When Emily Meadows took her rescue kitten to the beach for the first time, she couldn’t believe how he acted. Not only was he a natural on the leash, but he buried his head in the sand to find toys and didn’t even mind a wave or two coming his way.

“Once I saw that, I knew he was an adventure cat and that he’d do anything,” Meadows says. “I told people he was going to be famous and everyone thought I was crazy.”

As it turns out, her premonition came true. Pip the Beach Cat, as he’s lovingly called, has become a quasi-celebrity in Ocean City, Maryland, as he strolls down the boardwalk to visit local businesses, volunteers at schools and senior centers, and is even coming out with his own children’s book (he signed the contract with his paw).

“People are just drawn to him and love the way he looks,” Meadows says. “I’ve never had a cat where people see him, stop, and say how gorgeous he is. He’s very photogenic.”

Pip’s good looks have catapulted him into social media fame, with more than 6,000 followers on Instagram, 11,000 on Facebook, and a recent article in the New York Post.

At just under a year old, the orange tabby wound up on the doorstep of Meadows’ friend of a friend in Berlin, Maryland. When no one else wanted to take him in, she figured she would care for him temporarily but quickly fell in love with his, let’s call it, unique personality.

“He is different than any other cat I’ve ever seen,” says Meadows, who lives with her husband and two other cats. “He had a ton of energy and was so rambunctious, we realized we had to take him out in order to tire him out, so that’s where his adventures began.”

Those adventures have included Pip on a paddleboard and boogie board, or even simply coming along for errands since he loves the car so much.

In fact, Meadows never used to be a year-round Ocean City resident, choosing to spend winters in places like Colorado or Europe in the past. (She even spent a stint in Baltimore, bartending at Cinghiale for a year.) But Pip has shown her there’s plenty to do in the community, no matter the season.

Some of their favorite hangouts include Backshore Brewing, which is open to pets and humans all year, as well as Ocean Gallery, where owner Joe Kro-Art has a special affinity for Pip.

“Joe is Pip’s biggest fan,” Meadows says. “He’s made a bunch of art for him and named him the official greeter at the gallery for 2019. We’ve been calling it Pip’s first summer job.”

Beyond that, though, Meadows wants to use her cat’s popularity for good and regularly takes him to do “readings” at special needs schools, work with underserved kids in the community, and visits local senior centers and nursing homes to keep people company. One patient—who suffers from pretty severe, non-verbal dementia—lights up and even talks every time Pip walks in the room.

“Seeing him interact as sort of a therapy animal has been so neat to watch,” Meadows says. “It has been an eye-opening experience because Pip just naturally has this ability to show a range of emotions and people connect with that.”

So what’s next for Pip (aside from his summer job and children’s book deal)? Coming to visit Baltimore, of course. He’ll be in town on March 11 hopefully meeting up with another well-known cat, Killer of Hampden, and to volunteer at the after-school program at St. Francis Neighborhood Center and model for the Show Your Soft Side campaign in partnership with BARCS.

“At the end of the day, we want Pip’s mission to be helping people,” says Meadows, who works at Barn 34 restaurant, but may soon devote her life full-time to Pip. “He’s helped me rediscover another side of Ocean City, proved that rescue cats are the way to go, and given light to people who may not otherwise be recognized.”

Somewhere in our collective subconscious, there’s a memory of a perfect summer beach day. A day with Jams shorts and jelly shoes; the prickle of sunburn under a slather of aloe; salty, windswept hair; a belly full of French fries—innocent pleasures somewhere on a Mid-Atlantic beach, where moms read paperbacks under umbrellas and the start of the school year seems a million miles away.

Luckily for us, there’s a place where that day lives on forever. It’s not Ocean City, smothered with swarms of families, or the Outer Banks, with its rows of over-muscled real estate. Just a few hours drive and a ferry ride across Delaware Bay away, Cape May, New Jersey, still feels delightfully unspoiled. Somehow both deeply 1880s and 1980s, it’s a simple slice of sandy nostalgia, filled with faded Victorian painted ladies, lovely wide beaches, and a refreshing unselfconsciousness. A long weekend is the perfect amount of time to explore its porch-lined streets and then head back home—a more freckled, carefree version of yourself.

→ CRASH COURSE

Cape May is known for its historic inns and bed-and-breakfasts, with many of the town’s grandest houses transformed into comfortable weekend beach retreats. Lots of lodging options also throw in free beach cruisers, chairs, and passes, which is almost reason enough to visit.

For B&B bliss, West Cape May’s Albert Stevens Inn does both the bed and the breakfast perfectly. A lovingly restored former doctor’s office and residence, the rooms are comfortable and tasteful with adjoining baths and a few frills. The classic farmhouse breakfast comes with dessert (why is this not a thing everywhere?), and the gratis evening glass of wine for guests is best enjoyed on the deep front porch, where everybody gets their own rocking chair.

Feeling like a swanky seaside hotel is more your speed? Before Cape May was Cape May, there was the Congress Hall Hotel. Originally established in 1816, it was rebuilt in brick after the Great Fire of 1878. Known as the “Summer White House”—no, not that one—Presidents James Buchanan, Ulysses Grant, and Benjamin Harrison all relaxed on the breezy piazza—but today it’s mostly regular families and cozied-up couples enjoying the ocean views and well-appointed rooms. Wherever you’re sleeping, be sure to stop by the stylish Brown Room bar for a sundowner cocktail on the hotel’s lawn. For the price of a couple rounds, you’ll get the full Gatsby experience—straw boaters optional.

Airbnb and VRBO both have some good listings in Cape May as well, but if you do decide to go this short-term rental route, pay attention to the map and look for available options within Cape May proper for walking or biking to the beach. A big part of the charm comes from the slower, no-car pace.

→ PASTIME PLAY

Once you park the car and drop off your bags, it’s time to settle into a routine of simple, sedate pleasures—long days on Cape May’s well-tended beaches, pedaling around town on two wheels, and dominating the competition in Skee-Ball, putt-putt golf, and whack-a-mole. A relaxing afternoon spent exploring and shopping along the shady, candy-colored historic district with a drippy ice cream cone is as restorative to your soul as it is punishing to your credit card. But forget the guilt—this is beach-life balance at its best.

For starters, embrace your inner middle schooler and snag a bike. While most accommodations carry them, rentals are worth the splurge for those that don’t. This beach town is incredibly bike-friendly and racks are everywhere—and far more affordable than parking. Cape Island Bike Rentals on Sunset Boulevard will hook you up with a sweet ride for a reasonable price. Just be sure to pick a bike with a basket to carry your picnic and chilled bottle of wine.

From there, make your way to the beach. As one of the least crowded, most civilized shorelines on the entire Mid-Atlantic coast, the Cape May beaches are well patrolled by lifeguards and amply serviced with plenty of clean bathrooms, snack bars, and chair and umbrella rentals. The sand is smooth and manicured, and dolphins swim just offshore throughout the day. But here’s the skinny: it costs you money to get on the oceanfront (not a lot, and it goes towards the strand’s pristine maintenance). Be prepared to buy a beach tag if you want to get in some sun before 5 p.m. It’s $6 for a daily tag, $12 for a three-day tag, and $18 for a weekly tag. You can buy them at kiosks all along the boardwalk.

Speaking of boardwalks, unlike Ocean City, Maryland or Wildwood, New Jersey, Cape May doesn’t actually have one; it has a promenade—aka a paved, two-mile stretch that runs parallel to the beach and has plenty of shops, restaurants, arcades, and sweetly corny putt-putt places for all your old favorites. What Cape May’s promenade lacks—Ferris wheel, roller coaster, splash parks—it gains in charm, views, and tranquility. Don’t miss the Cape May Arcade on Beach Avenue, where a couple of quarters let you chomp the Pac-Man ghosts to your heart’s content. A few blocks down is the charmingly creepy Ocean Putt Golf, where excessively smiley vintage character cutouts watch you deliver your golf ball.

Seriously seeking souvenirs? There’s plenty to lure you away from boardwalk and beach, with a quick ramble into town providing plenty of opportunities to ogle the historic district’s ornate Victorian houses and offbeat shops. The industrial-chic West End Garage on Perry Street hosts scores of different vendors, selling everything from vintage postcards and pennants to snuggly socks from the local alpaca farm. Just across the street is the wonderful Flying Fish Studio on Park Boulevard, where owner and designer Sue Lotozo makes T-shirts her canvas. From Jersey tomatoes to horseshoe crabs, consider this Cape May clothing line a must-have memento.

→ BEACH-BOD BITES

While plenty of Cape May eateries still have a bit of an ’80s “fine-dining” vibe (think sun-dried tomatoes, Wagyu beef, creamy pastas), there are some stellar standout spots that will slake your thirst and fill your belly. One of Cape May’s greatest features is that its restaurant scene is largely BYOB. This means you can cycle over to your favorite packaged goods store—we’re looking at you, Sunset Liquors on Sunset Boulevard—select a six-pack of your favorite craft beer or a preferred fine bottle of wine, and tote them to dinner. There’s usually no corkage fee, which allows you to save on tipples and satisfy your craving for that banana split sundae with extra fudge.

For lunch and dinner, The Lobster House on Schellengers Landing Road is the real deal for waterfront eating—a venerable seafood joint rubbing cheek to jowl with the local fishing fleet. Skip the white tablecloths of the formal dining room and head around the back to the casual dockside raw bar. Here, you can demolish a couple dozen Cape May Salts on the half shell and wash it all down with a cold local IPA while seagulls pinwheel overhead.

The Red Store on Cape Ave is another gem. Local fare shines in this reimagined general store, where you can walk in for a coffee or gelato, or stay for a farm-fresh meal full of bright flavors and creative combinations. Tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood, the green, leafy surrounds provide a restful setting while you fork your way through the spicy comfort of shrimp and grits or crab and corn pancakes topped with bacon and crème fraiche.

Of course there’s pizza, and then there’s pizza. At the family-owned Panico’s on Broadway, find the kind of pies that you just keep eating, even when you know that in 12 short hours you’ll be strapping yourself into a bathing suit again, love handles be damned. Perfectly crisp yet tender with a summer-tomato red sauce and mozzarella pooling on top, these brick-oven beauties are a moment of no regrets. Uncork your bike-brought rosé and treat yourself.

For day drinks or night caps, Cape May Brewing Company on Hornet Road gets bigger, better, and more experimental every year. Based out of the small local airport that’s only a 10-minute drive outside of town, this brewery’s tasting room experience combines boundary-pushing beer flights with a laid-back, sandy-footed ambiance. Catch a classic movie on their big-screen projector while discussing the merits of a Coastal Evacuation IPA versus a Devil’s Reach Belgian Strong Ale.

Although no food is served in the tasting room, Taco Shop Cape May is conveniently located right next door, so you can toddle over and get yourself a plate of al pastor before you heartily imbibe.

This time of year, when the sun brushes the horizon by late afternoon and the mercury stagnates in the single digits, it’s only natural to yearn for palm trees, gently lapping azure seas, and soft, sandy beaches. Luckily for us, several such destinations are easily accessible from area airports. We picked six of our favorites (most with nonstop flights), ranging from quaint Caribbean islands to a sophisticated South American capital, and offer tips for what to see, eat, drink, and do in each. So, pack your passport, bathing suit, snorkel gear, and sunglasses, and say hasta la vista to climatic dreariness.

ARUBA

Located outside the hurricane belt—and thus blessedly unscathed by the vicious storms of 2017—this wee Dutch island is replete with white sand beaches and adventure activities galore.

Flights: Nonstop from BWI via Southwest.

Stay: Located on a lovely stretch of the world-renowned Eagle Beach, Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa (J.E. Irausquin Blvd. #55, 888-673-8036, manchebo.com) is an upscale paradise with luxury amenities (full-service spa, anyone?). With just 14 cottages dotting tropical gardens, the colorful Boardwalk Small Hotel Aruba (Bakval 20 North, 866-976-5948, boardwalkaruba.com) is a magnet for those who covet privacy and intimacy. Try the Romance Package, which includes a champagne breakfast in bed for two.

Eat/Drink: You’ll have nothing but ocean views at The West Deck (L.G. Smith Blvd at Governor’s Bay, 297-587-2667, thewestdeck.com), which serves creative tapas-size Caribbean dishes, such as West Indian samosas with yogurt-honey sauce. Oenophiles must stop at the Screaming Eagle Restaurant and Lounge (J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 228, 917-725-4242, screaming-eagle.net) to sample a vintage from its impressive wine cellar, as well as its French fusion cuisine.

Do: Visit the factory and museum at Aruba Aloe (Pitastraat 115, 800-952-7822, arubaaloe.com), which has been growing and producing aloe products since the late 19th century and is open for tours. Before you leave, purchase a product to protect your sun-kissed skin. For dramatic landscapes, walk cacti-lined paths that wind past bizarrely beautiful divi-divi trees at Arikok National Park (San Fuego 70, 297-585-1234, arubanationalpark.org). Then check out the park’s Natural Pool (“conchi”), which is surrounded by lava rocks that protect you from the crashing waves.

CANCÚN, MEXICO

The plentiful sunshine of the Yucatán peninsula attracts undergrads gone wild, but Cancún is more than just a spring-break sanctuary. The resort town also offers shopping and culinary options for those whose keg stand days are firmly behind them.

Flights: Nonstop from BWI via Southwest, Spirit.

Stay: Book a room at the chic Live Aqua Beach Resort (Blvd. Kukulcan Km 12.5, 877-927-7666, liveaqua.com) where you can soak in variant-temperature infinity pools, play beach soccer, or sign up for tai chi or yoga. Another option is the minimalist Le Blanc Spa Resort (Blvd. Kukulcan Km 10, 888-702-0913, leblancsparesort.com), a couple’s retreat that’s chock-full of pampering: Ask the butler to prepare a cucumber bath.

Eat/Drink: Gourmands should make a reservation at Le Chique (Carretera Cancun-Puerto Morelos Km 27.5, 998-872-8450, lechiquerestaurant.com) where the 14-course, molecular gastronomy menu was created by chef Jonatán Gómez Luna, who trained at renowned El Bulli in Spain. The innovative menu at Ramona Restaurant (Blvd. Kukulcan Km 21, 855-696-4982, nizuc.com/cuisine/ramona) updates traditional Mexican dishes. Try the chargrilled sardines cooked with plantain leaves. Chocoholics should stop at Ah Cacao Chocolate Cafe (La Isla Shopping Village, H-4, Km 12.5 Zona Hotelera, 998-883-1927, ahcacao.com) where they can sip cocoa in the outdoor cafe before snagging some chocolate-covered coffee beans for later.

Do: Explore the modern Alberto Garcia Lascurián-designed Museo Maya de Cancún (Blvd. Kukulcan Km 16.5, 998-885-3842, inah.gob.mx/es/red-de-museos/313-museo-maya-de-cancun) to see jewelry and statuary from numerous nearby Mayan sites. As a retreat from raucous Cancún, take a ferry to serene Isla Mujeres where, at the southern tip of the island, you’ll find the bucolic Punta Sur Sculpture Garden in picturesque Garrafón Reef Park (Carretera Garrafón Lote 9 Km 6, garrafon.com/park). Among the island’s numerous beaches is Playa Norte, which boasts a strip of white sand and shallow waters.

GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS

The largest of the three Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman is renowned for its world-class diving and iconic crescent-shaped Seven Mile Beach.

Flights: Nonstop from Dulles via United.

Stay: Set along Seven Mile Beach, the luxe Caribbean Club (871 West Bay Rd., 345-623-4500, caribclub.com) offers beachfront villas that provide guests with plenty of privacy and stellar views from expansive balconies. If you prefer to spend your time diving or snorkeling, the Sunset House (390 South Church St., 800-854-4767, sunsethouse.com) has an even more placid location along a rocky coast with less of the island’s usual cruise-ship traffic.

Eat/Drink: Agua Restaurant and Lounge (Galleria Plaza, West Bay Rd., 345-949-2482, agua.ky) is noted for its ceviche and Peruvian tiradito (thinly sliced, sashimi-like fish) prepared with international flavors. Set across from the harbor in the island’s capital, George Town, Guy Harvey’s Island Grill (55 South Church St., 345-946-9000, guyharveysgrill.com) is a favorite among visitors and locals alike; even the fishermen clamor for the restaurant’s signature smoked wahoo pate.

Do: For insights into the myriad plants and animals on the island, sign up with the National Trust for a two-plus-mile hike along the Mastic Trail (nationaltrust.org.ky/mastic-trail-tour), which threads through a largely untouched, hard-to-access forest. The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (Esterly Tibbetts Hwy., 345-945-8111, nationalgallery.org.ky) shows off a wide range of contemporary art with rotating exhibitions and a permanent collection that preserves the island’s visual and fine arts.

ST. KITTS & NEVIS

The two isles in this twin-island British Commonwealth nation couldn’t be less alike, with St. Kitts, the larger one, welcoming bustle, while just two miles and a quick ferry ride across the channel, Nevis is all laid-back, Caribbean cool.

St. Kitts

Flights: Connecting service from BWI via American, Delta, JetBlue.

Stay: Perched on the southern tip of St. Kitts, the brand-spanking-new Park Hyatt St. Kitts (Banana Bay, South East Peninsula, Parish of St. George, 869-468-1234, stkitts.park.hyatt.com) provides top-of-the-line accommodations, including two swimming pools, a spa, and beachfront access to a secluded beach on Banana Bay.

Eat/Drink: Head to The Kitchen at Belle Mont Farm (The Village Kittitian Hill, 855-846-3951, bellemontfarm.com/food/the-kitchen/) for farm-to-table cuisine using ingredients harvested from the grounds of this 400-acre farm/resort. Built on the ruins of an old salt warehouse, Salt Plage (Whitehouse Bay within Christophe Harbour, 869-466-7221, christopheharbour.com/destination/salt-plage) offers the most well-crafted cocktails on the island, including ones that employ local ingredients like soursop and mauby.

Do: Pick up elaborate batik items—including wall hangings, purses, and napkins—produced from locally sourced cotton by local artisans at Caribelle Batik (Old Road Town, Basseterre, 869-465-6253, caribellebatikstkitts.com). Hiking Mount Liamuiga, the dormant volcano that dominates St. Kitts, is strenuous, but its stunning vistas and rainforest scenery are rewarding. Several outfits, including Poinciana Tours (Wingfield Estate, Old Rd., 869-665-1459, poincianatours.com), offer guided excursions up the 3,792-foot peak.  

Nevis

Stay: Thirty-six lemon-hued cottages named for local villages dot 30 acres of manicured lawns at the boutique Nisbet Plantation Beach Club (New Castle, St. James Windward Parish, 869-469-9325, nisbetplantation.com). The Montpelier Plantation & Beach (Montpelier Estate, St. John Figtree Parish, 869-469-3462, montpeliernevis.com), a former 18th-century sugar plantation, is now a Relais & Chateaux property with 19 rooms offering sea and garden views.

Eat/Drink: At the secluded Golden Rock Inn (St. George Gingerland Parish, 869-469-3346, goldenrocknevis.com), order a rum punch or mojito and lounge beside the lily pond that’s surrounded by colorful foliage landscaped by respected designer Raymond Jungles. A family-owned inn, The Hermitage (Pond Hill, St. John Figtree Parish, 869-469-3477, hermitagenevis.com) serves a popular West Indian buffet every Wednesday, complete with a roasted suckling pig.

Do: Make like the locals and soak at the Bath Spring (Bath Village), an informal, historic venue—it has been around for centuries—with pools dotting a long channel, each at slightly different, steamy temperatures. Explore the Museum of Nevis History (Samuel Hunkins Dr./Low St., Charlestown, St. Thomas Lowland Parish, 869-469-5786, nevisheritage.org), where displays illuminate the life of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, who was born on the property.

LIMA, PERU

Sprawling along cliffs high above the Pacific, Peru’s capital is a vibrant, sophisticated city with stellar food and an intriguing art scene.

Flights: Nonstop service from Dulles via LATAM Airlines Peru.

Stay: Choose one of the 17 well-appointed rooms at Hotel B (Sáenz Peña 204, 206-0800, hotelb.pe), a refined property within the city’s preeminent “bohemian” district that boasts its own collection of modern and contemporary art. Or reserve one of nine guest rooms at Atemporal (Santa María 190, 347-713-7030, atemporal.pe), a boutique hotel in a luxe townhouse.

Eat/Drink: Within a centuries-old colonial hacienda, Astrid & Gastón (Av. Paz Soldán 290, 442-2777, astridygaston.com) is the prime locale for multi-course haute cuisine that melds myriad cultures—Chinese, French, Peruvian—in dishes such as beef and coriander dumplings. Rafael (Calle San Martín 300, 242-4149, rafaelosterling.pe/es/lima/html), the domain of world-class chef Rafael Osterling, offers a tempting menu of Peruvian and international cuisine, such as chorizo pizza with a quail egg and capers. Try the fish head and cheeks with sake at Maido (Calle San Martin 399, 511-447-9333, maido.pe), a fusion of Peruvian and Japanese sensibilities.

Do: Jog or stroll along El Malecón, a coastal clifftop promenade in the leafy Miraflores neighborhood. You’ll likely see parasailers overhead. A gallery/museum set up to promote Peruvian heritage and culture, MATE (Av. Pedro de Osma 409, 200-5400, mate.pe) showcases the permanent collection of Peruvian-born photographer Mario Testino, including portraits of celebrities such as Princess Diana and Madonna.

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

Though the country’s eponymous canal may be Panama City’s most iconic sight, this is an energetic, cosmopolitan capital, brimming with dynamic art, a cutting-edge museum, and even green escapes in the middle of downtown.

Flights: Nonstop service from Dulles via United.

Stay: Located in the compact, charming old quarter (Casco Viejo), the four-story American Trade Hotel (Plaza Herrera Casco Viejo, 507-211-2000, americantradehotel.com) is much loved for its Havana-inspired aesthetic, as well as for its rooftop swimming pool. With just 10 rooms, La Concordia Boutique Hotel (Ave. Central and Calle A/Calle B, 507-300-1125, laconcordiapanama.com) is an exclusive enclave where most rooms come with a private balcony.

Eat/Drink: The raucous rooftop bar at Tantalo (Calle 8 Este con Avenida B, 507-262-4030, tantalohotel.com/roofbar), a boutique hotel and restaurant, has a hip following, for both the captivating sunsets and well-crafted cocktails. Helmed by chef José Carles, the tiny Donde Jose (1100 Ave. Central, 507-262-1682, dondejose.com) is where you’ll need reservations far in advance to dine on inspired, down-home dishes, such as the cold-smoked tilapia. If you can’t decide on the night’s entertainment, head to multi-level CasaCasco (Calle 10 and Avenida A #8-15, 507-6288-9024, casacasco.com), which houses several restaurants, plus a disco and a rooftop terrace bar.

Do: Explore 3-D installations revealing the country’s numerous ecosystems at the Biomuseo (Edificio 136, Calzada de Amador, 507-830-6700, biomuseopanama.org), which has all the boldness one expects from a Frank Gehry-designed building. Hike a verdant route to the top of Cerro Ancon (beside Mi Pueblito on Av. de los Martires), the city’s tallest hill. Its 654-foot elevation provides stunning views of the Canal’s entrance.

February is right about the time the winter blahs become unbearable. So a quick escape to a sunny clime is just the thing to pull you through until spring. Why not take a cue from the birds (both real and otherwise) and fly south to the Florida Gulf Coast?

Since 2010, the Orioles have been playing spring training games in Sarasota, and faithful fans have been flocking to town to enjoy its pristine white beaches, impressive food and drink scene, and waterfront attractions—and, of course, to catch a few ballgames.

The city of Sarasota almost feels like an oasis in the strip mall sameness of Florida. There’s an undeniably upscale vibe to a lot of its shopping districts, and it is starting to cultivate a culinary and cocktail scene all its own. In fact, last April, Condé Nast Traveler ranked it in the top 15 food cities in the country, recognizing its farm-to-table cuisine and quaint Main Street cafes. Plus, Sarasota has all the perks of warm weather and beautiful vistas. So, how lucky are we to have an excuse to make the trek every winter (this year Feb. 26-March 30) to watch the Orioles prepare for the regular season?

To get to Sarasota from Baltimore is easy enough, since Southwest flies direct to Tampa and Sarasota is just over an hour’s drive from there—made even more scenic if you loop through St. Petersburg and the barrier island towns of Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Anna Maria, and Bradenton Beach.

Start in St. Petersburg at its world-class Dalí museum and then visit The Brass Monkey, in neighboring St. Pete Beach, an honest-to-God Baltimore-themed sports bar, complete with Ravens, Orioles, and Terps gear! Anna Maria Island has some of the best fresh grouper around and Clearwater Beach, miraculously, has 361 days of sunshine. We made a pit stop at Gulf Drive Café (900 Gulf Dr. N., Bradenton, 941-778-1919) for margaritas and live acoustic music at its beachfront tiki bar.

Why not take a cue from the birds (real and otherwise) and fly south to the Florida Gulf Coast?

Once in Sarasota, there are a number of places to rest your head, including the brand new Aloft Hotel (1401 Ringling Blvd., 941-870-0900), which is right downtown and conveniently near the ballpark and the shopping haven of St. Armands Circle. Aloft features an outdoor pool, a live music bar, a fitness center, and hip and modern rooms. It also accepts pooches under 40 pounds, so Fido doesn’t have to miss the fun.

Our first priority upon arrival was to get to an Orioles game. But, just like back home, we wanted to find a place to pregame. Mere blocks away from the stadium (and offering free parking) is Jdub’s Brewing Company (1215 Mango Ave., 941-955-2739). Opened in 2014, the brewery has a taproom with 14 drafts, an outside area that is dog-friendly, and frequent food trucks. Before the game, we recommend sipping on some Passion Wheat beer, flavored with mango and passion fruit, or their milk chocolate porter Bell Cow.

Once you’re sufficiently lubricated, head over to Ed Smith Stadium (2700 12th St., 941-893-6300), which truly feels like a mini, tropical Camden Yards. From its green seats (refurbished from the Yard itself) to crab cake sandwiches sold at the concession stands, you just might think you’re back on Eutaw Street. But other details, like palm trees and Spanish roof tiles, give away its Florida address.

Though the games were of little consequence, we enjoyed watching the players in a more relaxed atmosphere and couldn’t help but make predictions for what we presumed—incorrectly, alas—would be our World Series-winning season to come. (It didn’t hurt that we got to see an Orioles win, either.) If you go this year, be sure to pay attention to the ever-budding bromance between Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop, catch a home run ball from Chris Davis, and check out the Orioles’ brand new catcher, Welington Castillo, who has the awesome nickname “Beef.”

While the Birds are certainly a draw for Sarasota, there are plenty of other attractions to visit, including the grand and beautiful John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art (5401 Bay Shore Road, 941-359-5700), which is the official state art museum of Florida. This massive museum showcases nearly 6,000 objects inside a sprawling complex that combines the art museum with a circus museum, gardens, gallery spaces, and the stunning Ca’ d’Zan—a waterfront Venetian Gothic palazzo-style residence that is a true marvel to behold. Consider it the Ca’ D’Oro of the Gulf.

For some more natural beauty, visit the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (811 S. Palm Ave., 941-366-5731) with its impressive display of orchids, a butterfly garden, waterfalls, and a koi pond. You can also visit local wildlife—including adorable otters—at the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium (1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., 941-388-4441) and neighboring Save Our Seabirds (1708 Ken Thompson Pkwy., 941-388-3010), which features endangered birds in its aviary.

Of course, no trip to Sarasota would be complete without visiting the beach. There are many nearby beach towns to choose from, each with its own appeal. We recommend the pristine white sand of Siesta Beach (946 Beach Road, Siesta Key, 941-861-5000). Besides the wide beach and crystal blue water, Siesta offers boating and fishing, tennis and volleyball, and a playground and picnic area. Plus, the nightlife of Siesta Key is reminiscent of Dewey Beach—i.e., plenty of bars with outdoor music and tiki drinks—including the Siesta Key Oyster Bar (5238 Ocean Blvd., 941-346-5443).

Feeling swanky instead? No problem. Sarasota boasts a burgeoning food and drink scene that goes beyond tropical drinks and fried fish. Our favorite meal was dining on the Lowcountry-style porch of Indigenous (239 S. Links Ave., 941-706-4740), which is headed by James Beard-nominated chef Steve Phelps. The menu is constantly changing, but we dined on impeccable Gulf shrimp and short ribs. It’s wise to stick with whatever “hook-to-fork” special Phelps is featuring that night.

Sarasota boasts a burgeoning food and drink scene that goes beyond tropical drinks and fried fish.

For cocktails, just take a walk downtown starting at State Street (1533 State St., 941-951-1533) for an impressive wine list and spot-on classics like the French 75 and Manhattan. Then go around the corner to hit up the newly opened Boca (19 S. Lemon Ave., 941-256-3565) with its open and airy bar, sophisticated fruity drinks, and farm-to-table cuisine.

If it’s simply pub grub you’re after, there are plenty of places for that. Near downtown, on a peninsula jutting out into Sarasota Bay, there’s The Old Salty Dog (1601 B Ken Thompson Pkwy., 941-388-4311), a nautical-themed spot that uses a real boat for a bar top and is known for its hot dogs with toppings like bacon and grilled mushrooms. And right nearby, New Pass Grill (1505 Ken Thompson Pkwy., 941-388-3050) has some of the best burgers in town and an oh-so-Florida bait shop next door with bins of live creepy-crawlers, a colorful barracuda on the wall, and an occasional visit from Ernie the white egret.

One of the things that sets Sarasota apart from the rest of the state is the upscale, sophisticated vibe of districts like St. Armands Circle (300 Madison Dr., 941-388-1554), which boasts fancy restaurants and retailers like Lilly Pulitzer, Chico’s, and White House Black Market. For even more extravagance, head to The Resort at Longboat Key Club (220 Sands Point Road, 941-383-8821). Located on a narrow strip of land between Sarasota and the Gulf, the resort features two golf courses, tennis, a full-service spa, and a yacht-filled marina. Book a spa day or just luxuriate on the white sand shore, where dolphins and manatees can often be spotted.

For something a bit more active, there is the nearly 37,000-acre Myakka River State Park (13208 State Road 72, 941-361-6511) just nine miles east of downtown. Here you’ll find rare flora and fauna, like the bright pink roseate spoonbills that frequent the park. There is also a plethora of campgrounds, hiking trails, bike paths, and opportunities for horseback riding and canoeing. For an Instagram-worthy shot, head to Myakka’s canopy walkway—a suspension bridge with an unparalleled view of the forest’s sea of treetops.

If it’s the real, down-to-earth Florida you’re looking for, Sarasota has that, too. The best example is Bahi Hut (4675 N. Tamiami Trail, 941-355-5141), a ramshackle tiki bar off of busy Route 41, where you’ll find characters just as colorful as the drinks. Replete with a functioning cigarette machine, wood paneling, and stringed Christmas lights, Bahi Hut is known for its jet-fuel strong mai tais. While the recipe is a secret, we’re sure that grain alcohol and various juices are involved—and we advise that you have no more than two.

Once properly sauced, head down the street to Smuggler’s Cove Adventure Golf (3815 N. Tamiami Trail, 941-351-6620) for 18 holes of dark caves, a pirate ship, and real-life alligators to greet you at the end.

For a post-golf treat, and just when you start to feel homesick, track down the Baltimore Snowball Factory van (BaltimoreSnowballFactory.com). Charm City native Eric Garfield moved to Sarasota in 2014 and missed his beloved treat so much that he opened this business—selling the crunchy ice we all know and love, topped with familiar flavors like egg custard and sky blue. As he states on this website, “A Baltimore snowball is not Italian ice, a snow cone, sno-ball, shaved ice, and certainly not a Slushie.” Preach!

If you’re like us, by this point you’ll be ready to hit the hay—or at least the sand—so you can be up with the birds, preparing for the summer to come.

Ingrid Friedenberg, entrepreneur: Fenwick Island State Park and Bethany Beach, DE. They are clean, family-oriented, pet-friendly, cute, and charming beach communities.

Kristy Wright, legal secretary: Rehoboth Beach. It has an upscale feel with fewer kids.

Val Levin, IT professional: Assateague: easy parking, natural beauty.

Scott Mech, sushi chef: There’s a “secret” beach in North Point State Park with a fallen tree that is absolutely amazing. Nature provided a beautiful bench for a beautiful place.

Lisa Frisky, staffing company branch manager: Ocean City, of course! Because it’s an easy escape from where I live. It has always been there for us, and the memories are priceless!