A trek along Charles Street is an all-inclusive way to experience the heart of Baltimore. It’s an adventure that captures 400 years of historic transformations, including the exciting urban renewal of the Inner Harbor and Charles Center that grew into a phenomenon and spread to cities around the world. Linking the Inner Harbor and its attractions to many of Baltimore’s world-renowned destinations, the byway travels through an eclectic mix of urban and suburban neighborhoods; great places to sight-see, shop, and dine. Visit Charles Street, and you’ll want to stay a while.

Federal Highway Administration, America’s Byways
Length
12 mi / 19.3 km
Time to allow
30 minutes
Fees
No fees to drive the byway.

Who looks after this road

  • Charles Street National Scenic Byway · 410-878-6411 · their site

We publish 5 places that sit on this road, listed in the order you meet them. This is not a route and not a drive time — it is the names, so you can put them into whatever navigation you already use.

Of those, 1 is a roadside oddity — the sort of thing you would drive past without knowing it was there.

“Off” is a straight line from the place to the road, rounded. It is not a driving distance, and the road itself is a simplified centre line, so treat a mile or two as noise.

  1. BaltimoreMD2 miles off

    In our guide: 3 animal attractions · 1 park

  2. National AquariumMD1 mile offAnimals

    Inner Harbor

    Hours
    9am-9pm (as shown for one day)

  3. Witch Board MuseumMD1 mile offRoadside oddity

    Ouija board collection

  4. The Maryland Zoo in BaltimoreMD2 miles offAnimals

    Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas; winter ticket $25 from Nov 9, 2026 while African Watering Hole is off exhibit; closed to public Nov 7, 2026 for private event

    Hours
    10am-4pm; last entry 3:30pm
    Adult
    33
    Child
    $33 (ages 2+ pay general rate)
    Season
    year-round (daily Mar-Dec; Fri-Mon only Jan-Feb)
    Parking
    free

  5. Loch Raven ReservoirMD4 miles offLake

    reservoir

    Boating
    Private boats need a seasonal permit; no gas or propane motors
    Fishing
    yes - bass, yellow perch, northern pike; Maryland license needed age 16+
    Season
    Fishing Center open daily from first Friday in April to Labor Day; Fri-Mon to last Sunday in October
    Cost
    Seasonal boating permit for private boats