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From amazing museums to ice skating to bustling German Christmas Markets, Baltimore in winter has a little something for everyone to enjoy!
Are you thinking of visiting Baltimore in the winter? Well, I think that’s an awesome idea! Even though Charm City gets very snowy and cold during this season, there are plenty of amazing things to see, do, and explore in the heart of Maryland.
There’s something so magical about walking around the city and hearing that crunch of snow beneath your feet. Or if it’s not snowing, then often you’re treated to crisp clear blue skies. It’s cold, but it’s definitely worth it.
Personally for me, nothing indicates the start of the festive season to me more than a good German Christmas Market, so the one that pops up at Inner Harbor is high on my list of the best Baltimore winter activities, for sure!
If you’re looking to escape the Maryland cold, then some of the best things to do in Baltimore in winter are actually inside the world-class museums. Whether you want to enjoy The B&O Railroad Museum or get your fill of culture at the Baltimore Museum of Art, there’s an indoor activity to suit everyone’s vibe.
Want to embrace the weather and low temperatures of the wintry time of year? From outdoor ice rinks to sledding in Patterson Park to hiking around Loch Raven Reservoir Park, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the Baltimore winter weather (if you’re willing to get a little cold…)
So, without further ado, let’s dive in and find out more! Hopefully you can use this guide when planning your trip here.
Travelling nearby? Then check out my guide to the best things to do in Washington DC in winter.
Quick overview
Best time to go: Early December for the markets, lights and parade. January for quiet museums and much cheaper hotels.
Weather: Highs around 6°C in January, dropping to about -3°C overnight. December is a little milder.
Snow: Around 13 days a season with an inch or more on the ground.
Getting around: The Charm City Circulator bus is free. The Light Rail covers everything else.
Where to stay: Inner Harbor for convenience, Fells Point for character, Mount Vernon for value.
Watch out for: A lot of places close on Mondays and Tuesdays, including the Christmas market.
Are you planning an amazing holiday to Baltimore? If so, you may want to book your hotels and tours asap to ensure availability. Here are some links to quickly help plan your trip!
Best hotels and apartments in Baltimore:
- Ulysses Hotel (top rated 5* hotel)
- Hotel Revival Baltimore (top rated 4* hotel)
- Staybridge Suites Baltimore (top rated 4* hotel)
Best activities and tours in Baltimore:
- Baltimore Ghost Tour (fun for the family!)
- Fells Point Walking Foodie and History Tour
- Inner Harbor Sightseeing Cruise
Winter weather in Baltimore
There’s no getting around it. Winter in Baltimore is cold, and you need to pack for it. January is the coldest month here. Expect daytime highs of about 6°C and overnight lows around -3°C. December is a touch milder, with highs closer to 7°C. Either way, the wind coming off the harbour makes it feel colder than the numbers suggest.
Snow is common but not constant. There are normally around 13 days a season with at least an inch on the ground. Heavier falls tend to come in January and February, when you can get six inches or more.
Bring proper snow boots and a warm, windproof jacket. Gloves and a hat too. You’ll be outside more than you think.
Map of Baltimore
Here’s an interactive map featuring the best places highlighted in this guide to Baltimore in winter. From festive markets and museums to winter walks, historic landmarks and some of the city’s best places to stay, you can use the map to see where everything is located and plan your trip.
Things to do: Outdoors
Wander the German Christmas market at the Inner Harbor
Who doesn’t love a German Christmas Market? I know I do. Christmas Village in Baltimore takes over West Shore Park every year, and it’s the thing that kicks off the festive season for me. You get sizzling bratwurst, mugs of mulled wine and a 30-foot Christmas pyramid shipped over from the German Ore Mountains. There’s also a 65-foot Ferris wheel if you want the view.
For 2026 it runs from 21 November to 27 December. That means it’s still open in the lull between Christmas and New Year, which is new.
The bit that catches people out: it’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Opening hours are noon to 8pm Sunday to Thursday, and noon to 9pm on Friday and Saturday.
Skip the car if you can. The Purple Route of the Charm City Circulator is free and drops you at the Visitor Center. If you do drive, there are discounted all-day deals at the Harbor Court and Lockwood Place garages.
Glide effortlessly around the Inner Harbor Ice Rink
There’s something so fun about skating outdoors in winter. You wrap up warm, try to remember if you can actually skate, and fall over a lot. It’s great.
The Inner Harbor Ice Rink goes up every November and runs into the middle of January. It sits right on the waterfront, so you’re skating with the harbour and the city skyline behind you.
A wristband costs $15 and includes skate hire. Bring your own skates and it drops to $12. The wristband covers you for the whole day, so you can warm up somewhere and come back. Go on a weekday if you can. Weekend evenings get properly busy.
Visit the iconic 34th Street Light Display
Let’s be honest, nothing says Christmas time like a street full of houses all lit up, shining brightly. Well, in Baltimore, there is one street that goes harder than the rest. Visiting the 34th Street light displays is a winter Baltimore staple. This street doesn’t just celebrate Christmas though, there’s also a house that is lit up especially for Hanukkah as well!
Enjoy the Baltimore Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade
Is there a better way to start the festive season than a parade? This one has been going since 1972 and it’s gloriously odd. Marching bands, dance troupes, the Boumi Shriners, Darth Vader, and Santa at the end of it all.
The 2026 parade is on Sunday 6 December, running from 1pm to 4pm. The route covers a mile and a half through Hampden and Medfield. There’s no official parking, so plan to walk a bit. Easier still, take the Light Rail to Woodberry and walk up. Get there early if you want a decent spot.
Go sledding at Patterson Park
One of the best Baltimore winter activities has to be sledding on one of Charm City’s many snowy hills. For the ultimate sledding experience, head to Patterson Park and bring your sled to the peak where the Pagoda can be found.
This is the highest sledding hill in the city and definitely one to try with your snow-loving friends!
Take a stroll around the Cylburn Arboretum
If you’re looking for a beautiful wintery walk in nature, there’s no better place in Baltimore than the Cylburn Arboretum. Spanning an incredible 200 acres in the middle of the city, this place is an amazing oasis that helps you connect with nature and slow down from the hustle and bustle of central Baltimore.
Make sure to learn all about the different species of trees and the conservation efforts behind the arboretum as you wander around!
Closed Mondays. Winter hours are 8am–5pm from 20 October. Free.
Enjoy a winter hike at Loch Raven Reservoir Park
On the outskirts of the city, you’ll find the Loch Raven Reservoir Park, one of the most beloved outdoor areas in the whole of Baltimore. If you’re a fan of winter hikes, want to spot some seasonal wildlife, or just want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a day, this is the ideal Baltimore winter activity.
Things to do: Indoors
Get educated at the Fort McHenry National Monument
Want to get your fill of history and culture? Put on your warmest coat and boots and head up to the Fort McHenry National Monument.
As the site of a crucial battle during the War of 1812, this place is a must-visit for any US history fans. In fact, it was this very battle that inspired Francis Scott Key to compose what would be America’s national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.
$15 per adult aged 16 and over, valid seven days. Under-16s free. Winter hours 9am–5pm.
Catch a Baltimore Ravens game
What’s more American than catching a game of football in your hometown? If you’re in Baltimore in winter, you’ll be treated to some top-quality NFL-level American football thanks to the Baltimore Ravens.
Home games are located at the M&T Bank Stadium, and of course, tailgating before the game is a tradition that goes back years!
Hide from the cold in the Baltimore Museum of Art
Not only is the Baltimore Museum of Art a perfect place to shelter from the cold, but it’s also home to an amazing collection of art from European artists like Henri Matisse, Auguste Renoir, Manet, Cezanne, and many more.
You can easily spend the whole day here, especially if the weather is good enough o head outside to the stunning sculpture garden!
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Open 10am–5pm Wednesday to Sunday, until 9pm on Thursdays. Free, but you need to reserve a ticket. The sculpture gardens can close in extreme cold.
Admire the George Peabody Library
Okay, I am not overexaggerating when I say that this is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. The George Peabody Library is located next to Johns Hopkins University, so it’s pretty common to see a lot of students around the area. You can quietly visit and admire the incredible architecture and design that makes you feel like you’re in a fairytale.
Warm yourself up with lunch at Broadway Market
So, if you’ve had a lovely wintery walk around the historic Fells Point district, then you’ve probably worked up a bit of an appetite. Lucky for you, the Fells Point area has the Broadway Market. Dating all the way back to 1786, Broadway Market was one of only six public markets in the city.
Nowadays, it’s home to a wide range of world food eateries and independent vendors so you and your loved ones can choose whichever cuisine you like and still come and eat together!
Learn all about US History at the National Museum of Railroad History
It’s no secret that the railroads were big business in Baltimore, so the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation remains one of the best attractions in the city. So, if you’re looking for warm, indoor activities in Baltimore in winter, this is a great place to go. You can learn all about the impact of the railroads on the city and the impact that it had during the civil war!
Adults $20, over-60s $17, children $12. Open daily 10am–4pm. Free on-site parking.
What’s new in Baltimore for 2027?
Baltimore is always changing, and 2027 looks set to bring even more new things to see and do. From new attractions and restaurants to exciting developments across the city, here are some of the biggest changes and openings to look out for when visiting Baltimore in 2027.
- The railroad museum has a new name and a new building. The B&O Railroad Museum is now the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation. It’s the centrepiece of a $38 million campus project, and the restored South Car Works building and new Innovation Hall are due to open in January 2027. The museum then marks the bicentennial of American railroading on 28 February 2027. If you’re visiting this winter, this is the one to prioritise.
- The Inner Harbor is a building site. Demolition of the old Harborplace pavilions was due to begin in autumn 2026, kicking off a $900 million redevelopment that runs to 2031. The waterfront promenade, the aquarium and the science centre all stay open, but the middle of the harbour will look very different. Go in knowing that and you won’t be disappointed.
- Christmas Village runs later this year. The market is open from 21 November to 27 December 2026, so it’s still going in that quiet week after Christmas. Just remember it closes on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Rash Field Park is growing. The second phase adds new gardens, a reimagined beach area and a big lawn on the south side of the harbour. It’s already the nicest place to watch the sun go down over the water.
- BWI is easier to fly into. The airport finished a $425 million expansion in December 2025, connecting concourses A and B with new dining and better baggage handling.
Where to stay in Baltimore
Luxury: Pendry Baltimore
If you’re looking for a Baltimore hotel with a wow factor, look no further than the Sagamore Pendry Baltimore. This waterfront masterpiece in the Fells Point district has you feeling like you’re in an upscale coastal resort rather than a city centre hotel! Even in the winter, the heated waterfront pool is a must-visit.
Mid-range: Canopy By Hilton Baltimore
Do you want panoramic views of Baltimore with a sleek and modern design? Well then, the Canopy by Hilton Baltimore Harbor Point is going to be right up your street. From stunning lounges and communal areas to comfy and cosy rooms, this place ticks all my boxes!
Budget: Tru By Hilton Baltimore
With vibrant pops of colour, Tru by Hilton Baltimore Harbor East brings a bit of sunshine to your wintery Baltimore vacation. You’ll find bright and eclectic design choices as well as playful communal and eating areas that offer 24-hour teas and coffees – perfect for warming up after a day out in the cold!
So, there you have 13 amazing things to do in Baltimore in winter. What’s your favourite thing to do in Charm City during the colder months? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll be sure to check them out!
If your dates slip into March or April, my Washington DC in spring guide is the one to read for cherry blossom season.
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