R. House

R. House is a hidden gem when it comes to foodie-approved dining in Baltimore. Imagine a food court-style arrangement, with various restaurants offering different types of food options and communal seating in the center. The difference here is each stall features an up and coming chef looking to launch the next best restaurant you just haven’t heard of yet. Selections change as chefs come and go but include a variety of food styles and ethnicities including Mexican, Japanese, Korean, Middle Eastern and American. This is a great opportunity to sample a mixture of creative foods in a colorful space in one of Baltimore’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Many of the vendors offer vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Mo’s Seafood

Baltimore is famous for its fresh seafood, and travel nurses in Baltimore who want to indulge in some of the freshest clams, oysters, shrimp, crab, lobster and fish should visit one of Mo’s Seafood’s several locations. Anthony Bourdain was a huge fan of the restaurant’s “football sized” crab cakes and other delicious seafood selections at prices that are extremely reasonable. In addition to seafood that has made them a Baltimore staple for more than 30 years, Mo’s has a full bar and a popular all-day happy hour menu. Additionally, most locations are open until 2am, so even nurses on crazy shifts can enjoy their excellent food and drink options.

The Bun Shop

Travel nurses on assignment in Baltimore who want a good cup of coffee outside the standard coffee drinking hours will adore The Bun Shop. It’s open from 7am to 3am, so you can go in for a wake-me-up no matter what time you happen to wake up. The open, loft-style space offers plenty of room to make yourself comfortable while you browse your social media feeds, catch up on emails or do some online shopping using their extremely reliable free WIFI. They offer an excellent variety of international coffees and teas, including cold brew. Make sure you try some of their homemade buns, filled with a variety of meats, cheeses or various sweet ingredients.

Annabel Lee Tavern

As the name implies, the Annabel Lee Tavern in Baltimore celebrates Edgar Allen Poe as well as the city of Baltimore on a daily basis. They strive to offer friendly service and affordable cuisine, or what they call “upscale comfort food.” Their duck fat fries are a local favorite, as are the beer macaroni and cheese, chicken and waffles with strawberry-rosemary maple syrup, and desserts like the caramelized banana bread pudding. And when it comes to cocktails, travel nurses in Baltimore will not be disappointed by Annabel Lee Tavern’s eclectic selection. In the spirit of Poe, choices include the Mesmeric Revelation, the Masque of the Red Death and the Descent into the Maelstrom. Beer and an extensive wine list are also available.

Edgar Allen Poe House

If you are a fan of his dark, suspenseful stories, you must make a stop at the Edgar Alan Poe House and Museum on Amity Street. The author’s family is steeped in Baltimore history; his great-great grandparents came to the city from Ireland in 1755, and his grandfather, David Poe, fought in the American Revolution and was friends with George Washington. This small brick home housed Poe and several family members for a time and is where his literary career began. The floors, walls and fireplace mantel of the parlor room when you enter are all original to the house, exactly the same as when Poe lived there. Much of the rest of the house is painstakingly preserved as well.

National Aquarium

Many cities boast aquariums and some of them are pretty impressive, but Baltimore’s National Aquarium blows most of them out of the water. You can touch jellyfish and stingrays, watch dolphins put on a show and see if you can spot Calypso, a 500-pound rescued green sea turtle with a missing flipper that has called the aquarium home since 2000, when it weighed just six pounds. One of the aquarium’s most popular exhibits, Shark Alley, surrounds you with a 225,000-gallon, ring-shaped enclosure filled with numerous sharks, including nurse, sand tiger and sandbar sharks, as well as rough tail stingrays and large tooth sawfish. The Blacktip Reef exhibit, which also contains sharks and rays, has a live webcam available to view on YouTube.

Station North Arts & Entertainment District

Baltimore’s Station North Arts and Entertainment District is filled numerous indoor and outdoor art exhibits and street art projects that are just screaming to be part of your Instagram feed. Open Walls Baltimore features 38 murals created by famous street artists from around the world. Graffiti Alley, the only space in the city where street artists can legally create their work, is also located here. This T-shaped alley is filled with extremely colorful street art and is constantly changing, which can help you create an interesting photo composition. Just search #graffitialleybaltimore and you’ll be instantly inspired. A variety of bars, restaurants and entertainment options are also located here.

Federal Hill Park

This Baltimore landmark offers a panoramic view of the city and can help you create a gorgeous photo that will blow up your Instagram feed with likes and comments. Federal Hill, which was a stronghold during the both the Civil War and The War of 1812, provides a picturesque view of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and the boats and ships within, as well as the city’s skyline. If you ago during sunrise or sunset, it is all the more photogenic. The park is a peaceful place to relax and learn about the location’s history and is a popular spot for people to take walks, walk their dogs, or just sit on the various benches enjoying the scenery. If you’re craving a bit of exercise, you can try walking up and down the hill to test your endurance and burn a few extra calories.