Museum

Headed to AAM 2024? Here are the top 11 Baltimore Musts

If the next big thing on your schedule is the Annual Meeting of the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) in Baltimore this May, then you must prepare to discover the heritage, culture, and culinary delights of Charm City as well. Here's a curated list to make the most of your time.

1. Discover History at the Baltimore Museum of Industry

Neons at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, Source: Marcin Wichary

Step back in time and explore Baltimore's industrial legacy, learning the stories of innovation, labor, and commerce that defined Baltimore's role in shaping American industry. Located in a strikingly restored 1860s oyster cannery, this museum offers interactive exhibits and immersive experiences that recall the country's creative and entrepreneurial spirit.

2. Explore and Wonder at the Walters Art Museum

The Salon Room, Source: Lucas

Indulge your artistic senses at the Walters Art Museum, home to an extensive collection covering thousands of years, diverse cultures, and masterpieces from around the globe. Housed in a historic building that's as breathtaking as the treasures it contains, this 90-year-old museum will make for a great intercultural learning experience.

3. Soak in the Beauty of the Inner Harbor

Baltimore Inner Harbor through top of the world observation level, Source: Rupa Panda

From waterfront boulevards to iconic landmarks like the USS Constellation and the National Aquarium, this incredible place offers something for everyone. Hop on a harbor cruise for panoramic views of the city skyline, relax in the maritime ambiance of this bustling waterfront district, or go to the "Top of the world observation level" to view and feel the city's beauty.

4. Unwind at the Johns Hopkins University's Sheridan Libraries

The George Peabody Library, courtesy of the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division

Home to over 4.5 million volumes, rare manuscripts, and archival treasures, these libraries offer scholars, researchers, and bibliophiles a true intellectual oasis. Take a guided tour of the magnificent George Peabody Library and experience the wonder of knowledge preserved through the (p)ages.

5. Pay Homage to Fort McHenry

Fort McHenry, Source: Ken Lund

Stand on the very same ground where Francis Scott Key composed the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner" and relive a fundamental moment in American History at Fort McHenry. Explore the fort's ramparts, barracks, and exhibits that commemorate the War of 1812, and catch the daily flag-changing ceremony to commemorate the city's enduring spirit of liberty and patriotism.

6. Dive into the Wonders of the National Aquarium

National Aquarium in Baltimore, Source: Brian Wilson

Experience the mesmerizing world beneath the waves at the National Aquarium, a beacon of marine conservation and education in Baltimore's Inner Harbor – and a Cuseum customer! Home to over 20,000 animals from the depths of the Amazon rainforest to the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, the aquarium offers captivating exhibits, interactive experiences, and a commitment to ocean stewardship that inspires generations to fight for our oceans.

7. Enter the Poe Portal: Literature in Baltimore and the Poe App

Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum by Bohemian Baltimore

Step into the haunting world of Edgar Allan Poe with a Cuseum-developed App for the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum. Dig into the life and legacy of the master of macabre literature with Augmented Reality while strolling through special exhibits and tours in the museum and the city. Immerse yourself in the dark and mysterious realms of Poe's mind through rare artifacts, manuscripts, and memorabilia. The app is continuously updated with new content to enrich your experience every time you visit!

Make a scape at noon or unwind after an exhausting day to include in your schedule a culinary trek through Baltimore's dining scene…

8. Maryland Crab Cakes at Faidley's Seafood

Faidley's Seafood, Source: Baltimore Heritage

Treat your taste buds to Baltimore's culinary crown jewel – the Maryland crab cake – at Faidley's Seafood. With over a century of seafood mastery, Faidley's has earned its reputation as a must-visit destination for crab connoisseurs and enthusiasts.

9. Culinary Creativity at Woodberry Kitchen

Grilled Oysters at Woodberry Kitchen, Source: kslee

Discover a hidden gem of Chesapeake cuisine in a beautifully converted 19th-century mill, where you can indulge in farm-to-table dishes that have been given a contemporary twist. Immerse yourself in the bounty of the region as you savor the unique flavors and textures, surrounded by an elegant and cozy ambiance.

10. Authentic Baltimore Pit Beef at Chaps Pit Beef

Chap’s Pit Beef, Source: ballpit

Experience the true essence of Baltimore's culinary heritage with the succulent pit beef sandwiches, which have even been featured in Anthony Bourdain and Guy Fieri’s TV shows. This mouthwatering dish is a feast for the senses that will leave an unforgettable impression on your taste buds.

11. Raise a Glass at Sagamore Spirit Distillery

Sagamore Spirit Distillery

Toast to the spirit of Baltimore at Sagamore Spirit Distillery, where award-winning rye whiskey flows freely amid waterfront views and industrial charm. Take a guided tour of the distillery, learn about the art of whiskey making, and sample a flight of handcrafted spirits that pay homage to Maryland's rich distilling heritage.

Bonus Track: Check out this thorough guide of Baltimore’s Arts & Culture Guide and find the perfect match for your creative cravings.

And last but not least… Connect with Cuseum at Booth 5614!

While you explore Baltimore during AAM 2024, don't forget to visit our booth (5614) at the MuseumExpo. Let's see how we can team up to improve museum experiences and engage your audience in innovative and exciting ways. Looking forward to seeing you at the conference!

4 Tips to Maximize Your Fundraising Potential from AAM’s Museum Magazine

In AAM’s January/February 2018 issue of Museum, they shared insider tips on how museum CEOs and board chairs can work together to optimize their fundraising capability. Read on to learn how to increase your fundraising efficiency and improve the bond between your trustees, board chair, and leadership team!


Why Every Museum Should Make Data Part of Its DNA

In the digital age, museums and nonprofits are constantly looking for new tools and approaches to improve the various pillars of their operation. From collections to marketing, education, fundraising, and all things in between, there is no denying how valuable technology and access to data has become.

How Your Museum or Nonprofit Can Benefit from the Loyalty Loop

Like everyone, your museum or nonprofit is always looking for new ways to more effectively attract, engage, and retain your visitors, members, and patrons. Ready to give new meaning to the notion of customer loyalty? Enter… The Loyalty Loop!

6 Things You Didn’t Know About the NEA

What do Hamilton, Sundance Film Festival, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial have in common?

These world-renowned and celebrated artistic endeavors would not exist if not for the initial support from the National Endowment for the Arts!

The NEA is an independent federal agency that works to give people across America the opportunity to participate in and experience the arts.The NEA funds artistic events, concerts, performances, exhibitions and readings, and also awards grants for research on the impact and value of the arts in the United States. While these amazing and disparate groups have all received funding through the NEA, the future of the agency is uncertain; the arts are under attack.

Software for Museums: Build, Buy, or Platform?

Working on digital projects at your museum is a lot like building a house. But just like building a house, there isn’t just one specific way to go about it. If you work at a cultural institution looking to take advantage of the fruits of the digital era, there are many options and paths you can take.

Cuseum Powers Mobile App for the Largest Contemporary Art Museum in the Country: MASS MoCA

This past Memorial Day weekend marked a historic moment for the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) as they became the largest contemporary art museum in the United States upon the opening of their newest building.

Cuseum CEO shares forecast on Artificial Intelligence in "Museum Practice”

Cuseum’s CEO was recently quoted in the Museum Practice article “Using AI to Understand Audiences.” Ciecko forecasts his view on how artificial intelligence will impact audience development and fundraising in the museum, nonprofit, and cultural sector.

Partnering with Johns Hopkins University for Hands-On Learning

What better a way to learn something new than doing it first-hand? In January, Cuseum worked closely with Johns Hopkins University’s Museum Studies Graduate Program to embark on hands-on learning collaboration. One of their core projects focused on producing mobile content and thematic tours for visitors to the San Diego Museum of Man. Students completed the program with not only deeper knowledge of new digital tools for engagement, but also tangible proof-of-concept: a mobile app in hand.

5 Creative Ways Museums Leveraged Social Media on Giving Tuesday

Earlier in the week we celebrated Giving Tuesday, one of the biggest days of the year for nonprofits to engage the masses to open their wallets to charitable giving. This year, over $168 million was raised as result of this global initiative. Museums around the globe made their appeal over various channels such as email campaigns, phone calls, and of course: social media.

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