It seems like spring is here (or at least almost here), and I am so insanely excited about that! Here in Baltimore, weather tends to be so temperate that we get beautifully long spring and fall seasons. And by beautifully long, I mean that 7 or 8 months out of the year are full of gorgeous, sunny, 75 degree weather.
Along with the beautiful weather comes a plethora of awesome things to look forward to in Baltimore during this season. Here's a look at just a few of those things to look forward to.
1 // Eat and drink outside, preferably along the water. We're a bit partial to The Boathouse these days for afternoon drinks because it will be guaranteed to make you feel like you're on vacation even if you aren't. And bonus points because they let you bring along your furry friends to sit with you on their patio. A mojito outside on the waterfront patio at Little Havanna is always a win. And it'd be hard to pass up brunch and the tasty cocktails at Waterfront Kitchen, especially with one of the best harbor views you'll find in the city.
2 // Orioles baseball is back! Opening Day at Oriole Park at Camden Yards is Monday, April 4th. That's less than a month away! While we won't be going to Opening Day, we'll be there a couple days later for our first game of the season. As always, we opted to renew our season tickets and can't wait for yet another baseball season spent at Oriole Park.
3 // Enjoy a picnic among Sherwood Garden's blooming tulips. Sherwood Garden is a beautiful spot tucked away in the Guilford neighborhood. Each year, about 80,000 tulips bloom at the end of April or early May, depending on the year's weather. It is also home to many flowering trees and other beauties. It's sort of a magical spot, especially when in bloom, and it's the perfect spot to take a blanket, have a picnic, and enjoy the beautiful weather on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
4 // Listen to some tunes at Charm City Bluegrass Festival. We're lucky to have a day full of amazing music during the Charm City Bluegrass Festival that takes place on April 30th in Druid Hill Park. While I grew up listening to bluegrass, this is a definite yes on my spring list. However, for those who aren't as familiar with bluegrass, it should still be on your list. It's hard to go wrong with spending time outside in the company of friends while listening to music and enjoying delicious food and drink.
5 // Take a walk at Cylburn Arboretum. This is another lesser known spot in Baltimore that is truly a gem. The Cylburn Arboretum is a perfect spot to visit during spring because of all of the flowering plants that you'll see. Take a walk on one of the many short trails, bring a camera to snap a few photos, or take a book and enjoy some relaxation in a serene and quiet space.
6 // Take in the installations of Baltimore's inaugural Light City festival. Installations of light, art, and music will be set up along a 1.5 mile art walk along the Inner Harbor during Light City Baltimore. The festival runs from March 28-April 3, and the installations will be free to enjoy each night. While this is the festival's first year and I have no clue what to expect, I'm incredibly intrigued and will definitely be making this a part of my spring experience in Baltimore this year.
7 // Go shopping at the Baltimore Farmers' Market. The bustling market that takes place every Sunday morning under the JFX is back in business for the season starting on April 17th. Grab a cup of Zeke's coffee, stock up on fresh, local produce for the week, or browse arts and crafts made by local artists. It's a low key way to start your Sunday morning.
8 // Take a trip to DC to enjoy the Cherry Blossom Festival. Ok, you're right. This isn't a Baltimore event, but it's still one of those yearly things I like to check off my list. DC is only a quick 45 minute drive away, so it's silly not to spend a day along Tidal Basin soaking in the beauty of the annual spring blossoms. The white blooms make you feel as though you're in the midst of winter snow, yet the sunshine, the sweet smells, and the soft touch of the petals will clearly tell you otherwise. Simply magical! This year's peak bloom prediction is March 31-April 3, but that can change as the date nears. Keep an eye out on the Bloom Watch page to plan your visit accordingly.
9 // Hedge bets on which sculptures will float the best or make it through a pile of mud the quickest during AVAM's Kinetic Sculpture Race. If you've never watched the Kinetic Sculpture Race, it is a definite must do. Essentially, a bunch of sculptures powered by bicycle parts and humans, race around the harbor through an obstacle course including a quick dip in the water at Canton Waterfront Park and a mud pit in Patterson Park. That's the best way to describe the wackiness. It's much easier to just go a see for yourself. It takes place on May 7th this year. Go!
10 // Head to Woodberry and enjoy some craft beer. The good old standby Union Craft Brewing has now been joined by Waverly Brewing Company just across the light rail tracks. Both offer outdoor seating and often have food trucks hanging out on a Saturday afternoon. Baltimore's craft beer scene has been steadily growing over the last five years, and I certainly won't complain about that.
11 // Take in the city view during a walk around the reservoir in Druid Hill Park. Once the weather gets nice, we often find ourselves enjoying as much of our free time as possible outside. On any given evening, we'll load the pup into the car and take her for a walk in Druid Hill Park. One of the best views of the city happens to be from the loop around the old reservoir. And when you're done taking in the view, enjoy another trail in the park. You'll probably even see some deer!
12 // Enjoy a free concert at Canton Waterfront Park during First Thursday. One of our awesome local radio stations, WTMD, puts on a free concert series called First Thursday. While the first concert of the year hasn't been announced yet, the series starts on the first Thursday in May. Take some chairs, a blanket, a picnic, and meet up with friends for what is always guaranteed to be good music along the water.
13 // Load your bikes on the car and pedal along one of the many bike trails in the area. While this usually requires a short drive out of the city, it's nice to get outside and enjoy some green scenery. The Baltimore area has so many fantastic bike paths, so it would be silly not to take advantage of them. One of our favorites for a leisurely ride is the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail.
14 // Go hiking in one of the various state parks. Once again, it's a quick drive out of the city, but it's easy to find some good hiking all over the Baltimore area. We find ourselves hitting the trails most weekends as soon as the weather is nice. For a quick drive, head to Patapsco Valley State Park or pull over at one of the many roadside trail heads of Gunpowder Falls State Park. If you're up for a beautiful afternoon drive and a gorgeous hike, head up to Rocks State Park.
If you're a local, what are your favorite things to do in Baltimore during the spring season? What do you look forward to every spring?