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Rachael's Dowry Bed and Breakfast Blog ...

Prohibition may have ended 90 years ago, but some of the Baltimore speakeasies of that era are alive and thriving today. In the 1920s, these illicit bars and nightclubs sold alcohol despite the 18th Amendment that banned it. Maryland was the only state that refused to enforce the unpopular ban on alcohol, making Baltimore prime for these underground establishments.

Would you be surprised to learn that beer is the third most popular drink in the world, after water and tea? Here in Baltimore, our roots in beer-making are nearly as old as the city itself. You are probably familiar with our beloved National Bohemian, or as we like to say, Natty Boh. While it's now brewed out of state by Pabst Brewing Company, 90% of its sales are to Baltimore customers. Today, that legacy is being built upon by a new generation of breweries, each with its own unique flair.

No doubt you're familiar with Edgar Allan Poe, the American writer and poet best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre. "Quoth the Raven, 'Nevermore.'" You may not know, however, that Poe lived and wrote for a number of years in Baltimore and died here under mysterious circumstances in October 1849 at the age of 40. That makes October, or rather Poe-tober, an appropriate occasion to celebrate his life, literary works and contribution to the arts.

Baltimore is deeply rooted in African American heritage, dating back to when enslaved Africans first arrived here in the 17th century.

Every two years, Baltimore's waterfront hosts Maryland Fleet Week, a celebration of the Chesapeake Bay's rich maritime history and our nation's military traditions. This year, with the addition of Flyover Baltimore, visitors can participate in an exciting lineup of activities in the air, on land and at sea including guided ship tours, military demonstrations, flyovers, festivals and more.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor is one of America's oldest seaports. Once a center for shipbuilding, it's now a destination for fun and home to some of the city's best attractions – the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, Port Discovery Children's Museum and Harborplace. When you stay with us at Rachael's Dowry Bed & Breakfast, you are just minutes from the waterfront and all that it has to offer.

When summer temperatures begin to heat up in Maryland, there's one sweet treat that can cool things down in a delicious way: a Baltimore snowball. Not to be confused with a snow cone or Italian water ice, snowballs are a unique frozen concoction with a history that dates back some 200+ years. There's no denying snowballs are as synonymous with summer in Baltimore as a bushel of steamed blue crabs.

When you plan your itinerary for your next visit to Baltimore, your must-see list will probably include some of Charm City's biggest attractions – a trip to the National Aquarium, a day at Camden Yards to take in an Orioles baseball game, a relaxing cruise around Inner Harbor. We love all of these things, too.

"O say can you see, by the dawn's early light..." Every American knows the words to our beloved national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." The song's history is rooted here in Baltimore, dating back to the War of 1812, when soldiers at Fort McHenry defended our city from a British naval attack. The upcoming Fourth of July holiday is an appropriately patriotic time to plan a visit to Fort McHenry.

Journey back as far as the 19th century to discover how Baltimore became the city it is today. The Baltimore Museum of Industry seamlessly fuses Baltimore’s industrial history and the values and innovations that continue to drive the city forward today and into the future. Located at Inner Harbor, the museum is an easy 10-minute drive from our historic inn.