Baltimore, Maryland, variously known in the past as Charm City and Monument City, was the first U. S. city to adopt the use of 311 as a phone number citizens can call for non-emergency help.

Treat yourself to a breathtaking view of Baltimore and beyond from the Top of the World, the world’s tallest five-sided building. Experience the history of American railroading at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum and rides, tours and exhibits at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum. The Baltimore Civil War Museum, housed in the President Street Station, was a stop on the Underground Railroad for slaves seeking their freedom and the USS Constellation Museum is the only surviving Civil War battleship still afloat.. The Fire Museum of Maryland is the largest collection for fire fighting memorabilia in the eastern United States. Climb the 228 steps to the stop of the Washington Monument Museum at Mt. Vernon Place. The view is worth the exercise. The Preakness is run here at Pimlico Race Course. Place your bets wisely.

Pick some movies to see a couple of perspectives on Baltimore. There's John Waters' Pink Flamingos and Hairspray on one hand and Barry Levinson's Tin Men and Avalon on the other. Somewhere in the middle is the truth.