Fells Point is located on the Northwest Branch of the Patapsco River about two miles east of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Best known as a place to grab a drink (Fells Point seemingly has more bars than homes), Fells Point is enjoying a bit of a renaissance, and an influx of home buyers with an eye on historic preservation has turned the community into one of Baltimore’s nicer neighborhoods.

Fells Point has a distinctive nautical charm about it. From the two large marinas or the Moran tugs that berth here, you get a certain feeling of saltiness when walking around the town. While you are berthed in Fells Point, you can catch a ride over to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Little Italy or into Canton for some shopping on one of the city water taxis.

Englishman William Fell purchased the land in 1726, realizing its potential for shipbuilding and shipping in colonial America. Fell’s Point was annexed by Baltimore Town in 1773 and then the two were incorporated, along with Jones Town, as Baltimore City in 1797. Shipping traffic moved upriver to the docks at the Inner Harbor when its channel was dredged, but shipyards thrived here, most notably as builders of the famous clipper ships that irritated the British so thoroughly during the War of 1812 that they tried to capture Baltimore by land (stopped at North Point) and sea (stopped by Fort McHenry).

The neighborhood was saved again in 1967 when locals banded together to form the Society for the Preservation of Fells Point and Federal Hill, which successfully blocked the extension of Route 95 along the waterfront – a project that would have destroyed not only the Fells Point neighborhood but also the Inner Harbor basin, Federal Hill and Otterbein. Since then, the Society and various community organizations have worked to protect the local heritage and vitality of this diverse and colorful neighborhood.

Use NOAA Chart 12218 and 12278.

Baltimore is a bustling commercial port, and as such, a close watch for tugs, tugs with tows and large freighters is always warranted.

Brewerton and Craghill channels lead the way into Baltimore. Brewerton Channel breaks off from the main Chesapeake Bay Channel near Tolchester on the Eastern Shore, and Craighill Channel leads up from the south, starting at Baltimore light off of the Magothy River, just north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

The two channels converge at the North Point Shoal to become Bewerton Channel, which leads in toward the Francis Scott Key Bridge (fixed vertical clearance 185 feet). Once clear of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the Fort McHenry Channel bends to the northwest into Northwest Harbor, and then to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The two main marinas in Fells Point are to starboard on entry.

Local Notices to Mariners are now exclusively available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.

See the “Helpful Links” section below for a detailed calendar of events.

Fells Point and Baltimore are easy to get around. Taxi cabs come around every few minutes, and if you do not want to bust the budget with a cab ride (although they are relatively inexpensive), Maryland Transit Authority (MTA) Busses make rounds on a regular schedule.

Major commercial air service is provided through baltimore washington International Airport, which is located about 20 miles south of the city. MTA provides bus and light rail service to and from the airport, and shuttle service can be arranged through the airport authority.

Guide to Fells Point

Fells Point Calendar of Events

Maryland Mass Transit

Baltimore Washington International Airport