Baltimore, Maryland, known as “The Greatest City in America,” is a hidden coastal gem filled with fun activities for the whole family. This East Coast city boasts amazing seafood and, due to its location, is steeped in the rich history of the creation of the United States of America. Baltimore City takes pride in its expansive parkland and public spaces, spanning over 4,000 acres. Within the city, there are more than 94,000 street trees and 28,000 trees in parks. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful walk along the trails in Druid Hill Park, quietly watch birds by the lake in Patterson Park, or play a leisurely round of golf in Clifton, Carroll, and Forest parks.
Druid Hill Park
Druid Hill Park is one of America’s earliest large public parks and Baltimore’s first major municipal park. It ranks as the third oldest established park in the United States, encompassing 745 acres. The park’s history dates back over two centuries to 1652 when the Susquehannock Indians ceded land, including the area now known as Druid Hill Park, to Lord Baltimore.
This park is in northern Baltimore and is bounded by the Jones Falls Expressway (I-83) to the east, Swann Drive and Reisterstown Road to the west, Druid Park, Lake Drive to the South, and Druid Park Drive to the South.
When it comes to amenities this park has you covered everything from urban greenway park and the Druid Hill Reservoir that provides a 1.5-mile walking loop is very popular for biking, running, and walking, it also provides playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts, ball fields, athletic fields, disc golf course and a pool just to name a few. After a long day of being outside why not take some time to relax and look at the best sports betting apps.
Carroll Park
Carroll Park is Baltimore’s third oldest city park. The park was the site of Camp Carroll during the Civil War. The park is bounded by Washington Boulevard on the south, Monroe Street on the west, Bayard Street on the east, and the Mount Clare Branch of the Baltimore Terminal Subdivision railroad on the north. It also extends westward past the Montgomery Ward Warehouse and Retail Store to encompass the Carroll Park Golf Course. The park’s namesake comes from the historic Carroll family, who owned the property surrounding Mount Clare Mansion.
The Carroll Park Golf Course, a 9-hole course closest to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, is ideal for working on your game and offers an oasis from meetings, seminars, tradeshows, and work. With tee times that vary depending on the time of year goes from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm and a fee that ranges from $25 to $30 it is a bargain for all enthusiasts. With the park being at 34 and the length at 2787 yards from the blue tees it is a challenge for everyone. Fun act: the golf course is notable for being one of the first golf courses racially integrated in 1951 due to civilian protests. is notable for being one of the first golf courses racially integrated in 1951 due to civilian protests.
Patterson Park
Before becoming a park, the site of Patterson Park played a significant role in the War of 1812. It was the location where American troops prepared for the decisive Battle of North Point at “Hampstead Hill,” the promontory where the Pagoda now stands. In 1827, Patterson Park was established with six acres of land donated by William Patterson, a wealthy shipping merchant who envisioned creating a “public walk.” This donation made Patterson Park the oldest park in Baltimore and the first instance of land being gifted to a city for public recreation.
Today, Patterson Park is a popular destination for neighborhood schools and churches, thanks to its athletic fields. It also hosts one of the city’s two ice rinks. Notable architectural features once included the now-extinct boathouse (built in 1864) and the pagoda (erected in 1891). The park’s architecture highlights a variety of styles, such as Italian Villa, Gothic Revival, Exotic Revival, and Romanesque Revival, designed to create an “eclectic” atmosphere that offers visitors a respite from the stresses of urban life.
The recreational center located in the Patterson Park is called Virginia S. Baker named after the long-time noted recruiter, Ms. Virginia Baker, who was also dubbed Baltimore’s “Queen of Fun.” The opening times so from Fall, Winter, and Spring: 1-9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesday through Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays. Summer: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday. During School Breaks: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Baltimore sometimes gets a bad rap because of its problems with the crime rate, but deep inside, there is a beautiful coastal city filled with amazingly friendly people. The “Greatest City of United States” is known for its Maryland blue crabs, crab cake, Old Bay Seasoning, pit beef, and the “chicken box”. The city has many restaurants in or around the Inner Harbor. Today’s Baltimore is a vibrant community that honors the past while keeping a keen eye on the future.
