Tourism Tuesday: Star-Spangled Trails

Tuesday, June 19th, 2012 by The Professor

With the great spring weather, why not take a walk around Baltimore’s Star-Spangled Trails.  Explore this system of guided and self-guided walking trails to encounter inspiring stories of our nation’s heritage, set in the unique landscape of the Chesapeake’s largest city. Learn more by visiting www.nps.gov/balt, exploring information about the individual trails, or by picking up trail brochures at the Baltimore Visitor Center.  Baltimore not only has a great history, but it’s expanding trail systems and greenways make everything from a lunchtime stroll to a full day hike easy and fun.

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Tourism Tuesday: Maryland Science Center

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012 by The Professor

The Maryland Science Center will be infested with fun when Harry’s Big Adventure: My Bug World! swarms into town. This exhibit features Harry, a Chinese praying mantis, and a diverse group of his insect friends. Guests will have a chance to get up-close and personal with some of the world’s most interesting bugs.

 Exhibit highlights include live bugs ranging from butterflies and ladybugs to scorpions and cockroaches, nine interactive modules with hands-on activities and exhibit areas tailored to guests of all ages. Regularly scheduled activities including cricket spitting and bug cooking demos will still take place.

Harry’s bug world contains nine interactive modules which all feature hands-on activities for guests to explore. Enter the Zoom Room where you can meet Harry and discover bugs from around the world. The Water Habitat allows guests to explore a habitat of live water insects and learn about the life cycle of the mosquito and dragonfly. Journey through the Forest Habitat where you will take a path around fallen logs and under a tree canopy to learn about beetles, millipedes and leafcutter ants. The Meadow Habitat allows guests to walk through the meadow and interact with virtual butterflies, and see live butterflies in the caterpillar, pupa and adult stages. The Croplands offers a glimpse at insects devouring live crops, while the House Habitat lets you search out home invaders. Travel Under the Big Top to visit the circus and have close encounters with live insects presented by insect wranglers. And for the littlest of adventurers there is the Hug a Bug Space, filled with plush, noisemaking bugs and insects. Admission to this exhibit is free with paid admission–completely free for members. Hours are Monday thru Thursday 10 am- 5 pm, Friday 10 am- 8 pm, Saturday 10 am- 6 pm, and Sunday 11am- 5 pm.

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Tourism Tuesday: Preakness 2012

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 by The Professor

Following the Kentucky Derby, the annual Preakness Stakes is run the third Saturday in May at Baltimore’s Pimlico race course with a weeklong celebration leading up to the running.

Preakness Celebration has become a tradition for people of all ages since its inception in 1988. Also known as The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans, this series of special events celebrates the annual running of the Preakness Stakes, Baltimore’s “Super Bowl” and the 2nd jewel in thoroughbred racing’s prestigious Triple Crown.

The biggest party in the mid-Atlantic, Preakness InfieldFest, is back with two epic headliners Grammy Award winners Maroon 5 and multi-platinum rapper Wiz Khalifa! The Beer Garden Jägermeister Stage welcomes Nashville-based country band, Little Big Town, British rockers, The Darkness, and regional favorites, Mr. Greengenes. It all takes place May 19^th from 12am-12pm.

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Tourism Tuesday: Decanter Wine Festival

Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 by The Professor

To celebrate Maryland wine and horse racing, attend the Decanter Wine Festival happening April 21 and 22, 2012 from 12PM-6PM at the Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness Stakes. This is an event you won’t want to miss, combining the traditions of Maryland wine and Maryland horse racing.

Enjoy a unique infield view of live horse races, samples of fine Maryland wine, great food, and wine & equine focused arts & crafts at Pimlico Race Course. Enjoy and bet on live turf and dirt racing throughout the day from the unique perspective of Pimlico’s infield.

Upgrade to a “Decanter Pass” and take home a beautiful full sized wine glass and try samples of premier wines from each winery.

Pimlico Race Course is 
located at 5201 Park Heights Avenue,
Baltimore, MD 21215

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Tourism Tuesday: 1812 Bicentennial Events

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012 by The Professor

Fighting for Freedom! The Bicentennial is given a dramatic kickoff with a new play commemorating the start of the War of 1812

Kick off the War of 1812 Bicentennial at Fort McHenry in dramatic fashion with a performance of “Fighting for Freedom!” The first public performance will be held on April 21, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Additional performances will be held on April 23 and 24 at 10:00 a.m at Fort McHenry and April 27 at the Maryland Historical Society at 6:00 p.m. In a collaborative effort between the Baltimore School for the Arts, Maryland Historical Society, and National Park Service, the production includes three scenes about the beginning of America’s Second War for Independence. This production is free of charge as part of National Parks Week and lasts approximately 45 minutes.

The production includes three original scenes that include the people history textbooks leave out:

“A Just War?” Experience the infamous Baltimore riots of 1812 in which thousands of angry citizens violently persecuted opponents of the war. Consider the attitudes of everyday citizens of Baltimore, black and white, free and enslaved, and discover why Americans were so bitterly divided over the conflict.

“Off to War!” The War of 1812 began with a series of invasions into Canada. Witness the romance and enthusiasm for a “quick war” gradually die as the conflict wears on. Learn the fate of “the Baltimore Boys” on the Niagara frontier and see how the war in Canada affected those back home.

“A Nest of Pirates” Listen in at a Fell’s Point Coffeehouse to hear the experiences of an African-American sailor, a privateering merchant, and a patient wife. Hear tales of swashbuckling sea captains who were the Pride of Baltimore and thumbed their noses at the world famous Royal Navy.

For Website: Fighting for Freedom! The Bicentennial is given a dramatic kickoff with a new play commemorating the start of the War of 1812.

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Tourism Tuesday: Privateer Day 2012

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012 by The Professor

Famous Fell’s Point is holding its 8^th annual privateer day on April 21, 2012. Walk the plank for Adventure at Fell’s Point 2012 Privateer Day with live entertainment and music, vendors, tall ships, a War of 1812 Pier, adult “grog garden,” special pirate appearances, children’s entertainment & activities pier, the Urban Pirates’ ship “Fearless” rides, night-time Pyrate Invasion Pub specials and much more!

Dive into the Thames Street Grog Garden in Thames Street Park serving your favorite ales and live music from 12-6 PM. Privateer Day is a festival that will be enjoyed by the young and old. So come on out and join the fun! Rain or shine.

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Tourism Tuesday: Enoch Pratt Library

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011 by WLOY Staff

The Central branch of the Enoch Pratt Library is a gorgeous display of architecture. Located on Cathedral Street the expansive and antique library is part of one of oldest public library systems in America.

The branch is currently hosting the exhibit “Glass House of Dreams: Baltimore’s Victorian Glass Palace,” until the end of April. The exhibit explores the history of glass houses in the U.S, noting the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park. Rawlings was a prominent African-American political leader (whose daughter is currently Baltimore’s Mayor). (more…)

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