Founded in the 1780s before Baltimore was even chartered as a city, this market continues to thrive as one of the city's more accessible markets. Visitors will find a plethora of fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, meats, seafood, as well as prepared foods and drinks. Over the years, the vendors' sheds have been reconstructed. At one time, they extended all the way to the waterfront. Not anymore. Today, the market is self-contained.

This eclectic music shop in the heart of Baltimore's historic Fells Point neighborhood, offers a great selection of new and used compact discs. You might not always find what you're looking for, but it's a good bet you'll leave with something. Sound Garden also scores points for its well-organized selection. You'll probably never have to ask for help in your search for a particular genre, but if questions do arise, the friendly sales staff is more than happy to assist.

This cozy bookstore, in an old-fashioned shopping area off Roland Avenue, offers hardcover and soft cover books for children of all ages. If you're in the market for a 'Pat the Bunny' soft-cloth book or one of Harry Potter's great adventures, this is the place to go. The store also carries a small selection of reading-related items, including stuffed animals, puppets, audio tapes and bookmarks. If you have trouble selecting the perfect item, rely on the friendly and knowledgeable staff.

This huge Barnes and Noble, located on the John Hopkins University campus caters largely to students, but also has plenty to offer the general public as well. A huge selection of books is available in-store and if you can't find what you want, the staff will be only too happy to order it in for you. For students, there is a special textbook ordering service available. Also, check the website for details of upcoming events, as many famed authors and academics have done signings and readings at this store. 

Located on the parish grounds of the Cathedral of the Incarnation, one of the city's most venerable religious shrines, this tiny Charles Village bookstore is a treasure house of religious tomes. The shelves here are literally stuffed with a wide range of new ecumenical titles, including feminist-oriented volumes and books on mysticism, as well as those on various forms of Christianity and other religions. If you can't find the title you seek, they'll be happy to order it, and you can also join their mailing list. Call for opening hours.

This Hampden gift shop perfectly captures the commingling of traditional blue-collar values and the offbeat that wonderful Baltimore attitude celebrated in the films of director (and Baltimorean) John Waters. You'll find miniature hand-painted window screens (screen painting is a traditional Baltimore craft) and local cuisine cookbooks alongside plastic beehive-hairdo hats and Orioles checkers. If you want to take home a real piece of Charm City, this is the place to shop. Call for opening hours.

There are plenty of gift shops in town that offer Orioles caps and stuffed crabs, but for a souvenir that's uniquely Baltimorean, this is the place to shop. The handcrafted art objects for sale in this small gallery perfectly capture the quirky essence of Baltimore's whimsical, yet edgy, decorative arts scene. Here you'll find giant insects carved from telephone poles, fish with tin-can scales, plenty of very affordable jewelry, pottery and distinctive knickknacks. Nothing says 'Baltimore' like a beehive hairdo refrigerator magnet.

Normal's Books & Records shop offers a vast collection of small/regional press publications and second-hand titles. The inventory includes an impressive fiction and poetry section and children's books. You'll also find art books for the coffee table, and titles that cover a range of topics from African American culture to Zen. The store also stocks a large selection of records, compact discs, 45s and videos. The owners, a group of four men, also provide information on poetry readings and alternative music.

Although you'll find a small seating area, Di Pasquale is not truly a restaurant. At heart, it's a gourmet grocery store and deli that specializes in Italian fare. Tempt your taste buds with a slice of Vegetarian Lasagna or the Stuffed Shells. For an extra treat, consider buying a bottle of red wine. A long wine list and wide selection of specialty liquors are offered here. Prices at this Highlandtown favorite are reasonable.

This small shop offers an amazing amount of goodies, from costume jewelry to Hawaiian shirts and funky home accessories. If you're in the market for Fiesta Ware or retro gear, this is the place to visit. The prices are cheap and the racks are overflowing. But be prepared to do some serious hunting. Finding the treasure, often buried beneath piles of junk that dates to the 1950s, is no easy task.