baltimore inner harbor boat cruises

Baltimore Inner Harbor Cruises and Boat Tours

One of the best ways to explore Baltimore's Inner Harbor and other waterfront tourist attractions is by boat, and there is no shortage of vessels traversing the water. From dinner cruises to a pirate ship excursion, below is a breakdown of the many ships and experiences that can be had onboard ships in the harbor.

Please be sure to check with individual companies on dates and prices, as these things change frequently.

Cruises on the Bay by Watermark

April through October Departs From:  Inner Harbor in front of The Baltimore Visitor Center Duration: 45-90 minutes Look For: Red- and purple-bottomed yachts Price: Adults $17; Children ages 3-11 $6; Children under age 2 are free

This cruise company offers narrated tours of the Inner Harbor where you'll learn about the city's maritime and industrial history as well as the resurgence of the waterfront, Federal Hill, and Fells Point . Besides daily 45-minute tours, the company also offers a daily 60-minute tour focusing on Fort McHenry, a 90-minute cocktail cruise on Friday afternoons, and a spectacular 60-minute "city lights" tour on Saturday evenings. Boats have full cash bar service and light snacks, and guests are welcome to bring food on board (but no drinks).Tickets can be purchased online, at ticket kiosks at the dock, or at The Baltimore Visitor Center. To find the boats, look for the red- and purple-bottomed boats. The company also offers cruises in Annapolis and the Eastern Shore of Maryland . For more information, call 800-568-9622.

The Fearless by Urban Pirates

May through October Departs From: Ann Street Pier in Fells Point Duration: 60 minutes on the water Look For: A wood-paneled pirate ship with flags and cannons Price: $20 for riders 3 and over and $10 children 2 and under for family cruises; $25 for all riders on adult cruises

Climb aboard The Fearless, a custom-designed pirate ship that sails through the Inner Harbor. Before you set sail, temporary tattoos, vests, and sashes will be provided, but cruisers are encouraged to come wearing their own pirate garb. The crew will teach you how to talk, sing, dance, and play games like a pirate. Up to six daytime "Family Adventure" cruises are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, while the adults-only "Bring Your Own Grog" cruises are offered on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Food and drink ​are not available for purchase onboard the ship, but passengers may bring their own aboard. For the adults-only cruises, coolers full of adult beverages are welcome.

Seadog Cruise by Spirit Cruises

April through October Departs From: Inner Harbor in front of The Baltimore Visitor Center Duration: 50 minutes Look For: Bright yellow speedboats Price: $20 range

Adrenaline junkies of all ages will enjoy a 50-minute sightseeing tour of Baltimore aboard the Seadog, a bright yellow speedboat. Hold on tight as tour guides provide informative and amusing descriptions of Baltimore's most notable landmarks. Beer and wine are available for purchase onboard.

Spirit of Baltimore by Spirit Cruises

Year-Round Departs From:  561 Light St. (near the Maryland Science Center) Duration:  Various Look For: Y achts with panoramic views Price:  $42 and up

Experience the waterfront while enjoying lunch, brunch, dinner, or cocktails aboard the Spirit of Baltimore. In addition to great views of the city, most cruises include a meal and some form of entertainment, whether it be dancing or live performances. There are lots of themed and holiday cruises throughout the year, including moonlit jazz cruises and Independence Day excursions. With a capacity for more than 400 people, this ship is best for large parties.

Water Taxis

Year Round Departs From: 17 locations throughout Baltimore Duration: Time varies depending on location Look For: Blue and white boats Price: $12 for adults, $6 for children (tickets are good for unlimited rides for one day)

Another great—and inexpensive—way to experience Baltimore's waterfront is on a water taxi. These boats travel to and from various locations, including the Inner Harbor, Fort McHenry, Fells Point, and Canton . Stops are clearly marked on land, just find one and wait for the next boat.​

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BayDreaming.com

Your guide to the chesapeake bay, baltimore harbor cruises, harbor cruises.

One of the best ways to see Baltimore is by water.  Many of Baltimore’s most interesting and historic sites are centered around the inner harbor so sightseeing by boat is a great option. You have quite a few options available – you’ll find links to harbor cruise operators below.

The Spirit of Baltimore has lunch and dinner cruises of the Inner Harbor with buffet meals, live entertainment, dancing, and great views of the city.

The Inner Harbor Spirit offers 75 minute Inner Harbor sightseeing cruises from the Inner Harbor out to Fort McHenry and back. Curies leave several times daily.

Watermark Tours has 45 minute narrated tours of the Inner Harbor, a B’More TGIF cruise, and 1 hour City Lights tours to enjoy the Baltimore skyline at night.

The Urban Pirates .  Set sail aboard the Fearless with the Urban Pirates for a swashbuckling good time.  Family adventure cruises and bookings for special events.

Day Sails on the Pride of Baltimore II .  The Pride of Baltimore II is a reproduction of a 1812-era topsail schooner privateer.  The Pride doesn’t offer public sails too often, but you may be able to catch one out of Baltimore in the spring.  Check their website for the day sail schedule .

The Baltimore Inner Harbor Water Taxi .  It’s not a cruise boat, but it’s a good way to get around the Inner Harbor and you’ll see the sights along the way. Pay one price and ride all day.

Private Charters

available for every occasion

Charter the Ship

Discounted rates available for large groups and private parties.

Family Adventure Cruises

Climb aboard this hour and a half long adventure aboard the Pirate Ship.

Adult B.Y.O.G. Cruises

Real Pirates bring their own Grog! Modern Music, Games and Grog.

Birthday Packages

Special group rates available to help you celebrate your special day the pirate way.

Urban Pirates Baltimore

Climb aboard the pirate ship for an interactive adventure sailing out of the Ann Street Pier in Fells Point.

With our lively crew, you will learn to talk, dance, and play games like a pirate, blast enemies with water cannons and navigate treacherous waters to discover vast treasures.

We arr now taking reservations for our 2024 season which will begin in April.  Book your trip now!

Now Accepting Crew Applications

Check Cruise Schedule & Prices

A great time had by all! Such a fun and exciting adventure for my grandchildren! I will go back again and again. The activities were exciting and engaging! Keep up the great work!

Beatrice Williams, via TripAdvisor

Get in touch!

410-327-8378

[email protected]

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Paddle Club Baltimore

Locations | Paddle Boat Cruises »  Baltimore MD

The Best BYOB Cruises in Baltimore

Formerly known as SipAhoy Cycleboats, Paddle Club Baltimore is Baltimore’s first and only pontoon paddle boat adventure! These social and engaging outings are perfect for friends, families, and colleagues to sip and celebrate on the water. Discover some of Baltimore’s most iconic waterfront spots and enjoy stunning views of the city’s skyline. Let the breeze of the Inner Harbor put you at ease!

Paddle Club Baltimore, now located at Lighthouse Point Marina in Canton , is the ultimate venue for your next birthday party, bachelor/bachelorette party, or corporate team-building event. Revel in a breathtaking sunset cruise, or simply let loose and view the city from an entirely new perspective with your group! Our 30-foot catamaran-style paddle boat is an excellent starting point for your evening in Baltimore. Embark on an unparalleled journey with your favorite people while exploring the city!

Motorized Paddle Boat Rentals for Large Groups

BYOB Cruises (Bring Your Own Beverages)

Special Occasions, Private Events & Holiday Cruises

Our paddle boat can host up to 20 guests , and each cruise includes the services of a licensed captain and deckhand. The boat is outfitted with built-in cup holders, coolers, USB charging stations, and large Bluetooth-enabled speakers for playing your preferred tunes. Plus, the boat features a private bathroom, ensuring uninterrupted cruising for the full hour and 45 minutes . Prefer not to pedal? No problem – the boat is equipped with a motor , so you can focus on enjoying your drinks and the views!

Baltimore MD Paddle Boat Booze Cruises

Enjoy your favorite drinks, your favorite people, and stunning views of Baltimore’s skyline aboard the Inner Harbor’s best booze cruise.

Paddle Boat Rentals on the Inner Harbor

We offer paddle boat cruises on the Inner Harbor, book your adventure now! Also check out Special Events to learn more about booking corporate cruises, birthday celebrations, bachelor(ette) parties and more!

Inner Harbor

• Drinks: BYOB
• Group Size: 8 - 20
• Duration: 1 hr 45 mins

View Cruise Details

» Contact Us

We’re now located at Lighthouse Point Marina in Canton! 2780 Lighthouse Point E. Baltimore MD. 21224.

A Tour of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor

The inner harbor has everything from scenic waterfront views to spectacular museums. here’s how to make a day of it..

Where Baltimore’s shipbuilding and steel mills once stood, you’ll now find a busy destination for fun. The Baltimore Inner Harbor has everything, from scenic waterfront views to fresh seafood restaurants to spectacular museums. Keep reading to discover why Baltimore’s beautiful Inner Harbor is worth a visit.

• Attractions
• Restaurants
• Visitor Center

What is Baltimore's Inner Harbor known for?

In addition to its gorgeous waterfront views, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is famous for its breadth of attractions and world-class restaurants. The water is rimmed with beloved museums, including the National Aquarium , a leading favorite for locals and visitors alike. See 20,000 different animals in award-winning habitats, including a tropical rainforest and an Australian river gorge.

Take a tour of the historic USS Constellation in the Inner Harbor.

Interested in maritime history? Docked along the edges of the Inner Harbor are the  Historic Ships In Baltimore’s floating museums. Take a tour of the U.S.S.  Constellation , built in 1854 by the U.S. Navy and now holding court as the only surviving ship from the Civil War. Nearby, find three additional ships and a lighthouse that all detail marine experiences between the mid-1800s and the 1980s.

Got a budding scientist on your hands? Across the harbor from the Aquarium sits the  Maryland Science Center , where three floors of science-focused demonstrations thrill kids and grown-ups alike. Hands-on exhibits explore the solar system, the human body and more.

An especially family-friendly neighborhood, the Inner Harbor is home to the  Port Discovery Children’s Museum , ranked among the nation’s best. This playful museum tucks a world of fun into a former fish market building. Let little ones explore the four-story SkyClimber, or play pretend on the life-sized cargo ship.

Take advantage of the Inner Harbor’s waterfront activities, like the Chessie paddle boats.

Where are the best views of the Inner Harbor?

From Rash Field Park to Canton Waterfront Park, the Inner Harbor promenade is lined with many benches where you can sit and enjoy scenic views of the water. For more of a birds-eye perspective, head to Federal Hill Park or the Top of the World Observation Level at the top of the World Trade Center. Nothing beats getting out on the water, however, which you can do via a tour with Hornblower Cruises or Cruises on the Bay by Watermark. Or, catch the view from the Baltimore Water Taxi  or a  Chessie Dragon Paddle Boat .

Take a photo to commemorate your time in Charm City with Visit Baltimore’s logo sculpture in the Inner Harbor. Find it outside the World Trade Center building, close to the National Aquarium . Inspired by Baltimore’s industrial and working-class roots, this structure references a megaphone, or a voice projecting boldly into a space. Be sure to share your Baltimore pride loud on social media and tag us @visitbmore and use #VisitBaltimore.

Where can I see a show in the Inner Harbor?

As one of Baltimore’s entertainment centers, the Inner Harbor has plenty of options for live music. Head to Power Plant Live! for an all-in-one hot spot for restaurants, bars and music venues, including Rams Head Live. Nearby Pier Six Pavilion also offers outdoor concerts from national names right on the water during warm summer months. Looking for more? Check out some of our other favorite music venues .

Pier Six Pavilion, an outdoor music venue, hosts national acts during the summer.

Where should I eat in the Inner Harbor?

Check out these inner harbor restaurants..

It’s not hard to find great food in Baltimore, and the Inner Harbor is no exception. Here are a few solid choices if you’re looking for restaurants in the Inner Harbor to take a break from your exploration.

• Blackwall Hitch: This seafood restaurant comes complete with nautical inspired décor and two stories to enjoy the waterfront views.
• McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks:  For high quality seafood, head to the end of Pier 5 with a view of the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse overlooking the water.
• Phillips Seafood:   It’s hard to overstate how great the food is at Phillips. For more than 100 years, this Maryland-based, family-owned restaurant group has served up outstanding crab cakes and fresh seafood with flair. In the summer months, the outdoor crab deck grants you front-row access to the Patapsco River and the vibrant waterfront promenade.
• Rusty Scupper:  From the East Coast’s freshest oysters, shrimp and lobster to its famous crab cakes, this waterfront favorite is a seafood lover’s dream.
• Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls : Located in Harborplace across from the Inner Harbor Ampitheater, Mason’s is the place for fresh, buttery lobster and shrimp rolls.
• Crust by Mack : On the second floor of Harborplace, this family-owned bakery serves a delectable array of sweet and savory pies, tarts, pastries and more with a waterfront view.
• Matriarch Coffee : Get your caffeine fix at this Black-owned coffee shop located on the ground floor of Harborplace.

Stop at the Baltimore Visitor Center

Make a stop at the Baltimore Visitor Center , along the waterfront promenade. It’s one of the best places to get details on how to experience the city, with the help of expert staff and volunteers who will provide personalized tips on touring Charm City, plus a bevy of brochures, maps and information sheets on hotels, museums, restaurants and attractions. Browse our selection of Baltimore-themed merchandise, from t-shirts and caps to puzzles and postcards.

The Baltimore Visitor Center is located right next to West Shore Park overlooking the Inner Harbor.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Pride of Baltimore ship makes its return to Inner Harbor after Key Bridge collapse

Mike Murillo | [email protected]

April 8, 2024, 9:30 PM

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The Pride of Baltimore II, a replica of a 19th century “Baltimore clipper,” has finally returned to its home dock in Baltimore. The ship had been anchored in Annapolis when the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge left it unable to return home.

On Monday, as most people were looking up at the partial solar eclipse, the ship’s crew was given the green light to sail the vessel through one of the alternate channels created to get ships through the wreckage.

“The pictures we’ve seen don’t do a good job of indicating the damage, but seeing it firsthand makes one very, very thoughtful,” Capt. Jan Miles said of the collapsed bridge.

He said the experience of sailing next to the crashed container ship was very thought-provoking for the boat’s crew.

“You don’t hear much at all. You’re just seeing the mass of the problem, the crushed bow and all that gear around it,” Miles said.

Miles said he began planning for the ship’s return days before and his crew was in radio communication with those controlling the access through the site throughout the process.

“They said, ‘Yes, Pride of Baltimore, you’re clear to come ahead,’ and advised us to the fact they had some divers working in certain areas and to be mindful of that,” Miles said.

Miles said returning to the ship’s home port in the Inner Harbor means necessary maintenance can now take place and the ship can get back to some of its already scheduled events. That includes deck tours at the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine this weekend.

“There’s still some fallout to be had, I think on our overall schedule. But all in all, we think … us getting home is for the best and we’re able to do some really fun things,” said Patrick Smith, program coordinator for the Pride of Baltimore.

Smith said the team behind the boat is thankful for the city of Annapolis, which offered the ship a place to stay after the disaster. Smith also said they are grateful for the hard work of all those involved in the recovery mission.

“It’s almost bittersweet to be returning to Baltimore, recognizing the gravity of the situation, but we’re extremely grateful to be able to get … to our home port of Baltimore,” Smith said.

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Mike Murillo is a reporter and anchor at WTOP. Before joining WTOP in 2013, he worked in radio in Orlando, New York City and Philadelphia.

• @MikeMurilloWTOP

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7 things to do: Warmer days mean boating season has begun in Annapolis

April is finally warming, and that means there are opportunities to get out on the water in Annapolis. There’s also free music, a festival for female voices, a maritime collective market day and student art to enjoy through Thursday, April 24.

If you head to Annapolis, a main attraction is the water. City Dock is the closest you can get to the spot where the Annapolis Harbor, the Severn River, and the Chesapeake Bay meet. For a few months more, there is even waterfront parking.

Getting onto the water requires a bit more effort, but Maryland’s capital has a nice assortment of cruise options for doing so. None are free, but all make for an interesting day. While the biggest company, Watermark Cruises, started its season earlier this month, several smaller ones are starting now that April has turned warmer.

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There’s lot to choose from:

Schooner Woodwind is actually two boats, both 74-foot, two-masted wooden sailboats that go out of a berth next to the Waterfront Annapolis Hotel. The boats race and cruise around the bay, offering public and private trips daily. There are sunset cruises and special events that feature music, food and drink. Tickets start at $62 plus taxes and fees.

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Many Annapolis boats are a pleasure to look at, but the Darling might be the prettiest. A 1973 Wasque 32, it was built on Martha’s Vineyard along the lines of lobster boats, with a hardtop added about 25 years later. Darling Cruises describes its vessel’s looks as resembling the original Picnic Boat, a popular day cruiser. The company offers morning, sunset, and harbor cruise charters from its berth in Eastport. The boat carries six people and bookings start at $700, plus taxes and fees.

There is no more historic way to cruise the waters around Annapolis than aboard the Wilma Lee , a 1940 skipjack — a shallow draft commercial fishing boat powered by sail. Now in its fifth year as a floating classroom and day sailor run by the nonprofit Annapolis Maritime Museum, the boat sails weekends from three locations: the museum in Eastport, City Dock and the Moyer Nature Park on Back Creek. Tickets on cruises start at $50 per adult ticket and $20 per child, plus taxes and fees .

If you really want to get down on the water, at least two Annapolis companies offer stand-up paddleboard lessons, rentals and events. Capital SUP on Back Creek has a full moon paddle scheduled Monday, and Sunrise SUP out of Herald Harbor in Crownsville has yoga classes on its calendar.

When Watermark’s water taxi service starts in mid-May, you can get on the water for as little as $4 . The short, point-to-point trips are a good way to see Annapolis for a few bucks and decide if paying a bit more is for you.

Bon voyage!

Strings for 4

7:30 p.m. Friday

The Parker String Quartet won a Grammy award in 2011 for best chamber music performance and has spent the last 15 years touring, recording all of Beethoven’s works for string quartets and teaching through residency programs at places like Harvard University. Its concert in McDowell Hall at St. John’s College will include Beethoven Op. 135 and Hayden Op. 33/6. Free.

Small craft warning

9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday

Annapolis has a vibrant small boat culture, and four businesses critical to it are collaborating in a maritime market event, Sail & Sell .

Bacon Sails and Maritime Supplies , Chesapeake Light Craft , Fawcett Boat Supplies and East of Maui each have their own day-long tent sales, flea markets, swap meets and yard sails, er, I mean sales. Check each shop for details.

Forward Brewing caps it off with food and beer specials likely to draw from the hundreds of sailors, rowers, powerboaters and boarders out looking for deals during the day. Prices vary.

The female voice

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday

If you want to be a popular musician, you learn to cover popular songs. Singer-songwriters are fun performers to catch if you follow local music. Women singer-songwriters often add an extra layer of meaning, touching on complex themes unique to the female voice.

The Songbird Collective, made up of four women artists, started the Songbird Festival in 2023 to share those stories. The one-day festival includes more than 20 singers and poets performing at Maryland Hall, as well as a resource and artisans’ fair. Free.

One long table

2-6 p.m. Sunday

Dining Under the Stars is a popular outdoor food event that takes over the first block of West Street a few nights each week from May through September. To help cover the costs of closing the street, entertainment and a police presence — about $68,000, according to organizers — the Inner West Street Association is hosting the Taste of Spring fundraiser. Six restaurants on the block will offer a tasting menu, accompanied by music and dancers from the Maryland Ballet Theatre. $60 plus fees. Sales close Saturday.

Senior art show

9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday

More than 60 seniors graduating from Anne Arundel County Public Schools will have their best works on display in Belongings at Maryland Hall. Paintings, drawings, three-dimensional designs, photography and digital media are on display in the Earl and Martino galleries Monday-Saturday through May 15.

Grammy and the Argentine

7:30 p.m. Wednesday

Music at Rams Head on Stage can be diverse, with a heavy rotation of blues, nostalgia, and folk groups. It can be hard to choose which act to hear. So when a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and an Argentine folk singer team up for a show, it’s worth paying attention to.

Madison Cunningham won the 2023 Grammy for Best Folk Album with “Revealer,” her fifth nomination since 2020. She’s touring with Juana Molina, a former Argentine TV comedic actress who gave up that career to pursue music. $45 plus fees.

Rick Hutzell

[email protected]

Rick Hutzell is the Annapolis columnist for The Baltimore Banner. He writes about what's happening today, how we got here and where we're going next. The former editor of Capital Gazette, he led the newspaper to a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the 2018 mass shooting in its newsroom.

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A funny thing happened on the way to the 3rd district forum in annapolis, i’m new to commuting on the baltimore beltway. is it always this bad, more from the banner.

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Opinion | watch: senate democratic primary election forum hosted by the sun, fox45, ub, opinion | a few more thoughts about the inner harbor’s past | reader commentary.

I enjoyed Kevin Shird’s commentary on Inner Harbor history ( “Consider history in redevelopment of the Inner Harbor,” April 16) and would like to add a few updates.

Regarding a lack of commercial real estate ownership by people of color along the waterfront, one should visit the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park on the Living Classroom Foundation Campus in Fells Point, a national heritage site that celebrates the contributions of African Americans to the development of Baltimore’s maritime industry. In 1866, Isaac Myers worked with a group of other African American men to form the Chesapeake Marine Railway and Dry Dock Company, the first Black-owned shipyard in Baltimore.

Shird also recalls a stunt pulled by then-Mayor William Donald Schaefer who, he states, jumped in the Inner Harbor to celebrate the opening of Harborplace. My recollection is a little different. I don’t think the mayor jumped in the harbor, but, rather, he doffed his hat, held his rubber ducky, and jumped into the seal pool at the National Aquarium. Maybe, if the Inner Harbor gets cleansed up as promised, the future mayor will actually make it into the Inner Harbor at the dedication of the “new” Harborplace.

— Beryl Rosenstein, Pikesville

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Questions with the candidates for baltimore mayor: thiru vignarajah (d).

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Thiru Vignarajah is engaged in his fourth campaign for citywide office in seven years.

As a former criminal prosecutor at the federal, state and local levels, Vignarajah ran in 2017 and 2022 for city state's attorney. He first ran for mayor in 2020.

Vignarajah, 47, said name recognition is no longer his obstacle and that what's different in this election is there's a stark contrast between him and his opponents.

"Each race, we get a larger following, we get some traction," he said. "I am proud of the fact that this is the only thing I wanted to do with my time. I have a very full career and I take the little spare time that I have and I try devote it to doing something good in the city."

Vignarajah is a first-generation Baltimorean and son of two Baltimore City Public Schools teachers, to whom he credits his dedication to public service.

"I see this city through the eyes of my parents who came here with nothing and built a life for themselves," he said. "I've devoted myself to service because that's what I learned from my parents, who devoted themselves to serving and teaching the kids of Baltimore. I want to live up to their legacy in so many ways. I want to make them proud, and I want to build the type of city that we can all be proud of."

Vignarajah said he believes city residents are seeking change that's not wedded to the approaches of the past and not beholden to big donors and developers.

"I'm willing to fight for the people of Baltimore no matter what," Vignarajah said. "I think the people of Baltimore want change, and however long it takes, we're going to be here. We are running in this race because so many people have an appetite for change."

Vignarajah said his campaign is using matching public financing to break a cycle of answering to developers, corporations and PACs and lobbyists.

"I'm going to rock the boat. If you're looking for an incrementalist, look somewhere else. We're going to have bold, dramatic things," he said.

Among the priorities Vignarajah supports include free college for city high school graduates, free bus rides citywide, reforming the city's procurement process and cut property taxes in half over 10 years.

WBALTV.com presented opportunities for each candidate to participate in answering six questions, ranging from public safety to development to the budget deficit and improving the city's public perception.

| MORE : Get election information, more candidates in our 2024 Maryland Voter's Guide

Question 1 - Reducing gun violence

• Enact effective comprehensive strategies to pursue and dismantle gangs and drug organizations in the 12 deadliest neighborhoods in Baltimore
• Hire more homicide detectives to increase clearance rate with bonuses and incentives
• Focus on specific gun crimes that can be referred for federal prosecution
• Go after violent repeat offenders
• City has to develop community policing to develop intelligence and community relations to address a flow of guns into Baltimore that continues unabated

Question 2 - Reducing youth violence

• Address school attendance, ensure children at risk are staying in school
• Ensure youths understand there are consequences for their conduct when it comes to violent crimes
• Create a "cool-down" detention period to get juveniles offenders off the streets that will give more time to officials to distinguishing between first-time offenders who need rehabilitation services and repeat offenders, and diagnose what's behind the behavior

Question 3 - Addressing juvenile offenders

• Baltimore City is dealing with an increase in juvenile crime, which is, in part, a result of a lack of enforcement of current laws to increase penalties
• Sending offenders to the juvenile system for violent crimes is a mistake

Question 4 - Inner Harbor redevelopment

• Seeks revival and renaissance of Harborplace, which has fallen into decline because of neglect, but does not support the plan for luxury residences
• Invest in making the Inner Harbor a destination for people across the city and the country
• The process was backwards: The mistake was that the city allowed the developers to draft the plan and accepted that as the final answer at the expense of public spaces.
• Pledges to block the construction of the luxury apartments, the other aspects of the plan should be considered

Question 5 - Would you cut services to balance city's budget?

• It's a false choice to believe that cuts are needed amid looming deficits; cutting services is the least imaginative approach to solving budget shortfalls
• Launch an independent, outside forensic audit of every city agency to identify waste, funding put to poor use due to insufficient management
• Raise taxes on abandoned and blighted properties in an effort to entice owners to either develop the property or sell it to someone who will

Question 6 - Improving Baltimore's public image

• To change the perception of Baltimore, you have to change reality. Being a cheerleader is not enough, you have to see improvements in schools, lower property taxes and get control over crime
• Then, the mayor has to promote the city in the national media for all it is doing to tell the world that the renaissance has started in Baltimore

Get the Facts: How to vote in Maryland

In this WBALTV.com Get the Facts video series, "Securing the Election," we examine what you need to do to vote in Maryland and where to vote. Watch more "Securing the Election" videos in the WBALTV.com 2024 Maryland Voter's Guide .

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