This past spring was more than a little bit challenging for the snowbirds and superyachts that typically stop at Baltimore as they cruise north for the summer. The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge blocked traffic in and out of the Inner Harbor, with only a temporary channel opening by late May and the regular channel staying partially closed until mid-June. By then, a lot of boaters—even if they adored Baltimore’s marina services and shoreside activities—had made alternate plans.
“Literally the day that the bridge collapsed, the phone stopped ringing,” says Joel Schlossberg, general manager at Lighthouse Point Marina. “We didn’t get transient reservations because they didn’t know when the channel would be reopened. We had some cruisers’ clubs who had made us a destination for early June, and they had to make other arrangements.”
Now, as boaters prepare to cruise back south for the autumn and winter, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is fully accessible for business. Anyone cruising through can book a reservation at Lighthouse Point, which had just reopened with new slips and linear dockage for superyachts before the bridge collapsed. As part of phase-two renovations, Lighthouse Point expects to have its new boaters’ lounge, marina office and fitness center open around October 1.
This winter, more improvements are in the works for the spring 2025 cruising season. Boaters who want to stop at Baltimore can make plans well in advance for next year’s pilgrimage to be even better, Schlossberg says: “We have showers available now, but our new ones will wrap up construction, along with our boater courtyard with nice seating and grills.”
Classic Waterfront Views
Canton is one of the largest historic districts in Baltimore. The waterfront park is so scenic that it has become a favorite of wedding photographers. Oyster bars and crab shacks are all within walking distance.
Inner Harbor
Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is a great place for cruising couples and families to stop for a few days to take in the sights. Broadway Pier, shown at left, is a National Heritage Area that’s a fun spot to watch the comings and goings of towboats, classic sailing vessels, and US Coast Guard and Navy ships. National Aquarium is free for kids younger than 4, with discounted admission for anyone younger than 21 or older than 70. Its exhibits focus on all kinds of water-based animals and ecosystems, from dolphins to coral reefs. USS Constellation tours are available for anyone who wants to imagine what life was like aboard a sail-powered warship in 1854. The Maryland Science Center is for curious minds of all ages, with shows in a planetarium and an IMAX theater.
