What to Know About Traveling to Baltimore, MD During COVID-19
Today’s Baltimore is a vibrant community that honors the past while keeping a keen eye on the future. The city boasts a rich array of landmarks and historic sites, a beautiful harbor, and hundreds of districts. It’s no wonder it’s known as a city of boats and a city of neighborhoods, along with its most notable moniker- Charm City. So, when can you travel to Baltimore? Right now, as Baltimore is beginning to thrive again, despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic!
Here are a few things to know before traveling to Baltimore during COVID-19.
What Are Baltimore’s COVID-19 Restrictions?
In a nutshell, the biggest things to keep in mind when traveling to Baltimore during COVID-19 is to wear a face covering in public and maintain six feet of distance from others.
COVID-19 guidelines are frequently updated based on current regulations. Keep in mind that restrictions change depending on conditions, so be sure to check for the most up to date information as you approach your travel date. Baltimore’s Coronavirus website is a great resource for the latest health guidance and government orders.
Flying into BWI During COVID-19
Airports have taken measures to ensure travelers not only feel comfortable, but everyone is in compliance with current regulations and guidelines. Concerned about whether you can fly into BWI right now? Don’t be. Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport is ready for you.
Current safety guidelines permit only ticketed passengers and badged workers to enter the terminal. Once inside you can expect to see social distancing floor markers, plexiglass partitions at high traffic person-to-person areas, and rearranged seating layouts in food courts, among other precautions.
While in the airport, all travelers must wear a face mask and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Don’t worry if you forget your mask. Free masks are available at Information Desks. BWI has also compiled a helpful list of face mask notes from most major airlines, which can be found here.
Regardless of where you’re going or how long you’ll be in the airport, check out BWI’s COVID-19 Updates and Travelers Safety Guidelines before leaving home.
Restaurants
The food scene took a hit earlier in the year, but if you ask owners of local dining establishments, they’ll tell you they made it through with lots of support and a little creativity. The Charm City community wouldn’t have it any other way. After all, this is Baltimore! Open air, outdoor seating has been added to many, previously indoor-only restaurants. Because indoor seating is limited to a percentage of usual capacity, layouts have been rearranged to meet social distancing guidelines while still filling the bellies of hungry patrons.
If you appreciate a good beer, plan a trip to the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in nearby Halethorpe, MD. This experimental brewery combines over 260 years of Irish brewing experience with American beer. The indoor taproom and restaurant are open with social distancing precautions in place. Access to the lawn, patio, and outdoor bar are also available. All areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Casinos
Whether you’re a card shark or slot-lover, Maryland casinos are your place for high rolling fun. One of the largest casinos in the country, Maryland Live! Casino, in Hanover, MD, is open for business. Of course, there are restrictions in place to help ensure the safety of all guests.
When you arrive, you’ll notice new occupancy limits, queues, mask requirements, and temperature checks. Beverage ordering is restricted to active gamers seated at a slot machine, table game, or poker table and will only be available via cocktail servers or through a mobile app.
Arundel Mills Mall
Minutes from Baltimore is Maryland’s largest outlet shopping, dining, and entertainment destination, Arundel Mills Mall. With over 225 name-brand retailers, you can shop till you drop! Stores have limited occupancy rules in place, and common areas are clearly marked for social distancing. With seven full-service restaurants, a dining pavilion and several family entertainment attractions including Medieval Times and Dave and Buster’s, Arundel Mills has something for everyone.
Popular Tourist Attractions
While admission to many local attractions is timed and requires a reservation or passes, traveling to Baltimore, MD during COVID-19 is certainly worthwhile. Here are just a few of your pandemic-compliant, Charm City attractions:
Inner Harbor: One of the most notable attractions is the Baltimore Harbor. Open during coronavirus, no trip to Baltimore would be complete without a visit to the Inner Harbor! Once the site of shipbuilding and steel mills, this bustling section of the city is now home to hotels, museums, restaurants and attractions. The harbor’s historic ships are currently closed to onboard visitors, but the vessels are incredible to stand alongside for general viewing and photo ops.
Baltimore Museum of Art: Take advantage of free admission and view collections of diverse, internationally renowned art. The museum even boasts the largest holding of artwork by Henri Matisse in the world.
Maryland Zoo: Get up close and personal with animals of all shapes and sizes. The third oldest zoo in the county is nestled on 135 acres in historic Druid Hill Park and offers a wide array of activities and adventures for everyone in the family.
National Aquarium: Learn about animals from all over the planet and discover the connection they each share with water. The Aquarium houses 20,000 animals and 800 species all under one roof, providing an endless amount of indoor fun.
Scenic Parks and Paths: Take advantage of Baltimore’s vast green space. Stroll along one of many waterfront paths or pack a picnic and head to any of the 19 city parks. If you can’t get enough of that harbor view check out Canton Waterfront Park, Federal Hill Park, Fort McHenry or the Inner Harbor Promenade.
Annapolis, MD: Maryland’s quaint capital is just a short drive from the hustle and bustle of Baltimore proper. Rich with history and culture, it’s a city sure to capture your heart. Among favorite attractions are The Banneker-Douglas Museum and Hammond-Harwood House, both with significant historical significance.
Mask requirements, one-way traffic pathways, group size limits and social distancing signage are in place in most venues. Visit the websites for each of the attractions above to review visitor guides, admission details, and information on the latest safety measures.
Hotels
Regional hotels are implementing proactive strategies to effectively operate during the pandemic. You’ll find safeguards such as contactless check-in and check-out options, social distancing markers, and face mask requirements.
The Hotel at Arundel Preserve, located in Hanover, MD, has a long and proud reputation of caring for its guests and team members. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, The Hotel’s commitment to safety and well-being has been expanded by adopting the Ever Strong program.
Ever Strong is a comprehensive cleaning and sanitization program that provides structured guidance and enhanced best practices to navigate our “new normal.” The program encompasses important enhancements made to operations and changes to services in response to the pandemic. Its multipronged approach is built on four key pillars to meet the new health and safety challenges: physical distancing and face coverings, cleanliness, active monitoring, and rapid response.
Where to Stay in Baltimore During COVID-19
With so many things to see and do, traveling to Baltimore, MD during COVID-19 might be just the getaway you need. Relax and recharge in our luxurious guest rooms before heading out to your socially-distanced Baltimore adventures. Book your trip today and experience all that Charm City and The Hotel at Arundel Preserve have to offer.
