Top 5 exciting reasons to visit Baltimore this fall

(BPT) - Baltimore is a city with a rich history, thriving culture and eye on the future. Quickly becoming one of the top destinations for travel enthusiasts, visiting this vibrant city satisfies wanderlust any time of year, but it’s the upcoming fall season that really has travelers enthused. Here are five reasons to visit Baltimore this autumn and embrace all the excitement kicking off on Oct. 1.

Experience Awe-Inspiring Visual Arts

From October through December, Baltimore’s visual art scene will be buzzing. If you want to mix and mingle with Charm City’s best and brightest, you can attend the 31st Annual Open Studio Tour to meet artists, see their work and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their working processes on two weekends: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, to Sunday, Oct. 13, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, to Sunday, Oct. 27.

If you can’t make the Studio Tour and need an event to combat the post-holiday blues, visit Baltimore on Dec. 31 for the New Year’s Eve Spectacular where people of all ages will be amazed by the incredible fireworks display.

Be Brilliant in Baltimore

The hype is real! Those looking for a one-of-a-kind experience can attend Brilliant Baltimore, an innovative and unified celebration of two of the city’s most beloved events: Light City + Baltimore Book Festival. This event will illuminate Baltimore with world-class light art installations, thought-provoking literature and live performances from Nov. 1 to 10, 2019. Visitors and locals alike can explore art installations and activities like dance parties in 20 Baltimore neighborhoods including the Inner Harbor.

Revel in the Literary Arts

Looking for literature instead? Book nerds can unite at the Baltimore Book Festival Literary Marketplace with more than 100 booksellers, publishers and presses, independent authors, ‘zines and book artisans lining the lovely waterfront promenade from noon to 10 p.m. the entire weekend of Nov. 1-3. What’s more, there will be 10 stages featuring local, regional and national authors, innovators and thought leaders. Baltimore’s Book Festival offers something for everyone — from poetry to political and even children’s books — with appearances by Ibram Kendi, Chris Wilson, Dave Cullen in conversation with Erricka Bridgeford, Barbara Bourland, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha and Nnedi Okorafor, just to name a few.

Appreciate the Performing Arts

Theater and performance arts are alive and well in Baltimore! If live music is more your speed, check out Sound Off Live! (SOL!), presented by Hard Rock Cafe Baltimore, taking place on Nov. 6 and 7, 2019. SOL! showcases two packed evenings of live music from 18 of the region's most exciting up-and-coming bands/musicians. If you can’t make it on Nov. 6 and 7, come into town the weekend before on Nov. 1 to experience "Aerial Artistry," a once-in-a-lifetime moment where innovation and tech meet music and entertainment when 100 drones dance 100 feet high above the harbor, choreographed to a custom soundtrack.

Savor the Culinary Arts

Only in Baltimore can you mix and mingle with celebrity chefs like Sam Talbot and Carla Hall. Recognized as one of the top culinary destinations in America, and ranked by Yelp! as one of the 10 best Foodie cities, Baltimore is the place to visit if you are looking for the complete culinary experience. The Charm City’s dining spots span from casual pubs to award-winning chefs and unique food halls, offering something for everyone.