Mount Vernon, Baltimore Neighborhood Guide, According to a Local

Mount Vernon, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Baltimore, is a place where history and culture are found on every block. Elegant 19th-century townhouses line the streets, surrounding leafy parks and quiet squares anchored by the city’s original Washington Monument. The neighborhood has long been a center for the arts and education, home to world-class institutions like the Peabody Institute and the Walters Art Museum. With its mix of architectural grandeur, cultural landmarks, and an atmosphere that feels both progressive and steeped in history, Mount Vernon showcases Baltimore’s complex and creative spirit. After living there for years, I’m happy to share this Mount Vernon, Baltimore neighborhood guide!

The Peabody Library is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. It features an atrium with five tiers of ornate cast-iron balconies and black and white marble floors. The library opened in 1878 and is named after philanthropist George Peabody. Its collection specializes in 19th-century texts, particularly archaeology, history, art, and literature, and holds over 300,000 volumes.

The Walters Art Museum is one of the best museums in Baltimore with 36,000 art objects spanning over 7,000 years of history. As part of its mission to create a place where people of every background can be moved by art, admission is free. The museum’s diverse collection includes everything from 19th-century Renaissance paintings to Ethiopian icons, illuminated Qur’ans, and ancient Roman sarcophagi, all displayed in beautifully restored historic buildings. These are the can’t-miss works of art at the museum:

Mount Vernon Place is the most charming part of Mount Vernon. At its center is the Washington Monument, the first monument to George Washington in the U.S., designed in 1815. You can climb its stair tower for nice views of the neighborhood. It’s surrounded by the Peabody Library, the Walters Art Museum, the grand, architecturally striking Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church, and lovely parks featuring sculptures and fountains. On sunny days, locals fill the green spaces to sunbathe and socialize.

Afghan restaurant The Helmand is one of the best restaurants in Baltimore, owned by the brother of a former Afghan President. Everyone loves the pan-fried pumpkin in a garlic yogurt sauce. My favorite dish is the Lamb Lawand, served with a knock-out cilantro sauce. The Brewer’s Art is another popular option for dinner and drinks. Located in a historic townhouse, it’s a brewery and restaurant serving an upscale version of dishes like sausage, burgers, and pretzels. Cafe Fili has a good Mediterranean-style breakfast. Dooby’s is a popular cafe, especially with students, for a quick and casual Korean-inspired lunch.

The best places for a sit-down coffee are The Bun Shop and Baby’s On Fire. The Bun Shop is a uniquely and beautifully decorated cafe. It has plenty of space and is open until 3 AM, so it’s a popular spot for people and students to work from. Baby’s On Fire is a cafe and record shop selling new and used vinyls.

For cocktails, head to The Coral Wig, a cocktail bar inspired by the clubs of 1980s-era Manila. After opening in 2024 in Hotel Ulysses, it was rated one of the best new bars in the U.S. The next best neighborhood cocktail bar is cozy Sugarvale. Also in Hotel Ulysses is the funky Bloom’s bar, filled with mirrors and bright purple velvet couches. Beer lovers shouldn’t miss The Brewer’s Art, which brews fantastic Belgian-inspired ales. Lastly, The Owl Bar, an upscale pub-style restaurant and bar since 1903 located in the historic and beautiful Belvedere building, has one of the cheapest happy hours in town.

The Ivy Hotel is the most exclusive luxury hotel in Baltimore. It’s Black-owned with two MICHELIN Keys and set inside a 19th-century mansion. The hotel offers an intimate experience with 17 lavishly decorated rooms, a small full-service spa, and the Maryland bistro Magdalena. Guests can relax in the courtyard, library, conservatory, music room, tea room, and other beautifully designed communal spaces. The room rate includes breakfast, afternoon tea, evening cocktails, midnight snacks, and private car service.

Hotel Ulysses is an eccentric boutique hotel that exemplifies Baltimore’s unique and quirky personality. The hotel stylishly blends old-world decadence with avant-garde flair. Every inch is saturated with rich colors, moody lighting, and dramatic textures. It’s also home to The Coral Wig and Bloom’s cocktail bars.

For a hotel that’s more mainstream and modern but just as stylish, Hotel Revival is another of the city’s best hotels. It has a top-floor restaurant with great views and a cocktail bar with a karaoke room.

I was walking around Mount Vernon when I first came across Thomas’ exquisite, historic guesthouse available through Airbnb. Housed in a mansion built in 1874, Thomas and his widow Larry painstakingly restored this beautiful home into the stunning and elegant, museum-like space it is today.