Baltimore

Baltimore might not come to mind as a top-tier tourist destination, but the city is home to attractions that should be on the bucket list of anyone with an interest in 19th century and early 20th century technology.

The B&O Railroad Museum occupies a site touted as "the birthplace of American railroading" and contains a significant collection of steam-powered locomotives. The Baltimore Museum of Industry recreates a historic machine shop, print shop, garment loft and pharmacy, and is also home to the Baltimore, an operational steam-powered tugboat built in 1906. The George Peabody Library houses 300,000 volumes on 19th century history and is noted for its spectacular interior architecture.

Nearby, in Annapolis Junction, is the National Cryptologic Museum, which includes World War II German Enigma machines and a US Navy Cryptanalytic Bombe that broke the code. In Annapolis proper, you can tour the U.S. Naval Academy, where generations of Navy and Marine Corps officers (including a young Robert Heinlein) have received training.

You'll find details on these and other attractions in the listings below, which include Baltimore City and the counties of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard and Queen Anne's. Check out the "Steamiest Places" section for attractions likely to be of greatest interest to steampunks.