Though I am originally from the DC Metro area, no, I don't mean Capitol Hill when I say Hill. I'm talking about a much smaller, more quaint area. Federal Hill is the area just south of Baltimore's Inner Harbor, a place where the locals and tourists mix and mingle to form the perfect community rich with culture and history. In a way, it reminds me of Downtown Frederick, where I grew up. The architecture is brick, and people live above the coffee shops, cafes, and second-hand stores. The only difference is that Federal Hill is 5 minutes from Baltimore, whereas the closest major city from Frederick is still an hour away. The convenience of Federal Hill's location means that you can stop by on your way in or out of Baltimore. You can check in for a quick bite to eat at one of FedHill's many wonderful pubs, restaurants, bars or bakeries, or you can make a day out of it and go shopping and visit the art galleries. Whatever amount of time you spend in the neighborhood, you won't be disappointed. Growing up 10 minutes from historic Downtown Frederick has given me a great appreciation for rustic architecture and eclectic businesses. I remember being able to find the quirkiest gifts in Frederick, and even today I still come back there if I have a friend's birthday coming up and I don't know what to get them. In Federal Hill, there are a ton of eccentric little shops that you can peruse. Funky Beehive, on S. Charles St. offers the most unique shirts, kitchen supplies, and accessories for the favorite people in your life. Phina's for the Home and Le Petit Cochon are also great options if you want to look for home decor. I don't mean to sit here and advertise for Federal Hill, but I must say that the businesses that take residence in the area remind me of home. And perhaps, that is the most comforting thing about the area for me. Moving here to Baltimore after college was one of the most terrifying experiences for me at first. I landed this great job at a top PR firm, and so I just pretty much picked up my life without hesitation and moved to Baltimore without having visited here more than a handful of times. Seeing the brick buildings, multicolored awnings and windows full of trinkets brought back a rush of home for me, and for that, I have formed an emotional connection with this place that I did not think could happen so quickly. Now, it has been half a year since I've moved to Baltimore, and Federal Hill is still my favorite neighborhood in the area. I feel at home here, and I'm so glad I was able to experience the area so soon after I got here. A co-worker took me to lunch my first week at Byblos, a delicious mediterranean restaurant on Light Street. I instantly fell in love with both the food and the scenery, and since then, I've really enjoyed every visit to FedHill. So, I know I've been sounding like a tour guide this entire time, but I reeeeally encourage anyone and everyone who can get to Baltimore easily to visit this little neighborhood. You really do get the best of both worlds here.
The Federal Hill area is a quaint, historic neighborhood nestled in the heart of Baltimore, south of the Inner Harbor. It is a vibrant, eclectic area that is rich with culture and history. The buildings are all from the late 18th, 19th, or early 20th century, offering a charming atmosphere for the bars, restaurants, shops, and art galleries. Federal Hill technically spans three streets; Charles, Cross, and Light. Inside these streets house an exciting array of well- known establishments such as Ropewalk Tavern and SoBo Cafe, but also delicatessens and shops that are more popular among the locals. Federal Hill is able to provide tourists entertainment with its galleries and shopping attractions, but also offer a calming diversion from the busy Inner Harbor with its specialty businesses and old-timey atmosphere. The location really is the best of both worlds- its minutes from the Baltimore Convention Center and other large attractions like the Orioles and Ravens stadiums. It is easily accessible from all major transportation routes-Interstate 95, the Baltimore Washington Parkway, and Interstate 83. Additionally, getting to Federal Hill by public transportation is easy as well. There are plenty of commuter and MTA rails that can get you right to the neighborhood. But on the other hand, Federal Hill offers something that the other neighborhoods in Baltimore may not- it allows for a sense of intimacy and familiarity. Because Federal Hill has many unique shops, it attracts a certain niche of people who are passionate about what Fed Hill. For example, Fed Hill offers everything from second-hand antique stores to comic book shops that delight tourists and locals all the same. I hope that by now, you have a good overarching view about what the Federal Hill area is, and why you should visit. If you haven't yet, I strongly encourage you to make the trip out there, you won't be disappointed. Hopefully, the weather will be warming up soon so you can grab a buddy or loved one and get out there to enjoy all that Federal Hill has to offer! My goal of this blog will be to focus on restaurants, bars, and other establishments in Fed Hill, and offer the most honest, candid reviews of the places that I can. I hope that by following this blog, you will learn more about the businesses in the area, because I think that Fed Hill is a severely underrated area. There is something for everyone in this neighborhood, and I am determined that if it were only promoted correctly, more tourists would find a great time visiting Federal Hill. You can come here to eat, drink, shop, enrich yourself in the art galleries and museums, or simply enjoy the beautiful scenery. With each post, I will try to focus on a different area of interest so that you will get a well-rounded overview of the neighborhood. So with that, I say goodbye for now! If you have any comments and/or suggestions about what you would like me to focus on, please don't hesitate to write in the comments box. I look forward to starting this project, and I hope you are as excited reading these posts as I am writing them!
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