On Wednesday night, the Washington Capitals did something no one expected them to do: They made the Stanley Cup finals. Fans had reason to be skeptical. The team hasn’t been in the finals since 1998, when they were quickly dispatched of by the Detroit Red Wings in 4. This year, the Caps came roaring out of the gate in the Eastern Conference Finals, taking a 2-0 lead against the Tampa Bay Lightning. But then Tampa Bay won the third game. And then the fourth and the fifth. And suddenly they were up 2-3. When the Caps won the 6th game, a few fans grumbled that they were merely delaying the inevitable.

Well, guess what? The Caps won Game 7, catapulting them into the Stanley Cup Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights, which is apparently a real team in the NHL, I checked.

All of this creates something of a dilemma for local hockey fans: Who do we root for in the Stanley Cup Finals?
On the one hand, it’s not like Baltimore has an NHL team of our own and the Caps are the closest thing we’ve got. Also, as my sister Felicia (a D.C. resident) pointed out, D.C. folks rooted for the Orioles until they got their own baseball team. (True!)

On the other hand, the Caps are from D.C.! And D.C. is definitely not Baltimore. In fact, we spend a lot of time trying to get out from D.C.’s shadow, and remind the rest of the country that we have our own thing going here.

Also, who could forget THIS? (Yeah, like D.C. doesn’t have a rat problem.)

Anyway, to get a sense of city’s temperature regarding the long-suffering Caps finally making it back to the finals, I posted the following question on my Facebook page: “Baltimorons: Are you rooting for the Capitals in the Stanley Cup Finals?”

I told folks I might use their answers for this story, so I’m not violating some friend code here.

Anyway, at first the answers were largely pro-Capitals and positive.

“Um. Yes,” wrote my pal (and sports broadcaster extraordinaire) Nestor Aparicio. Succinct and to the point.

“Being a fan for the past 11 years, thanks to my wife, YES! I have never been as nervous as I was last night, and it still doesn’t feel real,” said my friend Matt Ball.

“Unless the Skipjacks are playing, I’m pulling for the Caps. I’ve been un-conflicted for 25 years,” said occasional Baltimore magazine contributor Jim Meyer.

There were a few more comments like this. One friend noted that the great Capitals winger Alexander Ovechkin deserved his Stanley Cup, for sentimental reasons if nothing else. Richard Gorelick (also an occasional Baltimore writer) said that the Caps making the finals made lots of his friends happy, so it made him happy.

But then a few dissenting voices began to creep in:

“I was raised to hate all things D.C. and it shall continue. A true Baltimoron will never jump on that bandwagon. Bring back the Bullets!” wrote my friend, and Baltimore native, Brook Yeaton.

“Baltimore fans rooting for the Caps sickens me, frankly,” said Evan Serpick, a former editor here and at City Paper. “When I was growing up, we rooted for two football teams every week: the Colts and whoever the Redskins were playing. In the years between, the Colts and the Ravens, hating the Redskins was our only connection to pro football. And we watched the Baltimore Skipjacks (of blessed memory). And we liked it.”

But it was perhaps Jim Burger, a local writer, photographer, and martini enthusiast who put it best: “I have often said that the beauty of the National Hockey League is that any team can win the Stanley Cup . . . except the Washington Capitals,” he cracked. “It’s like some kind of rule I think. But I’m pulling for them, and I hope to be finally proven wrong. God knows some team around here should win something.”

If by some chance you are rooting for the Caps, we’ve got a list of where you can watch the game with fellow fans here.

Last night, Mayor Catherine Pugh appeared on Fox News’s conservative program, “The Ingraham Angle” hosted by Laura Ingraham to discuss her plans for transporting Baltimore City school students to the “March for Our Lives” anti-gun rally in Washington D.C. on March 24. The first two minutes of the interview went smoothly as Pugh detailed her reasons for getting involved and the passion of the students who participated.

It all went downhill from there.

In a combative eight-minute conversation—that was cringe-worthy to say the least—Ingraham and Pugh took turns talking over one another in what could best be described as unintelligible babbling. With Ingraham throwing statistics at Pugh about the $130-million school budget deficit and Pugh’s snide rebuttals such as, “You should get your facts straight, love,” it became unbearable to watch.

After what felt like a never-ending debate about Baltimore’s financial problems, Ingraham went in for a final punch by saying that liberals like Pugh are the reason for the city’s problems. As Pugh continued to defend her decision to bus the students to the rally, Ingraham continued to throw shade by saying: “OK well if you want to be safer, don’t spend a lot of time late at night on the streets of Baltimore.” 

The split screen disappeared and left only an image of Ingraham with a look of victory on her face. 

Expressions

Mar. 3-4, 6. Baltimore School for the Arts, 712 Cathedral St. Sat. 6:30 p.m., Sun. 2 & 5:30 p.m., Tues. 6:30 p.m. $15-375. 443-642-5165. At the end of every winter, there comes a bright moment in the form of the Baltimore School for the Arts’ annual fundraiser, Expressions. Support the local art school during one of four awe-inspiring student shows—plus a cocktail party and evening gala—which we consider among the don’t-miss performance art events of the year.

Stephen Towns: Rumination and A Reckoning

Mar. 7-Sept. 2. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 443-573-1700. In late 2016, Stephen Towns became an official artist to watch in Baltimore with the debut of his Take Me Away to the Stars exhibit at Galerie Myrtis. Towns’ installations were used to draw parallels between Nat Turner’s historic slave rebellion in 1831 and the modern violence and inequities that still plague African Americans today. Many of these profound textile works are now on display at the BMA, continuing both the conversation and the artist’s compelling reputation in Baltimore.

Intercambio

Mar. 9. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. 8 p.m. $25-30. As part of Stoop Storytelling’s “Stoop Special Engagement” series, and coinciding with the closing of the BMA’s Mexican modernist print exhibit, these two cultural institutions are teaming up for a night of positive foreign relations. Seven Baltimoreans will share personal stories about exchange and inspiration found across the U.S.-Mexico border.

National Cherry Blossom Festival
Mar. 20-Apr. 15. Tidal Basin, 1500 Maine Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. Times & prices vary. 877-442-5666. In the DMV, spring is marked by a bounty of flowers— including daffodils, dogwoods, and, of course, an abundance of cherry blossoms. At the end of the month, those blooms reach their peak in Washington, D.C., with the entire tidal basin turning pale pink and pillowy white. For nearly four weeks, admire their beauty and celebrate the new season with a variety of festivities, including a pink-tie party, parade, kite festival, and world-renowned performances.

Snail Mail

Mar. 21. Ottobar, 2549 N Howard St. 8:30 p.m. $10. 410-662-0069. It wasn’t long after the 2016 release of Snail Mail’s debut album, Habit, that Lindsey Jordan and her two bandmates started to get national attention. The band’s lo-fi indie rock music was suddenly getting written up in Pitchfork and, before long, sprawled across a multi-faceted feature in The New York Times. The trio sold out local shows at WTMD and the Ottobar, recorded an NPR Tiny Desk concert, signed a deal with national label Matador Records, and then went off on tour with indie darlings Beach Fossils. (We also awarded them a Best of Baltimore for “Rising Star” this past August.) Fresh out of high school and already well beyond their years, it’s safe to say that they are officially the next big thing to come out of Baltimore. See for yourself as the trio returns home to perform at the Ottobar on March 21.

BSO Pulse: Valerie June

Mar. 22. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 8:30 p.m. $35-55. 410-783-8000. After three short years, the BSO Pulse concert series has become a beloved arts institution here in Baltimore thanks to its unlikely fusion of classical music and indie rock that features artists from near and far. This time, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and WTMD team up with June, the vibrant singer-songwriter from Tennessee whose Memphis roots shine in her soulful blend of gospel, folk, and blues. Before the show, be sure to catch a performance in the lobby by local Americana musicians Nick and Luke.

Mobile Unit: Twelfth Night

Mar. 22–25. Various Locations. $25. 410-332-0033. They say that all the world’s a stage, and Mount Vernon’s Center Stage takes that adage literally. In 2017, the local theater company launched the Mobile Unit, a free-wheeling production project, in the belief that everyone deserves access to the arts. For those who don’t have the option to enjoy a night of theater, the Mobile Unit brings it to them, and to date, actors have delivered dramatic, whimsical, and comedic performances in such unconventional spaces as shelters, jails, retirement homes, and recreation centers in underserved communities. From March 22-25, a cast of five will perform Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night at various sites around the city. Center Stage calls these shows “minimal,” but we think they’re pretty grand.

Annapolis Oyster Roast & Sock Burning

Mar. 24. Annapolis Maritime Museum, 723 Second St., Annapolis. 12-4 p.m. $25-75. 410-295-0104. Every March, it’s worth the drive down I-97 for this spring tradition in the state capital. For the 40th year, celebrate the spring equinox with roasted oysters, live music, and an oddball sock burning (literally) in Annapolis to welcome the beginning of boating season (for brave, blanket-wearing souls) on the Chesapeake Bay.

Crowning Glory: Art of the Americas

Mar.-Oct. 7. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Free. 410-547-9000. The exhibits at the internationally renowned Walters have long traversed the globe, from the tapestries of Medieval Europe to the textiles of the Middle East. In this new exhibit, the museum stays close to home with a collection culled together from North, Central, and South America. Some 20 objects spanning thousands of years will explore the two continents’ various cultures and their relationships to power, spirituality, and identity through head-worn decorations.

Jimmy Buffett

Mar. 30. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 8 p.m. $52.50-152.50. 410-347-2020. For one evening at the end of the month, Baltimore will transform into the blue waters of the Florida Keys with the island-themed country-pop music of the legendary Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band. Whatever the weather—lion or lamb—imagine sun, sand, and margaritas in hand during this feel-good Friday night show.

It’s safe to say that Seth Hurwitz has had a pretty good week.

As chairman of I.M.P., the promotion and production company that operates 9:30 Club and Merriweather Post Pavilion, he welcomed a new venue to the family last Thursday. Music lovers flocked to the opening of The Anthem, a new $60 million, 6,000-capacity venue along Washington D.C.’s Southwest waterfront.

In its first week alone, the club has hosted hometown rockers the Foo Fighters, New Orleans brass favorite Trombone Shorty, French indie pop band Phoenix, and dance-punk darlings LCD Soundsystem.

“I’m a little tired,” Hurwitz joked. “But this opening has surpassed my wildest dreams—to see people coming into the venue, totally speechless, their jaws dropping. And having the Foo Fighters up on stage talking to everyone like they’re back for the weekend staying at their house. I couldn’t have written it better.”

But it’s a story that’s he’s been writing for nearly 40 years. Hurwitz booked his first show—The Cramps at the Ontario Theatre in 1980. The same year, the narrow 9:30 Club opened on F Street.

“Back then, every kid grew up in the suburbs,” he said. “We didn’t know what it was like to walk out our front door and see people living and working. So we had to go into underutilized areas of the city to build these places for ourselves.”

The times are certainly changing. For decades, the Southwest neighborhood of D.C. sat barren along the Anacostia River, but now it’s home to the recent $2.5 billion Wharf development, with The Anthem as its anchor and other retail, restaurant, and hotel space filling it out.

“Now people are nuts about downtown, my kids want to live in the city,” Hurwitz says. “Southwest was a wasteland up until a few years ago. But that’s just another example of the changing scene. To see people strolling along the water down here feels like a European city.”

And The Anthem is a huge reason for the crowds. The new venue feels casual and upscale all at once with concrete and steel beams, as well as theater-in-the-round style boxes flanking the top tiers. Tickets are almost all general admission, aside from 450 reserved seats. There are state-of-the-art lighting effects, but noticeably no video screens, which was an intentional decision to keep the focus on the stage.

“There are a lot of venues out there that serve multiple purposes,” Hurwitz says. “But this is a venue strictly built for music.”

He explains that the size of the venue has a certain Goldilocks appeal, especially in relation to the other spaces that I.M.P. operates.

“There are probably shows that we ended up doing at Merriweather that were too small and we did shows at 9:30 a few nights when the bands wanted something bigger,” he says. “Now we have finally the right place and every act will have a better fit.”

And there are certainly some stellar acts coming up in the fall and spring calendar—including Zedd, The Killers, Erykah Badu, Bob Dylan, The Shins, Morrissey, and Lorde, to name a few. In addition, the venue can scale down from 6,000 to 2,500 people thanks to a moveable stage that expands and contracts, allowing for more intimate shows like Tegan and Sara and Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile.

“My next hurdle is making people understand it’s not just a rock venue, and we’ll get some higher end acts that used to play the Kennedy Center,” Hurwitz says. “There are some acts that are hesitant to play somewhere until someone else has. But a majority of them want to play with shiny new toys.”

Hurwitz says the most gratifying part has been seeing fans from all over the tri-state area, including Baltimore, come to the shows and dance everywhere from the front row of the floor to the high corners of the venue.

“Hey, I’m an Orioles fan and I never miss a Ravens game,” he says. “I consider Baltimore part of my home and The Anthem was built for y’all as well.”

Light City Baltimore
Mar. 28-April 3. Various locations. Free.
To celebrate the vibrancy of Baltimore’s arts scene, the city will host Light City Baltimore. The weeklong festival will combine art installations, music and theater performances, and tech and innovation conferences in an eclectic, electric experience unlike anything ever staged in the U.S. Highlights will include a 1.5-mile Inner Harbor promenade past 51 large-scale, luminous installations, and four innovation conferences with speakers ranging from AOL founder Steve Case to Radiolab host Jad Abumrad. All events are free, except for the conferences, but organizers are reserving a quarter of all conference tickets for community members, free of charge.—AM

Leon Bridges
Mar. 4. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. 8 p.m. $48-58. 410-837-7400. Man, Leon Bridges. The 26-year-old Southern soul singer did a number on our hearts last spring when he dropped his swoon-worthy single, “Coming Home.” By summer, he was a radio sensation, reminding us of such seminal songwriters as Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, and by winter, he had become a likely contender for “Best R&B Album” at the 2016 Grammy Awards. Quick shot to stardom or not, he’s one of the best young voices out there, and his retro sound is here to stay.

Kurt Vile & The Violators
Mar. 4. Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. 8 p.m. $20. 410-662-0069. We love the opening of Kurt Vile’s “Wakin on a Pretty Day.” You can feel every swipe of fret in each guitar twang; every ounce of suburban ennui in each lusty lyric; every inch of warmth in the song’s slow, heart-tugging prettiness. This former War on Drugs bandmate makes you feel as if you’re in on his internal monologue, like you’re riding in a car together, lazily staring out the window at the sun. Go out of your way to hear his gentle indie-rock in Remington at the beginning of the month.

Motown
Mar. 8-13. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Times vary. $48.50-213.50. 410-837-7400. It all started in Detroit, in a little white house with blue windows, and the words “Hitsville U.S.A.” above the door. There, Berry Gordy created an iconic record label that would go on to launch legends like Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, and The Temptations. This month, hear their hits at the Hippodrome, like “My Girl” and “ABC.”

Baltimore Jewish Film Festival
Mar. 12-Apr. 17. Gordon Center for Performing Arts, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills. Times vary. $5-15. 410-356-5200. Now in its 28th year, the Baltimore Jewish Film Festival returns with more than a month of cinema, featuring 13 films steeped in Jewish culture, tradition, and life. Each travels across the globe to show different perspectives of Jewish history, ranging from Paris in 1944 and Israel in 1985 to Argentina in 1994 and Texas in 2014. Through comedy, drama, documentary, and animation, the films tell tales of food and family, tragedy and triumph, with director presentations, Q&A sessions, and special guests.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Mar. 13. Washington Monument, 699 N. Washington Pl. 2 p.m. Free. During the month of March, Charm City turns into an Emerald Isle outpost as windows are riddled with shamrocks and taps overfloweth with green beer. On the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day, celebrate Irish culture and heritage with the city’s 61st annual parade, featuring bagpipes, marching bands, floats, and antique cars as they make their way to Market Place.

Ira Glass
Mar. 13. Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd., Towson. 7 p.m. $45-135. 410-235-1660. You know his voice. It comes to you in your car, at work, before bedtime, telling you stories of average and extraordinary people, from 9/11 survivors to long-lost friends. As the creator and host of This American Life, Baltimore native Ira Glass can be heard on his 20-year-old show via more than 500 stations across the country. This month, put a face to the name when he comes to town to talk about the future of radio. (See our recent interview with Glass.)

National Cherry Blossom Festival
Mar. 20-Apr. 17: Washington, D.C. Locations, times, prices vary. 877-44-BLOOM. Washington, D.C., dusts off its red and blue colors and turns a special shade of pink this month, during the 104th Cherry Blossom Festival. For more than three full weeks, celebrate the arrival of spring with over 3,000 beautiful, budding cherry trees, 1.5 million spectators, and countless international cultural performances and events, including a blowout party, kite festival, and parade down Constitution Avenue. While you’re there, be sure to swing through some of the city’s spectacular national landmarks and free museums.

BSO Pulse: Dr. Dog
Mar. 24. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 8:30 p.m. $35. 410-783-8000. When it launched last fall, we praised Pulse for its innovative concept of creating concerts that paired indie-rock bands with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. But we didn’t fully appreciate its importance until we saw Baltimore’s beloved Wye Oak perform in November. Chills, is all we can say, so now we’re extra excited for the next one, with outside-the-box alt-rockers Dr. Dog.

It’s often said that the best way to explore any new city is on foot. You can test that hypothesis—and get in your daily workout—by partaking in the new trend of running tours. Faster than walking tours and more nimble than bus tours, these fleet-footed expeditions have sprouted up around the world in the past decade.

In the U.S. alone, there are now running tours at least 16 cities stretching from New York City to Honolulu—and the trend shows no signs of abating. “I had three guides when I started, and now there are eight,” says Annie Gianola, who used to manage the Philadelphia program before becoming the executive director of City Running Tours, a national company that oversees numerous markets (cityrunningtours.com). Gianola, who lives in Philly, still leads local tours on occasion. “I get pretty jazzed up every time I do a tour and people say, ‘I never knew running was so great,’ or ‘I didn’t know Philly had so much history,’ ” she says.

Each city offers a choice of group or personalized runs. Tours usually have some sort of theme, such as architecture or a particular slice of history. The runs generally range between 3 and 7 miles, and while there’s no fitness requirement, participants should feel comfortable running the anticipated distance in moderately hilly conditions. But don’t worry: There are always stops for photos, water, and
history lessons along the way.

We laced up our kicks for trips around the three nearest cities offering jogging jaunts and discovered there’s plenty to see while you pound the pavement.

→ ANNAPOLIS

The Warm-up: Annapolis Running Tours was started in 2014 by outdoorsy empty nesters Charles Goldblum and Beth Robbins, who also own the rights to the Baltimore territory. (They haven’t created any Charm City tours yet, but may soon.) Along with two other guides, the couple leads three themed tours of the state’s capital—Colonial heritage, maritime heritage (both approximately 3 miles), and a tour of St. John’s College and the Naval Academy (6 miles).

In Your Sights: We opted for the Colonial Heritage Tour, which begins at Market House, the collection of food vendors across from City Dock. The route then travels past the magnificent yachts and boats that bob in the row of slips known as Ego Alley before looping through the downtown, taking in many a historic manse along the way. (A particular highlight is a peek over a back wall to the formal terraced gardens of the William Paca House, the home of the former Maryland governor and Declaration of Independence signee.) The tour ends back at City Dock, by the sculpture of Alex Haley, the author of Roots, a sobering reminder that the Colonial quaintness we enjoy today was subsidized by the Atlantic slave trade. The Maritime Heritage Run crosses Spa Creek to Eastport, the hip Annapolis nabe that retains a strong seafaring streak even as it has gentrified over the past few decades. Stops include the Annapolis Maritime Museum located in the former McNasby Oyster Company building, the last remaining oyster-packing plant in Annapolis. The 6-mile trip through the colleges is just that—an up-close look at two of the nation’s most storied temples of higher education: St. John’s College, which traces its roots to 1696 and teaches a curriculum based on the great books of Western Civilization, and The U.S. Naval Academy, which will mark its 170th birthday on October 10.

The hip Annapolis nabe of Eastport retains a strong seafaring streak.

Fun Fact: A debate club met nightly in the 1760s in a building that still stands on Duke of Gloucester Street. The club’s members, who included William Paca and future Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase, discussed issues of the day, such as aristocracy versus democracy and the populace’s right to dethrone a king—like a ye olde version of Hardball.

Cost: $30-40. Participants get a coupon for 10 percent off at the Annapolis Running Shop.

Refuel: Participants are given water and snacks before being sent out into the Annapolis day. But if you’re craving something more substantial, stop at the most famous sandwich shop in Annapolis, Chick & Ruth’s Delly (165 Main St., 410-269-6737, chickandruths.com), which is known for its oversized sandwiches and platters named for local politicians.

→ WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Warm-up: Washington, D.C. Running Tours offers seven different routes. A 6-mile White House and monument run is popular, as is a 4.4-mile beer tour that ends with refreshments at the Right Proper Brewing Company. Other routes explore Southwest D.C.’s waterfront, Chinatown, the U Street Corridor, and the Eastern Market/Capitol Hill neighborhoods.

In Your Sights: We chose the 6-mile Embassy Row and Foggy Bottom tour, which starts and ends at the fountain in Dupont Circle. The run quickly leaves the green of the park and begins an exploration of the magnificent buildings of Embassy Row. Runners can see how each country defines itself through architecture and statuary. The South African Embassy, for example, features a statue of Nelson Mandela out front, while the Russian Embassy looms over its neighbors, making one wonder what kind of spycraft goes on inside.

Early in the run, the Kahlil Gibran Centennial Foundation memorial is another highlight. Situated in a shady park that feels like a hidden jewel amid the concrete and brick of Washington, the garden was created in 1991 to honor the poet best known for The Prophet. The run explores the leafy, uneven streets of Georgetown, passing boutiques and restaurants, including Martin’s Tavern on Wisconsin Avenue, where Jack supposedly proposed to Jackie in 1953, and where every President since Harry S. Truman has dined. Runners also see the thoroughly urban George Washington University campus, the National Cathedral, and the U.S. Naval Observatory, where the Vice President lives.

Fun Fact: Nobody is quite sure which George gives Georgetown, established in 1751, its name, but it’s not George Washington. It could be King George II, who was ruling Britain at the time, or it could be original Georgetown landowners George Gordon and George Beal.

Cost: $30-45.

Refuel: Near Dupont Circle, Scion Restaurant (2100 P St., N.W., 202-833-8899, scionrestaurant.com) offers a delicious brunch. Entrees come with all-you-can-eat fruit, plus there’s the opportunity to sit outside in nice weather.

→ PHILADELPHIA

The Warm-up: Philadelphia offers six tours. The 5.5-mile Historic Philadelphia tour is an urban run that traverses some of the city’s oldest streets and parks. For more spirited sprees, there are two different beer runs, plus a 6-mile circuit through South Philly and the famed Italian Market, and a 3-miler through Old City that takes in the Liberty Bell. But only one run—the 6-mile Art Museum/Rocky Steps Run—allows you to follow in Stallone’s Chuck Taylors and ascend the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Unsurprisingly, that run is most popular with out-of-towners.

In Your Sights: We opted for the Historic Philadelphia tour, which starts at athletics store Philadelphia Runner (1601 Sansom St., 215-972-8333) in the heart of the city. The run takes participants past expected sites such as Benjamin Franklin’s grave, Independence Hall (where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed), the Betsy Ross house, and the Liberty Bell Center. But it also spotlights the city’s rich reserves of public art, including an astonishing statue depicting Irish people escaping the Great Famine and another of Benjamin Franklin, made entirely of melted-down pennies and keys—a nod to his famous aphorism “a penny saved is a penny earned” and his experiments with kites, keys, and lightning. Not all of the art is so serious, however: The run goes past a bar called Dirty Franks, which is said to have opened in the waning days of Prohibition and features an exterior mural of famous Franks, including Sinatra, Zappa, and Perdue.

Fun Fact: Edmund Bacon, the city’s planner from 1949 to 1970, was known as the father of modern Philadelphia and was on the cover of Time magazine in 1964 under the banner “Urban Renewal: Remaking the American City.” He’s also the father of an even more famous son, Kevin Bacon.

Cost: $35-40. Participants get 10 percent off at Philadelphia Runner.

Refuel: Sampan (124 S. 13th St., 215-732-3501, sampanphilly.com), a chic restaurant offering small-plate Asian fusion fare, is a delicious option with outdoor seating and great people-watching. But don’t go right after your run—wash off and spiff up first. For dessert, try one of the Capogiro Gelato Artisans locations for freshly made gelato (several locations, including 117 S. 20th St., 215-636-9250, capogirogelato.com).

Sometimes, when the craving strikes, you just need to head out on the open road. There, you will find out why foodies flock outside on winter mornings in Manhattan for a Dominique Ansel cronut, why they endure the sticky heat of Austin for a tray of ribs from Franklin Barbecue, or brave the sun-drenched sidewalks of L.A. for a Hollywood hot dog at Pink’s. Yes, Baltimore has become a culinary haven, but we still love the thrill of the chase. So get out of Dodge and heed your hankerings—and wanderlust. These dining destinations—listed from nearest to farthest—won’t disappoint.

Toki Underground

Washington, D.C., 37 miles // The Lowdown: Despite its rabid fans, long waits, and endlessly Instagrammed food, Toki Underground has managed to keep its cool. From the skate-shop vibe to the inspired take on Asian comfort food, this postage-stamp-sized hot spot is even better than the hype. Kitchen Cred: Remember this hip young chef’s name: Erik Bruner-Yang. The one-time Sticky Rice alum turned 2015 James Beard Rising Star Chef finalist is joining the ranks of trend-setting dining deities such as Danny Bowien (Mission Chinese) and David Chang (Momofuku). Food For Thought: The lineup is approachable (and affordable) but no need to mull the menu: Head straight for a steaming bowl of noodle soup. The rich tonkotsu broth comes in simple, yet complex, arrangements, from classic pulled pork with soft-boiled egg to inspired kimchi infusions. Make it your own with add-ons like melt-in-your-mouth pork belly and house-made “endorphin sauce,” made with five different chilies. However you bedazzle your bowl, sip slowly. And don’t be ashamed to tip it back: There’s a reason Bruner-Yang moves over 200 orders a night. Trip Tip: For good kitchen karma, order the Xie Xie, a round of beers that go to the ramen-making masters in the kitchen. 1234 H St. NE, Washington, D.C., 202-388-3086

Rose’s Luxury

Washington, D.C., 39 miles // The Lowdown: The “Rose” in question is chef Aaron Silverman’s grandmother, so it’s only fitting that every element of this charming eatery—mix-and-match plates, antique touches, fresh flowers—is reminiscent of the little luxuries in your own nana’s house. It might take a few hours to get a table (no reservations accepted), but if awards alone are any indication (James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant in 2014 and GQ’s Most Outstanding Restaurant of 2015), it’s well worth the wait. Kitchen Cred: Silverman has worked with the crème de la crème including David Chang, Sean Brock, and George Mendes. Now at the helm of his own spot, he wraps past into present—melding the French, Asian, Italian, and Southern influences of his former haunts into something completely original. Food For Thought: Despite the hype, Silverman keeps it real with his eclectic blend of flavors, marrying homespun comfort food with high-end gourmet. Start with the fan-favorite pork sausage, habañero, and lychee salad, which is anything but a bowl of boring greens. Don’t miss the crispy Chesapeake soft-shell crab or spicy strawberry spaghetti, topped with house-made ricotta. Trip Tip: If you’re eating at a table for one, at least one dish will be gratis. 717 8th St. SE, Washington, D.C., 202-580-8889

Rasika

Washington, D.C., 41 miles // The Lowdown: One of the most trusted names in Washington, D.C., isn’t a Capitol Hill congressman or POTUS appointee. Instead, it’s a restaurant in the Penn Quarter (with a second location in the West End), where a luminary cast of VIPs from the Clintons and Obamas to New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg choose to break bread. (Or should we say garlic naan?) For the past decade, Rasika has remained a tried-and-true stalwart for its modern take on classic Indian cuisine, but this isn’t your common curry. Rasika continues to top best lists for its intricate, inventive meals. Kitchen Cred: Props to the power duo of Bombay-born, James Beard Award-winning chef Vikram Sunderam and New Delhi-native and veteran restaurateur and James Beard semi-finalist Ashok Bajaj. Also of note: Penn Quarter chef de cuisine Neraj Govil spent 18 years at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. No biggie. Food For Thought: Given Sunderam’s ability to amaze the palate, Rasika—derived from “flavors” in Sanskrit—is aptly named. Start with small plates like the famous palak chaat, or signature flash-fried spinach, before moving onto classics like chicken tikka masala, swaddled in a swoon-worthy tomato sauce. Trip Tip: While you’re in the ’hood, saunter down the street to beloved landmarks like the Newseum, National Gallery, and National Mall. 633 D St. NW, Washington, D.C. 202-637-1222

The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

Lovettsville, VA, 63 miles // The Lowdown: To beat the heat, head south to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and pastoral Patowmack Farm. Opened in 1998 as one of the first farm-to-table restaurants in America, the organic eatery is locavore to the core, with locally grown goods plucked and plated the very same day. Kitchen Cred: Foraging farmer-chef Tarver King might focus on back-to-basics, but his culinary education—from Philadelphia’s Le Bec-Fin to Napa Valley’s The French Laundry—was anything but. A James Beard semi-finalist, King uses the land’s bounty to create cuisine that’s artistic and avant-garde. Each plate is a little masterpiece, adorned with fresh flowers and herbs, as inspiring as a walk through the nearby woods. Food For Thought: Three menus are broken up by mode of source—“raised,” “grown,” and “found”—rotating regularly based on King’s finds. Taste the seasons as you move through your courses, like the summer cherry gazpacho with pistachio, cucumber, and cardamom cream. Trip Tip: Don’t forget to order one of Loudon County’s award-winning bottles of wine. 42461 Lovettsville Rd., Lovettsville, VA, 540-822-9017

Bartlett Pear Inn

Easton, 70 miles // The Lowdown: In the heart of historic Easton sits a beautiful pink house. On the outside, its faded Colonial brick tells the story of days past, while inside, something new stirs on the stove. Step through the door and you’ll feel like you’ve entered a dear friend’s home. With a bright interior and colorful walls covered in art, the little inn is imbued with warmth, and its tender, loving care is equally evident on every plate. Kitchen Cred: After years of working for acclaimed eateries like Michel Richard’s Citronelle in D.C. and Thomas Keller’s Per Se in New York, chef Jordan Lloyd and his wife, Alice, returned to their tiny hometown to raise a family. Luckily for us, he brought his bountiful experience back to the Eastern Shore, and in 2009 transformed the 18th-century inn into a beautiful dining room and boutique hotel worthy of its rave reviews. Food For Thought: The rotating, regional menu of contemporary cuisine is concise and enticing. Start with small plates like braised pork cheeks and belly from nearby Black Bottom Farm with braised radicchio and saffron-glazed turnips, or cornmeal-crusted soft crab with spring peas. Move on to mains like inn-made pappardelle or summer-truffle risotto in maitake mushroom fricassee. Trip Tip: Browse the nearby Academy Art Museum, featuring works by Thomas Moran, Pablo Picasso, and Rembrandt. 28 S. Harrison St., Easton, 410-770-3300

Robert Morris Inn

Oxford, 80 miles // The Lowdown: Just a short drive from the Bartlett Pear sits the Robert Morris Inn, also on the Eastern Shore. One of the oldest inns in the country, the historic home remains little changed since 1710, albeit with the addition of chef Mark Salter, who started the restaurant, and breathed new life into the inn’s kitchen. Kitchen Cred: Over the course of his international career, Salter has fed the likes of Margaret Thatcher, Diane Sawyer, and Paul Newman. More recently, the English epicurean spent 17 years as executive chef at the acclaimed Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, before moving down the road to this truly hidden gem in 2010. In this classic Colonial dining room and tavern, Salter fuses British-American fare with regional cooking and seasonal ingredients. Food For Thought: Try Salter’s Chesapeake classics like an award-winning crab cake, but don’t overlook the pub-perfect burger with white corn succotash and watermelon and yellow tomato sauce. Trip Tip: After your meal, take a shortcut home across the Tred Avon River on the oldest privately run ferry in the U.S. 314 N. Morris St., Oxford, 410-226-511

Federal Donuts

Philadelphia, PA, 99 miles // The Lowdown: Move over waffles and biscuits: Chicken and donuts are the hot new take on savory and sweet. While this foodie fad was born above the Mason-Dixon Line, it was still raised in the South—South Philly, to be exact. As the world’s first dedicated shop for both downhome delicacies, Federal Donuts (aka “FedNuts”), started as a micro-sized brick-and-mortar shop and quickly became a local legend. Kitchen Cred: Since its original location on South Second Street, FedNuts has hatched five locations, part of the growing empire of James Beard-winning chef Michael Solomonov and restaurateur Steve Cook. Food For Thought: Inspired by Korean fried chicken, the twice-fried birds have juicy meat and skin as crisp as a Lay’s potato chip. Pick your kick with seasonings and glazes ranging from mild to mouth-tingling, but no worries: Your little red basket comes with a honey donut to beat the heat. Need another reference? These deep-fried delights are favored by Philly native drummer Questlove and notorious sweets lover Vice President Joe Biden. Trip Tip: Fancy donuts like French toast and lemon ricotta often sell out by 2 p.m. 1219 S. Second St., Philadelphia, PA, 267-687-8258

Jim’s Steaks

Philadelphia, PA, 100 miles // The Lowdown: The Cheesesteak Wars are practically a sport in the City of Brotherly Love. Most argue between South Philly behemoths Pat’s and Geno’s (whose fans run the gamut from President Obama to Snooki). But on a corner of South Street, amidst a colorful collection of head shops and pizza joints, the real champ is Jim’s Steaks. From the minute the doors open in the morning, the crowd begins to build as the line moves out the door and around the corner down Fourth Street. Kitchen Cred: This second-generation sub shop has been a Philly institution since 1976, winning five “Best-ofs” and cementing itself as a bucket-list landmark. Celebrity glossies on the walls add to the ambiance. Food For Thought: To sound like a local, order “Whiz wit” (read: Cheese Whiz) from the guys behind the counter. Their hands move like magic on the grill as they tend to the mountain of meat and sizzling onions before stuffing them into soft sub rolls, lacquered with liquid cheese. Trip Tip: Philly is a wonderfully walkable city. From Jim’s, you’re just a short stroll to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. 400 South St., Philadelphia, PA, 215-928-1911

Zeppoli

Collingswood, NJ, 100 miles // The Lowdown: This quiet Jersey suburb is home to an abundance of old-school red-sauce joints, but Zeppoli is in a league of its own. The little BYOB has the quintessential charm of your classic Boot Country trattoria, but shakes things up with an extra dollop of gusto. Kitchen Cred: Growing up in South Philly, Joseph “Joey” Baldino learned to cook from the masters—his Sicilian mama and aunts. From there, he went on to work with legends like Alice Waters and Daniel Boulud, eventually landing a gig as chef de cuisine at the venerable Vetri in Philadelphia. Since opening his own eatery in 2011, Baldino has become a four-time James Beard Award semi-finalist. His years in the big leagues are an indisputable influence, but one taste of his authentic country cooking, and you’ll realize it’s in his blood. Food For Thought: Fine-dining meets la famiglia on Baldino’s modest, Mediterranean menu, which is surprisingly simple, with rich pastas, rustic meats, and fresh ingredients sourced from Philly’s Italian Market. Carbo-load on classics like homemade tagliatelli with lemon and prosciutto, or revel in Baldino’s Southern Italian roots with a hearty fisherman’s stew. Be sure to save space for the namesake fried dough. Trip Tip: Collingswood is a dry town, so don’t forget to bring your own wine. 618 Collings Ave., Collingswood, NJ, 856-854-2670

The Inn at Little Washington

Washington, VA, 107 miles // The Lowdown: It’s a bit of a schlep to Rappahannock County, but you won’t regret expending the extra effort. Here, at the Inn At Little Washington, you’ll be transported straight to the set of a Jane Austen novel. With antique accents, period furnishings, and elaborate wallpaper, this five-star foodie manor is impeccably dressed to impress. Kitchen Cred: Back in 1978, chef Patrick O’Connell started his internationally acclaimed food mecca out of a garage-turned-country inn. A forefather of the modern-day farm-to-table movement, he befriended nearby farmers to stock his pantry with the freshest local supplies. Today, the James Beard-winning chef and New York Times bestselling author continues the pastoral practice, also picking produce from the inn’s own farm. With pomp and precision, the D.C. native turns plain white plates into imaginative American masterpieces. Food For Thought: Before you unfold your napkin, prepare for the fit-for-a-prince price, as the special-occasion eatery starts at $178 per person. (And if you drink too much wine from the 14,000-bottle cellar, stays start at $495 per night.) Splurge for a front-row seat in the kitchen, or settle into the lap of luxury in one of its intimate dining rooms. With three seven-course menus, consider the Tin of Sin (caviar, peeky-toe crab, and cucumber rillettes) and then order the herb-crusted lamb loin carpaccio with Caesar salad ice cream. Trip Tip: It’s easier to nab a table on weekdays, but book your reservations at least three weeks in advance. Make a day of it and explore the scenic byways of the Shenandoah Valley. 309 Middle St., Washington, VA, 540-675-3800