Is your kid’s idea of fun brushing a baby goat? Or do they really dig dinosaurs? Perhaps they prefer practicing kickflips or traversing hiking trails. Whether your child is into Picasso or planets, skipping rocks or riding roller coasters, there is something for every interest, every age, and every family in the Baltimore area.

For Rachel Zillig, a mom of two in Baltimore County, the pandemic had a huge impact on her family’s activities. With libraries, museums, and just about every other kid-friendly place shut down, “We had to seek out other stuff or we’d have gone insane just sitting in the house,” says Zillig, whose Instagram account, @BaltimoreFamilyFun, details their adventures in the area. Now that most places have opened back up, she’s looking forward to visiting old favorites like Port Discovery and the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, but she’s not giving up the local parks and outdoor activities they enjoyed during COVID-19. “Just walking around the Inner Harbor during the day is a fun activity for my kids. They love looking at the boats.”

If your family has a particular place you love to visit again and again, consider purchasing a membership. The pandemic had a devastating impact on the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector, with nearly 60 percent of museums forced to cut back on education, programming, and other public services, according to Artnet News.

But things are looking up, with plenty of Baltimore regional destinations open and ready to safely do business. Check out our guide to find out what’s happening at new and old family favorites throughout the region this summer.

PORT DISCOVERY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
35 Market Pl., Baltimore, MD 21202.
Three floors of interactive exhibits and settings for imaginative play will keep toddlers and preschoolers entertained for hours. Kids ages 5-12 can build confidence and motor skills as they scale the multi-story SkyClimber. This always-changing museum is “huge but never seems crowded,” says Zillig, whose family’s favorites include the replica Royal Farms, a delightfully realistic pretend diner, and a water playroom. (Pro tip: bring a change of clothes!)

THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM
501 E Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202.
No matter how many times you visit the Aquarium, there’s always something new to see. You could spend an entire day searching for the sloths in the tropical rainforest or being mesmerized by all the different kinds of jellyfish. With more than 20,000 aquatic creatures, an enormous shark tank, and hands-on exhibits, kids will be educated and entertained every time. Note: strollers are not permitted.

MARYLAND SCIENCE CENTER
601 Light St., Baltimore, MD 21230.
Come for the dinosaurs, stay for the interactive science exhibits. Kids can create their own inventions, lie on a bed of nails, learn about the human body, and experience the electromagnetic spectrum through light and prisms. Don’t miss the planetarium, rooftop observatory, and IMAX theater, too.

THE MARYLAND ZOO
1 Safari Pl., Baltimore, MD 21217.
From the perky prairie dogs to the gentle giraffes to the cheeky chimpanzees, this world-class zoo is home to more than 1,500 amazing animals—including the largest African penguin breeding colony in North America. Your wild things can run amok along the shady paved paths and ride the new zero emissions electric shuttles back to the free parking lot when they’re tired.

BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART
10 Art Museum Dr., Baltimore, MD 21218.
There’s more to the BMA than the Cone Collection’s Matisses and Monets. Kids who like dollhouses will adore the Cheney Miniatures Gallery, and the museum’s African art collection features 2,500
masks, textiles, and other works from more than 200 cultures. Indoor voices are not required to explore the outdoor sculpture garden. Currently, reservations are required for free admission. Strollers and front baby carriers are permitted in the museum.

LAKE ROLAND PARK & NATURE CENTER
1000 Lakeside Dr., Baltimore, MD, 21210.
The Lake Roland Dam is the focal point of this 500-acre sanctuary in the middle of Baltimore. Popular among pet owners for its fenced-in Paw Point dog park (membership required), Lake Roland features a unique playground, a new nature center, various hiking and biking trails, and a boardwalk from the Falls Road Light Rail station. Stop by Tropicool Italian Ice afterward for a sweet treat.

OREGON RIDGE PARK & NATURE CENTER
13555 Beaver Dam Rd., Cockeysville, MD 21030.
This 1000-plus-acre park is a great place to burn off energy. It features several playgrounds, picnic areas, plenty of trails ranging from easy to challenging, and a quarry where you can skip rocks and watch the ducks. Several animal enclosures house bunnies, geese, chickens and more, and the nature center hosts educational events and storytimes.

LADEW TOPIARY GARDENS
3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD 21111.
Unicorn-shaped shrubs, windows carved into hedges, koi ponds, an enchanting teahouse, butterfly house, and gift shop are just some of the delights you’ll find here, along with 22 acres of space to run wild and enjoy nature. Admission required; children under two are free.

RASH FIELD PARK
300 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230.
Baltimore’s newest park opened last November in the heart of the Inner Harbor. Kids can clamber up a pair of 35-foot wooden towers in the Adventure Park, slip down a giant slide, soar on the swings, dig in the sand pit, or bring their board and drop into the skate park.

THE GO-KART TRACK
10907 Pulaski Hwy., White Marsh, MD 21162.
Feel the need for speed? With three different go-kart tracks, a mini-golf course (half price on weekdays), and all the classic arcade games, there’s something for everyone here. Kids aged 3 and up can join a driver age 16+ on the Family Track, and speed demons at least 52” tall can drop the pedal to the medal on the Drift Track.

SKATEPARK OF BALTIMORE
1121 W 36th St., Baltimore, MD 21211.
Got a budding skateboarder or trick scooter rider? Strap on your pads and helmet and hit this Hampden hotspot. It’s free and open daily from dawn to dusk. If you need some new grip tape, Vu Skate Shop is just around the corner on Falls Road.

EASTERN WATERSPORTS
4001 Bay Dr., 7200 Graces Quarters Rd., and 7400 Graces Quarters Rd., Middle River, MD 21220.
You don’t have to drive to Annapolis or Ocean City to get a taste of salt life. With three locations, two within Gunpowder Falls State Park and two with legitimate sandy beaches, this seasonal shop rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and canoes by the hour. Children under 10 can accompany a parent or guardian on a tandem kayak or paddleboard. Kids 10 and up can rent their own with a renting adult.

SPLASH PADS
Multiple locations.
Looking to cool down and get wet on a hot day, no pool membership required? Baltimore City is home to several splash pads, including at West Shore Park in the Inner Harbor, Mt. Vernon Children’s Park, and The Rotunda. Visit BaltimoreFamilies.org/pools for locations.

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY “STORYVILLE”
There’s more to the library than storytime. Storyville, located at Baltimore County Public Library’s Rosedale and Woodlawn branches, is a play-and-learn center designed to promote early literacy and school-readiness skills in children ages 0-5. This enchanting child-sized village features books, toys, and activities for tots and their parents or caregivers.

DUTCH WONDERLAND
2249 Lincoln Hwy. E, Lancaster, PA 17602.
This amusement park in Amish country is extremely popular with young families for a reason. The 48-acre layout is accessible, not overwhelming, and the rides are geared toward little kids. Duke’s Lagoon is a water park within the park that’s worth a visit all on its own.

HERSHEYPARK
100 Hersheypark Dr., Hershey, PA 17033.
Thrillseekers throng to this family theme park, created by the famous chocolatier Milton S. Hershey, which features tons of rides, including 15 roller coasters. There are plenty of attractions for the littler set, too. The one-price admission includes all the rides, the water park, and ZooAmerica.

SIX FLAGS AMERICA
13710 Central Ave., Bowie, MD 20721.
Six Flags is home to some of the fastest, tallest, wildest rides in the country, including Firebird, billed as “America’s only floorless roller coaster.” Younger kids can enjoy at least a dozen rides all by themselves. Admission includes access to the Hurricane Harbor waterpark, featuring an 800,000-gallon wave pool and 25 water slides.

KINGS DOMINION
16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA 23047.
Got tweens and teens? Take a three-hour drive to this amusement park near Richmond. Already home to 13 roller coasters, the park will introduce Tumbili, a brand-new, 4D spin coaster, as part of its new-in-2022 immersive Jungle X-pedition. For the little ones, there’s Planet Snoopy. Admission includes access to the Soak City waterpark.

GROWN UP DINING, KID APPROVED

Dining out with kids doesn’t have to be expensive or stressful if you choose one of these family-friendly eateries, offering everything from pizza to medieval feasts.

R. HOUSE
301 W. 29th St., Baltimore, MD 21211.
Food courts and food halls, like this one located in Remington, are great options for dining with kids for a few reasons. First, there’s something for even the pickiest eater. Choose from 10 stalls offering a variety of fare, from pizza and fried chicken sandwiches to poké bowls and Korean BBQ. Second, the kids can be as loud as they like, and there’s room to stretch your legs when sitting at a table gets tiresome.

BELVEDERE SQUARE MARKET
529 E Belvedere Ave., Baltimore, MD 21212.
More than a food market, this North Baltimore hotspot near The Senator Theatre is a great place to dine indoors or out at any time of day. Food vendors include Atwater’s, Ejji Ramen, Plantbar, and The Pizza Trust. The Square hosts a Friday night concert series during the summer months.

STONE MILL BAKERY & CAFE
10751 Falls Rd. Suite 123, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093.
If you’re shopping at Greenspring Station or have a kids’ sporting event across the street at Meadowood Regional Park, pop into this bustling cafe for refreshments. Choose from salads, soups, sandwiches, and unparalleled sugar cookies. If the weather’s nice, sit outside by a babbling brook and let the kids climb on the stone turtles.

JASON’S DELI
8874 McGaw Rd., Columbia, MD 21045.
With menus for kids, vegetarians, and gluten-sensitive diners, this reasonably priced chain has long been a favorite for families. (The free ice cream doesn’t hurt!) Sadly, the Timonium location closed during COVID, but the Columbia restaurant is open for business.

MEDIEVAL TIMES
7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD 21076.
If you dread family dinners or just want something different, there’s nothing like a meal and a show set in a medieval Spanish “castle.” Feast on turkey legs–or a surprisingly tasty vegetarian option–as you watch knights on horseback jousting for a fair maiden’s hand. Yes, it’s a bit sexist and over-the-top, but the spectacle is part of the fun. If you’re looking to get your kids off screens and into a real-life adventure, this is it.

Fireworks aren’t the only thing to look forward to for Independence Day. Baltimore is full of events to keep the red, white, and blue spirit going all day long. From cruises to pet parades, there is no shortage of things to do in the city to show your patriotic pride. Whether you’re looking for a full day’s worth of star-spangled fun or a dinner on the water, we’ve got you covered.

FOOD

Topside
Celebrate Independence Day by chowing down on a BBQ-inspired menu, featuring ancho BBQ ribs, housemade sausage, smoked brisket, corn pudding, broccoli salad, and cornbread. Although the Mt. Vernon restaurant doesn’t provide a front row view of the fireworks in the Inner Harbor, Topside does offer panoramic views of the Washington Monument—and what’s more patriotic than that?

Summer in the Squares
Listen to live music while enjoying a summer picnic in the west square of Mount Vernon Place. Enjoy refreshments in by the picturesque fountain and celebrate Independence Day with two Baltimore-based ensembles: Ghost Sugar and Brandon Woody’s Upendo. To give you time to get to your favorite fireworks, the performance will begin in the early evening. 6 p.m.

Independence Day Deck Party
Climb aboard the U.S.S. Constellation and watch the Inner Harbor fireworks show from the deck of the historic ship. Along with a top-notch view, take advantage of all-you-can-eat barbecue favorites, special boat tours, and even cannon firings. 7-10 p.m. Free- $75.

Fourth of July Fireworks Dinner
Take a three-hour cruise with incredible views of Baltimore’s fireworks show while indulging in a three-course buffet style dinner. Enjoy an open bar, DJ, dance floor, and games. All guests must be 21 or older. 7:30-10:30 p.m. $124.90+.

FESTIVITIES

Towson Four on the 4th
Start the holiday off on the right foot with a four-mile race through the heart of Towson, beginning at the courthouse and winding through Towson University’s campus. If that distance is too daunting, participate in the 1776 (feet) Family Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. and then stick around for the annual parade. 8:15 a.m. $35- 40.

Visionary Pets on Parade
What could be better than a dog dressed in red, white, and blue garb? Try hundreds of pets of all shapes and sizes competing for costume prizes such as most visionary, owner and pet lookalikes, and most patriotic. Watch in awe as local pets parade around the American Visionary Art Museum and compete in a talent show. 9 a.m. Free.

Red, White & Zoo
Spend the Fourth of July with the biggest party animals around at The Maryland Zoo. Watch as the animals receive special holiday treats, including “fishsicles,” and papier-mache toys. A team of zookeepers will educate guests on the importance of enrichment activities for the zoo’s inhabitants. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. $17.99-25.99.

Hanover Street Gallery
Experience the opening celebration of Reframing Pathways, a diverse collection of artwork showcased on the Hanover Street Bridge facade. The Hanover Street Bridge will be transformed into a gallery with the heart of the works highlighting different art-making perspectives from pattern and design to more representational works. 1-9 p.m.

FIREWORKS

Cherry Hill Arts & Music Waterfront Celebration
Celebrate the cultural vibrancy of this South Baltimore neighborhood with live performances, local food trucks, artistic activities, and a fireworks show. Don’t miss seeing Abu the Flutemaker and the organization Safe Streets Cherry Hill receive honors for its commitment to the community. 1-10 p.m. Free.

South Point
South Point, a pop-up outdoor seasonal space, will be open early for first-come-first-served seating areas to bask in the rockets’ red glare. Throughout the day, standard food service will be available and the bar will be open to patrons 21 and older. Stick around for the afterparty starting immediately following the fireworks. 4 p.m.-12 a.m.

Dogfish Head Takes Over at the Sandlot
Join Sandlot and Dogfish Head for Fourth of July at Harbor Point. The Delaware brewery will take over taps and the event features: two live bands, games on the beach, multiple food stations, various draft and can beer stations, and one of the best firework views in town. Expect additional food pop-ups by The Charmery, Blacksauce Kitchen, and The Local Oyster. Food will be available from 4-9p.m. and stick around for fireworks at 9:30 p.m. $5 kids through age 12. $10 cover. $10 event parking.

Independence Day Celebration
Secure a spot on the waterfront lawn of the Baltimore Museum of Industry for a picture-perfect view of the fireworks over the Inner Harbor. If there’s time before or after the show, take a tour through the Federal Hill museum. Admission is included in the ticket price. 6-10 p.m. $65.

Picnic at the Top
Climb to the highest floor of the World Trade Center to enjoy a Picnic at the Top. Visitors can take in a 360-degree view of Baltimore and festive fireworks from 27 floors above the Inner Harbor. The event offers catered food and beverages, children’s activities, a live DJ, and photo booth. This is a non-alcoholic, family-fun event, and doors open at 7:15 p.m. 7:30-10 p.m. $35-$75.

Bar Game: Skee Ball at Johnny Rad’s

Usually, our criteria for choosing a bar has more to do with its beer selection than its bar games. But we make an exception for Johnny Rad’s in Upper Fells and its two lanes of skee ball. The 50-cents-per-turn, amusement-park favorite is somehow even more fun when accompanied by a couple of brews and slices of gourmet pizza from its kitchen. (Imagine that!) We’re not the only ones who think so: Some enterprising ballers have formed the Baltimore Barskee League, which meets weekly at either Johnny Rad’s or Mother’s Federal Hill Grille, which also has the game. Last we heard, the league was accepting members, so we recommend you get on the ball—see what we did there?—and sign up. 2108 Eastern Avenue, 443-759-6464.

Bar Name: Tequila Mockingbird

There are usually some interesting contenders for this category. (We love that two of our favorites, Ale Mary’s and Bad Decisions, are right across the street from each other.) But we’ve always liked Tequila Mockingbird in north Ocean City. Not only is it a literary reference, but the name implies that you’ll have a hell of a time. While you won’t find any tributes to Atticus Finch at this Mexican cantina, they do have decent margaritas (ask for less sour mix), impeccable guacamole, and fried rockfish tacos. We enjoyed just sitting at the bar and chatting with the friendly staff, who, on a recent night, were having just as much fun as the patrons. 12919 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410-250-4424.

Beer Bar: Brewer’s Cask

Sure, there are some behemoth beer bars in this town, but we’re partial to the new kid on the block, Brewer’s Cask in Federal Hill. Channeling the beer-expertise of its former inhabitant Muggsy’s Mug House, Brewer’s Cask has a 20-line draft system and 50-plus bottles. We tried the newly debuted Flying Dog Disobedience, a dark, maple brew that went down smooth. There was also a deliciously hoppy Green Flash IPA and the perfect-for-summer Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer by 21st Amendment. The bar will soon feature firkins (cask-conditioned ales) on most Fridays. Plus, they have one of the best beer specials around: Everyday until 7:30 p.m., three 10-ounce beers are just $6. 1236 Light Street, 410-273-9377.

Bike-friendly ’Hood: Hampden

It’s funny to think that an activity that has been around since Queen Victoria is the transportation of the future, but biking is attracting more devotees every day, especially here in the city. According to Baltimore City bicycle and pedestrian planner Nate Evans, ridership is up 50 percent over the last three years and continues to grow. Neighborhoods are now racing to keep up with demand. Hampden was ahead of the curve, however, with one of the city’s first bike lanes (along The Avenue), plentiful bike racks, a great cycling shop (Twenty20 Cycling Company), and access to the Jones Falls Trail. “Hampden’s traditionally been a little more progressive,” Evans says. “It has a younger population. They were first on the bandwagon.” Make that bicycle.

’Burbs Bar: Towson’s Charles Village Pub & Patio

While we’d never say that the late-2010 kitchen fire that forced the renovation of Towson’s CVP was a good thing, there’s no denying that the restaurant/bar is better than ever since it reopened in April. With expanded indoor- and outdoor-dining spaces (including a rooftop deck!) and a refreshed menu of classic American and Maryland favorites, Towson’s favorite college bar has suddenly become a magnet for employee lunches, family dinners, and—with its 26 flat-screen TVs—game-day viewing parties. It feels lighter and brighter since the fire, and the friendly young servers all seem to have an extra spring in their steps. 19 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Towson, 410-821-8155.

Cinderella Story: Loyola Greyhounds

Usually, when you think about local college sports, heavy hitters like Maryland and Hopkins come to mind. But this was the year of Loyola University. In March, animated coach Jimmy Patsos and the men’s basketball team made it to the NCAA tournament for the first time in nearly 20 years with their win over Fairfield University. A few months later, the men’s lacrosse team—which was unranked at the beginning of the year, yet was nearly flawless all season (18-1)—captured the first national championship in Loyola’s D-1 history with a whopping 9-3 victory over Maryland. The Greyhounds sent a clear message that they are ready to play with—and beat—the big boys.

Cocktail: Tequila Fresca at Clementine

Recently, Clementine’s bar manager Andy Tzortzinis pared down the restaurant’s book-long cocktail menu to about a dozen favorites. And we’re sure glad he kept the Tequila Fresca ($9.50), a wonderfully balanced concoction of tequila and two house-made simple syrups—a basil-lime and lemon-rosemary—all mixed, strained, and served in a martini glass. Unlike other tequila drinks, the Fresca doesn’t use something extremely tart or sour to counteract the liquor flavor, but, instead, mixes in its fragrant and fresh herbs (grown in their backyard garden, naturally). The result is a crisp, cool martini perfect for the summer months. 5402 Harford Road, 410-444-1497.

Dance Night: Two-For-Tuesday at the Ottobar

Thank goodness for the Ottobar. While other dance parties come and go in the blink of an eye, you can set your watch by the venerable Remington rock club’s Two-For-Tuesday. A rotating slate of DJs (Robbie Fearless of Lithuanian Hall fame, Ottobar co-owner Craig Boarman, and others) spin tunes upstairs ranging from New Wave (lots of Elvis Costello last time we went) to Top 40 (Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own” was a crowd-pleaser) while the young, hip crowd fills up on one of the best drink specials in town: $4 for two-for-one domestic bottles and $4.50 for rail cocktails all night long. Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard Street, 410-662-0069.

Day Trip: Shepherdstown, WV

West Virginia likes to emphasize its “wild and wonderful” side to tourists, but it can also do “quiet and quaint.” Case in point: West Virginia’s oldest town, Shepherdstown, which is currently celebrating its 250th anniversary with ongoing events ranging from history lectures and concerts to festivals and photography exhibitions, all with an abundance of folksy Appalachian charm. But even if you hit on a day without a special event, you’ll still find plenty to do. The downtown is a cluster of well-preserved pre-Revolutionary War buildings with cute boutiques and tempting restaurants. The Potomac River, the Appalachian Trail, and the C&O Canal all run through town, and provide myriad recreational options. Best of all, at just 90-minutes each way, you can do all this and be home by bedtime. shepherdstownvisitorscenter.com.

Dog Park: Paw Point Dog Park at Robert E. Lee Park

It always seemed like the ultimate tease for dog owners to bring their pups to the sprawling Robert E. Lee Park only to have to keep them on the leash or face a fine. But hurrah! Those days are over: Last fall, a new one-acre enclosure opened in the Ruxton park, designated especially for your rambunctious Rover’s off-leash frolics. Best of all, the play area allows access to the Lake Roland reservoir so aquatic pooches can take the plunge when the dog days are taking their toll. Open year round from sunrise to sunset, the park is equipped with benches and bag dispensers for cleaning up waste and is accessed via a code-controlled, double-gated entrance. These creature comforts don’t come free though: Memberships are mandatory but a reasonable $35 per year covers two dogs per family. Robert E. Lee Park, 1000 Lakeside Drive.

Festival: Maryland Renaissance Festival

Hear ye, hear ye! We like the 36-year-old festival for many reasons. We like that it’s spread out over consecutive weekends from late August through October, giving attendees time to visit when their schedules (and the weather) are most agreeable. We like how it engages imaginatively with history. (Each year, the festival adopts a storyline from the reign of King Henry VIII.) And we love how committed both the performers and attendees are. All throughout the 27-acre festival grounds, you can see everyone from the festival’s 200-plus cast members to your high-school physics teacher kitted out in their best crushed-velvet costume. Performers display extraordinary feats running the gamut from jousting to sword-swallowing. There’s also a company of actors performing Shakespeare’s most popular plays, an arts-and-crafts village, and more turkey legs than a Thanksgiving Rockettes review. Crownsville, 800-296-7304. rennfest.com.

Fitness Class: Boot Camp at Federal Hill Fitness

Losing weight is hard, and trying to make it easy just makes it more torturous. So cut to the chase and sign up for this month-long, three-times-a-week program run by personal trainer Reese Ashe. Most of the sessions are held outside, often in Federal Hill Park, and focus on building strength and stamina. It might not be the most fashionable workout around—or even the most fun—but it works. The regimen’s client-retention rate of 80 percent proves that. 39 E. Cross Street, 410-752-3004.

Karaoke: Midtown BBQ & Brew

We got worried when we heard that the former Midtown Yacht Club space was going to be turned into a barbecue joint. We hoped the new owners wouldn’t transform the once gloriously divey spot into a cheesy suburban-style restaurant. We were assured when we visited Midtown BBQ & Brew and realized not only could you still crack peanuts and throw the shells on the ground, but the no-frills attitude is even present in its Thursday-night karaoke. The weekly singing showcase starts promptly at 9 p.m. and is hosted by Brooke Abercrombie of High Note Entertainment. The sign-up process is super casual, and we’ve never had to wait longer than 15 minutes to perform. The night we went, we heard everything from Talking Heads and Dire Straights to Whitney Houston and Matchbox 20. 15 E. Centre Street, 443-835-2472.

New Bar: The Fork & Wrench

When The Fork & Wrench opened in March, everyone dubbed it the “less-expensive Woodberry Kitchen.” Like its fancier counterpart, the kitchen has a farm-to-table philosophy, the décor is rustic, and the spot has a bar scene all its own. There are throwback signature cocktails like the Brass Tacks—a winning combination of Pikesville Rye, ginger simple syrup, soda, and their house-brandied cherries (macerating in Mason jars on the bar). If cocktails aren’t your thing, they have excellent local drafts like Heavy Seas Peg Leg and Stillwater Cellar Door, as well as 25 bottles and cans. The vibe is very agricultural-chic with tin ceilings, vintage colanders, and reupholstered love seats. The place is still working out the kinks, but we were told there could soon be a late-night happy hour, which seems like the perfect time to enjoy this dimly lit, ultra-hip space. 2322 Boston Street, 443-759-9360.

Nightlife Startup: BeerGivr

BeerGivr definitely makes us wonder, “Why didn’t we think of that?” This tech startup, founded and developed in Baltimore, allows friends to buy each other drinks even when they can’t be together. It’s pretty simple: Let’s say a friend is going out for his birthday, but you can’t make it. Go onto BeerGivr’s website, enter your friend’s phone number and a message, and your friend will receive a text with a barcode. The bartender scans your friend’s phone and, voila, hands him a drink (which, incidentally, doesn’t have to be beer). Currently, the technology is available at 20 bars and restaurants around Baltimore, from Alewife to Racers Cafe, but founder Sean Kennedy of Canton hopes to keep expanding the list. Cheers! beergivr.com.

Oriole: Adam Jones

There are tons of reasons to love Adam Jones: His bubble-blowing and pie-throwing personality; the fact that he leads the Orioles in home runs, RBIs, and on-base percentage; and he’s been a huge role model for black youth, working with the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, and helping to revive baseball in Baltimore’s inner city. But, most of all, we love the fact that he committed to spend the next several years in an Orioles uniform. In what was the largest contract in Orioles history, Jones signed an extension for six years worth $85.5 million. And we happen to think he’s worth every penny.

Pool: Otterbein Swim Club

Tucked away under I-95, adjacent to Federal Hill, and in the shadow of the stadiums, is the cozy Otterbein Swim Club. While it’s not an immense swimming space, it’s all that its downtown families (and the occasional retired couple) need. Most nights, members can be found cooking dinner on grills and playing with their kids on the pirate-themed playground. Special weekend events include a live performance by local band Milkshake. The same staff has been there for years, so there’s a community feel to the pool. But, because of its limited size and popular amenities, the current waitlist extends into 2013. In the meantime, befriend a member and go as a guest—admission is only $4 per adult and $2 per kid on weekdays. 824 S. Sharp Street, 410-837-7946.

Raven: Haloti Ngata

Sure, we knew the defensive tackle from Oregon that we drafted in 2006 was huge—6-foot-4 and 345 pounds, to be precise. But, little did we know that he’d become the cornerstone of our already immaculate defense. If it seems like Haloti Ngata is sometimes in many places at once, it’s because he is. Coaches have no problem sliding him from the defensive tackle spot to nose tackle or defensive end. His fierceness on the field contrasts with his softer side In the locker room, where he can be seen playing cornhole or dancing to The Temptations. But, no doubt he’ll be all business next season when he’ll be more relied upon due to Terrell Suggs’s injury. He knows the future of our defense rests on his giant shoulders.

Speaker Series: Ignite Baltimore

Other lecture series attract bigger names, but none is as consistently vibrant as Ignite Baltimore, held twice a year at MICA’s Brown Center. Each confab allots five minutes a piece to 16 speakers ranging from artists to politicians, and, accompanied by a slideshow, allows them to pontificate on any subject of their choosing. Past talks have touched on everything from sexuality (“Why I Switched Teams” by Heather Holland) to assimilating Gen Y into the workplace (“71 Million Americans Say Your Cubicle is Stupid” by Greg Dekker). Results are sometimes moving, often funny, and always engaging. The next Ignite is scheduled for October. See you there. ignitebaltimore.com.

Theme Night: Beer & Bacon Happy Hour at Bad Decisions

The current fetishisation of bacon finds it apotheosis in this popular night of carnivorous cuisine. Begun as a happy hour three years ago, word quickly spread, and now each monthly installment at this Fells Point watering hole lasts all night and draws around 200 people. Specially designed food and drink menus offer everything from crustacean swine avocado (two marinated avocado halves stuffed with lobster and bacon) to roasted-pineapple-and-bacon daiquiris. “If you ask for something vegetarian on bacon night, you are maybe going to get heckled out of the bar,” laughs owner John Reusing. 1928 Fleet Street, 410-979-5161.

In a scant three months, you’ll be lapping up the life dangled in front of you by those tantalizingly colorful beach vacation rental catalogs and websites. Picture it: strolling hand-in-hand with your loved one on the soft white sands of Ocean City, lolling beneath a big blue umbrella along the sun-soaked beach in Rehoboth, or contemplating a crimson-rimmed sunrise from the deck of Fan-Ta-Sea VI, your weekly oceanfront cottage in Bethany Beach. ¶ Or, you could be suffering from dehydration as you haggle with the rental agency over an inoperative air-conditioner, struggling to sleep against the beep-beep-beep of a backhoe rearranging the beach, or straining on tiptoes to peer out the one upper-floor window in your rental house which offers that “unobstructed ocean view” the catalog promised. During two decades of renting at East Coast beaches, these aggravations have actually plagued my friends and me—not to mention a mandatory hurricane evacuation, a perilously tilting toilet, and assorted co-habitations with cockroaches, crickets, and spiders the size of seagulls. ¶ But with careful planning and advice from experts and the experienced, you can help ensure that your beach vacation is everything the catalogs portray so enchantingly—and not the holiday from hell.  ¶ For example, let’s say you’re a couple spending a week in hip Rehoboth Beach with another twosome, and you’re seeking a house with comfort and privacy for everyone. Or perhaps you want to rent a place for you, your spouse, your mother-in-law, and your two kids, but you’re not sure which resort you want: the convenience and kid-pleasing activities of Ocean City, the compactness and quietude of Bethany and its minimalist boardwalk, or the solitude of Fenwick Island’s broad, non-commercialized beach. Feeling overwhelmed yet? Don’t be.

Getting Started

Once upon a time, some of the most welcome arrivals in your mailbox each winter were the catalogs advertising hundreds of rental homes at the beach. You’d pore over them, scrutinizing tiny photos of piling-perched houses with grand picture windows and “extensive decking,” looking for the right configuration of beds, and—most importantly—something in your price range. You’d mark your top choices, cross your fingers, and hope at least one was still available by the time you called the listing agency. 

Although most vacationers still reserve houses by phone, the Internet has changed the resort rental business. “We still see more vacations booked by phone, but the callers have usually researched their choices on our website first,” says Susan Holt, regional vice president for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, which handles 4,600 residential properties on the Maryland and Delaware shores. She says callers still like the personal contact and the ability to ask questions the websites don’t address.

The advantages of online researching are numerous: It’s easy to comparison shop among many agencies; the information is there 24/7; most sites allow you to search listings by various criteria, including location, proximity to the beach, rental period, price, and maximum occupancy; some offer separate listings for pet-friendly lodgings; and others allow you to check availability instantly, then make your reservation, and even pay online. And if your preferred decision-making method is still a group huddle, you can request catalogs and brochures as well.

Jim Waggoner, vice president of the Eastern Shore resort rental division of Long & Foster Realtors, believes some vacationers are waiting longer to book houses because they can cyber-monitor their availability. “Some don’t feel the urgency to make reservations,” he says. Until about three years ago, 75 percent of Long & Foster’s Maryland and Delaware bookings were made by April 15. “Now it’s more like 50 percent,” he says of the 1,300 units the agency manages. Holt, too, has noticed the trend toward later bookings (Coldwell Banker once had 85 percent of its units reserved by March), although this year, she says, “people seem to be making reservations earlier to take advantage of the better selection.” 

Repeat guests get first crack at renting the house or condo they had last summer, but generally they must do so before January 1, when it becomes open season for bagging trophy digs. That’s incentive enough for many return customers. “Some of our properties are 70 percent repeats,” Waggoner says.

If our hypothetical two couples and nuclear family haven’t made reservations yet (early April), they needn’t fear ending up in a cramped and mildewed bungalow 18 blocks from the beach. With new houses popping up like sand crabs, there is a large inventory of rentals. However, they’re not likely to get prime oceanfront houses either—at least if they plan to vacation anywhere from mid-July to late August, when housing demand is at its highest (as are prices).

The couples might consider vacationing in June, or September (when kids are back in school), and there is a greater selection of desirable rentals. “The weather is good,” Holt says, “prices are low, and there are many festivals and other events.” And most of Rehoboth Beach’s wealth of fine restaurants remain open at least through October. 

Because our vacationing family consists of five members, they’ll have an easier time locating a three- or four-bedroom house searching now. At this date, an extended family of, say, 10 or 12 is going to be lucky to find sufficient bed space for everyone. 

Location, Location, Location 

Besides price, vacationers seeking a summer house ask about the three B’s: the beach (how close is it?), bedrooms (how many?), and beds (what size and where?). Rental descriptions answer the last two questions pretty clearly, but can be rather perplexing regarding the first.

Before e-searching their choices, our vacationers should learn location lingo. Although individual agencies’ definitions may vary slightly, these terms are commonly used to describe a property’s proximity to the promised sand:

“Oceanfront” – Primo placement, with no other homes situated between your rental and the ocean, although distance from and view of the water may vary. (With condos, “oceanfront” describes the building, so verify that the unit you’re renting also faces the sea.)

“Oceanview” – If just seeing the beach is good enough for you, this is a good way to save a few grand a week, though beware: One person’s “oceanview” is another person’s “sliver of water visible only if you tilt your head way out over the deck.”

“Oceanblock” – Located near the ocean (usually one block or less), but may have another structure or street in between; water view not guaranteed. Similarly, “second block,” “third block,” and so on describe approximate schleps to the beach. 

“Oceanside” – Located on the east side of the major highway (Route 1 in Delaware, Route 528 in Ocean City), but not necessarily within walking distance of the ocean. 

“Bayside” or “westside” – Located on the west side of the major highway, but not necessarily within walking distance of the water.

“Baywater” or “bayside water” – Located on Assawoman Bay or its canal; distance from and view of the water may vary. 

If you want to know exactly how close you’ll be to the beach or whether that “stunning ocean view” is visible from the lower floor, call and ask. A reputable agent will give you a straight answer. 

The rental unit’s proximity to the beach, the number of bedrooms, and the date of the rental largely determine its price. For example, $2,000 per week in late July or early August will get you a four-bedroom house within two blocks of the ocean in Rehoboth Beach or a three-bedroom oceanblock house in Dewey Beach, says Penny Carlisle, rental coordinator for Long & Foster’s Rehoboth office. Those properties are also among the first to be booked, though. If you’re looking for a condo in Rehoboth, for $1,700 to $2,000 per week, during the same time period you can rent a two-bedroom oceanfront or a two-bedroom oceanblock unit, the latter with access to a swimming pool. 

Our two couples’ collective budget of $3,000 to $3,500 for a weekly rental will enable them to pick the Rehoboth neighborhood they want. The downtown offers both oceanfront and oceanblock high rises, as well as streets lined with older dormered cottages and small houses sporting big porches. Renting in Rehoboth is unique in one respect—parking. “Very, very few houses come with off-street parking,” Carlisle says, and even condo renters are often limited to one parking space. Buying a $30 weekly parking permit will save you from getting ticketed.

Our couples want some privacy, so they’re looking for a house in North Shores (an oceanfront community about a mile from the boardwalk) or The Pines (a popular in-town neighborhood of bungalows close to the ocean but removed from the boardwalk). North Shores’ isolation isn’t everyone’s cup of chai. “A lot of people like North Shores because it’s far from the boardwalk,” says Jo-Ann Bacher, rental manager for Jack Lingo Realtor in Rehoboth. “And a lot of people don’t like North Shores because it’s far from the boardwalk.” The Pines attracts its own set of devotees. “Bookworms like to stay there because it’s wooded and quiet,” Bacher says.

If you require only two bedrooms, $1,500 to $2,000 a week will also get you an oceanfront unit in one of Ocean City’s numerous condominiums. The same size units in the oceanblock can reduce the weekly rate by as much as $500. “Downtown Ocean City is still an attractive option because of the boardwalk and amusements,” according to Holt. “Vacationers also like High-Rise Row because of the oceanfront access,” she says. If you’re bringing your boat, many bayside rentals include dockage. (Oh, and if you’re planning on staying in O.C. the first week of August, book early; the city is packed to the gills for the White Marlin Open.) 

Our vacationing family is looking for a modern three- or four-bedroom rental and is willing to spend up to $4,000 a week. They may still have difficulty finding oceanfront housing in popular Bethany Beach, South Bethany, or North Bethany, where such houses go quickly, even at $4,000 to $8,000 per week (yes, that’s more than $1,000 a day).

If they’re open to other options, they might consider one of the shore’s resort communities, such as Sea Colony in Bethany or Bear Trap Dunes in South Bethany, which offer additional recreational opportunities, among them indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis, and golf. In Ocean City, they could check out Sunset Island, a new gated bayside community whose homes are joining the rental market this year. 

Being Comfy

With the proliferation of McMansions along the shore, guests have come to expect rental houses loaded with amenities. “They want the comforts of home,” Holt says, “such as TVs in the bedroom, VCR and DVD players, and fully equipped kitchens.” 

To suit their own lifestyles and to make their homes more attractive to vacationers, homeowners are upgrading their properties to the max, adding hot tubs, whirlpools, wet bars, gas grills, gourmet kitchens, master suites, designer bathrooms, great rooms, game rooms, high-speed Internet connections, digital cable—even fireplaces for “shoulder season” rentals. While these improvements jack up rental prices, they’ve also raised the bar from the days when vacationers were satisfied with reliable air-conditioning, one working TV set, and a rusty barbecue grill. 

Today, most rental units offer microwaves, coffeemakers, washer/dryers, dishwashers, multiple TVs, cable connections, VCRs, and often DVD players, in addition to necessities like cookware, dishes, bedspreads, blankets, and pillows. And what isn’t provided, you can rent from local businesses that will deliver and pick up (for an additional fee) linens, baby furniture, TVs, VCRs, and beach equipment, among other items. If our couples need a blender for the week, they can rent one for about $12; if the family wants a big beach umbrella, it will cost about $25.

Most agencies can provide linens and towels. Others offer shopping services that will stock your kitchen with groceries before you even arrive, and a concierge who can arrange everything from dinner reservations to babysitters to charter fishing trips. All, of course, entail extra charges. 

“We’re moving away from a real estate-oriented business to a hospitality-driven business,” explains Long & Foster’s Waggoner. “Our competition is becoming hotels and the cruises out of Baltimore.” 

Comfort can also mean peace of mind. Hurricane-prone states like North Carolina have laws allowing vacationers to recoup money when there are mandatory evacuations for severe weather, but neither Delaware or Maryland afford such protection. Refunds become the homeowner’s discretion and there are no guarantees. Vacationers can purchase optional travel insurance policies, however, that cover trip cancellations, interruptions, or delays resulting from everything from storm evacuations to job loss to emergency hospitalization. Rates are based on the price of the rental, with a policy on a $2,000 per week rental averaging $90 to $100. Waggoner says roughly 20 percent of Long & Foster’s renters buy the optional coverage.

Looking, Booking, and Fine Print

After determining their bed configuration and beach proximity preferences, our vacationers should list the amenities they desire: central air-conditioning, a washer/dryer, multiple TVs, a VCR or DVD player, maybe a screened porch and a hot tub for the couples, and an outside shower and swimming pool privileges for the family. Now the search begins. 

The local Chamber of Commerce or Visitors Bureau (www.ococean.com, www.bethany-fenwick.org, www.ococean.com,) can provide a list of rental agency websites and toll-free numbers, or you can find links at www.beach-net.com. A handful of online rental services allow you to save money by renting directly from homeowners, but there’s a trade-off: They’re often hard to reach when you need to report a beach house malfunction. 

Both vacation groups eventually find what they want: The couples go for a modern four-bedroom house in Rehoboth’s North Shores neighborhood through a rental agency for $3,200, while the family settles on a luxurious four-bedroom lake-view house in Sea Colony for $2,900 (well under their budget) by searching a rent-by-owner site. 

Deposits of up to 50 percent of the rental price will secure their reservations, with the balance due within 30 days of check-in. Beach rentals don’t play by hotel reservation rules; if you have to cancel, you can forfeit as much as one-fifth of the total price even if the unit is re-rented at the full amount. 

If you don’t want surprises once you’ve settled in, it pays to read the fine print on your contract. For example, if your fridge is on the fritz or your A/C is DOA, report the problem immediately. The agency will make every reasonable effort to fix it (they don’t want to lose your future business), and it lets them know you didn’t inflict the damage. However, less vital contraptions (TVs, phones, and microwaves, for example) are sometimes considered “courtesy” items, whose repair or replacement are not guaranteed. We didn’t anticipate finding a monstrous pipeline and a parade of construction equipment between our rental and the beach one year, but careful perusal of the contract might have turned up a caveat like this: “the Town of Sunburn Beach and the Army Corps of Engineers maintain the beach through a replenishment program. Occasional inconveniences may result.” Still, it does pay to complain; we received a 50 percent reduction in our rent for suffering the hulking pipe (through which sand was pumped onto the beach) and the beeping backhoe. 

Being a Good Guest

Finally, learn to be a considerate renter. Otherwise responsible adults can morph into careless cads and juvenile jerks when they’re on holiday. They’ll drag the dining room table onto the deck—and leave it there in the salt air—so they can dine alfresco. They’ll eat their spaghetti dinners on the light-colored couch. They’ll turn on the air-conditioner and then open the windows to hear the surf, all the while running up the owner’s electric bill. 

“They’re on vacation. They’re not very interested in following rules,” says one homeowner, whose framed reminder, “Thank you for not smoking,” was carefully disassembled by waggish vacationers and altered to read, “Thank you for pot smoking.” The next renters were not amused. Neither were the owners, who, after three years of renting to numerous more destructive beach-goers, finally quit in disgust. 

When they’re paying a handsome sum for a vacation, people feel entitled to behave as they please, in ways they never would in their own homes. “Remember that these properties are owned by individuals,” Holt says. Consider how you’d feel in their place—and behave accordingly. 

Keep in mind, too, that although most rental units are cleaned between occupants, crews must ready thousands of them in short order. If you make a big mess, clean it up. Spending 15 minutes tidying the place before you leave is a small gratuity for a week’s worth of fun and sun.

On the Waterfront

Call them second homes, investment properties, or retirement retreats—beach real estate sales are soaring. Buyers wary of investing in stocks are taking advantage of low interest loans and going with a shore thing, building their future where they’ve boogie-boarded in the past. “Our vacationers of today are our purchasers of tomorrow,” says Jim Waggoner, vice president of Long & Foster’s resort rental division in Bethany Beach, Delaware. And if you’re in the market for a seven-figure property, here’s what your millions will get you.