By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com
The New York Times just dubbed Baltimore one of the top places to visit this year as part of its “52 Places to Go” in 2024 list.
It joined destinations like Paris, France; Maui, Hawaii; Hurghada, Egypt; and Vienna, Austria. Freelance travel writer Daniel Scheffler penned the excerpt on Baltimore, highlighting the up-and-coming Baltimore Peninsula neighborhood and the ongoing transformation of the historic Henry Highland Garnet School into the Justice Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center.
“After all the years of work the city has done with so many cheerleaders, from John Waters, to the mayor and the governor, to people like the Empanada Lady, the team from Pendry Hotel and poet Unique Mical, it’s in good hands to get all the international and national attention it deserves,” Scheffler told the AFRO.
“For far too long, we have let naysayers and people who do not understand Baltimore drive our narrative as to what makes a city a great place to live, work and visit.”
Scheffler was born in Africa but grew up all over Europe. He first visited Charm City a couple years ago for an interview with Baltimore native and American filmmaker John Waters. While walking the streets of the city, he fell in love with its uniqueness.
Even having traveled to 130 countries and thousands of cities, Scheffler said Baltimore has a special ingredient that can’t be found anywhere else.
“To me Baltimore is one of the most interesting and wonderful places I have been on the planet, and, thus, I return as often as possible,” said Scheffler. “Some may say this isn’t my story to tell, but I am grateful to have a platform to share Baltimore and my own love for it. The city’s done the work, I am merely telling people about it.”
Al Hutchinson, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore, said he and his team were thrilled about Baltimore being tapped for the list.
“It’s no secret that Baltimore is having a major moment— our arts, culture, medical and tech industries are huge assets in our city’s appeal as a cultural destination. Visitors repeatedly comment on our ease of access, walkability, beautiful waterfront, diversity in people, arts and culture and our amazing up and coming dining scene,” said Al Hutchinson, president and CEO for Visit Baltimore. “As Governor Moore so often says, it’s Maryland’s decade, but it’s Baltimore’s time.”
He expressed that Baltimore’s critics have unduly steered the city’s narrative without having a grasp of its merits. He thinks everyone should be proud of Baltimore for what he considered a momentous accomplishment.
“For far too long, we have let naysayers and people who do not understand Baltimore drive our narrative as to what makes a city a great place to live, work and visit,” said Hutchinson. “The Baltimore we know and love is a palace where innovative ideas and ambition are the currency that matters most, where art is seen as a catalyst for conversation, food as a means of connection and history as an opportunity for education.”
Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member.
