This fall and winter, Baltimore beckons you to “Find Your Happy Place in Baltimore” with a mix of new exhibitions, vibrant theatrical performances and family events. Touring the “What Makes Us Smile?” exhibit at the American Visionary Art Museum, booking a Happy Stays hotel package, checking out the deals and discounts at Baltimore’s restaurants and top attractions, and customizing your itinerary based on your interest at www.BmoreHappy.com are just a few ways to join in on the fun.
Historic Federal Hill is named for its distinguishing hill that is visible from the Inner Harbor. The neighborhood is within easy walking distance of Baltimore’s most popular attractions including the American Visionary Art Museum, the National Aquarium, Oriole Park at Camden Yards and the Pier Six Concert Pavilion. The famous Cross Street Market is in the heart of the neighborhood and is home to over 25 vendors that sell a mix of offerings from fresh produce, live blue crabs, gourmet cheese and fresh-cut flowers each day. At night, Cross Street Market transforms into a popular mainstay in Baltimore’s bar scene – serving inexpensive beer and fresh seafood snacks.
The Charm City Circulator is fast, frequent and free…that’s the trademark of downtown Baltimore’s new shuttle bus system. Visitors now have an easy and convenient way to navigate the city with a north/south purple Circulator route complementing the east/west orange route that launched in January. The free shuttles run every 10 minutes from early morning to late night, seven days a week. www.charmcitycirculator.com
Over the past three decades, the National Aquarium has dazzled more than one million visitors from all over the world who come to see over 10,000 kinds of birds, fish, reptiles and mammals from Australia, Asia and South America. This fall, the National Aquarium will launch a series of special events leading up to its 30th anniversary in August 2011. www.aqua.org
What’s On?
Baltimore Book Festival
600 block of Mount Vernon Place
September 24–26, 2010
www.baltimorebookfestival.com
Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2010, the mid-Atlantic’s premier celebration of the literary arts offers well-known authors, local bookstores, publishers, children’s writers, storytellers, author signings, crafts, refreshments and entertainment.
Walter Wick: Games, Gizmos,
and Toys in the Attic
The Walters Art Museum
September 19, 2010–January 2, 2011
www.thewalters.org
The Walters celebrates the creative mind of renowned artist and children’s book illustrator Walter Wick, whose I Spy and Can You See What I See? books have been read and loved by millions of children and adults around the world. In addition to large-format color photos, the exhibition includes sculptures and models representing the objects used to create Wick’s books. Wick’s most recent book, Can You See What I See on a Scary, Scary Night?, includes models and illustrations inspired directly by the Walters’ “Chamber of Wonders.”
The Wiz
CENTERSTAGE
September 29–November 7, 2010
www.centerstage.org
Follow Dorothy and her friends as they ease on down the Yellow Brick Road, match wits with the Wiz, confront Evillene and her flying monkeys, and awaken Oz to a brand-new day. This funky musical adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved classic explodes onstage with a vibrant infusion of ’70s rock and Motown melodies.
Free Fall Baltimore
Citywide
October 1–30, 2010
www.freefallbaltimore.com
More than 300 free unique performances throughout the city, including arts experiences and workshops – all during the month of October. Baltimore’s dynamic art community is always full of surprises with the diversity and creativity of its offerings during Free Fall Baltimore in October. While the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum are permanently free, Free Fall Baltimore provides the opportunity for everyone to enjoy the city’s arts and culture community at no cost.
Outoberfest
241 W. Chase Street, Mount Vernon
October 5–10, 2010
www.glccb.org
Outoberfest is a relaxed community block party celebrating the arrival of fall, National Coming Out Month and LGBT History Month. Local businesses, community groups, schools and universities are all represented. Festivities include local vendors and live entertainment.
Cirque Dreams ILLUMINATION
France-Merrick Performing Arts Center at the Hippodrome Theatre
October 5–17, 2010
www.france-merrickpac.com
Journey with fascination into the depths of a city that ignites with illumination when Cirque Dreams imagination, suspense and theatrical innovation turn everyday ordinary into bright and extraordinary! Audiences of all ages will marvel as city dwellers reinvent familiar objects, balance on wires, leap tall buildings and redefine the risks of flight in a story filled with astounding occurrences. Cirque Dreams critically acclaimed dazzling costumes come alive to the sounds of jazz, ballroom, pop and more in this original score.
Baltimore Black Gay Pride
October 8–11, 2010
Baltimore’s Black Pride features a block party, workshops, art installations, food and live entertainment. For more information, please call 443-691-9669.
What Makes Us Smile?
October 9, 2010–September 4, 2011
American Visionary Art Museum
www.avam.org
“What Makes Us Smile?” will be curated by master humorist and creator of “The Simpsons” Matt Groening, artist Gary Panter, and museum founder Rebecca Hoffberger. Best-selling PostSecrets author, Frank Warren, is contributing his choice, most hilarious, PostSecrets from his huge stockpile of anonymous, idiosyncratic, true-life confessions. Clown, humanitarian and physician, Patch Adams, M.D., will weigh in on his first-hand experience of the healing power of laughter; and local artist and filmmaker John Waters will contribute his take on Santa. Adding his insight into the biology/science of the origin of human laughter is renowned author and researcher Dr. Robert S. Provine.
Holiday Festival of Trains
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum
November 26, 2010–January 2, 2011
www.borail.org
Baltimore’s largest holiday display of toy and model train layouts debuts during this traditional holiday festival. Santa arrives by locomotive at 10:30 a.m. on November 27 to kick off the month-long celebration. Train rides and photo opportunities with Santa are available through December 20! It’s a train-load-of-fun you and your family don’t want to miss!
Where to Eat:
With a rapidly emerging culinary scene, the city of Baltimore has now become a “foodies” destination offering visitors more than just crab cakes.
Corks
www.corksrestaurant.com
1026 S. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 752-3810
Corks is an upscale bistro set in a quaint 1849 rowhouse in Baltimore’s Historic Federal Hill. Baltimore Magazine called it “a miniature utopia for wine lovers” and also named it the Best Fondue in the city. Corks is a place where diners can be swept up in Chef Pellegrino’s passion for food and wine, discover the distinctiveness of ingredients and the way they work together in a meal, and learn a little something in the process.
Regi’s American Bistro
www.regisamericanbistro.com
1002 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 539-7344
Regi’s American Bistro is Zagat rated and named Citysearch’s BEST for Comfort Food in Baltimore. Regi’s style is an authentic mix of home-style American cuisine using only the freshest ingredients. Enjoy their diverse menu by the fireplace in the cozy dining room in the winter, or on the patio terrace in the warmer months.
Ryleigh’s Oyster
www.ryleighs.com
36 East Cross Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 539-2093
Located in the heart of the market district in historic Federal Hill, Ryleigh’s Oyster combines a relaxed oyster bar with an upscale cuisine. Specializing in only the freshest seafood, meats, poultry and produce, their goal is to demonstrate that fine dining quality cuisine, coupled with excellent service, can be delivered in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere.
Where to Stay:
Harbor Magic Hotels
www.harbormagic.com
Reservations: (866) 583-4162
Admiral Fell Inn
888 South Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 522-7377
Brookshire Suites
120 E. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 625-1300
Pier 5 Hotel
711 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore MD 21202
(410) 539-2000
Each of the three Harbor Magic Hotels has its own unique feeling and distinct location. The trendy, South-Beach style Pier 5 Hotel is situated directly on the Inner Harbor adjacent to the National Aquarium; the modern Brookshire Suites is nestled in Baltimore’s bustling downtown; and the historic Admiral Fell Inn is located in the waterfront neighborhood of Fell’s Point.
“Find Your Happy Place in Baltimore” package:
- Stay one night and save 50 percent off the second night OR
- Stay two nights and receive the third night FREE
- The package is valid for check-ins Sunday-Wednesday until September 6, 2010
For more on Baltimore, visit www.baltimore.org
Or surf over to these fun and interactive visitor sites www.bmorehappy.com, www.visitmybaltimore.com