Mount Vernon Marketplace is a fun food hall with a variety of options and just a few blocks from the Walters. It's definitely more casual, but you can bring food from any of the stalls to eat at the Center Bar if you want drinks.

In terms of places to stay, it totally depends on your budget. Local friends have done staycations at The Ivy and The Pendry Sagamore and had great experiences, but they are spendy. My husband's aunt would stay at the Four Seasons when she was here for work because she could, but there are plenty of more affordable places too! We've had friends and family stay everywhere from the Homewood Suites, the Residence Inn, the Courtyard, Marriott Waterfront, and the Hampton Inn by Camden Yards. The latter might be the least convenient location-wise, but it's a nice hotel.

I'd love to give you my own hotel experience, but sadly the Embassy Suites closed a few years ago.

Oh! I also meant to say that the AVAM gift shop is a must-visit, as it's this glorious hybrid of a museum gift shop and boardwalk souvenir shop with a splash of vintage Spencer's. We've found some really fun gifts there over the years, and is as much fun to explore as the rest of the museum.

That said, the exhibit "Esther and the Dream of One Loving Human Family" is extremely powerful and moving. I saw it last year when we went with friends to see the Last Week Tonight collection, and I absolutely recommend it on the second floor in the main building. Make sure to go to the third building to see all of the kinetic sculptures as well!

If you're going to be in Fed Hill, The Wurst Bar (new speakeasy on the second floor of Crossbar Biergarten on Cross Street) is definitely cozy and the cocktails are delicious!

That they do, and the owner was so kind to me years ago when I was having the absolute day from hell and I was out with friends in an attempt to get out of my funk.

If you're here Friday or Saturday, Birds of a Feather is super-cozy with an amazing selection of scotch. The back room has a fireplace and really comfy couches.

They definitely had the Belgian Fest this year and it was very crowded! Rare and Obscure is coming up, I think.

Honestly, the only time not to go to Max's is right before one of their festivals because the selection is more limited as they make room for the festival kegs.