Baltimore’s Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower, once the city’s supreme
skyscraper, always delivers a smile. It’s a symbol of kitsch and
nostalgia, like the city itself. It’s a reminder of a gritty past and an
uncertain present.
And right now, it’s making me feel like I’ve stumbled into the
fantastic world of the movie “Hugo,” because I’m inside the clock at the
top of the tower, inside the glorious Seth Thomas timepiece that still serves the city 102 years after it was installed for $3,965.
Joe Wall, the tower’s facility manager — he’s the guy who puts
colored gels on the clock’s lights to celebrate important occasions — is
leading a free tour of the Clock Room, complete with the story of the
tower’s heyday (a 20-ton blue bottle of the headache remedy sat atop the
building), its decline (a stereotypical Baltimore tale of neglect and
despair) and its renaissance (reborn as artists’ studios).
Details, Baltimore
And my usual reaction to Baltimore — Get me a Bromo — fades away, at least for the moment.
I’ve always been torn about Baltimore. I’m mystified by Washington fans who lustily add an Orioles “O” to the singing of the national anthem at Nationals Park. I have about as much interest in news from the next big city up the Northeast Corridor as I do in, say, Pittsburgh.
On the other hand, I’ll happily stop off in Baltimore’s Little Italy on my way down Interstate 95 heading home from a New York jaunt, and it’s a cheap pleasure to join other Yankees fans in taking over Camden Yards whenever the Bronx Bombers are in town. As long as Baltimore fans aren’t using their lovely ballpark, it’s nice of them to lend it to us.
But I never got into the true-grit romance of Baltimore. Those black billboards that Martin O’Malley put up around town when he was mayor, urging his dispirited constituents simply to “BELIEVE,” struck me as more pathetic than stirring. I loved HBO’s “The Wire,” especially the episodes written by Washington novelist George Pelecanos, but its depiction of Baltimore didn’t exactly make me pine for the place, let alone want to pop up for a weekend getaway.
So when the Travel editors suggested that I check in on our neighbor to the northeast, I admit to a certain grumpiness, informed by decades of hearing Randy Newman’s pained wail (“Oh, Baltimore, man, it’s hard just to live”) in the back of my mind and by a pesky allergy to all things John Waters. (I enjoy a great beehive hairdo as much as the next guy, but camp, ultimately, is as empty as Baltimore’s rubble-strewn vacant lots.)
For a city of its size, and especially one with its reputation — the day after the Super Bowl, the Onion produced one of its instant gem headlines: “Baltimore Looking for Safer City to Host Super Bowl Parade” — Charm City has a splendid array of attractions. But when it comes to basics such as the Inner Harbor, National Aquarium, Walters Art Museum, Fort McHenry and Fells Point, most Washingtonians have probably already been there.
Instead of revisiting old favorites such as the American Visionary Art Museum, I wanted to push back against my bias, measure the march of gentrification against the preservation of the city’s much-ballyhooed old neighborhoods, explore, eat well — and maybe even figure out what I really think of the place.
Singh Limo's Baltimore limo and sedan service is the choice for the visitor's limo service in the great Baltimore area with lifetime experience. Our limousine service strives to provide quality service to every client. At Singh Airport Limo Service Washington DC, our mission is to make every ride with their friendly and professional staff a memorable and comfortable experience. Upon using our Baltimore limo service, you will know how important a dependable limo service is. Our professional chauffeurs are courteous and are always dressed in a suit and tie. Our Baltimore Limo service is not only used for airport transportation but also many family occasions and corporate travelling.
Details, Baltimore
And my usual reaction to Baltimore — Get me a Bromo — fades away, at least for the moment.
I’ve always been torn about Baltimore. I’m mystified by Washington fans who lustily add an Orioles “O” to the singing of the national anthem at Nationals Park. I have about as much interest in news from the next big city up the Northeast Corridor as I do in, say, Pittsburgh.
On the other hand, I’ll happily stop off in Baltimore’s Little Italy on my way down Interstate 95 heading home from a New York jaunt, and it’s a cheap pleasure to join other Yankees fans in taking over Camden Yards whenever the Bronx Bombers are in town. As long as Baltimore fans aren’t using their lovely ballpark, it’s nice of them to lend it to us.
But I never got into the true-grit romance of Baltimore. Those black billboards that Martin O’Malley put up around town when he was mayor, urging his dispirited constituents simply to “BELIEVE,” struck me as more pathetic than stirring. I loved HBO’s “The Wire,” especially the episodes written by Washington novelist George Pelecanos, but its depiction of Baltimore didn’t exactly make me pine for the place, let alone want to pop up for a weekend getaway.
So when the Travel editors suggested that I check in on our neighbor to the northeast, I admit to a certain grumpiness, informed by decades of hearing Randy Newman’s pained wail (“Oh, Baltimore, man, it’s hard just to live”) in the back of my mind and by a pesky allergy to all things John Waters. (I enjoy a great beehive hairdo as much as the next guy, but camp, ultimately, is as empty as Baltimore’s rubble-strewn vacant lots.)
For a city of its size, and especially one with its reputation — the day after the Super Bowl, the Onion produced one of its instant gem headlines: “Baltimore Looking for Safer City to Host Super Bowl Parade” — Charm City has a splendid array of attractions. But when it comes to basics such as the Inner Harbor, National Aquarium, Walters Art Museum, Fort McHenry and Fells Point, most Washingtonians have probably already been there.
Instead of revisiting old favorites such as the American Visionary Art Museum, I wanted to push back against my bias, measure the march of gentrification against the preservation of the city’s much-ballyhooed old neighborhoods, explore, eat well — and maybe even figure out what I really think of the place.
Singh Limo's Baltimore limo and sedan service is the choice for the visitor's limo service in the great Baltimore area with lifetime experience. Our limousine service strives to provide quality service to every client. At Singh Airport Limo Service Washington DC, our mission is to make every ride with their friendly and professional staff a memorable and comfortable experience. Upon using our Baltimore limo service, you will know how important a dependable limo service is. Our professional chauffeurs are courteous and are always dressed in a suit and tie. Our Baltimore Limo service is not only used for airport transportation but also many family occasions and corporate travelling.
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