Immerse yourself in Baltimore’s rich history with this self-driving audio tour. Explore the city’s iconic landmarks and learn about famous figures like Edgar Allan Poe and Frederick Douglass.
Immerse yourself in Baltimore’s rich history with this self-driving audio tour. Explore the city’s iconic landmarks and learn about famous figures like Edgar Allan Poe and Frederick Douglass.
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Baltimore Visitor Center - Begin your exploration of the vibrant and historic city of Baltimore at the Baltimore Visitor Center. Prepare to immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of a city that has been home to notable figures such as Frederick Douglass and Edgar Allan Poe, among others!
Note: This tour spans over 10 miles and covers…
- Baltimore Visitor Center - Begin your exploration of the vibrant and historic city of Baltimore at the Baltimore Visitor Center. Prepare to immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of a city that has been home to notable figures such as Frederick Douglass and Edgar Allan Poe, among others!
Note: This tour spans over 10 miles and covers Baltimore’s highlights in 2-3 hours.
Purchase once and enjoy unlimited use for a year! Perfect for extended stays and return visits over the next 12 months.
For an optimal experience, bring headphones or earbuds for your walking tour.
- Inner Harbor - Your journey starts at the Inner Harbor, the city’s most popular tourist spot.
- USS Constellation - At Baltimore Harbor, you’ll encounter some of the nation’s oldest ships up close!
- National Aquarium - The harbor’s main attraction is the USS Constellation, a three-mast ship from before the Civil War, used to intercept vessels illegally transporting enslaved individuals.
- Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse - Next, visit the National Aquarium, home to over 20,000 aquatic and terrestrial creatures. It’s the perfect family-friendly activity!
- National Katyn Memorial - Beyond the lighthouse, discover one of Baltimore’s unique attractions: Mr. Trash Wheel, an innovative device that keeps the harbor clean and looks great doing it!
- Frederick Douglass - Isaac Myers Maritime Park - This park honors African-American maritime history, named after the famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass and pioneering unionist Isaac Myers, both of whom worked at the shipyard here at different times.
- The Horse You Came In On Saloon - A classic watering hole in a Colonial-era building, offering drinks, pub fare, and live music every night.
- Fells Point Corner Theatre - Originally an independent town founded in 1763, Fells Point retains much of its historic charm. During Frederick Douglass’s time, it was home to many free and enslaved African Americans, who worked at the ship port and lived in affordable housing.
- Frederick Douglass - Isaac Myers Maritime Park - While Frederick Douglass is well-known for his abolitionist work, he was also a strong advocate for women’s rights. Douglass believed “Right is of no sex, truth is of no color.”
In 1848, Douglass attended the First Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, where he met Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, committing himself to their cause. As he toured the country advocating for abolition, Douglass also championed women’s rights, calling for voting rights for all Americans, regardless of race or gender.
- Reginald F. Lewis Museum - Your route continues past the National Katyn Memorial, a striking and poignant monument with a fascinating history.
- Baltimore City Hall - Baltimore City Hall is hard to miss, with its regal architecture just ahead.
Shortly after its completion, it was the site of a violent altercation between two Baltimore politicians. In 1883, James Busey and William Harig, both Democrats, engaged in a heated political argument outside the city hall. Harig punched Busey, leading to a brawl where both drew pistols. Harig’s aim was better, and he fatally shot Busey. Constables arrived and arrested Harig for murder.
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Washington Monument and Mount Vernon Place - Ahead is Baltimore’s Washington Monument, reminiscent of another famous monument in Washington, D.C. However, this was the first major monument to honor George Washington. The architect, Robert Mills, liked the design so much he used it again in D.C., only on a larger scale.
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Edgar Allan Poe’s Grave - In the 1930s, a mysterious visitor began appearing at this gravestone. On January 19th, Poe’s birthday, a man dressed in black with a wide-brimmed hat and white scarf would toast Poe’s grave with cognac, leave three roses and the unfinished bottle, and disappear. This “Poe Toaster” returned annually, always eluding identification.
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H. L. Mencken House - Next, visit the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park, dedicated to these historical figures who significantly impacted the civil rights movement in America.
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Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum - Following that is the oldest saloon in the U.S., The Horse You Came In On Saloon. Known for its character, it was a favorite haunt of Edgar Allan Poe, whose ghost is rumored to still visit!
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Federal Hill Park - The route then leads to Fells Point, one of Baltimore’s trendiest and oldest neighborhoods.
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Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine - This fort, built to protect Baltimore’s harbor, withstood a major naval assault in 1814. As 19 British warships approached, Major George Armistead instructed his 1,000 defenders to brace for battle. The fort, recently reinforced, withstood the cannonfire with minimal damage.
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Star-Spangled Banner Flag House - Inspired by the sight of the American flag over Fort McHenry, Francis Scott Key penned a poem on the back of a letter, which later became the national anthem. Here is the original text as Key wrote it that morning:
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Port Discovery Children’s Museum - Next, you’ll pass Douglass Place, featuring homes built by Frederick Douglass. Here, you’ll learn more about Douglass’s journey from an enslaved shipwright to a pivotal figure in American politics.
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Site of Edgar Allan Poe’s Death - Returning to Edgar Allan Poe, see the large brick hospital to your right? That’s Church Home and Hospital, where Poe passed away. His death remains a mystery, but here’s what is known:
In September 1849, Poe boarded a train in Richmond bound for Philadelphia to meet a poet for editing work but never arrived. His whereabouts were unknown for a week.
- Mother Seton House - To the right, down North Paca Street, is the Mother Seton House, known for being the temporary home of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born saint.
Seton, born in New York City in 1774 to an Episcopalian family, moved to Italy with her gravely ill husband for his health. There, she discovered Catholicism. After her husband’s death, she devoted herself to her new faith.
- The Walters Art Museum - Next is Baltimore City Hall, a must-see with its grand, Napoleonic architecture.
- Mount Clare Museum House - Beyond that is Baltimore’s Washington Monument, designed by the same architect as D.C.’s iconic monument.
- B&O Railroad Museum - Following that is Edgar Allan Poe’s grave, the site of a mysterious ritual by an unidentified individual known as the Poe Toaster.
- Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Even if there’s no game, a visit to Oriole Park is a must, where many baseball legends have made their mark.
- Maryland Science Center - Discover more educational activities at the Maryland Science Center, one of the nation’s oldest scientific institutions.

- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
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Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
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- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Purchase a single tour for each vehicle, not for each individual. Everyone can listen together!
Explore one of the United States’ most historic cities with this Baltimore tour! This city is rich in American history, having been the residence of notable figures such as Edgar Allan Poe, Frederick Douglass, and Babe Ruth. Experience a captivating account of…
Purchase a single tour for each vehicle, not for each individual. Everyone can listen together!
Explore one of the United States’ most historic cities with this Baltimore tour! This city is rich in American history, having been the residence of notable figures such as Edgar Allan Poe, Frederick Douglass, and Babe Ruth. Experience a captivating account of Douglass’s escape from slavery and his rise as an abolitionist and advisor to Abraham Lincoln. Discover Poe’s life and the mystery surrounding his death. And much more!
After booking, check your email or text messages to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the specified starting point.
Purchase once and use for a whole year! Perfect for extended stays and return visits over the next 12 months.
Please note, this is not an entrance ticket. Verify opening hours before your visit.
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
- Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
- For the best experience, bring headphones/earbuds for your walking tour.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to your car’s stereo system using Bluetooth, USB, or AUX. For the best experience, consider using headphones for walking tours. Audio playback is compatible with Apple CarPlay, with navigation features coming soon. Support for Android Auto is also on the way.
- For the best experience, make sure your device meets these requirements: iPhones running iOS 13 or newer, and Android devices with version 9 or newer. For iPads or tablets, only models with GPS and cellular connectivity are recommended for navigation.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.