Revitalized And Re-Energizes, Baltimore Is Primed For A Visit Often Considered A Stepsister To D.C., Baltimore Is Having No Trouble Stepping Out On Her Own

Baltimore has produced famous jurists, poets and authors. But this year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of its most famous and popular native.

The Bambino himself, Babe Ruth, was born in a lower-class neighborhood a century ago. What better time to take a look at the pleasures of a trip to the place that spawned our national anthem?

Known as Charm City, Baltimore always has suffered as the lowly stepsister of the nation’s capital, located 30 miles to the south.

Ruth is a pretty good symbol for the city. Baltimore - or “Balmer” as locals affectionately call it - has been home to working-class Joes while D.C. gets the glitz and the glamor.

Even the city’s airport - once known as Friendship - had to be renamed Baltimore-Washington International to attain a more cosmopolitan image among travelers.

But Baltimoreans shouldn’t suffer from an inferiority complex. They’ve got baseball, while D.C. does not. They’ve got great neighborhood restaurants of many ethnic varieties. They’ve got Johns Hopkins University, one of the nation’s best.

And they’ve got a revitalized harbor area and a re-energized spirit among residents.

Baltimore’s history dates back to the early 1600s; it was incorporated a century later. Though not the capital of Maryland - Annapolis holds that distinction - Baltimore long has been its primary city.

Perhaps the community’s greatest triumph came in September 1814 when a contingent of 5,000 British troops - fresh from burning down large chunks of Washington - was repulsed by the local militia.

Local residents also built many of the warships that helped turn the tide in the War of 1812; over the years, the city never has lost its connection with the sea.

What the British couldn’t do in 1814, nature did nearly a century later: residents. Four years later, Charm City became a major league community with the arrival of the Baltimore Orioles.

Like most Northeastern urban centers, flight to the suburbs took its toll. Today, Baltimore’s population stands at 736,000. It is the nation’s 13th-largest city, bigger than Boston, San Francisco, Denver and Seattle. Even larger than D.C.

The best overview of the city is a trip to the top of the (Baltimore) World Trade Center, the world’s tallest pentagonal building. Designed by I.M. Pei, a museum is located at the top. You can call (410) 837-4515.

Baltimore grew up around the water, and many of its attractions are found at dockside. A water taxi is one option to get around; call (800) 658-8947.

Here are some of Baltimore’s other attractions:

The Inner Harbor. Once the symbol of Baltimore’s deterioration, the harbor area was refurbished during the 1970s. An urban marketplace, called Harborplace, opened in July 1980 with pavilions housing specialty shops, sidewalk cafes and restaurants. (410) 332-4191.

The National Aquarium. More than 5,000 aquatic animals are featured on several levels. An outstanding example of a modern aquarium. It’s worth it. (410) 576-3810.

USS Constellation: The Navy’s first commissioned warship continuously afloat, the Constellation saw action during the War of 1812. Located in the Inner Harbor. (410) 539-1797.

Baltimore Maritime Museum: 20th century warships can be visited in the harbor. (410) 396-5528.

Pride of Baltimore II: In the 19th century, Baltimore was the world center of boat design and the city’s schooners were among the most advanced on the high seas. The Pride of Baltimore II recreates that era; visitors can tour the ship when it’s in port. (410) 625-5460.

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine: It was from here that the rockets’ red glare lit up the night in 1814, setting the stage for our national anthem. (410) 962-4299.

Star Spangled Banner Flag House & War of 1812 Museum: The museum is located in the home of Mary Pickersgill, who made the flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. (410) 837-1793.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards: One of the newest yet most traditional ballparks, home to the Baltimore Orioles. (410) 685-9800.

Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum: George Herman Ruth was born here Feb. 6, 1895. The house is at 216 Emory St., just a long fly ball from the current stadium. The museum not only memorializes Ruth, but offers a glimpse of the long history of baseball in Baltimore. (410) 727-1539.

B&O Railroad Museum: Baltimore made history on Feb. 12, 1827, when a group of civic-minded residents met to form the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, the first commercial railroad in U.S. history. Since 1953, a museum has been operated in the 42,000-square-foot Mount Clare roundhouse, where trains were turned around for more than a century. (410) 752-2490.

Great Blacks in Wax Museum: Just what its name says - a wax museum dedicated to the achievements of African Americans. Among those memorialized are Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and two Baltimore natives: Thurgood Marshall and Billie Holiday. (410) 563-3404.

Edgar Allen Poe House: The famed mystery author lived here from 1832-35. (410) 396-7932.

Still not tired? Check out the Baltimore City Life Museum, Public Works Museum, Maryland Science Center, Baltimore Museum of Art, H.L. Mencken House or the Carroll Mansion, to name a few. Then stop at a neighborhood trattoria in Little Italy for lunch or dinner.

The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association can supply information for those planning a trip. Its number is (410) 659-7300.