One of the things that I have realized since moving to Pennsylvania is that state pride is as abundant in states outside of Maryland.
Maryland Pride, ney Baltimore Pride is something that can always be found once you pass the border to Maryland.
I love my adopted hometown, really and truly. We have a crazy sense of community and statesmanship that I can’t seem to find outside of Maryland. (Though I really haven’t been around to that many states yet.)
Regardless, it brings me great pleasure to introduce you all to what I believe is the greatest state in ‘Merica, the state of Maryland and the city of Baltimore.
Baltimore is the biggest city in the state of Maryland. Often called the city of neighborhoods, “Charm-city” is well known for it’s incredible sense of community. Although I don’t technically live inside of the city (I live in Baltimore County, about 20 minutes from Baltimore City) I work for Johns Hopkins Hospital in the city and I need to go to the city quite often. Home to 2.7 million people, Baltimore is the 20th most populace city in America. Though it use to be a largely industrial city, de-industrialization has lead Baltimore to become more reliance on the service industry and tourism.
Truthfully, the city is not the most flashy or attractive on sight. Major portions of Baltimore lives in poverty and much of the infrastructure in the less developed parts of the city still lies in ruinous conditions. But in the past decade a movement to rebuild and improve Baltimore has done an incredible job lifting Baltimore back on its feet. 
In the more touristy parts of Baltimore, like the inner harbor, people can enjoy first rate shopping, dinning and entertainment. Home to the Baltimore Science Center, the National Aquarium at Baltimore and many other sight seeing musts, the Inner Harbor is a great place to visit for both children and adults.
If you’re more in to sports, the city is home to both the Orioles (MLB Baseball) and the Ravens (Football) and from a first person perspective both stadiums are gorgeous. One of my favorite past times is taking the light rail and going to a baseball game with a few high school friends. The surrounding areas of both stadiums are also great locations to take in the city since their both tourist destinations. Great restaurants like Aldo’s and Charleston aren’t very far from the stadium or Inner Harbor if you want to sit down to a fancy meal, just make sure you reserve a seat in advance.
One of my favorite restaurants is also located squarely in down town Baltimore, Fogo de Chao. Though it is part of a chain restaurant, Fogo’s is probably some of the best buffets I’ve ever been to. If you can afford the 50$ price tag I definitely recommend Fogo and their insane cheese balls.
On the topic of food, I can’t fail to mention the infamous Baltimore seafood, more specifically our love for the blue crab. Crab cakes, boiled crabs or steam crabs, it really doesn’t get much better than seafood in Baltimore. The Corner Stable, a Maryland chain restaurant with locations all over the state is my personal favorite for crab cakes.
If you ever get a chance to drive through Maryland, I highly recommend stopping by Baltimore City and indulge in all to great food and entertainment the city has to offer. Although Baltimore isn’t perfect, we have a great sense of community and citizen ship to the city that more than makes up for faults.
I am very proud to call Maryland my home town (adopted).