Top 10: Things To Do In Baltimore (On A Freshman’s Budget)
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Posted by: Admissions_Daniel | 
March 16 2009 | 
Comments (2)
Admissions Counselor: Rachel Cowan Jacobs
Territory: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, U.S. Virgin Islands, International
Johns Hopkins Start Date: September 2003
Links to Previous Profiles: February 7, 2008; February 10, 2006
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I am someone who loves to do things. I don’t want to talk about them; I want to do them. When I was an undergrad in Manhattan, I didn’t have a lot of extra money, but I didn’t let that stop me from exploring off campus. So here’s my Top Ten list of Things to Do in Baltimore for JHU FRESHMAN WHO MIGHT BE ON A BUDGET. This list is in chronological order, not rank order. For some activities, I suggest bringing along a map.
1.) How well do you think you know Baltimore? How much of it have you really seen? Spend a day taking public transportation and really see Baltimore. Hop on a bus, the light rail, or the subway, and just go somewhere. You don’t need a plan – just wing it. But in case you aren’t good at winging it, here’s a suggestion. Head north on Light Rail to the Hunt Valley stop, which takes you to the Hunt Valley Towne Center, a delightful shopping center with food, retail, movies, and Wegman’s grocery store. What’s the big deal, you wonder? Wegman’s has a most delicious, most worth the trip, make sure you’re hungry banana cream pie. Word of warning: it’s not available year round, so call the store first (410-773-3900). You’ll find it in the bakery section.
2. Now that you have gotten familiar with public transit in Baltimore, catch the bus to Baltimore Cupcake Company on E. Fort Avenue. Take advantage of the Happy Hour. From 5:30-6pm Tuesday through Thursday, cupcakes are only $1.50 each. Pick up a six pack and then take a leisurely stroll or hop back on the bus to …
3. Next stop should be Fort McHenry. Where else can you get your fill of both history and scenic views.
4. If you stick around campus after you finish your December final exams, walk over one night to Hampden to witness the Miracle on 34th Street. It will leave you speechless.
5. Have you been to the fabulous National Aquarium in Baltimore? Yes, well go again. No? You are in for a treat. From September through March, enter after 5:30pm and pay a very reduced admission fee. The Aquarium is open until 8pm on Fridays, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore.
6. “Spring has sprung; the grass has riz. I wonder where the flowers is.” Sherwood Gardens, that’s where. Take a break from the indoors and walk over to this magical stretch of park only a few blocks (okay, maybe one mile) from campus. Don’t care about flowers? Take someone who does and score some bonus points.
7. Take the long way back to campus and walk through the neighborhoods of Guilford and Roland Park. Marvel at the architecture (and size) of the houses. Make your way west on Cold Spring Lane and you’ll happen upon Stony Run trail. Follow it south and you’ll end up on University Parkway, by the northwest corner of campus. These directions are not complete, so please check a map before departing or go with someone who knows the trail.
8. Looking for something to do on a Friday night (unlikely, but anything is possible)? Head on down (bus, Light Rail, or a downhill 3 mile walk) to Camden Yards and catch a Baltimore Orioles game. Fridays at the Yards is Student Night, where left field upper reserve tickets are $6 each. Just show your Hopkins ID.
9. When your family comes to visit you, pile into the car and go to The Corner Stable in Timonium, where you will find some of the city’s best ribs and crab cakes. Yes, that’s right, crab cakes. You can do your own exhaustive search and go to the usual suspects for crab cakes (and hang out with the tourists), or you can save time and head right to The Corner Stable. But don’t forget to eat some ribs, too. (My second favorite place for crab cakes is G&M Restaurant, located not too far from BWI Airport.)
10. Now that you have eaten too much, run or walk it off. Take yourself (in your family’s car) to Robert E. Lee Park and enjoy a glorious, peaceful run/walk in the woods. There are several different places to enter the park, but the easiest way to get there is to drive up Falls Road, pass Lake Avenue, and after about a mile, look for a gravel shoulder on the right side of the road. You’ll probably see a few parked cars. Park there and enter the trail. (If you get to the fire station, you’ve just missed it.) Note: if it has rained recently, expect a lot of mud.
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By JHU_Kate, March 16, 2009 @ 1:28 PM
Okay, the first two options really want me to bolt from my house at home and drive down to Maryland right now. (We don’t have a Wegman’s near my house.) Mmmmm…
And I just want to say that I’ve been reading all of these counselor “Top Ten” lists and enjoying them so far! Props. :o)
By Zach Anders, March 21, 2009 @ 11:46 PM
Great list of options, too bad I live a 5minute driving distance away from Wegmans in option 1 and go there basically every day. I’ve never had that banana cream pie, I’ll make sure to try that next… maybe tomorrow hm…