Located at the end of Patapsco River, Baltimore is Maryland's largest city by population. Baltimore is approximately 200 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, making it one of the busiest ports in the U.S. This port city not only brings people for business, but also fascinates tourists who come here to explore places like Inner Harbor, Walters Art Museum, and the George Peabody Library.
Exploring Baltimore is sure to be exciting, but before you list down places to visit and things to do, don't forget to buy visitors insurance or travel insurance. If any unforeseen medical or travel issues arise, the right insurance could save you a lot of money.
Visitors Insurance for Travelers in Baltimore - FAQs
Getting injured or sick can be stressful anywhere, but that stress can be compounded when it happens during an international vacation. It's important to remember that healthcare costs in the US are very high, and your domestic health insurance is unlikely to be accepted in Baltimore. To receive necessary care without a large out-of-pocket bill, it's important to have visitors insurance.
Why buy visitors insurance before traveling to Baltimore?
Did you have advanced warning the last time you fell ill or got hurt? Most likely not. The very nature of medical emergencies is that they're usually unexpected. The risk of having a medical issue only increases when you're on vacation. A beautiful view may grab your eye when you should be watching where you're walking, or an unfamiliar dish at a restaurant could have undesirable effects. Whatever the circumstance, a trip to the hospital is usually done out of necessity. Get the care you need with less worry about the payment with proper visitors insurance.
What should I look for in my Baltimore visitors insurance?
Your Baltimore travel medical insurance should include:
- Coverage for new illnesses and new injuries that occur or manifest after the effective date.
- Coverage for acute onset of preexisting conditions
- The option to extend coverage if needed
- The ability to cancel coverage if required
- For exchange visitors on a J visa, coverage that is compliant
Trip Cancellation Insurance for Travel to Baltimore - FAQs
While you may not consider the possibility that you'll need to cancel your trip, it happens more often than you might think. Weather and travel restrictions can ground flights. Sudden medical issues can prevent you from traveling. Whatever the circumstance, it can be a disappointment; and a financial headache. Trip cancellation insurance can relieve you of the financial hit of a canceled trip by providing you with a way to be refunded for your prepaid travel expenses.
Why should I get trip cancellation insurance for my Baltimore travel?
Much of your trip to Baltimore will have to be paid for ahead of time. You'll need to book your hotel early to get a good rate, and airline reservations are best made far in advance. If you have to cancel your trip, you may find that many of these prepaid expenses are nonrefundable, or they charge cancellation fees. A trip cancellation insurance plan can allow you to be reimbursed for these nonrefundable, prepaid expenses. This way, you aren't stuck paying for a trip you're unable to take.
What should I look for in my Baltimore trip cancellation insurance?
Your travel insurance plan for Baltimore should include coverage for trip cancellation, but there are other benefits you can consider for both before and during your trip.
- Trip interruption coverage
- Flight delay coverage
- Flight insurance
- Coverage for baggage delays and loss of baggage
- The option to cancel for any reason with certain plans
Not all travel insurance plans are the same. Read the fine print of each plan available to you before purchasing so you can make an informed decision.
Baltimore's Most Popular Places for Travel
National Aquarium
The National Aquarium, formerly known as Baltimore Aquarium, is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Baltimore. It is home to more than 20,000 fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and marine mammals. Here you can enjoy watching zebra sharks, turtles, leopard sharks, tamarinds, and tarantulas. The aquarium also has two touch pools where visitors can touch stingrays, crabs, mollusks, and jellyfish.
The American Visionary Art Museum
The American Visionary Art Museum is distinct from other art galleries as it showcases more than 4,000 artistic creations concocted by non-artists. From human-powered sculptures made from old bicycles, to a three-story wind sculpture made out of junk, and a welcome mat designed using 1,500 toothbrushes, every piece here uniquely represents the personal experience and imagination of its creator.
Baltimore Museum of Art
Locally known as 'BMA,' the Baltimore Museum of Art is home to various European, African, and American paintings, sculpture, textiles, and decorative pieces. A highlight of BMA is the Cone Collection by Baltimore sisters Claribel and Etta Cone, as well as bronze sculptures and paintings from the French mid-19th century George A. Lucas Collection, and the swords and figures by Ldamie - a legendary blacksmith and brass caster.
The Walters Art Museum
When you enter the Walter Art Museum and walk through its historic buildings, you will get to experience a legendary collection of 850 medieval illuminated manuscripts and 150 single leaves. The museum has an Egyptian lion-headed fire goddess statue, the Rubens Vase, an 18th-century Chinese jar with a dragon, and a 19th-century Thai illustration of Vessantara Jataka, Ch 10. Apart from this, Egyptian mummies, Etruscan jewelry, medieval coats of armor, ancient manuscripts, and Baroque oil paintings are also a part of the museum's exclusive collection.
Maryland Zoo
The Maryland Zoo is a 145-year-old zoo spread across 745 acres of land in the heart of the city, and has around 1,500 animals from 200 species worldwide. Be sure to visit the Penguin coast, which is home to nearly 60 African black-footed penguins and other African continent animals. The Farmyard offers an up-close look at alpacas and miniature donkeys.
Key Guidelines for Travelers in Baltimore
When to visit?
The best time to plan a trip to Baltimore is between March and May. Baltimore has a moderate temperature during spring, whereas it's hot and humid during summer (June - August). Winters are comparatively chilly (January is the coldest); thus, avoided by many tourists.
Transportation
Tourists prefer four major modes of transportation: the city's local buses, the MARC train, the light train, and the metro subway. However, the primary mode of transport that local people use here are taxi services.
What to do in Baltimore?
When in Baltimore, start your day by hitting the Inner Harbor and visit famous tourist attractions like Maryland Science Center and National Aquarium. Then, head to eclectic shopping options in Fell Point and Harbor East. End your day by hopping on to a water taxi from Inner Harbor. If you are visiting in July, don't forget to attend Artscape, a free art festival held every year.
What to Eat?
The city is famous for crab, Asian fusion, and wine. Some of the dishes to enjoy are lobster rolls and oysters from Thames Street Oyster House, the crab mac-and-cheese dog at Camden Yards, and Faidley's crab cakes. You can also try steamed crab and pit beef from any on-street food joint; you're sure to love it.
Before you travel to Baltimore, do this
- Book in advance. If there are any museums or other attractions you want to make sure to see, find out if you can buy tickets for them ahead of time.
- Stay hydrated. Make a habit of carrying a water bottle with you while sightseeing. Baltimore can be hot in the summer.
- Buy insurance. Do you your research, and select visitors insurance or travel insurance with the right coverage before you travel.