The Big Baltimore Bucket List

At the turn of the last century, Howard Street was an epicenter of local commerce, with not just the bustling Lexington Market but assorted mom-and-pop shops and major department stores like Hutzler’s and Hoschild Kohn’s. Now, decades after many of those businesses disappeared, a new scene has emerged, focused on creativity. Follow the Light Rail through the Bromo Arts District, from its namesake clock tower, through dozens of galleries, music venues, theaters, and arts collectives that have revitalized vacant buildings and brought the neighborhood back to vibrancy. In spring and fall, the free Bromo Art Walk shows them all off during an evening of exhibits, at the likes of Current Space, Maryland Art Place, and NoMüNoMü, and live performances, at such spots as the Eubie Blake Cultural Center, Le Mondo, and Lineup Room. Don’t want to wait that long? The district has created a Google Map of featured spots that artlovers can use all year.

Attending a game at Camden Yards has always been a rite of passage for Baltimoreans, be they fairweather or die-hard baseball fans (the latter of which you’ll undoubtedly become after one especially hearty “O” sung out during the National Anthem). Arguably the best seat in the house is the Splash Zone, the section of left field where spectators are sprayed with water by a hose-wielding, floatie-wearing “Mr. Splash” after big plays. (Guest splashers have included team owner David Rubenstein, Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., and rockstar Joan Jett.) Dress appropriately; you’re also bound to get soaked with beer. Bonus points if you go with your dog during Bark at the Park.

When did our National Aquarium get so dang cool? Of course, there’s the longstanding Living Seashore, where you can pet Mid-Atlantic horseshoe crabs and moon jellies, or the behind-the-scenes tour of Blacktip Reef, where you can feed tropical fish while sharks swim beneath your feet. But they also just opened the free outdoor Harbor Wetland—a gift to the city where all Baltimoreans can immerse themselves in a recreated tidal marsh, like those that existed along these very waters centuries ago. And for grown-ups only, the after-hours Voyages series is now one of the hottest tickets in town.

Through the front doors of a historic firehall on the east end of North Avenue, find the nation’s first wax museum dedicated to African-American history. Over its four decades, the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum has evolved from an Afrocentric Madame Tussauds into a multifaceted and much-loved cultural institution in the midst of a major expansion, drawing visitors from near and far. Wander through more than 200 life-size replicas of prominent figures, from Frederick Douglass to Billie Holiday to Barack Obama, as well as evocative exhibits that chronicle the Black experience.

Baltimoreans have been belting their hearts out at this corner bar in Canton since the first karaoke machine arrived here in the 1970s. Today, the music plays on thanks to new owners Ron Legler and Andrew Slinger, who have prioritized preserving the traditions of this century-old songhouse (long live the Jell-O shots), while also making a more inclusive space, as well as a few minor upgrades (you can finally pay your tab on a credit card, for instance). Chappell Roan? Fugazi? Hits from Hairspray? Step up to the mic and sing one of the 80,000 songs with your name on it.

Some cities don’t have one film festival. But thanks to the emergence of the New/Next Film Festival, the brainchild of local art-scene veterans Eric Hatch and Sam Sessa, we now have two of our very own. We’ll never quit the mighty Maryland Film Festival, but in its second year, New/ Next established its bona fides, featuring a thoughtfully diverse lineup of local, national, and international films. Third time should be a charm when it returns again this fall. Don’t sleep on the after-parties, which have already achieved legendary status. Where else can you rub shoulders with John Waters, Dan Deacon, and Beach House in the same evening?

Snoopers, rejoice. Launched a decade ago, Doors Open Baltimore is a geographically wide-ranging festival that celebrates the city’s stunning architecture. As the name implies, this annual fall event offers free entrance into many of the most impressive and interesting spaces around town. Climb the Phoenix Shot Tower, stroll through the homes of H.L. Mencken and Lucille Clifton, or get a sneak peek at the North Avenue Market’s long-lost duckpin bowling alley. (The rest of the year, register for one of Baltimore Heritage’s illuminating walking tours.)

If you missed the powerful Preoccupied exhibition of Indigenous artwork at the Baltimore Museum of Art, fear not. Conceptual installations by Nicholas Galanin are on display through Feb. 16. After that, seek out some of the works on display from the BMA’s 1,000-piece collection of creations by Native North American artists, which include Plains beadings, Navajo textiles, and Apache fiber arts. Throughout the marble halls, also find new audio guides and updated labels for important context from Native perspectives.

The hippest hotel in Baltimore isn’t just for out-of-towners. Actually, first and foremost, the boutique Ulysses might be a hangout for the local who’s who, commonly found dining at the Lynchian-hued Ash Bar restaurant, drinking at the luxurious Bloom’s and Coral Wig cocktail lounges, or lavishly partying at the new Swann House gallery. Decadent and full of debauchery, the Read Street digs are an ode to Charm City, with John Waters-worthy guest rooms featuring cheetah-print carpet, flamingo-patterned canopies, and views of the Washington Monument. Spend a weeknight for reduced rates and peruse this magazine over the next morning’s mimosa.

Speaking of our Washington Monument—the first in the nation dedicated to America’s first president—this marble icon is so prominent, it’s easy to take it for granted. But not after climbing the 227 steps to a bird’s-eye view over the city skyline. Standing 178 feet above Mount Vernon Place, the ascent is not for the claustrophobic or fearful of heights, but there’s plenty to see at ground level, too, including live footage from the top.

Baltimore is home to a horde of incredible independent playhouses, including the oldest continuously operating African-American community theater in the United States. Showcasing both hidden gems and timeless classics by Black playwrights like Langston Hughes and August Wilson, Arena Players has been performing diverse productions since it first took the stage at what is now Coppin State University in 1953. Witness history, and an enduring legacy, at its permanent home on McCulloh Street.

Has the Spotify algorithm got you down? Add the annual High Zero Festival to your rotation, deemed the East Coast’s premier showcase of experimental music. Every September, an eclectic group of local and international musicians join forces for a sound experience like no other. Think a free-form fusion of computers, harps, accordions, and Indonesian gongs, to name just a few instruments. Based at the Baltimore Theatre Project, it’s a long weekend of audible elation for the musically curious and open-minded. (Throughout the year, see more genre-defying acts at The Red Room, located in Waverly’s Normals Books & Records.)

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Each May, the American Visionary Art Museum’s 15-mile, amphibious, human-powered sculpture “race” is a singular spectacle of Baltimore’s DIY spirit. Maybe you’ve seen Fifi, the 15-foot pink poodle, rolling around the Inner Harbor in springs past. If not, make a trek to witness this pedal-turned-paddle from Federal Hill to the Canton docks. We even implore you to get in on the action. Decorate some bikes and follow along. Or better yet, go full Kinetic—join a team to build an all-terrain work of art.

From philanthropist Johns Hopkins to photographer A. Aubrey Bodine, Green Mount Cemetery is a who-was- who of Maryland. Stroll the 60-acre grounds of this hallowed final resting place to pay your respects and brush up on local history, being the last stop for titans of industry, governors, artists, authors, and even Abraham Lincoln’s infamous assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Passersby leave pennies on his headstone for good measure.

Somehow, even after 19 years, the Stoop Storytelling Series is still finding interesting people to tell interesting stories on every topic from mistaken identities to broken hearts. Sure, it can seem nervewracking to get up there and bare your soul in front of a room full of strangers without notes, just telling a story like you would to a friend. Some are funny. Others are sad. All are moving in their own ways. And the audience is always the biggest cheerleader. It’s the most intense thrill to captivate a crowd with your words, and it’s true what they say—everyone has a story.

When you walk through the doors of this 1970s-inspired Station North dive bar, hang an immediate left and let the sparkle of the disco ball lure you to the dance floor. The Royal Blue became a fast favorite when owners Randy Coffren and Rich Pugh (also of Snake Hill and Johnny Rad’s) opened in the former Gallery One space on Maryland Avenue two years ago. And now, on Thursdays through Saturdays, the back room transforms into an epic dance party led by local DJs who spin everything from techno funk and Latin pop to Bmore Club and frequented by an everyone-is-welcome- here crowd who let loose into the wee hours of the night. Break a sweat, then cool off with a frozen drink, available year-round.

Baltimore is home to a plethora of top-notch parades (a few of which we’ll name on this list). But we’re especially partial to the procession for Martin Luther King Jr. Every January, on MLK Day, a sea of floats, color guards, and the main event—the city’s student marching bands—make their way down his namesake boulevard, with the sounds of drums pulsing throughout the city. Dance along in your warmest clothes, and remember the civil rights leader’s famous words: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

There are plenty of people who have never set foot in the hallowed Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and therefore have never heard our civic treasure, the century-old Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Enter the “Symphony in the City” series, where BSO musicians and maestro Jonathon Heyward take their show on the road and perform in unexpected venues, like Morgan State University and the War Memorial. Next month, catch them at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. It’s all part of an ongoing effort to share their music with all of Baltimore. Best of all, the concerts are free.

On the east side, a long, lithe stream flows from Hamilton to Lake Montebello to Belair-Edison, ultimately unfurling into the Chesapeake Bay. In the midst, its namesake Herring Run Park covers 375 acres, where a new self-guided heritage walking trail now connects the past and present of this ancient watershed. All you need are a pair of comfortable shoes and a mobile device to use the park’s interactive map, which includes brief histories of an initial dozen landmarks. Meander from Harford to Belair roads, with a second phase to Sinclair Lane now in the works.

Don’t let the name fool you—Baltimore’s crankies are anything but cranky. Over the last decade, watching artists unspool their own handmade scrolls has become a much-loved and magical pastime, with the storytelling and song-sharing tradition dating back to the 19th century. But what about making your own? Highlandtown’s Creative Alliance not only holds the annual Crankie Fest (this year on Feb. 7-9), but also hosts workshops where you can learn how to build one yourself. With only some art supplies and imagination, you can translate a favorite tale, tune, or both into a working piece of folk art.

Nearly two centuries ago, America’s first commercial train track was laid by the B&O Railroad Company in Pigtown, a moment of industrial innovation that would forever change this city—and the country at large. Now both kids and kids at heart can ride that very stretch on the “Mile One Express,” running multiple times a week at the B&O Railroad Museum. Hop aboard a historic Pullman car for a 20-minute trip (with a stop to see the horses at the police department’s First Mile Stable on weekends). Afterward, swing through the original station’s Roundhouse and moving Underground Railroad exhibit.

Bounce, rock, boogie, and even bowl—there are plenty of ways to play at this family-fun recreation center on Pennsylvania Avenue, named after Baltimore Colts wide receiver Glenn “Shake & Bake” Doughty. Located in the West Baltimore community of Upton—a historic hub of Black culture—this circa-1982 stalwart is a nostalgic throwback for all ages. Slide on a pair of retro roller skates, race around the colorful rink, and get down to DJ sets under the dazzle of a disco ball. (Two blocks south on Lafayette Avenue, also be sure to peep the marquee monument that pays tribute to the historic Royal Theater, once headlined by Louis Armstrong and Baltimore’s own Ethel Ennis.)

Down a back alley in Abell, the green door of a white cinderblock building will lead you to Baltimore’s most unexpected bookstore, though it’s not actually a store at all. In fact, you can’t make a single purchase, but once a month, thousands upon thousands of secondhand titles are up for the taking during the nonprofit Book Thing’s popular giveaway, now 25 years running. Aisle after aisle, the search is half the fun. Make it an exchange by bringing your own old copies for donation—and a dose of good karma.

Pride is year-round, but especially in June, grab your most colorful get-ups and head to the heart of the city for the beloved celebration of Baltimore’s LGBTQ+ community. Since 1975, the grassroots event has grown into an all-out love fest, featuring galas, block parties, and its ever-joyful parade, moving from the Mount Vernon “gayborhood” to Old Goucher and Druid Hill Park in recent years. On Saturday, kick things off by cheering on—or better yet running in—the annual High Heel Race, where stilettoed sprinters dash up Charles Street, with a trophy for the winner.

Don a swim cap, douse yourself in sparkles, and sign up to make a splash during the beloved water ballets of Fluid Movement. Themes run the gamut, from “Sharkespeare” to sinkholes to an entire show based on Jeff Goldblum, and shows take place at city park pools, from Clifton to Riverside. The only requirement is, well, knowing how to swim. Learn the 101 of synchronized strokes with this inclusive and friendly group of both tenured and first-time swimmers. And expect ample applause from a raucously devoted audience.

The only thing better than watching the Great Halloween Lantern Parade, which just celebrated 25 years at Patterson Park, is getting to walk in one. Whether you’re shepherding a glowing float, riding an illuminated bike, or performing as part of a drum line, interacting with the crowd is the biggest rush. Everyone is cheering and dancing and snapping photographs as you snake your way from the boat lake through the rolling hills near Highlandtown. Cap it all off with a crab pie at Matthew’s Pizzeria.

If you like playing armchair detective, indulge a true-crime addiction with a visit to Maryland’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Baltimore Street to view (by appointment only) the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, created in the early 1900s by Frances Glessner Lee, the first female police captain in the United States, and currently on long-term loan from Harvard University. One part CSI, one part work of art, her meticulous and macabre dollhouse-sized dioramas—19 in all—helped revolutionize forensic investigations, teaching criminologists how to canvass a crime scene and evaluate evidence.

Once upon a time, the streets of Baltimore were strewn with duckpin bowling alleys, as this miniature version of the classic pastime is said to have been invented here circa 1900. (Apparently the game got its name because the tiny pins flew like waterfowl.) Now, there’s only a handful of locations left in the entire state and no real-deal establishments rolling pint-sized balls in city limits. Lucky for us, though, The Dude still abides at Stoneleigh Lanes in Towson, where we hope the old-school digs—cosmic carpet, handwritten scorecards, The Claw arcade game—never change. Reserve a lane, unleash your Little Lebowski, and remember, it’s BYOWR (Bring Your Own White Russians).

Before Baltimore native and civic leader Lillie Carroll Jackson passed away in 1975, she declared that her home should be turned into a civil rights museum to showcase the city’s historic struggle for equality. Inside her Eutaw Place townhome, learn about the woman known locally as the “Mother of Freedom” and named by The Baltimore Sun as the “Marylander of the [20th] Century,” who helped lead community- based nonviolent resistance during the Jim Crow era and for decades helmed the Baltimore branch of the NAACP. (For more fascinating history about Black Baltimoreans, the third floor of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum is also an absolute must.)

On a quiet corner beside Hollins Market, two rowhomes and a vacant lot have been the heart and soul of this city’s whimsical world of puppetry— that’s right, puppetry—since the 1990s. The Black Cherry Puppet Theater helped popularize the art form and has inspired local imaginations through its one-of-a-kind performances. Want to embrace your inner Mister Rogers? Try out works-inprogress at the quarterly Slamwich, or learn how to make your own marionette and help build sets during workshops for all ages.

Exploring Baltimore by water can recalibrate how you see and understand our port city, built by and for its myriad maritime industries. Consider doing this by kayak during the off-hours, ideally at night under a full moon, when the harbor can seem to belong to you alone. The Middle Branch of the Patapsco River is in the midst of a major renaissance, reconnecting South Baltimore with a dozen miles of shoreline, full of parks, trails, and community spaces, making it even easier (and more equitable) to access our local outdoors. On Fridays from April through September, launch just south of the Hanover Street Bridge with the Department of Recreation & Parks for a two-hour sunset paddle.

Starting in the Renaissance, collectors created cabinets of curiosities to showcase rare and unusual objects gathered from around the world. In The Walters Art Museum’s Chamber of Wonders, travel to other times and places through a treasure trove of collectibles— trays of pinned exotic insects, cabinets of global trinkets, densely hung artworks, and plenty of taxidermy—a whimsical crossroads of art, science, and history that’s easy to get lost in.

For a modern and moxie-filled twist on the Gatsby era, look no further than The Club Car in Station North to have a gimlet and heed the menu’s advice: “When you’re here, you’re queer, get used to it!” Located in the former Windup Space, this LGBTQ-run space has quickly made a name for itself as an inclusive arts den since opening last year on North Avenue. Each week, they host a revolving roster of artist exhibits, cabaret concerts, karaoke nights, stand-up showcases, and some of the most electrifying drag performances in town. Break your twenties at the bar (dollar bills are a must for tipping) and keep an eye on the bar’s social media for upcoming events, including dance parties and art exhbits, too.

Every July, the best way to break a sweat is by jumping in line behind the Caribbean Carnival’s colossal and colorful parade. You might as well be in Brazil when following these elaborate floats, impressive marching bands, and bedazzled costumed dancers as they make their way through the city streets. Long held in Clifton Park, the fullday festival has since migrated to Druid Hill, where the sounds of steel drums, the smell of jerk chicken, and the upbeat energy of this 42-year-old festival continue to compel thousands of attendees to brave the heat, with the entertainment lasting well into the summer night.

If you’re looking for a Back to the Future moment, head out of the city and over to Middle River, where the first cars rolled past into Bengies Drive-In more than 70 years ago. All these decades later, little has changed at the outdoor movie theater—a midcentury Americana landmark that, for just a few hours, allows first dates and families to travel back in time. At least once a year, from spring through fall, go for just-released blockbusters and cinematic classics like Jaws and Grease. Swing by the snack bar for foot-long hotdogs, funnel cake, and, you guessed it, popcorn. Then make way to your vehicle, tune the radio dial, and soak up that silver screen beneath the Baltimore County stars.

Did you know that Baltimore has a vibrant swing-dance community? See it on full display at the Mobtown Ballroom, which recently relocated from a Pigtown church to the former Red Emma’s space on North Avenue. Twice a week, on Monday and Friday nights, feet fly over the hardwood dance floor as cool cats of all skill levels cut a rug to fast-paced jazz music in a scene straight out of the Roaring ’20s. Cover starts at $10 but newcomers can start the night with a free beginner’s lesson. Not sure if the jitterbug is your speed? Also check the calendar for honky-tonk two-step and square dances, too.

Baltimore has always been a city of immigrants, and today folks from Latin America make up one of the fastest growing communities. Explore their rich cultures at Creative Alliance, where its CIELO (Creative Immigrant Educators of Latin American Origin) program showcases the many talents and traditions of artists from Mexico, El Salvador, Ecuador, and beyond. Throughout the year, attend classes with its women-led Artesanas, watch dance performances by the youth Jóvenes en Acción, shop the annual Tianquiztli market, and celebrate the seasons during Día de los Muertos and La Posada.

Make your plans for December now. In what is now a weekend-long affair and nearly three-decade- old tradition, Night of 100 Elvises turns three rooms of the Lord Belvedere Hotel into a temporary Graceland, during which dozens of impersonators, cover bands, and die-hard fans don their blue suede shoes, leather pantsuits, and thickest sideburns to say “thank you very much” to the late, great Mr. Presley. Join in the fun at this charming and oddball tradition, where you’ll find yourself wondering: Who knew he had such a local following? Heck, you might even meet a few folks who actually saw The King live at the old Civic Center (now CFG Bank Arena) in 1977.

Have a case of stage fright? At the Baltimore Improv Group (BIG), no acting or comedy experience is necessary, says teacher Thomas Dotstry, “just come and be yourself.” Some classes start with “‘one-word” exercises, where a story is passed around the room, written on the spot. Sometimes, you get cool words like “hippopotamus,” sometimes a simple “the.” “But the story doesn’t make sense without that little piece,” says Dotstry. And that’s what improvisation is about—listening, togetherness, that famous “yes, and,” which is its own life lesson. There is no right way, only an openness to possibility.

It’s long been said that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day and so, whatever your heritage, there’s no better place to flaunt some green than during Baltimore’s annual parade, held on March 16 this year. For more than 65 years, the festive procession has offered up its fair share of kilts, bagpipes, Irish dance, and gigantic Irish wolfhounds in celebration of the Emerald Isle. The best vantage point might be from the sidewalk outside of Mick O’Shea’s, the Mount Vernon mainstay pub—while sipping a pint of Guinness, of course.