Walking Baltimore: An Insider's Guide to 33 Historic Neighborhoods, Waterfront Districts, and Hidden Treasures in Charm City Paperback – February 26, 2013

Several centuries ago -- at least it seems like that some days -- I left Baltimore and never looked back. The city then was literally falling apart. It was ugly and I could hardly wait to get away. I have not been back in more than sixty real years and I still wondering why I even bought this small little guide book with its detailed chronicle of 33 different walks throughout the city. But I did, got the book, read it cover to cover, and now, thanks to Evan Balkan's thoughtful accounts, I can't wait to get back. Wow! If Baltimore is even half as interesting as he describes it, we probably all ought to go. It is most definitely, thanks to Balkan, on my bucket list. It ought to be on everyonev else's as well.This book doesn't need another 5-star review but here's one anyway, I am going to be back as soon as i can arrange it. When I come, Walking Baltimore in hand, I intend to re-see the city as perhaps I should have "way back when." This is a volume for old-timers like me, for new residents anxious to see the city for the first time, and certainly for tourists with several days to explore at least part of the many fascinating places that make up greater Baltimore. It will serve all of us well!

Great Gift. If you know someone from Baltimore or moving to Baltimore this is a great gift. It is informative and well written. I have given two of them as gifts, and both times they were appreciated and used. Baltimore is a great city with a great history, so if you are visiting make sure you get a copy before your trip and take it along.

yes -- it was really useful. I don't know Baltimore at all, and I understand it's not a city that you can wander around in and just end up wherever you end up, so this gave us some walks in areas that are safe and with all sorts of historical info that wouldn't be obvious if we'd just wandered in.Very good buy!

Bought this as a gift for out of state family who were moving to Baltimore! They said they love all the suggestions and have even been to a few places from the book already. They've only been here for a few months so that's a win!

Baltimore's oft discussed architecture and cultural sites are the topics of surprisingly few good books. The ones that do exist are quickly becoming out of date, so this book is a welcome entry.As fascinating and diverse as Baltimore's architecture and cultural sites are, they are notoriously difficult to get your hands around. Interesting neighborhoods can be inhospitable to tourists. Sites can be spread out, making a real walking tour tiring or essentially impossible. Evan Balkan has addressed these lingering issues with this new book.The book is organized into 33 walking tours that are really walkable. They are legitimate urban hikes that I would do myself, during the day. Unfortunately, nothing about the notability of Baltimore's lovely architecture and history changes the fact that it is one of the most violent cities in the country. Use your head.Sites are presented in "tour" format, as if you're going to be carrying the book along with you. It reads, "turn right here, look to the left and see such and such, now walk around the corner and look to your right." You get the idea. The tours are surprisingly comprehensive, and essentially all the important and interesting sites along each route are included. If you managed to do all 33 tours in the book, you would have made a thorough tour of the city.Emphasis is on important historical sites. Tours are presented as text, and there are very few photographs. The book does not make a good armchair traveler, as you'll need to be physically present to view the sites. You can try taking some of these tours with Google Street View or, even better, Apple 3D maps for an interesting remote experience.The text most definitely emphasizes historical and cultural context, and architectural details are generally not discussed. Cultural and historical contexts are embedded with each of the tours as sidebars and "back stories" rather than as framing essays common to books of this type.This book is not really rigorous enough to be of much interest to architectural historians, but it will be of interest to serious cultural tourists and local historians. Also note that this book is not a traditional travel guide. It does not offer listings of hotels or restaurants. If you want to see Baltimore properly, take a hike along one or more of these interesting routes.

I recently moved to Baltimore which I've found to be a very walkable city! What better way to get to know the various neighborhoods then self-guided walking tours? My guests have enjoyed this book and a neighbor who has her place on Air BnB provides it to all of her guests. Highly recommend

Loved all the walking tours. It's just what I wanted. When I looked for specific neighborhoods, like Mount Vernon, they were right there with pictures and places to go.

This is a great book for visitors, new residents and those that have lived in Baltimore their whole lives

Great book, would recommend if you love to walk a city. Take local hotel recommendations on where to walk and where not to and you should be fine. We covered from the inner harbor area, through to canton, both en route from several walks in the book and also on the fab board walk by the water. Felt we got to see some great sights and history of Baltimore.