Occasionally a city park can instill a sense of total relaxation, and that is exactly what Federal Hill Park manages to achieve. Located on a hillside overlooking Baltimore's Inner Harbor, the 10-acre (4-acre) park is beloved by visitors and residents. Head here to enjoy a picnic and find solace away from the bustle of the city.
Find out more about the park, which has been used for public gatherings since pre-Revolutionary times. Its name is taken from a ship called the Federalist, which was built by local patriots to celebrate Maryland’s ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Because it offers panoramic views over the city, the park has also in the past been used as a military outpost.
Admire the monuments scattered across the park, commemorating Federal Hill’s historical military past. These include statues dedicated to military generals in service during the Battle of Baltimore, along with cannons that once manned an on-site fort.
Take a seat on one of the park’s many benches and gaze out across the cityscape in front of you. The hill on which the park resides is said to conceal many tunnels and passageways, which were used to store beer kegs for local brewers during the 1800s.
Enjoy a picnic on a stretch of grassy parkland or play a game of basketball at the park’s modern court. Let children have fun in the gated playground, designed to replicate historic icons from Baltimore’s past, including a replica fort, an old railroad engine and even a miniature version of the Federalist ship that gave the park its name.
Federal Hill Park is located just south of downtown Baltimore, a short walk from the Inner Harbor area, where public parking is available. Access the area easily via the city bus and light rail networks. Entrance is free. While you are in the area, be sure to visit the American Visionary Art Museum, located on the outskirts of the park, which features rotating exhibits by local artists.
