Baltimore attracts people from all over the globe because of its education, jobs, lifestyle, family, healthcare, and more. Those of us who live here absolutely love it. Before you consider making a move to Baltimore, you’ll want to research the neighborhoods and figure out which one you jive with.
Canton is one of our favorite places for numerous reasons. It has been a significant port and center of trade and industry since the late 18th century. Canton is a less urban and more residential area situated on the water, but is just a quick walk or drive to the Inner Harbor. Interstate highways are conveniently located right off of O’Donnell and Boston Street, which also makes Canton a great place for commuters. The architecture is a mix of historic rowhomes, new construction, and condos. It is a very walkable neighborhood, close to restaurants, pubs, parks, marinas, and stores.
Let’s jump in!
Chapters
Location
Canton is located in the southeast part of Baltimore City, MD. Its “borders” are the waterfront to the south, Conkling Street to the east, Chester Street to the west, and Patterson Park/Eastern Avenue to the north. It sits on the Patapsco River which flows to the Chesapeake Bay. Adjacent neighborhoods are Fell’s Point, Highlandtown, and Brewer’s Hill.
If you commute to work outside of the city, you can easily access I-95 and I-895 via O’Donnell Street and Boston Street. There are multiple bus routes to take you to other parts of the city or outside of it. It is also very easy to get around by car. People who are moving from elsewhere always ask about parking. There is plentiful free street parking for two-car households, and many of the homes have parking pads for added convenience. Renting bikes and scooters through apps has also become a popular way to get around. I am able to walk from my house in Canton to my office in Fell’s Point!
Employment Opportunities
Some of the largest employers in Baltimore, MD are The Johns Hopkins Hospital Healthcare System and the University of Maryland Medical System. Mercy Medical Center, LifeBridge Health, and Medstar Health are also hubs for medical professionals and administrators. Exelon Corporation is an American Fortune 100 energy company and the parent company for Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE). Bank of America, M&T Bank, PNC Bank, Truist Bank, and Wells Fargo are the 5 biggest banks. T. Rowe Price and Vanguard are two amazing financial management companies. Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading American multinational aerospace and defense technology company. Amazon now has a big location in Baltimore as well.
These big names tend to get people’s attention, but there are thousands of smaller businesses, organizations, and nonprofits to work for. Baltimore is home to top-tier colleges and universities. Fitness centers, gyms, sports arenas, and yoga studios are also popular places for employment. The hospitality industry flourishes in Baltimore with hotels, restaurants, and catering companies. You’ll soon notice that many Baltimoreans have edgy hairstyles and tattoos thanks to numerous salons with talented stylists and artists.
Academia
Johns Hopkins University has a reputation that precedes it. The Homewood campus in the Charles Village neighborhood hosts just over 5,000 undergraduates. The world-class graduate programs, such as the medical school, nursing school, Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, and all located in east Baltimore, right next to Canton! The Applied Physics Laboratory, Peabody Institute, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, School of Education, and Carey Business School are all close by.
Loyola University Maryland and Notre Dame of Maryland University are both Catholic universities focused in liberal arts.
Morgan State University and Coppin State Universities are both vibrant Historically Black institutions (HBCU).
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) has numerous graduate, undergraduate, and certificate programs for the visual arts.
University of Maryland, Baltimore County is located in nearby Catonsville, and Towson University and Goucher College are both just north in Towson, MD.
The bottom line: Students, faculty, and administrators alike live in Canton for proximity to their work.
Staying Fit
If you like taking walks along the water or watching the changing of the seasons, Canton is a perfect option for you! Patterson Park is a huge attraction. This vast 133-acre greenspace showcases winding paths for walking, running, and biking. You’ll catch some sun in open spaces and find shade under trees. There is a good amount of elevation, with the highest point being Hampstead Hill where you’ll see the Pagoda-style Observatory. There are 10 tennis courts, 9 athletic fields, 2 playgrounds, 5 basketball courts, a fieldhouse, a swimming pool, ice rink, dog park, duck pond, picnic pavilions, community farms, and more!
The Waterfront Promenade is an 8-mile pedestrian walkway that borders the harbor, beginning in Canton and wrapping all the way through Fell’s Point, Harbor East, the Inner Harbor, Federal Hill, and Riverside. It’s great for walking, jogging, pushing a stroller, and taking in scenic views of boats, architecture, and glistening calm waters.
If you like to work out indoors, you have your pick of gyms, fitness centers, and yoga studios. Merritt Clubs Canton has just about everything you could ask for, including a resort-like rooftop pool with a bar, indoor lap pool, multiple rooms of standard equipment, bathrooms with saunas, and awesome classes. Other spots are Crunch Fitness, PEAK Performance Training, Charm City Fitness, PUSH511 Fitness, LA Fitness, and that doesn’t even scratch the surface. In addition to the sports fields in Patterson Park, Coppermine Du Burns Arena has indoor and outdoor turf fields for local teams and also large events.
Shopping
Canton supports numerous small businesses, and also boasts larger retailers for the would-be suburbanite. Minuteman Press located on O’Donnell Street is a family-owned printing business for all types of media: signs, brochures, t-shirts, banners, booklets, branded packaging, and window graphics. The Lucky Knot is a boutique clothing store that offers garments for a fashionable day on a sailboat or night out on the town. Canton Games is great for board games and puzzles, and you can even use their space to play the games. This place saved us from boredom during the height of the pandemic. The local Ace Hardware has all of the tool and home essentials if you are just getting settled or need to make some quick repairs.
Canton Crossing and other plazas nearby have banks, clothing stores, grocery stores, restaurants, and plenty of parking. Restaurants include franchises such as Mission BBQ, Chick-fil-A, Five Guys, Panera, Chipotle, and Five Guys. Other local food favorites are Iron Rooster, Samos Greek Island Grill, Atwater’s, and THB Bagelry and Deli. You’ll find Safeway, Harris Teeter, Sprouts, and BJ’s Wholesale Club for all of your food needs. There’s a Nordstrom Rack, DSW, Skechers Outlet, Old Navy, and Loft for all of your clothing and accessories. There’s also a Target, Michael’s, and Petco.
Nightlife
Canton attracts people from all parts of the city and outside of it because of the robust nightlife. Gunther & Co and of Love & Regret are two of my favorites for expertly-made craft cocktails and new American cuisine. The dishes are always delicious and inspired by the seasons. Other bistros for a good beer and a burger include Blue Hill Tavern, Cardinal Tavern, and Lee’s Pint & Shell. For nightlife you’ll want to explore Canton Square where you’ll find good eats and watering holes, including Looney’s Pub, Claddagh Pub, Cowboy Row Saloon & Chophouse, Nacho Mama’s, and El Bufalo Tequila Bar & Kitchen. There’s something here for everyone whether it’s a chill conversation over a beer, a rowdy sports crowd, or a dance party! On a weeknight you might just want to play some bar trivia with a small group of friends. On the weekend you might want to roll from a big brunch straight into an evening with live music and DJs.
The cool thing about living in Canton is that there are always new places opening up in addition to the local favorites. Since it’s a larger neighborhood, there are many different types of people, so you are sure to make new friends!
Year-round Events
Canton Waterfront Park and Patterson Park feature local musicians, traveling bands, and diverse cultures with numerous events all year long. In the summers, local radio station WTMD 89.7 brings in awesome bands for their First Thursday series. Friends of Patterson Park also puts on a Summer Concert Series on Sundays, sponsored by another public radio station, WYPR 88.1. The annual Water Lantern Festival is a fun, but also a heartfelt experience. People honor loved ones, personal struggles, and find closure and hope by lighting paper lanterns and allowing them to float away. Cultural events embrace shared heritage, cuisine, and customs, including the annual Ukrainian, Polish, Greek, and Caribbean festivals.
There are also dozens of smaller bars and pubs that bring in live music and organize watch parties for sporting events.
Conclusion
Canton has one of the strongest neighborhood identities in Baltimore. People who live here love it, and people who don’t live here want to be on the inside. Young professionals getting a start in their first career embrace the opportunity to make friends through all of the social and physical activities. Older folks enjoy having all of their shopping close by. Perhaps Canton is the right fit for you!