Weird things to do in Baltimore
Baltimore might not be the first city you think of when planning a trip to the United States East Coast—but it’s a fantastic destination with many off-beat attractions. Better still, it’s an excellent budget destination for anyone trying to escape the expenses in NYC or Boston.
Baltimore has more historical monuments per capita than any other U.S. city, has a booming arts scene, offers a stunning inner harbor, and is home to the Ravens and Orioles. Not only that, Baltimore is home to George Washington’s teeth and the Goucher Mummy. That’s right; it offers weird and wonderful attractions.
Here are some of the unique and kind of weird things to do in Baltimore:
1. See George Washington's teeth at the National Museum of Dentistry
The National Museum of Dentistry is a truly unique place to begin your Baltimore trip. Most notably, you can find George Washington’s teeth in this quirky place. Many people think George Washington had wooden teeth; however, that’s just a myth and wholly incorrect. Another common belief is that George Washington had hippo teeth. That one is kind of true. These famous dentures were made of huge variety of materials actually, such as gold, metal, lead and yes, parts of them were in fact made of bone and ivory from hippos. You can also find 40,000 objects related to dentistry—including famous artwork.
Other collections showcase the impact the dental industry had on art, entertainment, sports, politics, civil rights, science, history, toys, and overall popular culture. The National Museum of Dentistry also collects, preserves, and celebrates the documents and images that have continued to influence the dental industry since the 18th century.
Website: https://www.dental.umaryland.edu/museum/
Address: Padre Burgos Ave, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila
2. Visit the Goucher Mummy
The John Hopkins Archeological Museum is a must-see for any traveler coming to Baltimore; however, the museum’s most impressive artifact is an adult female mummy from the Ancient Egyptian era. Archeologists believe the mummy is from the Ptolemaic Period, between 305 and 30 BCE.
Although the cause of her death remains unknown, experts believe she was in good health when she died. The mummy’s display contains funeral items that likely accompanied her in the tomb. The mummy is on loan from Goucher College. Also, the John Hopkins Archeological Museum has over 700 exhibits—so you’ll never feel bored.
Website: https://archaeologicalmuseum.jhu.edu/
Address: 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
3. Observe Art at the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower
The city of Baltimore built the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower in 1911, and it became the tallest building in the city. Today, the notorious tower is a studio space for over 30 artists, jewelers, writers, and architects. However, unlike other local art communities, the tower has a clock that spells Bromo-Seltzer instead of numbers.
On the 15th floor of the tower, you can explore the museum that showcases a broad collection of iconic blue Bromo bottles. Then, climb the ladder to the 16th floor and tour the clock room to take snaps of the 24-foot iconic clock dials.
Website: https://www.bromoseltzertower.com/
Address: 21 S Eutaw St UNIT 1002, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
4. Eat at the Papermoon Diner in Baltimore
The Papermoon Diner has offered delicious food and a stunning collection of pop culture paraphernalia since 1994. Today, the diner is full of mannequins that lean against the walls and lounge on the floor like psychedelic gnomes. At times, the diner looks creepy; however, many people love the quirkiness.
Better still, the food is superb if you want a bite to eat. The menu includes sandwiches, breakfast classics, creative milkshakes, and bacon Cap’n Crunch varieties. The diner is incredibly popular and only services a minimum of two people per time. Therefore, it’s best to visit during off-peak hours.
Website: https://papermoondiner24.com/
Address: 227 W 29th St, Baltimore, MD 21211, USA
5. Learn at the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death
One of the weirdest attractions in Baltimore is the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, home to eighteen miniature death-scene dioramas. Forensic science was largely non-existent until the late 20th century. As a result, police coroners didn’t need to be medically trained and CSI was minimal, resulting in many mistakes from the police.
That said, this changed when Mrs. Frances Glessner Lee devoted her life to improving forensic science to help the police. It’s allegedly the inspiration for Jessica Fletcher of Murder, She Wrote. At the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, you’ll find dioramas where Lee held week-long seminars to deduce the facts of murders through details on the dioramas.
Address: 900 W Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD 21223, USA
6. Shop at Bazaar
Squashed inside a Baltimore row house you’ll find Bazaar, an oddities shop that sells everything from dead insects to skulls. You’ll find antique medical devices, anatomical charts, props and costumes from secret societies, taxidermy specimens, and strange artwork.
Not only that, Bazaar began creating its range of diaphonized bone jewelry, greeting cards, and wet specimens. A couple of local men started the shop with one goal: they wanted to share their love of all things weird. Without a doubt, the shop is one of the weirdest attractions in Baltimore.
Website: https://www.bazaarbaltimore.com/
Address: 3534 Chestnut Ave, Baltimore, MD 21211, USA
7. Read at the George Peabody Library
If you love reading books, the George Peabody Library is an incredible destination. Many people have described it as the “Cathedral of Books”. How does that sound for a bookworm? First built in 1878 at the discretion of George Peabody, the library was originally a section of the culture and arts institute (America’s first arts and culture institute).
Most of the library collection dates back to the 19th century, with subjects spanning from archaeology to science to literature. The space also serves as a popular event space for TV shows and a backdrop for films.
Website: https://www.library.jhu.edu/library-hours/george-peabody-library/
Address: 17 E Mt Vernon Pl, Baltimore, MD 21202, United States
Baltimore: An Underrated City on the East Coast of the United States
Baltimore isn’t the first destination you think of when traveling to the United States. However, it’s an excellent budget destination with history, unique attractions, and superb connectivity to nearby cities.
It’s worth a visit if you want to escape the tourists and try something a little different.
