From Camden Yards to soft shell crabs, conference-goers will enjoy the best of Charm City.
By CJ Nash
July 27-30 is going to be special in Charm City this year when APCO 2025 comes to Baltimore. It will be the third time in the 21st century that the APCO Conference & Expo has visited Baltimore, and it gives attendees easy access to the heart of the city. From Russell Street to Pratt Street; from the Horseshoe Casino to Camden Yards and the O’s to the Inner Harbor; and from Phillips Seafood to Little Italy to Fells Point.
The conference focal point will be the Baltimore Convention Center, which is convenient to the Inner Harbor and aligns with the Pratt Street Corridor, running eastbound through the downtown area to Little Italy.
“We’re excited that the Orioles play every night at the conference. Can’t beat conference, crabs and baseball!” said conference co-chair Tom Ward. “Baltimore area emergency communications centers (ECCs) are eager to showcase their centers to tour attendees.” Ward noted extensive collaboration between the conference committee, APCO professionals and the city.
“The conference committee has been busy working with APCO’s events team ensuring APCO Baltimore is the best conference yet. All hands are on deck at the chapter, state and local level,” Ward wrote. “We’ve partnered with Visit Baltimore to make sure that all city stakeholders are on board with the conference and ready to welcome the public safety communications industry to Charm City. We’ve partnered with Baltimore City and allied law enforcement agencies to make the event as safe and smooth as possible an experience for all.”
This recommendation and others are made with consideration for attendees’ time, convenience and proximity. I urge you to check professional travel guides and search websites for more options while you’re in town.
DIRECTION FOR DINING
For those who have never been to Baltimore, and even for the “travel veterans,” I have two words to remember: Maryland crabs. Unless you have a shellfish allergy, you must try them at least once. No one does crabs like we do. Here are some dining options for your consideration:
Breakfast
Miss Shirley’s Café, 750 E. Pratt St., generally 8 a.m.-3 p.m., is very popular. Expect to spend some time there, but it’s worth the wait.
David & Dad’s Café, 115 N. Charles St., generally 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m., but Saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Hilton Inner Harbor, 401 W. Pratt St., Pendulum 401, has buffet-style breakfast with very good food and coffee.
The Pratt & Perk Café & Market in the lobby of the Hilton is a quicker breakfast option.
Lunch or Dinner
Faidley’s Seafood, 203 North Paca St., five blocks north of Pratt Street, is known for their crabcakes and other “fruits de la mer.” Keep in mind that it’s not a sit-down restaurant, nor fancy, but it’s worth a visit. Closed Sunday, otherwise generally open Mon-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Faidley’s is part of the revitalized Lexington Market, which dates to 1782, also with an entrance at 112 N. Eutaw St. and noted as “the best of Baltimore and Maryland food culture.”
Luna del Sea, 300 W. Pratt St., is in a prime location — across the street and just west of the convention enter. It’s reasonably priced, has good food and drink with a friendly and courteous staff. Hours generally are 11 a.m.- 10 p.m., but if there’s a crowd, according to staff, they will stay open for a while later. Phillip’s Seafood, 601 E. Pratt St. in the Pratt Street Corridor, has excellent crab cakes and generally very good food.
The Kona Grill, just east of the convention center on Pratt Street. Though I haven’t been there myself, I’ve driven by dozens of times, and it always seems popular, especially in the late afternoons and evenings.
In Little Italy, about a mile east along the Pratt Street Corridor from the convention center, my favorite Italian restaurants are Sabatino’s, 901 Fawn St., and Amicci’s, 231 S. High St.
And, finally, The Rusty Scupper, across the Inner Harbor at 402 Key Highway. All their food is superb. They have a wonderful jazz brunch on Sundays, and the harbor views from every table are excellent. Hours vary and reservations are required.
SIGHTS AND VENUES NOT TO BE MISSED
Fort McHenry, 2400 E. Fort Ave. During the War of 1812, as the fort came under attack, Francis Scott Key, trying to negotiate the release of one of his friends, was detained on one of the British ships so that he wouldn’t reveal any of the British attack plans, and began writing our national anthem.
Edgar Allan Poe’s grave, 515 W. Fayette St., for the literary, gothic or historical horror aficionado. Keep in mind it’s safer during the day and it’s only about three blocks from the Faidleys/The Lexington Market.
The Horse You Came In On Saloon, Fells Point, 1626 Thames St., the modern name of a bar that Mr. Poe frequented, and whose building dates to 1775. Enjoy an adult beverage in a place that has been a bar since the American Revolution, and that will put you in good and historic company.
Camden Yards, less than two blocks south of the Marriott Inner Harbor and directly behind the Hilton, where Cal Ripken became the true “iron man” of baseball. I was fortunate enough to attend the third game before he broke the consecutive game record of Yankee great Lou Gehrig. Gehrig will always be a monumental player, but playing first base, as Gehrig did, was nowhere near as difficult as setting the consistency, longevity and durability record while playing shortstop — as Ripken did.
The Power Plant Live! 34 Market Place, a few blocks north of Pratt St. Restaurants and entertainment venues.
Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St., is Maryland’s largest and best African American museum, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Hours vary.
American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy, a lesser-known museum with very interesting and unique exhibits. It’s closed Monday and Tuesday; hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Hang out at the Harbor a couple of blocks east of the convention center. Take breaks from your sessions or other work.
There’s plenty to eat and to do in the heart of Baltimore but sometimes a traveler just needs the nearest convenience store. A CVS at 400 E. Pratt St. has most things (except adult beverages) you might need on short notice: medicine, snacks, sodas, sundries and it is probably the least expensive place nearby. The pharmacy is open from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE CREDIT IS DUE
If you’re fortunate enough to attend as a public safety communications line employee, supervisor, manager or vendor, congratulate yourself on being here at the conference in Baltimore. Appreciate this special opportunity and memorable experience; make the most of it.
I hope you have a productive, fun, professionally fulfilling and career-enhancing conference, as I did for the first time here in 2007. And when you get back to your agencies or businesses, advocate for your peers. Share your new knowledge and understanding of your profession with them. Best to you all. I hope to see you there.
CJ Nash retired in 2010 after a 33-year career in police communications with the Maryland National Capital Park Police, Montgomery County Maryland Division. He has been a member of the Mid-Eastern Chapter since the mid-1990s and serves on the APCO Editorial Committee. He served as local flavor chair for APCO 2007 Baltimore.
