Things to Do in Baltimore in September
September weather, activities, events & insider tips
September Weather in Baltimore
Is September Right for You?
Advantages
- Post-summer shoulder season means hotel rates drop 20-30% compared to July-August peak, especially after Labor Day weekend when family travel winds down
- Comfortable weather for walking tours - highs around 24-27°C (75-80°F) make exploring neighborhoods like Fells Point and Federal Hill actually pleasant, unlike the sticky summer months
- Baltimore Orioles home games at Camden Yards during playoff push create electric atmosphere - September typically has 12-15 home games with tickets more available than summer sellouts
- Chesapeake Bay blue crab season peaks in September when crabs are at their meatiest - locals call this 'prime picking time' and you'll find the best crab feast deals at waterfront spots
Considerations
- Weather variability means you're genuinely packing for three seasons - mornings can be 16°C (60°F) requiring a jacket, afternoons hit 27°C (80°F), and those 10 rainy days are completely unpredictable
- Hurricane season technically runs through November, and while direct hits are rare, remnant systems can bring 1-2 days of heavy rain and wind that shut down harbor activities with little warning
- Some summer attractions start reducing hours after Labor Day - the National Aquarium maintains full schedule, but outdoor venues like Fort McHenry close earlier (5pm vs 6pm in summer)
Best Activities in September
Inner Harbor Waterfront Walking Tours
September weather is ideal for exploring the 3.2 km (2 mile) waterfront loop from Fells Point through Inner Harbor to Federal Hill. The humidity drops from summer's oppressive levels, and you'll actually want to be outside during midday. The variable weather means dramatic cloud formations over the harbor that make for better photos than flat summer skies. Weekday mornings (9-11am) have the fewest crowds at the National Aquarium entrance and waterfront promenade.
Chesapeake Bay Crab Feast Experiences
This is genuinely the best month for blue crabs - they're heavy with meat after feeding all summer, and locals know September crabs are worth the wait. The experience involves sitting at paper-covered tables, cracking crabs with wooden mallets, and getting Old Bay seasoning everywhere. It's messy, takes 2-3 hours, and costs $40-75 per person depending on crab size and market prices. The outdoor waterfront crab houses are still comfortable in September evenings (around 18-21°C or 65-70°F) without summer's mosquito swarms.
Fort McHenry National Monument Tours
The birthplace of the Star-Spangled Banner is dramatically better in September than summer. You'll be walking 0.8 km (0.5 miles) around the star-shaped fort's ramparts in direct sun, and September's 24-27°C (75-80°F) beats July's 32°C (90°F) misery. The fort hosts living history demonstrations on weekends through mid-September before they scale back for fall. Plan 2-3 hours here. The flag ceremony at sunset is worth timing your visit for - happens around 7pm early September, 6:30pm late September.
Hampden and Mount Vernon Neighborhood Cycling
September is perfect for exploring Baltimore's quirky neighborhoods by bike before the leaves fall and obscure the architecture. The 'Hon' culture of Hampden (vintage shops, John Waters connections) and the cultural institutions of Mount Vernon (Walters Art Museum, Washington Monument) are about 4.8 km (3 miles) apart with mostly flat routes. You'll want 3-4 hours to actually stop and explore. The city's bike share system works well, though dedicated bike lanes are inconsistent - you're sharing roads with cars in many areas.
Camden Yards Baseball Games
September Orioles games have playoff implications that make the atmosphere intense compared to casual summer games. The ballpark that revolutionized stadium design in 1992 is still beautiful, and September evening games (usually 7:05pm starts) have perfect weather - you'll want a light layer by the 7th inning when temperatures drop to 18-20°C (65-68°F). Games run 2.5-3.5 hours. The warehouse beyond right field glows in late-day sun during afternoon weekend games.
American Visionary Art Museum Exploration
This museum of self-taught artists is perfect for those 10 rainy September days when outdoor plans fall apart. You'll need 2-3 hours to see the main building plus the sculpture barn. The outdoor sculpture garden (with the 17 m or 55 ft whirligig) is actually pleasant in September's milder weather. The museum's location in Federal Hill means you can combine it with harbor walks if weather cooperates. Collections change annually, so the 2026 exhibits will be completely different from previous years.
September Events & Festivals
Baltimore Book Festival
Typically held the last full weekend of September in Mount Vernon, this is one of the largest free book festivals in the country. Over 100,000 people attend across three days, with 150+ authors doing talks, signings, and panel discussions. The festival takes over several city blocks with vendor tents, food trucks, and three stages. If you're not into books, avoid downtown this weekend - it gets legitimately crowded. If you are into books, arrive early (before 11am) for popular author sessions that fill up.
Hampdenfest
The quirky Hampden neighborhood closes down 36th Street (known as 'The Avenue') for a massive street festival usually the second Saturday of September. Expect 20,000+ people, 200+ vendors selling everything from vintage clothing to handmade crafts, live music on multiple stages, and the best people-watching in Baltimore. This is where you'll see the 'Hon' culture John Waters made famous. Free to attend, but bring cash for vendors - many don't take cards. Gets packed 12pm-4pm.