visit baltimore

• Maryland

Reimagining Harborplace: What do people want from Baltimore's iconic waterfront?

The two Harborplace pavilions were considered visionary when built nearly four decades ago. They've lost their luster, and some have ideas to bring them back.

• Opinion

Baltimore Sun's 2019 Business and Civic Hall of Fame honoree: John B. Frisch

The Sun inducts attorney John Frisch into its Business and Civic Hall of Fame.

• Baltimore's Best

Baltimore's Best activities and arts groups

The Baltimore Sun’s readers and staff scoured the region for the best activities and entertainment, from art galleries to wedding venues. Here’s who came out on top in 2019.

• Business

Black Engineer of the Year conference will return to Baltimore after leaving city in 2010

The Black Engineer of the Year Award conference was held in Baltimore from 1987 to 2010, when it left for Washington. Now the conference has announced it will return to the city in 2024 and 2025.

By Lorraine Mirabella

Feb 6, 2019

• Politics

Once again, most highly paid Baltimore employees are police officers

Once again, most of Baltimore’s highest paid employees are police officers. Surging police overtime expenses in fiscal year 2018 meant that 40 of the 50 highest-paid city employees work for the police department — including seven of the top 10.

By Luke Broadwater

Sep 26, 2018

• Business

More people visited Baltimore last year, generating billions in economic impact

The millions of people who visited Baltimore last year generated $5.7 billion in economic impact, according to the just released Visit Baltimore annual report.

By Meredith Cohn

Sep 25, 2018

• Business

Baltimore officials build case for convention center expansion as another big convention leaves

A loss of large conventions to other cities over the past few years is solidifying the case for an expanded Baltimore Convention Center, officials say.

By Lorraine Mirabella

Aug 24, 2018

• Maryland

Natural Products Expo East is moving from Baltimore Convention Center to new city in 2020

Natural Products Expo East, a longtime partner of the Baltimore Convention Center, has outgrown the event space and will move to a new city in 2020, a convention center official said.

By Lauren Lumpkin

Aug 21, 2018

• Entertainment

BronyCon to leave Baltimore in 2019 with one final, big-time bash

BronyCon — the celebration of “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” — will host its final event in 2019 with a four-day convention in Baltimore. 

By Chris Kaltenbach

Jul 30, 2018

• Maryland

Hotel industry, Airbnb-style hosts clash as Baltimore City Council considers new regulations

Dozens of people who host guests in Airbnb-style properties urged the Baltimore City Council Thursday to amend a bill that would impose new regulations and taxes on short-term rentals.

By Talia Richman

Jul 19, 2018

• Maryland

Proposed 'Airbnb bill' could generate up to $1 million in hotel tax revenues, analysis shows

The Baltimore City Council’s Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee will hold a hearing Thursday on the bill.

By Talia Richman

Jul 19, 2018

• Business

New arena 'not recommended,' but second hotel endorsed as part of Baltimore Convention Center expansion

City and state economic development leaders have concluded that a plan to build a replacement for Royal Farms Arena on the site of the Baltimore Convention Center is too ambitious and complicated to be realistic.

By Scott Dance

Jul 6, 2018

• Entertainment

Universal FanCon abruptly postponed, a week before planned debut in Baltimore, organizers say

A week before crowds of self-proclaimed proud geeks were scheduled to gather at Universal FanCon in the Baltimore Convention Center, organizers announced that the event has been postponed.

By Talia Richman

Apr 21, 2018

• Events

Neighborhood Lights — the first leg of Baltimore's Light City festival — takes center stage

From the upper stories of the Bromo Seltzer arts tower to Darley Park, Baltimore kicked off Neighborhood Lights — the first leg of the larger Light City festival — with displays of illuminated artwork, some with an otherworldly feel.

By Jeff Barker

Apr 7, 2018

• Features

It's Frederick Douglass' 200th birthday. Here's how Maryland is celebrating the abolitionist's legacy

From his birthplace in the Eastern Shore to Baltimore and Washington, where he spent his last years, here’s a list of lectures, performances, exhibits and discussions happening throughout the region to celebrate Douglass’ legacy on his 200th birthday.

By Brittany Britto

Feb 1, 2018

• Features

Despite Baltimore's image problems, Southwest Airlines magazine calls it 'the city you're missing'

Baltimore has been riddled with controversy since the start of the new year, but Southwest Airlines is singing its praises in an in-flight magazine that will reach more than 5 million readers next month.

By Brittany Britto

Jan 25, 2018

• Business

#MyBmore seeks to tell Baltimore's 'authentic' stories

#MyBmore isn’t a traditional marketing campaign but rather a grassroots social media effort encouraging Baltimoreans to rally on behalf of their city by posting photos, videos and stories on Instagram, Twitter and other apps or sites using a common hashtag.

By Jeff Barker

Dec 27, 2017

• Opinion

An unsung player in the effort to make a better Baltimore

Sam Rogers, the long-time deputy at Visit Baltimore will be missed.

• Sun Investigates

Overtime pushes police officers into top 10 list of city's highest-paid employees

Most highly paid Baltimore employees are police officers

By Luke Broadwater

Nov 3, 2017

• Business

Visitors and citywide conventions are on the rise in Baltimore

City tourism got a boost from an increase in visitors and citywide convention bookings, report said.

By Lorraine Mirabella

Oct 3, 2017

• Maryland

With $250,000 salary, new Baltimore IT director earns more than mayor, police chief, health commissioner

Baltimore's new information technology boss is to be paid $250,000 a year, a sum that is almost $100,000 more than his predecessors and that makes him the highest paid city employee.

By Ian Duncan

Oct 2, 2017

• Baltimore City

Facing a changing political landscape, NAACP national convention comes to Baltimore

As NAACP meets in Baltimore, the civil rights organization seeks its place in a changing political landscape

By Jean Marbella

Jul 20, 2017

• Business

Union Craft expansion adds to growing economic impact of craft makers in Baltimore

Breweries, distilleries and other elixir mixers are a growing economic force in Baltimore. They're adding jobs, energizing neighborhoods, boosting tourism and, city leaders and economists say, are an important aspect of reviving manufacturing in Baltimore.

• Baltimore Convention Center

Team named to study convention center expansion, possible new arena

The Maryland Stadium Authority has approved a team to explore expansion of the Baltimore Convention Center as well as construction of a new downtown arena and

By Jeff Barker

May 4, 2017

• Events

Light City teams up with restaurants, hotels to benefit United Way

Free Baltimore-based international light festival Light City has partnered with United Way of Central Maryland to invite festival-goers to give back.

By Brittany Britto

Apr 4, 2017

• Maryland

Baltimore's African-American history, and its footnotes, showcased at Inner Harbor

Black History Month celebrated

By Jacques Kelly

Feb 18, 2017

• Sports

US Lacrosse Convention to return to Baltimore for fourth consecutive year

US Lacrosse Convention to return to Baltimore for fourth consecutive year

By Edward Lee

Feb 3, 2017

• Business

Five minutes with Visit Baltimore's Al Hutchinson

Al Hutchinson, the new head of Visit Baltimore, is getting to know the city and eager to market its many assets, which he says "tell a great tourism story."

By Natalie Sherman

Jan 28, 2017

• Baltimore City

Baltimore officials welcome conventions looking to leave North Carolina

City Council members want Baltimore to invite groups looking to move their conferences out of North Carolina over that state's controversial "bathroom bill."

• Maryland

Baltimore County's tourism budget to get a boost from hotel tax

Baltimore County — with 200 miles of waterfront, half a dozen wineries and acres of horse country — spends $125,000 each year on its tourism promotion office. But an infusion of money approved by the County Council will give the Office of Tourism and Promotion more than six times that amount next year.

By Pamela Wood

Dec 27, 2016

• Business

New Visit Baltimore ads tout city's talent, tech scene and medical community

Three more prominent Baltimoreans are joining the line-up for Visit Baltimore's "My BMore" tourism and meetings advertising campaign.

• Business

Visit Baltimore names new CEO

An Alabama tourism officer has been named the next leader of Baltimore's tourism and convention bureau.

By Natalie Sherman

Oct 10, 2016

• Business

Baltimore takes up taxes on Airbnb bookings

Stays in Baltimore booked through Airbnb would be subject to the city's hefty 9.5 percent hotel tax under legislation the City Council will take up Tuesday.

By Natalie Sherman

Sep 27, 2016

• Business

Maryland Stadium Authority to commission new look at overhauling convention center

City and state officials are looking to revive a plan to build a bigger convention center, a proposal that has failed to get off the ground despite years of discussion.

By Natalie Sherman

Aug 2, 2016

• Business

As projects continue, Baltimore hotel market rebounds

Despite a decline in travel to Baltimore last summer, hotel investors are moving forward with plans for new buildings, brands and renovations. As the summer tourist season starts, reasons for their optimism are becoming clear.

By Natalie Sherman

May 27, 2016

• Features

As Airbnb grows in Baltimore, stakeholders still weighing how to best regulate it

Airbnb, an online booking site for home rentals, was still in its infancy in 2008, when Ed Bendetti splurged on a second property in Fells Point in 2008, drawn to the fun of a renovation project.

By Natalie Sherman

May 13, 2016

• Business

Five minutes with Visit Baltimore's outgoing CEO Tom Noonan

Tom Noonan, the outgoing CEO of Visit Baltimore, did not lead Baltimore's tourism and convention agency at an easy time.

By Natalie Sherman

Apr 22, 2016

• Business

Visit Baltimore head Noonan leaves for Austin, Texas

Tom Noonan, who lead Visit Baltimore since 2007, has resigned to accept a similar position in Austin, Texas, returning to his roots in Texas.

• Business

Maryland reports major job gains in March

Maryland employers added 19,300 jobs last month —more than in any other state in the country, according to new estimates the Department of Labor released on Friday.

By Natalie Sherman

Apr 15, 2016

• Features

Baltimore Visitor Center getting face-lift to include event space

Renovations began this week to transform the Baltimore Visitor Center into an event space that the city's tourism bureau hopes is used by as many local residents as tourists.

By Sarah Meehan

Dec 9, 2015

• Business

Deconstruction begins to clear way for Blacks in Wax Museum growth

In a city where the demolition of blighted homes is often marked by a mix of relief and regret, Monday morning's send-off for nearly a block on North Avenue was a more joyous occasion than most.

By Natalie Sherman

Nov 23, 2015

• Business

Tourism industry presses harder for support

Members of Baltimore's tourist industry are pressing harder for public support for advertising and new facilities, sounding a familiar refrain with new urgency as they face a downturn in visitors in the aftermath of April's riots.

By Natalie Sherman

Nov 17, 2015

• Opinion

Baltimore doesn't have 'perception' problem, it has a reality problem

I received one of those Baltimore-is-Hell letters from a reader who perceives that crime has become so bad that the city is now "a nightmare that cannot get worse." I found it very depressing, but then I was already feeling dark when the letter arrived. A homicide count that we have not seen in 20 years — and that we thought we'd never see again — will do that to you.

By Dan Rodricks

Nov 14, 2015

• Features

Gathering multiple generations for reunions takes planning, patience

• Events

Partial lineup announced for Light City Baltimore festival

Line-up for the March festival includes an animatronic peacock, a free concert by musician Dan Deacon and "lighted" cotton candy

By Mary Carole McCauley

Nov 10, 2015

• Business

Baltimore civic groups work to restore tainted image of city

When the riots unfolded on national television in April, many in Baltimore knew the city faced serious work in repairing damage not only to property but to tourism, business, corporate recruitment and efforts to lure residents. Then a surge in violent crime further eroded confidence. To change that narrative, a concerted charm offensive is underway to bolster Baltimore's sagging image.

By Natalie Sherman

Nov 9, 2015

• Business

Sports Legends Museum owed state more than $300,000

The Sports Legends Museum had paid no rent since September 2014 and owed the Maryland Stadium Authority $306,745 in rent and other fees, stadium authority Executive Director Michael Frenz said Wednesday. The museum's lease ended in April.

By Lorraine Mirabella

Oct 14, 2015

• Business

With new logo, Jonestown wants to raise its profile

A new master plan, complete with a logo and slogan, is designed to brand Jonestown as a historic area, proud of its diversity and service organizations. The hope is to bring the neighborhood into the mainstream visitor circuit and build confidence in its redevelopment prospects after decades of its being passed by.

By Natalie Sherman

Oct 7, 2015

• Features

'The Onion' mocks Baltimore in Hurricane Joaquin story

Baltimore's image? Shuttered storefronts and garbage-lined streets, "The Onion" says

By Mary Carole McCauley

Oct 2, 2015

• Opinion

Inside the rise and fall (and rise) of a Baltimore tourism campaign

Mike Rowe describes his CNN series, "Somebody's Gotta Do It," as "a light-hearted show on a serious network." But this season, which starts at 10 p.m. Sunday, he's going to take on a very serious topic: Baltimore's media image following the riots in April after the death of Freddie Gray.

By David Zurawik

Sep 25, 2015