Baltimore Neighborhoods of Little Italy and Westside
Discover Baltimore…it’s a city with excitement and adventure at every turn. The vibrancy is tempered with a laid-back vibe, which is not so true in many of the major cities of the United States. The city has been in the process of redevelopment of the many neighborhoods, adding new attractions, restaurants and bars and Baltimore luxury hotels. One of those neighborhoods is Little Italy. There are a variety of family owned restaurants and this is the perfect place for those looking for traditional favorites such as lasagna or spaghetti and meatballs.
There are also quite a few upscale and innovative restaurants in the neighborhood as well. Many of those living in Little Italy have done so for their entire lives, and throughout many generations. There is charm and history and it is evident as you stroll through the streets that lead to the Inner Harbor. During the summer nights, the Little Italy Film Festival takes place…out side, with the films being projected onto the walls of the buildings.
The Westside of Baltimore is also undergoing many projects of renovation and restoration. This was once the business district of Baltimore and is a neighborhood filled with many African-American families. The cultural history in this area is rich, with music and art. Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole and Cab Calloway once played nightly in the local halls and bars. Now, when one wishes to visit Baltimore and take in a play or a Broadway musical, this is the area to come to.
The France Merrick Performing Arts Center features a wonderful venue, the Hippodrome Theater. Other aspects of this neighborhood can be found just wandering the streets, whether it’s to the Westminster Hall Cemetery where Edgar Allen Poe is buried, or to the Lexington Market, which is the oldest and the longest running farmers market in the country. For those interested in museums, and in trains, the Baltimore-Ohio Railroad Museum is located here in the Westside neighborhood as well. Little Italy and Westside are just two of the many neighborhoods in Baltimore, and two that are steeped in history and culture.