July/August 2026


port connecting Britain, Ireland, the Caribbean and the American colonies, merchants became wealthy as ships arrived carrying goods, people and ideas. Baltimore was in fact one of the cities that helped create the modern United States. By night, the area comes alive with conversation spilling from pubs and restaurants onto the pavements. I recommend a Baltimore Bewitched ghost tour, a one-hour guided walking tour that took my small group through the neighbourhood’s narrow streets,


As it quickly became a major trading


tales of sailors, smugglers and restless spirits from Baltimore’s maritime past.


THE QUIRKY SIDE OF CHARM CITY


recounting


www.nitravelnews.com


categorise. Even its gift shop feels like an attraction in its own right. Close by is the neighbourhood of Federal Hill, a defensive stronghold in the late Nineteenth century now home to independent boutiques and the numerous


street -


house and museum where he began his literary career and learned more about the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death in 1849. Found delirious on a Baltimore street wearing someone else’s clothes, Poe died days later without ever explaining what had happened.


More than175 years on, historians are still debating his cause of death.


CULTURAL CURIOSITIES The city also surprises culturally. The magnificent George Peabody Library, often described as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, is worth seeking out for its soaring


STORIES FROM CHARM CITY | 75


cast- iron balconies alone. Nearby, Mount Vernon showcases Baltimore’s grander side, while the Baltimore Museum of Art houses an impressive collection that would be a major draw in any US city. Elsewhere, neighbourhoods such as hipster Remington and Hampden, and the 11-block


personality.


that’s authentically distinctive and unapologetically itself, Baltimore offers something increasingly rare: a genuine sense of place.


For travellers looking for a city


Bromo Arts and Entertainment District with its galleries and regular Arts Walks, reveal different facets of Baltimore’s


History is everywhere in Baltimore, but so is creativity. One afternoon I found myself browsing in Atomic Books, an independent bookstore that perfectly captures the city’s quirky spirit - John Waters still drops in from time to time to collect his fan mail. I soon got into a conversation about Baltimore, Belfast, sightseeing, history and culture with the owner and his assistant, and soon we were swapping stories like old friends. As I was leaving the owner gave me a free sticker that reads ‘Baltimore: Actually, I like it.’ That’s the spirit of the Baltimore that I encountered - impromptu chats, a wry modesty and spontaneous generosity. The same spirit is evident in the American Visionary Art Museum, one of the most original museums I have visited. Dedicated to self-taught artists and outsider art, it is joyful, strange, thought-provoking and impossible to


St. Louis is surging into 2026 with exciting


new attractions, hotels, art


exhibitions and immersive experiences. Destination Discovery at the Saint Louis Zoo The Saint Louis Zoo’s newest immersive zone promises to feel more like a global expedition than a traditional exhibit. Destination Discovery will feature themed environments inspired by wildlife habitats around the world, encouraging visitors to explore ecosystems through interactive play, educational stations and up-close animal encounters. Expect sensory-rich designs, hands-on learning spaces for kids and storytelling elements focused on


conservation and environmental


responsibility. This expansion aims to deepen emotional connections between guests and wildlife while blending entertainment with education. AC Hotel St Louis Downtown A St. Louis icon, the historic Jefferson


Arms building is being transformed into a European-inspired AC Hotel, bringing minimalist design and upscale comfort to the heart of downtown. Guests can expect sleek rooms, modern workspaces, curated art and rooftop views of the city skyline. Designed for both business travellers and urban weekenders, the hotel blends


old-world architecture with contemporary luxury. It’s poised to become a new social and hospitality anchor for downtown revival. Food concepts at AC Hotel St. Louis Downtown (Jefferson Arms building) The Jefferson Arms redevelopment includes multiple new food and beverage concepts,


evenings with approachable


but elevated cuisine. Whether it’s a quick breakfast bite, after-work drinks or a full sit- down dinner, the building aims to be a hub for both locals and visitors. Washington Avenue Food Hall Downtown dining is getting a communal upgrade with Washington Avenue’s new food hall. The space will house multiple food vendors, offering everything from savoury


street food to sweet desserts and craft drinks. Designed as a social gathering spot, it will provide shared seating, grab-and-go options and a rotating mix of local culinary talent. Patterns in Nature: The Art of


featuring chef-driven menus, stylish cocktail lounges and café-style dining. These spaces are designed to energise downtown


HYBYCOZO at the Missouri Botanical Garden (10 April - 26 Sept) For the first time ever, HYBYCOZO’s luminous sculptures will appear in Missouri, and St. Louis gets the exclusive debut for the “Show Me Stay.” These large-scale glowing installations draw inspiration from geometry, biology, and natural patterns found in plants and ecosystems. Scattered throughout the garden’s indoor and outdoor spaces, the exhibit transforms a leisurely stroll into a surreal art walk of light and shadow. Day and evening visits will offer completely different visual experiences. New Temporary Exhibitions at the Saint


Louis Art Museum The Saint Louis Art Museum continues its tradition of debuting fresh exhibitions each year, bringing global artistry and rare collections to Forest Park. Expect rotating shows


featuring contemporary


food lunch


options to be found in Cross Street Market. Then there is the long, strange legacy of Edgar Allan Poe.


The writer spent some of his most important years in Baltimore and remains one of the city’s most enduring presences. I booked a tour to visit the modest


What’s New in St Louis in 2026


artists,


classical masterpieces and culturally significant works from around the world. For travellers interested in America250 events, Picturing Independence (12 June 2026 to 24 Jan 2027) features more than 50 works created between 1770 and 2018, including silver by Paul Revere, paintings by George Caleb Bingham and Benjamin West and prints by Norman Akers and Jacob Lawrence. The exhibition also coincides with Celebrate St. Louis, the city’s fireworks-filled Fourth of July celebration. These limited-run exhibitions ensure there’s always something new to see, even for repeat visitors. With its mix of innovation and tradition, the museum remains a cultural cornerstone of the city.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96