Things to Do Near the Baltimore Convention Center

by Tiffany Raiford

The Baltimore Convention Center is the location of the National Sports Collectors Convention this year.  While roaming aisles looking for cardboard and memorabilia is the main attraction for convention-goers, attractions and restaurants near the area are important as well.  Collectors and their families will enjoy the myriad of sports-related attractions in and around Baltimore's famous Convention Center during their time in the city. Between the show (August 1-5) and the number of   activities around the city, visitors will have plenty to do while in town.

M&T Bank Stadium

Fans of the National Football League will enjoy scheduling a tour of the Baltimore Ravens' home field, M&T Bank Stadium. The stadium is located in the Camden Yards area, near the Convention Center. Tours are available to groups of 25 people or more, and can be booked in advance simply by calling the stadium.

The Orioles

Baseball fans wanting to catch a Baltimore Orioles game the week of the National Sports Collectors Convention are out of luck this year, as the Orioles will be out of town for the duration of the convention. However, Camden Yards, home of the Orioles, is open for tours of the field, which can be scheduled over the phone.

Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum

This national historic site is located less than two blocks from the Camden Yards section of Baltimore, which is home of the Convention Center, Camden Yards, and the Ravens' stadium. The Babe Ruth Museum is home to rare artifacts commemorating the life of Babe Ruth. The museum is located in the house in which Babe Ruth was born and raised. When the building went into disrepair in the 1960s, the mayor's press secretary made it his mission to campaign to have the house turned into the museum that it is today.

Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards

The Sports Legends Museum is located in what was once Camden Station, the grand passenger terminal for one of the nation's first commercial railroads. After the station closed, it fell into disrepair and was turned into the 22,000 square foot sports museum. Sports lovers will enjoy touring the facility, which contains artifacts, exhibits and interactive exhibits of the Baltimore Orioles, Colts, and University of Maryland athletic teams.

Baltimore Water Taxi

Located in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, this water taxi offers passengers the chance to pay for one ride and ride all day long to more than 30 different Baltimore neighborhoods and attractions. Take in your favorite sports related attractions and hop on the water taxi to head to the Inner Harbor to enjoy a meal or a little shopping.

Inner Harbor

This area of Baltimore is one where you can relax and enjoy a little down time or hop on a boat to tour the city. There are dinner cruises, day cruises, short cruises, water taxis, and there's even a Ripley's Believe it or Not! Museum in the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore.  Head to the Observation Level at the Top of the World to check out uninterrupted views of Baltimore, including views of Orioles Park and the Ravens' stadium and the rest of the city.