One of the regulars at a bar where I used to work once told me, “In Baltimore, you can’t leave the house without a jacket until after Preakness.” It’s a message that bubbles up in my thoughts every May as I compulsively check the weather and stick my head out our window, daring myself to walk to work sans outerwear. (I know good advice when I hear it: I have yet to leave the house without a coat this year.)

As the distance to that magical, jacketless Preakness day quickly nears, I’ve been getting really excited about Lou’s first real nice weather adventures. Last spring and summer, he wasn’t yet able to walk, and while his immobility allowed us to have fun, low key days, we’ve been anticipating the beginning of doing fun toddler-friendly stuff. Baltimore has been a pretty great city to raise our kid in so far, and the older he gets, the more opportunities for fun emerge. Here are a few places and events we can’t wait to take advantage of once our coats are finally packed away. 

Center Plaza Play Dates

Center Plaza is an awesome green space in the heart of the city that not enough people know about. It’s protected on three sides by tall buildings, and set back enough from the street to feel quiet and cozy. Lots of events are held here (like free yoga and concerts), but this is the first year with dedicated children’s programming. The season kicked off last month with an egg hunt, and continues with a screening of Moana, workshops with Baby Beats with Max and Root, a tot lot with sprinklers, a family happy hour, and monthly Stroller Strides classes—all for free.

(Full disclosure: I am an employee of the Downtown Partnership, who produces these events. Even fuller disclosure: I am also a downtown parent who would take my kid to these events even if the presenting entity didn’t sign my paychecks.)

West Shore Park splash pad

On a recent warm day, I received a video from our nanny of Lou crouched down low, inspecting a mini-geyser erupting from the sidewalk. He vacillated between being totally elated and totally engrossed in figuring out how the hell water was shooting out of the ground and no one was stopping him from playing in it. 

The West Shore Park splash pad is located just north of the Maryland Science Center and it’s perfect for swinging by to cool off children on a hot day, and having their minds be repeatedly blown for a couple of hours.

Druid Hill Park

Obviously the main attraction in Druid Hill Park is the Maryland Zoo, but may I suggest an alternative use for the park? Bubble party. The park itself is massive, and even on a crowded day it’s not hard to carve out a little space for your group. Fill a tote bag with every kind of bubble/dispenser you can get your hands on, post up on a blanket with an iced tea and a book, and let your kids get lost in the dreamy world of floating, soapy orbs. Though he sometimes ends up French kissing the wand, Lou learned the art of blowing bubbles a few weeks ago. I found catnip bubbles and now our cats—once angered by his mere existence—follow Lou around like he’s a Beatle.

Breweries

Baltimore is getting super spoiled as our food and booze worlds keep improving. Take advantage of these riches by meeting friends at one of the many outdoor events hosted by our city’s breweries. Union, Waverly, and Monument City all have outdoor space and their events toe the glorious line between feeling like you’re still cool and part of the scene, but also a good parent who has brought their kid to an event they’ll actually enjoy. My advice is to show up on time and leave when you think you’ve caught your first whiff of unhappiness from your child. 

Throw some snacks and an activity they can share with the other kids (and there will be lots of other kids) like a large beach ball or those fabulous bubbles.  And be mindful that, even if your progeny is having a blast and on their best behavior, at a certain point in the evening the other adults in attendance have the right to continue the evening sans children. 

If you find yourself—like most shopping malls, drug stores, and Starbucks—already over Thanksgiving and eager to skip straight to snowmen and hot chocolate, then you’re in luck. Here are nine early holiday happenings to get you that festive fix. 

THE POLAR EXPRESS IN 4-D
NOV. 14-JAN. 4, 2015: National Aquarium, 501 E. Pratt St. Showtimes vary. $5-35. 410-576-3800. This festive film goes 4-D with special effects and sensory details like mist, wind, and the smell of hot chocolate.

WINDOW WONDERLAND
NOV. 19: Harbor East. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. The unveiling event for this month-long holiday arts exhibit features seasonal storefronts decorated by local artists, plus carolers, stilt walkers, acrobats, and refreshments.

INNER HARBOR ICE SKATING
NOV. 21-JAN. 19: Inner Harbor Ice Rink, McKeldin Sq. Open daily. Times subject to change. $7-12. 443-743-3306. For the first time in a decade, ice skating returns to the Inner Harbor with this seasonal, outdoor rink, so grab a sweater (and your beau) and take advantage while it lasts.

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE IN BALTIMORE
NOV. 27-DEC. 24: West Shore Park, 501 Light St. Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Free-$5. 443-760-0686. This outdoor German Christmas market boasts 45 vendors of arts, crafts, and goods, plus a Bavarian beer garden for brews, bratwurst, and mulled wine. 

THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA CHRISTMAS SHOW
NOV. 28: Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 8 p.m. $20-30. 301-600-2828. The Grammy-winning Blind Boys of Alabama perform their creative take on classic holiday hits. 

25TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREES
NOV. 28-30: Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd., Timonium. Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free-$13. 443-923-7300. This holiday extravaganza includes gingerbread towns, toy trains, live music, festive food, and over 100 craft boutiques.

HOLIDAY FESTIVAL OF TRAINS AND TOYS
NOV. 28-JAN. 25, 2015: B&O Railroad Museum at Ellicott City Station, 2711 Maryland Ave., Ellicott City. Wed.-Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free-$16. 410-461-1945. For post-Thanksgiving family fun, head to the B&O Museum for its annual holiday celebration of toy trains and model railroads. 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
NOV. 29-DEC. 23: Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, 7 S. Calvert St. Thurs.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 & 7 p.m. $15-48. 410-244-8570. Kick off the holiday season with this Charles Dickens classic. Set in 19th-century Baltimore, the play gets a Charm City twist and features a cast of local ghosts. 

McKeldin Plaza

In The Plan
By changing
the intersection at Light and Pratt Streets to a “T,” McKeldin Plaza can
be expanded for more retail pavilions, cafe seating, a large garden,
and water features.

What We Think
Reconfiguring
this intersection is one of the most complicated endeavors in this
project, admits Ayers Saint Gross. But, if they pull it off, we hope the
additional retail pavilions will feature local stores and no more
chains.

Pedestrian Bridge

In The Plan
A
proposed 800-foot pedestrian bridge that would connect Harbor East and
Federal Hill, and would open when needed to allow for visiting ships.

What We Think
The
Greater Baltimore Committee——which has been pushing this idea for
years——says that it would cost $30-60 million. While this is a hefty
price tag, and residents can already use the water taxi for this route,
we love the idea of connecting the two ’hoods.

West Shore Park

In The Plan
Provides
an elevated lookout for boat watching, a new finger pier to dock
commercial ships, a stage, a ticketing station, and a bike share.

What We Think
West
Shore Park (along with Peerce’s Park) is probably the best example of
positive, recent change in the Harbor. With these improvements (we
especially love the bike share), the rest of the Inner Harbor should
take West Shore’s lead.

Kayak Launches

In The Plan
Various
kayak launching points at the Maryland Science Center, World Trade
Center, Pier 5, and Harbor East. The inlet between Pier 5 and 6 lends
itself to a kayak course.

What We Think
The
idea of additional kayak launching points is a great one for
residents——more so than just the touristy dragon boats. This will also
help better connect the overall 10-mile waterfront promenade throughout
the city.

Rash Field

In The Plan
Taking
cues from Brooklyn Bridge Park and Waterfront Seattle, officials want
to redesign Rash Field as a 24/7 public space with an open lawn, a barge
pool, public beach, and playgrounds.

What We Think
While
we love the idea of more green space——including wetlands and
bio-retention fields——we understand the concerns of residents who use
Rash Field for beach volleyball, as that space would now be
significantly smaller.