Baltimore - Safe to visit?

[quack]

We (3 sisters) are going to Baltimore in October for a weekend - we've been told to "stay alert".  Are there any particular neighborhoods to stay away from?  Where are the best places to eat & drink?  Looking mostly for moderately priced, non-chain choices, seafood heavy & craft beer (It's Beer Week when we're going!).   We have a houseboat rented within walking distance of the Inner Harbour, but since I've never been there, I don't know what the definition of "walking distance" is .  I appreciate any advice y'all can offer

[NancysSummerSip]

We are going to the Baltimore/DC area this month. Yes, it is safe. Like any other big city, you have to be careful no matter what. Fell's Point and the area around Camden Yards, Federal Hill and Inner Harbour is fine - tourist-heavy and crowded, so you'll be in good company.
Areas that can get a little rough are the western sections of the city, like around Lexington Market area (I love the market and I go anyway, but I know the area well). The neighborhoods east of Fell's Point, like Dunbar, can also be rough.

I'd avoid eating in the Inner Harbor. Head to Fell's Point (it's undergone a major renovation recently). Phillip's Seafood (the family began with a crab cannery and opened a tiny place to sell excess crab) is dependable. Aldo's Ristorante is excellent and has seafood and more; Pratt Street Ale House has a brewery and excellent pub fare.

If you don't mind a bit of travel outside downtown, either Bo Brooks or Jimmy's Famous for seafood. I've been to both, and love them.

[kittensaver]

I was there in May and it was great. I agree it's just like any other big city - just don't wander into unfamiliar neighborhoods where there are no significant sites or other tourists (unless you are with a local). We had a hotel in the downtown area within spitting distance of Camden Yards and the walking distances were fine for us (it was about 5-6 city blocks down to the harbor). A water taxi will get you around the entire Inner Harbor area. Fells Point was cute and quaint, and I agree a good place to eat.

If you are a history buff be sure to take a trip out to Fort McHenry.

It you like art, go see the Walters Art Museum in the Mount Vernon neighborhood.

[wvugurl26]

Everything at One Eyed Mike's is amazing. Inner Harbour can be pricey. I went to McCormick & Schmick's in June and it was to die for. Expensive yes. Worth it, absolutely. And WVU safe. I have allergies to sulfites so to find seafood I can eat is amazing. Wine is fine but sulfites in food are bad. The seafood was great but we had to refrain from licking the strawberry sauce with the shortcake off the plate.

Pratt Street Ale House across from convention center was tasty too. My boyfriend got ahi tacos and loved them. The crab topped pretzel was also good they said.

There are good spots and bad spots. I recently took the subway to Royal Farms Arena for the Motley Crue concert and felt safe. We always go to baseball and football games. As Nancy said by the market can be sketchy. One of the criminal investigators in my office swears you can buy anything including a baby at the market. So yeah not such a hot area.

[Deleted]

If you start to see multiple boarded up houses, you have walked into a bad neighbourhood.  I personally stick to Federal Hill, Fell's Point, and the Inner Harbour.  For bar hopping, I like Cross Street, but that is because it was close to home.