"Baltoberfest 2006" Baltimore by Hopkid

Baltimore Travel Guide: 1,184 reviews and 3,354 photos

Our first VT meeting

Well we went, we saw, and we ate a lot of crab! Since it's less than a three-hour drive, Rita and I decided to head on up to Baltimore for one of the big VT meets of the year, Baltoberfest. I have to say that Baltimore has never really held a huge fascination with me although I have enjoyed the scenes in various John Waters movies that showcase the older neighborhoods. We went to see an Orioles game once. We went for the wedding of friends of ours. But we never really spent time checking out what Baltimore has to offer. This seemed like an opportune time. Plus it was a chance to connect with some of the VT folks live and in person!

Snacks at Nick's

Rita was bogged down by a cold the week prior. We hadn't really planned on going up for the entire event anyway so we took it easy on Saturday before heading up around 11:30am. We arrived at 2:30pm and headed straight for a snack at Nick's in the Cross Street Market in Federal Hill. Nick's came highly recommended by ellielou and it did not disappoint! We munched on she crab soup, fried clam strips, and a wonderful crab cake (gotta have one in Maryland don'tcha know). Then we just took it easy, checking out the rest of the colorful markete place, wandering around Federal Hill a bit, and then going over to Fell's Point and walking the cobblestone streets there. It was there that we were directed to Liquid Earth, a veggie/vegan bar with, among other things, fresh juices. Just what Rita needed to re-engergize before dinner. While she had her fresh-squeezed orange juice with ginseng and wheat grass, I had a shot of wheat grass. Let me tell you I don't think I need to try wheat grass again. My stomach was jumping around after that!

Posing with our hosts

The moment of truth then arrived and we headed back over to Federal Hill and L.P. Steamers for the big VT crab fest! Many VTers were hanging out on the street corner before we were asked to come in. The meeting attendees took up the entire second floor....about 50 VTers and friends in all. We were lucky to get one of the few remaining seats in the back room and sat with Kristara (Janet), yooperfprof (Chet) and his friend Steve from DC, Mike of mikelisaanna, jelw (Jill), Miaxapa (Mike), and a couple of others who I didn't get to meet formally but found out later were NC_Ziggy and hexepatty. The crabs were plenty and good! A lot of work, kind of messy, but a lot of fun with good talk and plenty of beer!

Alas, since Rita was under the weather and the fact that we were staying with a friend who lives a few miles north (White Marsh) who was also feeling a bit sick, we opted out of the latin dancing and said goodbye to our VT mates and headed up I-95.

Until the next VT meeting!

Pros and Cons

Pros:History, charm, compact
Cons:Parking fees around the Inner Harbor are criminal!
In a nutshell:We'll back for more!

Last visit to Baltimore: Sep 2006
Intro Updated Sep 19, 2006
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Reviews (6)

Visit a public market Shopping (1)

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Visitor's Center Favorites (1)

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Crabs are the specialty! Restaurants (4)

Apparently they do have other seafood offerings than steamed crab but we never got the chance. Upon sitting at our table... more travel advice

Great tapas at the Inner Harbor - Baltimore

Great tapas at the Inner Harbor Restaurants (4)

La Tasca has a pretty large tapas menu with something for everyone. This location at the Pratt Street Pavilion on the... more travel advice

Comments (10)

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ellielou May 23, 2007 at 6:09 PM

basically, they are soft shells lightly fried and cut into 'bite size pieces' and served over homemade french fries! I think it's a made up 'special' from the little blue collar divey place where we've been going for crabs recently!
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tessy Sep 29, 2006 at 3:38 PM

Great, Andy! Looks like you had a lot of fun! And Rita recovered quickly, that's the most important!
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richiecdisc Sep 27, 2006 at 6:32 PM

I'm sure I'd love Baltoberfest. Looks like you had a great time! Thanks for stopping by for a virtual beer in Regensburg too!
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Minstrelette Sep 25, 2006 at 6:50 PM

I grew up in Baltimore and come back to visit at least once a year, and I've never been to Liquid Earth. Definitely will have to check it out when I'm there in December. Thanks for sharing.
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Dabs Sep 24, 2006 at 1:30 PM

6 tips and 4 of them about food, my kind of page!!!!!/Yes, we've had icky weather this weekend so I finally finished a page! Baltimore is done :-)
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travelfrosch Sep 20, 2006 at 5:08 PM

You've got a pretty good page going here yourself. Your restaurant tips seem to be a bit crabby, though... ;) Cheers, Mark
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Waalewiener Sep 20, 2006 at 10:42 AM

Hi Andy & Rita ,Great pic's great page Darned we did not talk enough and I know I am always all over the place . Well but it was a real pleasure meeting you & Rita and we will meet again I am sure we will Andy .
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cjg1 Sep 20, 2006 at 7:17 AM

Looks good here.
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Gypsystravels Sep 20, 2006 at 7:09 AM

Andy....you finally posted your pics!! Great meeting you and Rita, hope we didn't overwhelm her?!! Hope you both can make it to NYC next year!!
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moiraistyx Sep 19, 2006 at 6:47 PM

Glad to hear everyone had such a great time in Baltimore. I was visiting the Catskill Game Farm for one last hurrah before it closes.