Baltimore Grows

If the economy has you worried, don’t fret too much.? Baltimore has tons of stuff to do that’s absolutely free.? Here’s just to name a few.? If you’ve got suggestions of free stuff that’s fun, please post it as a comment.

1) Free Movies – In locations all across Baltimore…grab a blaket or a folding chair and catch a free film after dusk.? Films are offered in Federal Hill, Fells Point, Charles Village, and Little Italy.? Follow this link for a schedule:? http://baltimore.about.com/od/events/a/freefilms.htm

2) Free Museums – In case you hadn’t heard, the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Gallery are free now.? If you haven’t been since high school…then you’re in trouble and you should go.? http://www.thewalters.org/? and? http://www.artbma.org/

3) Artscape – It’s the biggest festival of its kind in the Nation and it’s this weekend!? It’s even bigger this? year since it’s expanded to the Station? North? area. ? www.artscape.org

4) Go to the park – Federal Hill, Patterson Park, and Ft. McHenry (free as long as you don’t go into the fort)? are rich in history.? Get a local history lesson instead of heading to Gettysburg.

5) Ride your bike – Check out Baltimore’s Gwynns Falls and Jones Falls bike trails and see the city from an angle you’ve never seen before.

6) Look at trees – Well…more than just trees…Cylburn Arboretum is a hidden gem in Baltimore City. http://www.cylburnassociation.org/index.htm

7) Brush up on your poetry – Visit the Edgar Allen Poe House and Gravesite http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/historic/poehouse.php? and http://www.nps.gov/edal/

8.) Climb the Washington Monument (the one in Baltimore of course) -? They ask for a $1 donation, but it might as well be free.? The view is almost as good as the World Trade Center but a fraction of the cost.? http://www.baltimoremuseums.org/washington.html

9) Hampton National Historic Site – Ok this one isn’t in Baltimore City…it’s in Towson, but it’s free if you can afford the tank of gas out there.? http://www.nps.gov/hamp/

10) Inner Harbor – Chances are that you probably haven’t been there in a while.? Chill out and watch the tourists go by.? http://www.baltimore.to/baltimore.html

11) Visit the library – The central branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library is huge.? Maybe it’s time to check it out if your days of sipping lattes at the Barnes and Noble? are through.

12) Visit your local market – Lexington Market, Cross Street, Broadway, Hollins, Northeast…etc.? Baltimore’s historic markets are always bustling with activity and interesting sights and smells.? It’s tough to get away without buying something, but prices seem a bit cheaper than going to the grocery store.

I actually surprised myself coming up with this many items.? Again, add a comment if there’s something that you know of that I didn’t post.

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com