvenirs, or a dessert for the drive home. While this day trip was calculated and executed for a single human being, I easily could have added an extra $7 for a second cup of coffee to bring my significant other along for the journey — splitting the massive plate of katsu curry, of course — and still be under our $50 budget.

So, there you have it — a day where you don't have to spend more than $50, as there are plenty of cheap things to do in Baltimore. What are some of your favorite cheap (or free) activities to do in the city? Let us know through our nomination page. And if you prefer to take an affordable tour in Baltimore for under $50, try the spooky yet fun Raven's Revenge Ghost Tour.

So, tell us, what is your favorite day trip destination? Where should we explore next, travelers? Sound off in the comments, and be sure to sign up for our Bucket List newsletter, where we plan to unveil more Budgetlist adventures across the United States. And then go check out our new Travel Planner for even more Maryland adventures! Happy adventuring!