“I never get tired of wandering through the aquarium, even though I worked there for a whole summer when I was 16. Whether it’s seeing a new exhibit or visiting an old favorite such as the Amazon River Forest, there’s always something interesting there.” —Zoë DiGiorgio

When I went to London this summer and interacted with locals, they would politely ask me where in the States I was from. I would always reply, “Baltimore.”

Without fail, the next thing they would say was, “Oh, like The Wire?”

Though Baltimore has a seedy reputation thanks to David Simon’s dreary TV show, I am always quick to inform those who have never been to the city that they are missing out on a real treat: the Inner Harbor.

This summer was the second one I’ve worked around the harbor, and those who snub their noses at Baltimore have no idea how vibrant and fun the harbor can be.

When I was a kid, I loved going to the National Aquarium and the Maryland Science Center. Though I’ve outgrown the science center a bit, the IMAX Theater within is still fun for all ages. I never get tired of wandering through the aquarium, even though I worked there for a whole summer when I was 16. Whether it’s seeing a new exhibit or visiting an old favorite such as the Amazon River Forest, there’s always something interesting there.

While one of the biggest draws of Washington is all its museums and monuments, Baltimore has plenty of museums if you know where to look — many are floating on the harbor! Along the water are historic warships you can tour for a fee. If you want to go farther out from the main harbor, the American Visionary Art Museum sits across the water and Geppi’s Entertainment Museum resides at Camden Yards.

Even in the past few years, the harbor has been upping its game by bringing new shops and restaurants to the Power Plant and Harborplace. There’s an Urban Outfitters, two candy shops, a three-story Barnes & Noble bookstore and, of course, Baltimore Ravens and Orioles fan shops. If you’re looking for a quick bite, there are plenty of cheap places like Chipotle Mexican Grill or Potbelly Sandwich Works, though there’s The Cheesecake Factory, P. F. Chang’s China Bistro and Phillips Seafood if you want to sit down for a bit (and have some extra cash). If you wander off into Harbor East, there are also some ritzier boutiques and eateries that are a must. Fogo de Chão, anyone?

Though the tourist attractions are great, life around the Inner Harbor is just a lot of fun. There are usually street performers who draw major crowds on warm days. In the summer, you can get swept up in the hysteria of delighted Orioles fans or even the fan frenzy that spills out from Baltimore’s sprawling convention center — the weeks of BronyCon and Otakon were some of the more memorable of my summer.

Walking along the harbor can be a nice venture in itself. The brave can try paddling a “Chessie” dragon boat around the harbor, though the less brave can still have fun watching friends and family splash around in an attempt to navigate their dragon. I always spent an enjoyable hour reading by the water before work. Though I wouldn’t swim in it, the harbor is nice to look at.

Those who like a little nightlife can head over to Power Plant Live when it gets dark to check out the clubs there or grab a show at Rams Head Live.

My favorite event, though, has to be catching a concert at Pier Six Pavilion. Nothing makes for a better summer night than chilling out to some tunes while getting some fresh air on the lawn and watching the city skyline reflected in the waves below you.

Washington can have the National Mall. I’d take a trip to the Inner Harbor any day, Wire or not.