Have you visited all of the major sites in the nation's capital, but overlooked the surrounding cities you might have flown into? Baltimore, Maryland, might be the prime spot for your next visit to the Washington, D.C., area.

Baltimore is itself a historic city, the second-largest seaport in the Mid-Atlantic and at one time the second leading port of entry for immigrants to the U.S. Famous residents have included Edgar Allan Poe, Frederick Douglass, Billie Holiday and Babe Ruth. The city has 72 designated historic districts, distinct cultural enclaves representing Baltimore's diverse urban landscape, which has earned Baltimore the nickname "city of neighborhoods." 

Today, Baltimore is also home to Johns Hopkins University and its world-renowned hospital. Maryland blue crabs fill the local crab shacks, along with some of the trendiest culinary destinations, including the bakery behind the Food Network's "Ace of Cakes." Baseball fans will find the Baltimore Orioles in their iconic ballpark at Camden Yards.

Thankfully, there are plenty of regular, relatively inexpensive flights between New York City and Baltimore. We pulled from travel site Skyscanner to provide you with a short list of flights and hotels handpicked with the trendy adventurer in mind.

(Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Prices and availability are subject to change.)

Cheapest Baltimore flights

Currently, the cheapest flights between New York City and Baltimore are if you leave on July 11 and return from Maryland on July 13. Delta currently has tickets for $193, roundtrip.

There are also deals to be had in May. If you fly out of New York City on May 31 and return from Baltimore on June 3, American Airlines can get you there and back for $202 roundtrip.

Top Baltimore hotels

Regarding where to stay, here are some of Baltimore’s top-rated hotels, according to Skyscanner, that we selected based on price, proximity to things to do and customer satisfaction.

The Baltimore Marriott Waterfront (700 Aliceanna St.)

If you're looking to treat yourself, consider The Baltimore Marriott Waterfront. The hotel has a 4.8-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $179.

Set in the heart of Baltimore, this hotel is close to the Pier Six Concert Pavilion and the National Aquarium in Baltimore, as well as the American Visionary Art Museum. 

The Hilton Baltimore (401 W. Pratt St.)

There's also the 4.4-star rated The Hilton Baltimore, which has rooms for $135/night.

This downtown Baltimore hotel is located adjacent to Oriole Park at Camden Yards and very close to the USS Constellation, the Hippodrome Theatre and the M and T Bank Stadium, home to the Baltimore Ravens. The hotel is directly connected to the Baltimore Convention Center via an indoor walkway.

The Home2 Suites by Hilton Baltimore Downtown (8 E. Pleasant St.)

If you're looking for an inexpensive place to stay, there's The Home2 Suites by Hilton Baltimore Downtown. The 4.4-star hotel has rooms for $71/night.

Local restaurant picks

Don't miss Baltimore's food scene, with plenty of popular spots to get your fill of local cuisine. Here are a few of the top-rated eateries from Skyscanner's listings.

G&M Restaurant (804 N. Hammonds Ferry Road)

One of Baltimore's most popular restaurants is G&M Restaurant, which has an average of 4.7 stars out of 11 reviews on Skyscanner. On the menu, expect seafood, sandwiches, Greek specialties and authentic Italian and American cuisine.

"The full service bar has a decent selection of beer and cocktails, but most people are here for the crab cakes, day and night," wrote visitor RAWarren.

The Food Market (1017 W. 36th St.)

Another popular dining destination is The Food Market, with 4.8 stars from five reviews.

"Chef Chad's menu is, to say the least, stunning," wrote reviewer Charles. "The service is great."

Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop (222 Albemarle St.)

If you're looking for a solid place to grab some coffee and dessert, plan to visit Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop.

"Vaccaro's is famous among both locals and visitors," wrote Daniel. "Located in the heart of Little Italy, patrons flood in to have lunch or pick up a tasty treat with a warm beverage."

Nick's Fish House (2600 Insulator Drive)

Finally, there's Nick's Fish House.

Located on the water, offering spectacular views, is Baltimore’s premier seafood restaurant, Nick’s Fish House and Grill. With indoor and outdoor seating, and open year-round, Nick’s features steamed-to-order blue crabs, fresh sushi, grilled steaks, burgers and seafood, including jumbo lump crab cakes.

Top Baltimore attractions

Not sure what to do in Baltimore, besides eat and drink? Here are a few recommendations, provided by Skyscanner.

The National Aquarium (501 E. Pratt St.)

First up is The National Aquarium.

An entertaining dolphin show, “4-D Immersion” sensory theater and, of course, lots and lots of marine creatures are just some of the things you can see at the National Aquarium.

"This by far was the best aquarium I've been to thus far," wrote visitor @_Mick_E. "It's great for all ages and you can easily spend half a day here. There's a unique jelly fish exhibit as well as a dolphin show. Parts of the aquarium is indoor and the other part is outdoors with birds and monkeys."

Inner Harbor (Baltimore)

The Inner Harbor is another popular destination.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor is a favorite stop for tourists who have an interest in the history of early America. The harbor is one of the major seaports in the United States, and has been since the 1700s. The area provides many choices in dining, nightlife and cultural experiences. 

The American Visionary Art Museum (800 Key Highway)

Finally, spend some time at The American Visionary Art Museum.

The American Visionary Art Museum is a unique, critically acclaimed art venue and a great stop for any visitor to Baltimore. The museum hosts shows organized by theme rather than by artist and strives to step out of the accepted art canon displayed at many American museums. The U.S. Congress unanimously voted the American Visionary Art Museum "the official national education center, repository and museum for self-taught, intuitive artistry."

"This museum is a temple of unabashed creative energy unlike anywhere else in the state," wrote visitor Kelly. "It constantly showcases inventive and daring art from local and international artist alike."

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This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.