Posts about Baltimore Living

11 Festive Holiday Events in Baltimore

Baltimore really turns on the charm during the holiday season. Whether you’re looking to lace up your ice skates, take in a gorgeous light display, or do some holiday shopping, the city has a holiday event for you! We’ve rounded up 11 of the best holiday events Baltimore has to offer! Due to COVID-19, events and attractions may not be operating as normal. Make sure to double check hours and operating procedures before you attend an event! Light Up the Night - Chanukah Downtown B’nai Israel is launching Light Up the Night Chanukah menorah lightings this year to help bring Chanukah to downtown Baltimore. Stops on the Light Up the Night Chanukah menorah trail are to include lightings December 1 st through 3 rd ! YJP Drinks & Dreidels Chabad of Downtown’s Young Jewish Professionals group will host a Chanukah party at Bond Street Social December 2 nd from 7:00pm – 10:00pm. The event will include a menorah lighting, hors d’oeuvres, gourmet latkes and donuts, a premium open car, and a cash bar. 50 th Annual Monument Lighting 2021 marks the 50 th anniversary of the Baltimore tradition of illuminating the historic Washington Monument in Mount Vernon Place! This year’s lighting will take place December 2 nd from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. The night will include caroling, food and good cheer. Fireworks cap the evening marking the official start of the holiday season. Make sure to stop by WPM Real Estate Management’s table at the Holiday Makers Market to warm up and enter to win exciting prizes! The 48th Annual Mayor's Christmas Parade Photo: Gerard Buckleman The 48th Annual Mayor’s Christmas Parade will be held on Sunday, December 5th, 2021, at 1:00pm. The parade will feature giant balloons, marching bands, Santa, local media celebrities and elected officials, Miss Yuletide and more! Miracle on 34 th Street Photo: @Miracleon34thSt No list of Baltimore holiday events would be complete without Hampden’s “ Miracle on 34th Street .” Every year starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving and ending New Year’s Day, residents of the 700 block of 24 th Street between Chestnut Avenue and Keswick Road put on a vibrant display of holiday lights and decorations for all to enjoy. Visit between 6:00pm and 10:00pm for your best chance to see all the lights on at the same time. Check out these FAQs before you go! Christmas Village Christmas Village in Baltimore is an indoor/outdoor holiday market at West Shore Park at the Inner Harbor, modeled after the traditional Christmas Markets in Germany. Visit the market through Christmas Eve to enjoy traditional European refreshments while you shop for a large variety of international holiday gifts, ornaments, jewelry and more! Plus, make sure to take a ride on the Christmas Village carousel and Ferris wheel while you’re there! Inner Harbor Ice Rink Located at the top of the Amphitheater – 201 E Pratt Street - The Inner Harbor Ice Rink season runs until January 17, 2022. Enjoy some beautiful harbor views while you skate, then grab a seasonal treat from Harborplace ! The Polar Express ™ Train Ride Photo: @BandORailroadMuseum Don your pajamas and climb aboard The B&O Railroad Museum’s Polar Express select dates December 2 - 12! During this immersive live performance, the conductor will punch your golden tickets, the chefs will dance and sing, the hobo will offer his special brand of wisdom, and The Polar Express will be read aloud for all passengers. When the train arrives at the North Pole, you’ll enjoy Santa’s Winter Village with crafts for kids, an array of model railroad layouts, opportunities for photos with Santa, and more! Zoo Lights Photo: @MarylandZoo Visit The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore through January 2 nd to enjoy this festival of lights shaped like wildlife! Visit the Zoo after hours to enjoy the lighting installation from the warmth & comfort of your own car . While on the lookout for your favorite animal shapes, you’ll be dazzled by over 100k LED lights that highlight some favorites from the Zoo. If you prefer to hoof it, you can also travel the course by foot and visit Zoo Central for snacks, hot chocolate, and free train & carousel rides. Candy Lane Candy Lane is a larger-than-life candy-themed experience with installations, thousands of lights, and seasonal entertainment. Be awed by the 24-foot-tall ice cream cones and candy forests while strolling the paths of Center Plaza and experiencing Downtown in a sweet, new way. Plus, enjoy vendors such as Deddle’s Mini Donuts, Flash Crabcakes Co., Lattimore’s Funnel Cakes and more! Candy Lane is open each Wednesday through Sunday through December 23 rd . In addition, a Not So Silent Night soirée will take place at Candy Lane on December 16 from 7:00pm – 11:00pm. This 21+ holiday party will include an open bar, sugary treats, and a dance party in the middle of Candy Lane. Themed outfits are encouraged! Winter Village by Four Seasons Four Season Hotel Baltimore's seasonal Winter Village has returned to the hotel's outdoor terrace! Visit the rooftop terrace Fridays through Sundays until January 30 th to enjoy a winter wonderland complete with an 1,800 sq. foot synthetic skating rink, all new cabanas with sleek fire pits for rent, festive food, and beverage, and so much more.

A Book Lover's Guide to Baltimore

Once upon a time…before Baltimore adopted the motto of “Greatest City in America”, benches across the city were etched with another maxim - “Baltimore: The City That Reads.” Packed with offbeat bookstores and storybook libraries and having been home to many famous poets and authors over the years, Baltimore surely is the perfect destination for any bookworm. Heck, we even named our NFL team after a famous poem! Whether you’re a Baltimore native or a bibliophile visiting for the weekend, here are the can’t-miss literary hot spots to discover in Charm City. The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum Photo Credit: 2021 Poe Baltimore Edgar Allan Poe once lived at this house with his aunt, grandmother and two cousins. It has been very well preserved from its original state, so you can walk on the same floors and wander within the original walls that Poe once did! Among other significant artifacts, visitors to the Poe House can see the writing desk and chair where their famous poet created some of his earliest works . The annual International Edgar Allan Poe Festival and Awards is also held across the street from the Poe House. The free event, which coincides each year with Poe’s death day, features Poe-themed performances, art, vendors, and food. Westminster Hall & Burying Ground Photo Credit: AndrewHorne, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Westminster Hall is an architectural landmark . The imposing brick church was built in the early 1850s. Among the historical figures buried here are famed poet Edgar Allan Poe and his wife and mother-in-law. It’s Poe’s final resting place in this cemetery which the mysterious masked figure – known only as the Poe Toaster – paid a yearly tribute to the famous writer. The tributer ( whose identity is still unknown ) would visit Poe’s grave each year on the anniversary of his death – and leave 3 roses and a bottle of cognac. Emmanuel Episcopal Church Photo Credit: @emmanueldowntown The first woman in history to receive a Pulitzer Prize for poetry , Edna St. Vincent Millay, frequently read during meetings of the Maryland Poetry Society at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Mount Vernon. Millay’s readings at Emmanuel Episcopal Church were no doubt riveting. Millay was known for her progressive political stances, frank portrayal of both hetero and homosexuality, and, above all, her embodiment and description of new kinds of female experience and expression. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s House Photo Credit: Baltimore Sun The last place famous author F. Scott Fitzgerald lived with his wife Zelda was at this Bolton Hill house . The Fitzgeralds’ time in Baltimore was a tumultuous one. Zelda spent her weekdays hospitalized at Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital for mental illness. Fitzgerald himself struggled with alcoholism and debt during his time in Baltimore. Nonetheless, Fitzgerald once wrote “I love Baltimore more than I thought— it is so rich with memories— it is nice to look up the street and see the statue of my great uncle ( sic) and to know that Poe is buried here and that many ancestors have walked in the old town by the bay. I belong here, where everything is civilized and gay and rotted and polite. And I wouldn’t mind a bit if in a few years Zelda and I could snuggle up together under a stone in some old graveyard here. That is really a happy thought and not melancholy at all.” While living in the home on Park Avenue, Fitzgerald published his last novel - Tender Is the Night . Although the house is not open to the public, you can see a blue historical designation on the outside of the rowhome. The Fitzgeralds were also laid to rest not too far away – at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rockville, Md. Gertrude Stein’s House Photo Credit: Smallbones, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Gertrude Stein and her brother Leo lived at this house on East Biddle Street for about six years, before moving to Massachusetts for college. Life in Mount Vernon influenced much of Stein’s later work, including Ida: A Novel and the short story “Q.E.D.” H.L. Mencken House Photo Credit: @henrymenckenhouse H.L. Mencken lived in Baltimore for more than 45 years and wrote for many city publications, including “The Baltimore Sun.” He was given the nickname the “Sage of Baltimore.” He lived in this brick rowhouse with a view of Union Square from 1883 until his death in 1956. It was recently renovated to become a museum dedicated to the author’s life and works. Walters Art Museum Photo Credit: The Walters Art Museum Books come from all over the world to live at the Walters Art Museum in Mount Vernon. The museum’s extraordinary collection of rare books and manuscripts includes more than 900 illuminated manuscripts, 1,250 of the first printed books, and an important collection of post-1500 deluxe editions. First-printed editions of ancient texts by great thinkers such as Aristotle and Euclid, diaries written by Napoleon, and intricate bindings crafted by Tiffany are also among the jewels you can enjoy at this free museum. Atomic Books Photo Credit: @atomicbooks While Baltimore is f illed with charming independent bookstores, Atomic Books, where famed Baltimore native John Waters collects his fan mail , is among the ones you absolutely can’t miss. “Literary finds for mutated minds” are the slogan of this independent Hampden bookstore, which has been curating an eclectic selection of comics, books, zines, and art for more than 20 years, and features a cozy bar in the back for hosting events. Enoch Pratt Free Library Photo Credit: @theprattlibrary The main branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library takes up nearly an entire city block near Mount Vernon. An entire room at the library is dedicated to American writer H.L. Mencken, and there is also a collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s letters, poetry, and photographs—and even a lock of his hair. One of the oldest free public library systems in the United States, there are 22 additional branches throughout the city and surrounding area. George Peabody Library This expansive library in Mount Vernon near the Washington Monument has been described as a “cathedral of books” and is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. The Peabody Library ‘s atrium is surrounded by six tiers of ornamental cast-iron balconies. The library’s 300,000 volume collection is open for perusal by the public, and it houses an impressive amount of H.L. Mencken’s writings. However, the library is currently closed due to Johns Hopkins University’s COVID-19 response , so make sure you check to make sure it’s open to the public before planning a visit! Baltimore Book Festival The Inner Harbor is turned into a book-lover’s paradise during this weekend-long festival . Hundreds of author appearances, readings and book signings take place, and exhibitors and booksellers set up shop in booths along the water. There are workshops, panel discussions, live music, and concessions, as well as plenty of hands-on activities for kids.

2021 Guide to Halloween in Baltimore

One of the perks of Baltimore living is that there’s always something to do! Naturally, Halloween in Baltimore offers no shortage of spooky events to enjoy. From creepy costume parties to ghoulish ghost tours, we’ve rounded up some of the best events for Residents of The Fox Building to check out! Take your pick! Sweet Spot Turn off the Light Halloween Party | October 28 th Channel all things bloody with this deadly drag show at The Manor in Mount Vernon, with guests including local legends BABY and Alastor to provide the evening’s sounds. Get tickets here ! Nocturne Halloween at Ottobar | October 29 th Featuring a costume contest with cash/book prizes, Halloween decor, candy and spooky goth/industrial music all night, this event is free! RSVP here . Halloween Karaoke at The Hon | October 30 th Get into the spirit with a round of karaoke at the much-loved Hampden haunt. Download the SongbookDB app ahead of time to queue your favorite Halloween tunes. Find out more here . Gritty in the City | October 30 th Psychic Medium Darren BuCare will take you on a spooky walking tour through the heart of Highlandtown! Get some background and history of various Highlandtown locales and shed some light on the secrets they keep. Your tour will be approximately 3/4 of a mile total and will take about 1 hour. Get tickets here ! 2021 SoBo Halloween Bash | October 30 th The Sobo Halloween Bash will feature a DJ, games, costume parade, food and drink. Led by volunteers and sponsored by local businesses, this free annual event is meant to be a day of fun for neighborhood families. Learn more here ! Nightmare Before Halloween | October 30 th Power Plant Live! is set to transform into a dark and twisted world Saturday, October 30th with a tribute to Halloween film director Tim Burton! Explore the magical and mysterious factory of an acclaimed candy maker, the holiday doors within a forest that transport you to a magical and festive world, the shop of a vengeful barber with the sharpest razors in the city, and so much more. Get tickets here ! A Nightmare on Charles St. | October 31 st Join Sporty Dog Creations for boos and brews at Nightmare on Charles Street! The event will feature a free hot dog bar, drinks, readings by a performer playing Edgar Allen Poe, giveaways and more! Get tickets here ! Witches at the Harbor | October 31 st Photo credit: Witches on the Willamette Grab your stand up paddleboard and head to Canton Waterfront Park this Halloween for a witchy paddle around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor! The event is free and open to the public, but you must be an experienced paddleboarder. Learn more here ! Hampden Halloweenfest | October 31 st Photo credit: @thefoodmarket Make sure to bring your costume A-game to Hampden’s Halloweenfest! In addition to trick-or-treating on The Avenue, there will be a costume contest with trophies for the scariest, prettiest and most original costumes. Find out more here ! Power Plant Halloween Bar Crawl | October 31 st Photo credit: @BarCrawlLive Baltimore’s official Halloween bar crawl returns this Halloween! Costumes are encouraged for this frightening downtown crawl. Enjoy live tunes and deals on bites and boo-zy sips at local haunts. Get tickets here !

End of Summer Events in Baltimore

With students returning to school and the Labor Day holiday approaching, the end of summer is upon us. If the waning of summer already has you nostalgic for the fireflies, cookouts, fireworks, carnivals, and everything else the season brings, we understand. But don’t trade in your flip flops for your flannel just yet. There’s still plenty of summer fun to be had before sweater weather sets in. We’ve rounded up some of the best end-of-summer events in and around Baltimore so you can make the most of your final weeks of fun in the sun. 92Q End of Summer Jam | Columbia, MD 92Q End of Summer Jam is playing the Merriweather Post Pavilion on September 19 th . The event will star Future, City Girls, Moneybagg Yo & 42 Dugg! Get your tickets here . Fall Back Safely: End of Summer Extravaganza | Baltimore, MD Fall Back Safely is Baltimore’s End of Summer Celebration at the Inner Harbor sponsored by the Mayor and City of Baltimore, supported by the Waterfront Partnership , and produced by The Baltimore Office of Promotion & Arts. The event will feature a live DJ, street performers and activities. The event will culminate with a spectacular 15-minute fireworks show by Pyrotecnico which will be choreographed to music. In line with the theme of the event, Mercy Hospital, will offer vaccinations and COVID tests on site. Additionally, BOPA will hand out face masks and hand sanitizer as a reminder to stay safe during the event and throughout the fall. Maryland State Fair | Timonium, MD The 140th Maryland State Fair (aka 12 Best Days of Summer) began on Thursday, August 26 and will run through Labor Day Monday, September 6 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. The Maryland State Fair recognizes the enduring appeal of Maryland’s citizens, students, and 4-H and FFA members to share their talents and compete for ribbons, prizes, and bragging rights. The Fair’s buildings, barns and stages provide space for thousands of fairgoers to appreciate the exhibits, learn from the exhibitors, and consider entering a future fair. This year’s fair will also feature the thrills and chills, sights, sounds and aromas of numerous Midway and Kidde Land rides, games, and fun fair food provided by Deggeller Attractions. For those with a more local palate, the Maryland Foods Pavilion, Dairy Bar, and Chesapeake Craft Brew & Wine Garden, will showcase fresh from the farm and Chesapeake Bay food and drinks. Triple Feature at Bengies Drive-In | Middle River, MD Head to Bengies Drive-In during Labor Day weekend to catch a Triple Feature ! See Jungle Cruise , Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Free Guy on the biggest movie screen in the US while enjoying a quintessential summertime activity. Defends Day at Fort McHenry | Baltimore, MD Known as Baltimore's oldest holiday, Defenders' Day commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore and the writing of the nation's national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." Celebrated continuously each year since the Brits sailed away in 1814! This year's program will take place September 17-18 . and will include music, living history, U.S. Army, and evening luminaries. Baltimore Orioles Games | Baltimore, MD Don’t miss your chance to catch an Os game before the 2021 MLB season ends Sunday, October 3 rd . Spend a day at Oriole Park at Camden Yards enjoying ballpark fare, beautiful views of Baltimore and a ballgame. For an extra memorable gameday, head to the park on September 16 th when Grammy-nominated folk rock band The Avett Brothers will be performing a postgame show . First Responders Day | Baltimore, MD First Responders Day at the B&O Railroad Museum honors those who answer the call and aims to educate the public about their lifesaving practices. First Responders Day will feature a bomb squad display, fire extinguisher demonstration, various police, and firefighting equipment for visitors to see and learn about, safety demonstrations. In acknowledgement of the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, a special honor guard ceremony and moment of remembrance will take place. Maryland Restaurant Week Maryland Restaurant Week is returning for its second year from September 17-26. Participating Maryland restaurants celebrate the customer by offering special menus, discounts, seasonal fare for dine-in, curbside or carryout.

How to Have the Best Baltimore Staycation | Summer 2021

Desperately need a vacation, but don’t have the time or budget to get away? Or maybe you’re just not ready to travel? Enter the staycation! What’s a staycation? Staycation comes from the combination of two words, “stay” and “vacation,” literally staying at home and participating in leisure activities without leaving your house, or at least without traveling too far. If you’re into the idea of a staycation this year but aren’t sure what to do, we’ve created a list with a few staycation ideas that will help you make the best of your time. But, before we get started, many people think that staying close to home or staying at home cannot consider a holiday, but this is not true at all! Staycations are a type of holiday and are extremely useful when one has a tight budget, or when travel restrictions are in place. Considered your staycation like a proper vacation: disconnect your phone, don’t set up your alarm clock, don’t bother reading office news. And make sure you treat yourself to experiences you would gladly make also if you were abroad. Now that that’s out of the way, here are some of our best tips for creating a truly fun, relaxing, and memorable staycation: Play the Role of a B-more Tourist Photo: Audrey's Art for the Ages Baltimore is home to over 200 neighborhoods , each with their own personality and experience. If there’s one you haven’t spent enough time exploring, go check it out! Try one of the many authentic Italian cafes and eateries in Little Italy , take a cake decorating class at Charm City Cakes in Remington, or enjoy the green spaces and architecture of Roland Park. Baltimore also has some of the best museums in the country, but when was the last time you actually got to visit one of them? Check out the largest Henri Matisse collection in the world at the Baltimore Museum of Art , challenge the notion of what it means to be an artist at the American Visionary Art Museum , or celebrate the soul of African American history and culture at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum . Go on a Local Hike Photo: sonna-like-donna no Alltrails.com Within just a few miles of Baltimore, outdoor lovers can find forests, lakes, canyons, and more! Hiking near Baltimore is a wonderful way to experience nature and get your blood flowing without traveling too far from home. Some of our favorite nearby trails include the Merryman’s Mill Trail at Loch Raven Reservoir, the Falling Branch Trail to Kilgore Falls , and Ellicott City’s Trolley Trail . Book a Spa Day Photo: @FourSeasonsHotelBaltimore on Facebook If you’re looking for something luxurious and pampering, book a sol-to-go treatment at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore. Your moment of relaxation will begin with a 60-minute Swedish massage, then you can indulge yourself poolside with a complimentary 3-hour pass at the hotel’s outdoor rooftop infinity pool. If you’re looking for a bit of pampering that’s a bit more budget-friendly, About Faces offers an incredible range of services and has multiple locations throughout Baltimore! Have a Picnic in the Park Photo: @CharmCityPicnic.co on Facebook Services like Charm City Picnic will do the heavy work of planning your picnic for you! You just pick your location, package and add-ons and they will take care of the rest so all you have to do is show up. Of course, you can always go the old-school, money-saving route and do it yourself. There are tons of great picnic spots in Baltimore . Spend a Night in a Hotel Photo: @ivyhotelbaltimore on Facebook Let’s face it: part of the fun of a vacation is staying in a hotel. Just because you’re not leaving your hometown for your staycation doesn’t mean you can’t book a hotel room for a night or two. Whether you’re looking for luxury amenities like an infinity hot tub, limo service, or a rooftop bar, these Baltimore hotels are sure to deliver. Visit an Amusement Park Photo: @SixFlagsAmerica on Facebook There are several great amusement parks , like Six Flags and Adventure Park USA in MD or very nearby. There are also great water parks to help you beat the heat while enjoying water slides, private cabana rentals, lazy rivers and more. Hit the Beach Photo: @OceanCity on Facebook One of the many perks of living in Maryland is easy access to the beach. And even if you don’t want to make a week of it, a day trip to Ocean City, Maryland is totally doable for Baltimore residents! Do some fishing , treat yourself to some Boardwalk Fries and salt water taffy, or hit a few balls at one of OC’s many mini golf courses . Of course, you can always pack your own snacks and umbrella and just enjoy the day sunbathing, building castles and splashing in the waves. There are also many great smaller, more local beaches new Baltimore so you can still enjoy the sun and sand while avoiding the travel, crowds, and costs of OC. Hit the Pool If you’re looking for some water fun, you obviously don’t have to travel all the way to the beach or water park! Lucky for you, you can always enjoy a day at The Fox Building 's community pool! Host a Movie Night Photo: @grandrotunda on Facebook Have a movie marathon at home , whether it’s just for yourself or open to friends and family. Make sure to complete your movie night is with snacks, of course! You can also catch classic films and family favorites on the big screen at these outdoor movie spots in Baltimore . Treat Yourself Photo: @PrigelFamilyCreamery on Facebook Did you know there’s such a thing as an Ice Cream Trail? The 2021 Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail features 10 on-farm creameries across the state that produce and sell their ice cream directly to consumers. The trail stretches more than 290 miles from Washington County in the west to Worcester County in the east. The purpose of the trail is to increase the public’s understanding of dairy farming and to highlight the important contributions of Maryland’s 325 dairy farms. We hope these ideas have given you some inspiration for your own Baltimore staycation. Remember: just because you’re not traveling abroad or maybe even leaving the house doesn’t mean you’re not on vacation! Remember to unplug, relax, and indulge the same way you would during a traditional vacation.