baltimore trolley tour

Baltimore Trolley Tours

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Baltimore Trolley Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Baltimore’s Trolley Tours: Navigating the City in Style

Baltimore1 Baltimore Stories 0

Trolley tours rise as a top choice when thinking of an engaging and educational way to explore Baltimore’s heart. These tours provide an excellent vantage point to witness the city’s key sights, all while imbibing the tales of its storied past and rich culture.

Baltimore boasts a variety of trolley tour operators, each presenting its unique itinerary. Some fan-favorite tours encompass:

• Inner Harbor Circuit : A journey past Baltimore’s signature sites like the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, and the illustrious USS Constellation.
• Fells Point Circuit : This voyage weaves through the quaint Fell’s Point district, renowned for its historic architecture and cobblestoned lanes.
• Mount Vernon Exploration : Traverse the elegant Mount Vernon sector, dotted with age-old mansions and compelling museums.
• Fort McHenry Expedition : An excursion to the iconic Fort McHenry, the birthplace of the Star-Spangled Banner amidst the War of 1812.

Whichever path you tread, an enriching experience is guaranteed. Trolley tours are not just about viewing sites; they’re about connecting with the city, unraveling its legends, and partaking in delightful escapades.

Here are some guidelines to elevate your trolley tour experience:

• Reserve Ahead : Trolley tours, particularly during peak seasons, see a surge in popularity. Ensure your seat by booking ahead.
• Be Punctual : Aim to be at the starting point 15 minutes before the tour commences. This allows ample time for check-in and settling in.
• Footwear Matters : Anticipate some walking during stops. Ensure you’re wearing comfortable shoes.
• Sun Protection : Baltimore’s sun can be intense. Arm yourself with a hat and sunscreen to fend off those rays.
• Engage with the Guide : Guides are treasure troves of information. Don’t hesitate to delve deeper by asking them questions.

For an even more pleasant trolley tour, consider these additional tips:

• Pack Refreshments : Tours can span hours. Packing a light snack and drink ensures you remain refreshed throughout.
• Capture the Moments : Every twist and turn brings with it a photo-op. Have your camera the ready.
• Relax and Revel : Let the charm of Baltimore and the rhythm of the trolley soothe you. Take a deep breath, relax, and embrace the experience.

All in all, trolley tours in Baltimore offer a seamless blend of relaxation, education, and recreation. With some foresight and preparation, you can craft an experience that remains etched in memory.

Related Posts

Baltimore Stories

Baltimore’s Underground Film Festivals: Cinematic Adventures

Garden Parties: Baltimore’s Blooming Spring Events

Exploring Baltimore’s Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Baltimore Trolley Tours

Location & hours.

Suggest an edit

Baltimore Visitors Ctr

Baltimore, MD 21226

Hawkins Point

You Might Also Consider

American Sailing Tours

5.8 miles away from Baltimore Trolley Tours

Cali W. said "BEST 1st time SAILING EXPERIENCE! We did the evening MoonLight tour of the city night lights. We brought our own bottle of wine and the boat provided the cups. The captain and staff were very nice and polite about us arriving late…" read more

in Boat Charters, Boat Tours

Alaska Saltwater Tours

Our full day Small Group Whale Watching, Wildlife, Natural History, and Glacier Tour ventures deep into Kenai Fjords National Park. With over 25 years experience, we will show you the Fjords' best kept secrets. This is a… read more

in Fishing, Boat Tours, Whale Watching Tours

City Solution Limo

City Solutions limo read more

in Airport Shuttles, Limos, Town Car Service

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

Was in town to visit relatives and we took the trolley tour. It waa so much fun and the guide was very knowledgeable. We learned a lot of interesting fun facts and tips that were helpful throughout pur stay.

Our Tour guide Mr. Paul Allen was a delight! So knowledgeable, numerous and pleasant. The best city tour I've ever had!

Being from the west coast, I never really thought about how historical Baltimore is! Learned a lot from our guide, Jack, who, probably in his late 70's / early 80's, took such pleasure in showing us his beautiful city! The downside was the fact that the "trolley" was "being used elsewhere" and we were shown around on a closed-in bus and couldn't really see many of the things he was pointing out. I don't feel we got what was advertised and if I had paid for it (the friends we were visiting generously bought us the tickets), I would have had words with the tour company. With the Government shutdown, Fort Henry was closed which was a real disappointment. That being said, we enjoyed our day in spite of a few glitches! Jack was a delight!

Tour was bad compared to other tours I've taken in other cities. Limited visibility from the trolley due to panels around the window. The tour guide seemed unprepared, pointing out some things after we'd passed them. There were some interesting facts learned about Baltimore, but the limited visibility made this a bad experience.

1 other review that is not currently recommended

Vanguy Excellence In Transportation Moving And Delivery Services

VANGUY Excellence in Transportation, Moving and Delivery Services have the most friendly, reasonable, great drivers. Our price is the best in Berks County- PA. Call us for a quote TikTok- @vanguytransportation Facebook- vanguy.frank… read more

in Couriers & Delivery Services, Taxis, Movers

RSV Transportation

Black Car Chauffeur Services read more

in Transportation

People Also Viewed

Charm City Food Tours

Bite of Baltimore

Baltimore Visitor Center

Watermark Cruises

Baltimore Ghost Tours

Spirit of Baltimore

Baltimore Wicked History Tours

Sagamore Spirit Distillery

Baltimore Ghosts

Domino Sugar Baltimore

Best of Baltimore

Things to do in Baltimore

Other Tours Nearby

Find more Tours near Baltimore Trolley Tours

Browse Nearby

Restaurants

Mines Near Me

Tours Near Me

Related Cost Guides

Town Car Service

Baltimore Snap

january, 2023

sat 28 jan 8:00 am 1:00 pm Live Baltimore Trolley Tour: Winter 2023

Event Details

Hosted by Live Baltimore RSVP – Free The Winter 2023 Trolley Tour features neighborhoods in Southeast Baltimore City! Live

Hosted by Live Baltimore

RSVP – Free

The Winter 2023 Trolley Tour features neighborhoods in Southeast Baltimore City!

Live Baltimore’s Trolley Tour is for buyers at ALL stages of the homebuying process. You do not need to be buying a home soon to benefit from this free, in-person informative event.

At Trolley Tour, you’ll:

• Explore 10+ neighborhoods on a narrated tour
• Connect with real estate professionals and community organizations
• Attend expert-led workshops on the homebuying process
• AND become eligible for $5,000 toward the purchase of a home anywhere in Baltimore City!

Twenty  Buying Into Baltimore  $5,000 incentive awards are available following this in-person event.

All attendees (children and adults) must have a ticket—even if they do not wish to qualify for the Buying Into Baltimore incentive. Registration on event day is available pending space availability. Space is limited. Sell-out is possible.

Applying for the incentive? Eligible attendees may apply for Baltimore City’s $5,000 Buying Into Baltimore incentive after attending this  in-person  Trolley Tour. You’ll have 10 business days following the Trolley Tour to enter the incentive lottery. We advise having mortgage pre-approval and your  City agency homeownership counseling  finished prior to attending the event.

Please review the  Full Incentive Terms and Conditions  carefully and make sure you have gathered your documents listed in the  Incentive Application Checklist  before applying for the Buying Into Baltimore Incentive.

Note: Live Baltimore is not responsible for the distribution of incentive funds. Incentive funds are provided and regulated by Baltimore City’s Department of Housing and Community Development. Restrictions apply.

(Saturday) 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Henderson-Hopkins School

2100 Ashland Ave Baltimore, MD 21205

Live Baltimore

Calendar GoogleCal

No comments.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.

• About the Hub
• Announcements
• Faculty Experts Guide
• Subscribe to the newsletter

Explore by Topic

• Arts+Culture
• Politics+Society
• Science+Technology
• Student Life
• University News
• Voices+Opinion
• About Hub at Work
• Gazette Archive
• Benefits+Perks
• Health+Well-Being
• Current Issue
• About the Magazine
• Past Issues
• Support Johns Hopkins Magazine
• Subscribe to the Magazine

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Finding your new home in Baltimore City

Learn about live near your work grants and explore 10-plus neighborhoods that could be yours.

Credit: COURTESY OF LIVE BALTIMORE

By HR NewsWire

Considering buying a home in Baltimore City? The Johns Hopkins Live Near Your Work program offers employees grants of up to $17,000 toward a down payment and closing costs associated with buying a house in designated Baltimore City neighborhoods. Here are two steps to get you started.

Live Near Your Work: What Are the Rules and How to Apply

Join JHU program specialist Jeremy Hornberger from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, to learn the ins and outs of the Live Near Your Work home-buying grant available for specific Baltimore City neighborhoods. What Are the Rules and How to Apply is a live webinar that will cover eligibility requirements, application steps, homeownership counseling information, an overview of qualifying neighborhoods and grant amounts, and the conditions of the program. Register here

Live Baltimore Spring 2024 Trolley Tour

Live Baltimore is hosting an in-person Spring 2024 Trolley Tour, a free event open to all buyers at all stages of the homebuying process. This event will take place from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 11, at Henderson-Hopkins School, 2100 Ashland Ave., and will feature neighborhoods in Southeast Baltimore City.

Click here to register for the event, where you can explore 10-plus neighborhoods on a narrated tour, connect with real estate professionals and community organizations, and learn more about the homebuying process and incentives that may be available to you. Your attendance at the Trolley Tour qualifies you to apply for a $5,000 Buying Into Baltimore down payment and closing costs assistance incentive; 20 homebuyers from a pool of eligible applications will be selected to receive the funds. Additional information and details can be found here .

Live Baltimore offers incentives that may be used in conjunction with the Live Near Your Work grant program through Johns Hopkins. To learn more about LNYW eligibility, grant amounts, boundaries, and the application process, go here . Call 410-516-2000 or email [email protected] with questions.

Posted in Benefits+Perks , Happenings

Tagged hr newswire

You might also like

Browse our category menus to discover hundreds of online resources frequently used by faculty and staff, or use the search to find people .

To locate past Hub and Hub at Work articles, use the search function at the top of the page.

Find it Fast

News network.

• Johns Hopkins Magazine
• Get Email Updates
• Submit an Announcement
• Submit an Event
• Privacy Statement
• Accessibility

Discover JHU

• About the University
• Schools & Divisions
• Academic Programs
• Plan a Visit
• my.JohnsHopkins.edu
• © 2024 Johns Hopkins University . All rights reserved.
• University Communications
• 3910 Keswick Rd., Suite N2600, Baltimore, MD
• X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram

Holly Jolly Trolley Tours

Get into the holiday spirit by taking a tour to see decorated holiday trees and colorful light displays, all while learning a little Baltimore History! 

Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore has partnered with American Limousines and Baltimore Rent-a-Tour to present the Annual Holly Jolly Trolley Tours, beginning Friday, December 2 at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and running through December 30 with a limited schedule. The 90-minute tours, hosted by a Baltimore Rent-A-Tour professional guide, will take guests in and around Baltimore City to experience the glitter, light displays and holiday decorations in Charm City. 

The holiday decorated modern trolley will embark and debark from Royal Sonesta Harbor Court’s Espresso Café, located at 550 Light Street, thirty minutes prior to departure – where riders are welcome to stop in the café for holiday themed hot and cold beverages and snacks for purchase.  Tickets are $32.50 for adults (13+) and $22.50 for kids (12 and under) and include the tour, festive music and holiday trivia. Advance tickets are required.

The Holly Jolly Trolley Tour will take riders through the adorned streets of

• Downtown Baltimore
• Harbor East
• Fells Point
• Center Plaza
• Hampden’s 34th Street Christmas Festival of Lights

Along the way, riders will enjoy holiday music and learn local history from an expert guide. As part of the Holly Jolly Trolley Tour campaign, Royal Sonesta Harbor Court will be offering guests a special 15% off dinner and/or food in the bar area in Explorers, An American Gastropub (2nd floor of the hotel) with the purchase of a ticket for the tour.  In addition, discounted parking ($10) will be available for the hotel garage by presenting the ticket stub at the front desk.

Related Events

Visit Baltimore Merch

Show off your Baltimore pride in style with t-shirts, hats and hoodies featuring the Visit Baltimore logo. Plus get your hands on our one-of-a-kind posters.

Privacy Overview

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

• Program Calendar
• Publications
• Private Events

Lost City: Baltimore’s Trolleys, Trackless Trolleys and Buses

Electric streetcar. Men posed around streetcar number 2067, to Orleans Street. ca 1908, John Dubas, BCLM Collection, MC9459.3, MdHS.

There was a time when you could take a trolley from Liberty Heights Avenue or Roland Avenue down to Stewart’s Department Store on Howard Street or one of the downtown movie theatres on Lexington Avenue. This was the way some children got to school and in a time when not many people could afford a car, the street car system enabled someone who lived in southwest Baltimore to work in Highlandtown or “The Point” (Dundalk). The end of World War II and the migration to the suburbs changed all of that.

In the first half of the nineteenth century the need for an urban transportation system arose as nascent cities experienced unprecedented growth. Horse drawn omnibus lines began to be seen on city streets. These lines ran on steel rails embedded in the streets. The vehicles ran smoother and more rapidly than the older horsecars traveling over unpaved streets.

Baltimore City Passenger Railway Co. #60, Ca. 1885-1890, SVF, MdHS.

On July 26, 1859, the era of the Baltimore trolley began when a passenger car drawn by four horses traveled from the foot of Broadway to the intersection of Baltimore Street and North Avenue. The fare that day was $.03. When the charter for these trolleys was granted by City Hall, there was a provision that required trolley operators to contribute $.01 to the city for every fare collected. This money was to be used for the maintenance of the city’s parks.(1)

By 1890 there were 178 cars and 1,283 horses in service. In 1899, the United Railways and Electric Company raised the fare to $.05, and instituted a system of transfers that allowed passengers unlimited “transfers” from one line to another to get to their destination. However trips to outlying areas such as Towson, Catonsville and Waverly required an additional fare.

Baltimore can lay claim to a number of firsts in the history of the streetcar. On August 10, 1885 the first commercially operated electric streetcar in America began operation in Baltimore. Leo Daft, an engineer from England, converted the Baltimore to Hampden Line from horse-drawn cars to electricity, via his unique third rail system, using the current from that third rail as the power source. This first line ran from 25 th and Howard Streets through Huntingdon and Hampden to Roland Avenue and what is now 40 th Street.(2) The first nickel fare collected is now at the Smithsonian Institution.

Following Daft’s example, the Baltimore Traction Company built a line running from Druid Hill Park to Patterson Park in 1891 using underground steel cables (similar to the system still operating in San Francisco today). The cables were powered by steam engines in nearby warehouses. This cable system was abandoned in 1899 when the company merged with United Railways and Electric Company (UR&E). A consolidation of disparate trolley companies and the various types of trolleys, tracks and power sources resulted in standardization with UR&E and a large coal burning power plant on Pratt Street where some of the 190 foot tall smokestacks remain at the Power Plant entertainment complex today.

Baltimore Transit Company, brochure, 1945, Ephemera Collection, Transportation, MdHS (reference photo)

Baltimore was also the site of the first elevated electric streetcar line in the country. In 1895, the Lake Roland Electric Railway Company built a thirty-five foot tall steel structure to bring its cars downtown. At the time there were no other north-south thoroughfares for street car lines so the “El” was built above some existing tracks. In 1950, the El service stopped and the overhead tracks were torn down.(3)

Streetcar (to Catonsville).Towson, Maryland, Ca. 1950.Trussell Collection, PP2, MdHS.

In 1938, a new form of transportation arrived in Baltimore – the trackless trolley. The first ones had solid rubber tires and must have been rough riding, especially on a street with pot holes These trackless trolleys, updated with pneumatic tires and comfortable interiors, remained in service until 1959. The cars were first placed in service where the existing tracks needed major repair or replacement and where sparse ridership wouldn’t warrant the expense of repairing or replacing the tracks. In a city where there was segregation in housing, restaurants and more those days, the Baltimore trolley and trackless trolleys were not segregated.

The trolleys and the trackless trolley had extension arms (poles) on the roof that connected to the overhead power lines. Occasionally these poles would slip out of overhead lines and the car would come to a stop. Often this would happen when the trolley rounded a curve too fast. A special vehicle, the Line Truck, was required to place the poles back on the overhead heads and at times to repair the power lines. The Line Truck had a platform that could be raised to allow a worker to fix the problem by extending up and out over the tracks. It could be raised high enough so that the trolley could pass under the platform while repair work was in progress.(4) Track crews were required to take care of the tracks, the track bed and the cross timbers. Similar to train tracks, cross ties supported the rails, and stone ballast under the ties provided a solid base for the ties and rails.

Map Showing Car, Bus and Trackless Trolley Lines of the Baltimore Transit Company, 1945, Map Collection, MdHS (reference photo)

The Companies That Operated the Early Transit Systems

Baltimore City Passenger Railway Co. Transfer Ticket, not dated, Ephemera Collection-Transportation, MdHS (reference photo)

The Baltimore City Passenger Railway Company – On July 23,1893 BCPRC operated the Blue Line that ran down South Calvert Street and East Baltimore Street to East Read Street to Charles Street and over the North Avenue. This was referred to as the Charles Street Line.

United Railways and Electric Company –This company was formed in 1899 when all of the other Baltimore street car lines merged to form this UREC union.

The Baltimore Traction Company  –This company began operation on May 23, 1891 running the Druid Hill Line and the Gilmor Street Line. Their car barn was at Druid Hill Avenue and Retreat Street. Their powerhouse was in a converted Methodist Church on North Gilmor and Mosher Streets. It merged with United Railways and Electric Company in 1899, when the cable car concept died.

The Baltimore Transit Company, ticket, not dated, Ephemera Collection-Transportation, MdHS (reference photo)

The Baltimore Transit Company  – A privately owned public transit operator, this company began operation in 1935 providing trolley and bus service until it was purchased by National City Lines in 1948 when its’ trolley service ceased but its’ bus line continued. In 1965 the Baltimore Transit Company fired bus driver Vernon Naimaster, for his involvement with the Ku Klux Klan. The firing went to arbitration with the arbitrator ruling in BTC’s favor. Many other white drivers threatened to quit if this man was not discharged.

The Baltimore Streetcar Company

In 1899 the Baltimore Streetcar Company built a spur line on Montrose Avenue to the Edmondson Avenue trolleys- the short spur was only 1/3 mile long connected to the Baltimore to Ellicott City line.(Sidney Levy)

Sidney Levy is a volunteer in the Maryland Historical Society’s Special Collection Department.

Sources and further reading:

Baltimore Streetcar Museum

Nixon, George F. Condensed History of Public Transportation in Baltimore, 1844-1980.  Baltimore: Baltimore Streetcar Museum, 1981.

History of MTA Maryland

Monumental City.net, Brief History of Baltimores Electric Streetcars

• Online Resources
• Visit Overview
• Hours & Ticketing
• Directions & Accessibility
• Group Tours
• Nearby the MCHC
• Museum Overview
• Exhibitions Overview
• Upcoming Exhibitions
• Past Exhibitions
• Traveling Exhibitions
• Collections Overview
• Museum Collections Access
• Reproductions & Permissions
• Item Donations
• Library Overview
• Collections
• Plan Your Visit
• Find Materials
• Research & Remote Services
• Fellowships & Prizes
• Online Resources Overview
• Library Catalog
• Digital Collections
• Research Guides
• Finding Aids
• Educator Resources
• Virtual Program Archive
• Learn Overview
• Onsite Programs
• Virtual Field Trips
• Traveling Trunks
• Historical Investigations Portal
• Educator Resources Overview
• Professional Development
• Student Research Center

Hello Kitty and Barbie trucks roll into Baltimore for 2024 East Coast tour

The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck and Barbie Truck is continuing its 2024 East Coast tour and rolling into the Baltimore area. 

The Hello Kitty truck will make four stops this Spring. 

From the same team behind Hello Kitty Cafe Truck comes the Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour, which will also be visiting the Greater DC Area for three stops offering exclusive Barbie-themed apparel and accessories for fans of all ages.

2024 Hello Kitty Cafe Truck Tour Appearances:

• MCLEAN – Tysons Corner Center Saturday, March 23rd, 2024, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• COLUMBIA – The Mall in Columbia, Saturday, March 30th, 2024, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• BETHESDA – Pike & Rose Saturday, April 6th, 2024, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• BALTIMORE – THE AVENUE at White Marsh Saturday, April 13th, 2024, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

2024 Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour Appearances:

• ARLINGTON – Westpost at National Landing Saturday, March 23rd, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• BETHESDA – Bethesda Row Saturday, March 30th, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• BALTIMORE – The Avenue at White Marsh Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Fans of Hello Kitty can look forward to exclusive goodies and limited-edition collectibles, including Hello Kitty Cafe Hoodie, Hello Kitty Cafe Cup Plush, Hello Kitty Cafe T-Shirt, Hello Kitty Cafe Lunchbox and a Hello Kitty Cafe Canvas Tote

The Barbie truck will have an all-NEW exclusive merchandise on the heels of the 60th Anniversary of Barbie moving into her very first Dreamhouse. 

The Barbie Dreamhouse truck will offer an array of brand-new apparel, along with home goods and accessories inspired by a day in life of Barbie in her Dreamhouse.