Fjords in Norway. Rain forests in Malaysia. Holy sun eclipses in Egypt.
National Geographic is known for taking readers to exotic places and dream travel destinations, but it’s added a less-obvious pick to its list of best places to travel in 2027: Good ol’ Charm City.
The magazine listed Baltimore on its list of “25 remarkable destinations across six continents where new itineraries, cultural revivals, and milestone celebrations make now the time to explore.”
Other U.S. destinations to get a mention were Madison, Wisconsin, California’s Pacific Coast Highway, the Southern Ozarks in Missouri and Arkansas, and Puerto Rico.
Baltimore’s rich history, vibrant neighborhoods and Inner Harbor are what did it for National Geographic. “History shines anew in the birthplace of the American railroad,” the magazine’s Brook Sabin writes.
The magazine took note of Baltimore’s place as a gateway to the Chesapeake Bay, and as the place where the nation’s first commercial railroad, the Baltimore and Ohio, or B&O, was chartered in 1827.
It heralded changes at the recently renamed National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation, formerly the B&O Railroad Museum, including a $38 million upgrade.
They include a new outdoor amphitheater opening in December and Innovation Hall in early 2027. The magazine notes that visitors will be able to check out a collection of vintage equipment, immersive experiences and even letters written by President Abraham Lincoln.
It’s that kind of innovation that seemed most eye-catching to National Geographic.
“New investment is bringing fresh energy to other history-rich spots around town, building on Baltimore’s deep sense of community and ties to the water,” the magazine said.
It saw plenty of bright spots that are giving new life and meaning to historic areas, from historic Lexington Market’s reopening a few years ago in a new 60,000-square-foot market building to the redevelopment of Baltimore Peninsula.
The writer even gave a shout-out to a project that hasn’t happened yet, praising MCB’s controversial city-backed plans for the Harborplace pavilions as “a new promenade full of pocket parks, retail, and restaurants.”
Also getting a nod were the National Aquarium, Fort McHenry and kayaking on 20 miles of trails dotted with landmarks on the Baltimore Blueway. Left unmentioned was one of the most popular draws from spring to fall, Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
And in any ode to Baltimore, don’t forget the crabs. National Geographic highlighted the “fabled” crab cakes at Faidley’s Seafood at Lexington Market and “the city’s best steamed crabs” at Nick’s Fish House in South Baltimore.
Whether it’s a hunt for fresh crab, a need to re-immerse in history or traverse neighborhoods with distinctive character, America’s Comeback City has been pegged to offer it all and more.
“I came to Baltimore more than 20 years ago and chose to build my life and raise my family here,” Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson wrote on X of the recognition. “It’s a special place, and I love seeing the rest of the world discover more of what makes it so great.”
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