Fells Point - Baltimore, MD Area Guide

Fell’s Point’s history began in 1706 when the area was established as a “port of entry” by the Province of Maryland. During these formative years, some of the first vessels commissioned for the U.S. Navy were built in Fell’s Point shipyards.

In the early 1800s, Fell’s Point was a major point of entry into the United States. Thousands of immigrants entered the country through Fell’s Point, the city's commercial community, transforming the neighborhood into a thriving Baltimore-city destination.

Since immigrants played such an important role in the growth of Fell’s Point, there are several immigrant museums in the area, including the National Slavic Museum and the Robert Long House, a historic home operated by the Society for the Preservation of Fell’s Point. Down the street at the Fell’s Point Maritime Museum, residents can learn more about the ships that drove Baltimore’s economy in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Fell's Point holds a reputation as one of the premier dining and nightlife establishments in Baltimore. Most of the restaurants in the area are located along South Broadway or Aliceanna Street, along the water. Since 1972, the community has been home to Bertha's Seafood Restaurant. This tavern has regularly scheduled live music and fresh seafood specials, but the fresh mussels keep people coming back.

Residents in the mood for classic Mediterranean cuisine can visit locally owned Pazo. This establishment is held in a former machine shop and serves dishes tapas style, meaning they are meant for sharing. The historic venue isn't the only appeal of Pazo; this establishment's specialty includes using centuries-old techniques to make classic dishes with fresh ingredients. Pazo also offers an extensive Italian wine list.

Fell's Point has an active nightlife scene, including bars such as Cat's Eye Pub, which has provided Fell's Point with a laid-back nightlife experience since 1975. This cozy bar has nightly live music and a rotating collection of dozens of beers on tap, including locally brewed favorites from Natty Boh and Heavy Seas Brewery.

Most residents in Fell’s Point travel around the community by car. Residents can take advantage of both free and metered street parking in the area; however, with the abundance of shops and dining destination in the neighborhood, street parking can be hard to come by. Several free parking lots are also scattered around the neighborhood. Interstate 95 is just a mile away from Fell’s Point, and this interstate connects residents to the northern suburbs and to downtown Baltimore. Those who want to access southern suburbs from I-95 in Fell’s Point will have to travel under the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, which also comes with a $4 toll fee.

Uber provides car service to residents of Fells Point, and cabs are easy to come by. Fell’s Point is also hailed as one of the most walkable and bike-friendly communities in Baltimore city, with many local establishments providing outdoor bike racks for residents.

The MTA bus route serves the Fell’s Point community through various bus stops. Baltimore is also home to the Charm City Circulator, which is the city’s free bus system, connecting neighborhoods such as Fell’s Point with downtown Baltimore and several surrounding communities.

Several parks are located throughout the Fell's Point neighborhood, and while the community is one of the more urban communities in Baltimore, residents can take advantage of plenty of public parks. At Thames Street Park, residents can access plenty of community amenities including a public gazebo, benches, picnic tables and kid-friendly playgrounds. Here, leashed dogs are also welcome.

Fell's Point also shares a border of Patterson Park, the largest public park in the city of Baltimore. This massive nonprofit member-organized park hosts many community events and citywide gatherings. At this park residents can take advantage of public tennis courts, soccer fields, basketball courts and walking trail as well as a community dog park where off-leash pets are welcome. Annual events include BARCStoberfest, several 5K races and the Friends of Patterson Park gathering.

Life in Fell’s Point generally carries an average to above-average cost of living. The average one-bedroom apartment or row home in Fell’s Point costs around $1,162 per month, which is above the city’s average.

An MTA bus ride to the city center costs about $1.60 or residents can travel to the city center for free on the Charm City Circulator. Gas prices typically settle in about 2 percent above the national average. At the local bars, the average pint of beer costs around $5.

Boutique shops make up the majority of the Fell’s Point shopping experience. At Party Dress women can shop for special event and formal dresses made by local and nationally recognized designers. This locally owned boutique has one of the city’s largest collections of special collection dresses. Baltimore residents are known for their love with locally brewed Natty Boh beer, and at Fell’s Point’s Natty Boh Gear residents can shop for Boh artwork, mugs, beer glasses, shirts and other accessories.

At the Broadway Market, located along Aliceanna Street, residents can shop a historic covered market that dates back to the 1700s. Here shoppers can browse a collection of gift boutiques or even grab a snack while they shop. Bargain shoppers can visit Killer Trash, where vintage clothing and a variety of fun and funky second-hand goods rule the day.

Residents buy their groceries at the local Whole Foods Market, where organic food essentials and ready-made dishes are available. Those seeking fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and produce can visit the Fell’s Point Farmers Market. Find this farmers market on Aliceanna Street right along the water on Saturday mornings. Baltimore area residents can access the market by land or by the community water taxi.