The 5 Hidden Gems of Maryland

Baltimore is a unique and vibrant city, well-known for its historical significance, world-class cuisine, and top-rated sports teams. But you may not with some of Baltimore’s lesser-known attractions, which you can find all around the city. Here are five of Baltimore’s hidden gems.

Federal Hill Park

For one of the best views of Baltimore (without the crowds), visit Federal Hill Park. This historic park dates back to 1608 when Capt. John Smith, an English colonial settler, discovered the site during a voyage and referred to it as a “great red bank of clay.” In 1880, the city purchased Federal Hill and designated it as a public park.

The park offers stunning views of the Inner Harbor and downtown Baltimore. You can bring a picnic to enjoy on the rolling hillside or visit in the evenings to gaze at the stars. Federal Park offers several amenities, including a playground, basketball court, and picnic tables. The Flag Staff Plaza, a recent addition to the park, pays tribute to the history of Baltimore and the state of Maryland.

After you visit the park, spend some time browsing local shops or dining at one of the quality restaurants in the Federal Hill neighborhood. This charming community is home to many events, festivals, and street fairs, along with several museums and independent art galleries.

Location: 300 Warren Ave., Baltimore

Hours: Open daily

Baltimore Museum of Art Sculpture Gardens

While many people visit the impressive Baltimore Museum of Art, fewer know about the museum’s two sculpture gardens, which you can access with your free admission to the museum. Located on three acres, the sculpture gardens feature 33 works of art representing modern and contemporary sculpture over the last 100 years. An audio tour allows you to use your cellphone to learn more about each sculpture as you walk through this idyllic space.

The Alan and Janet Wurtzburger Sculpture Garden, which opened in 1980, contains 19 early modernist works by well-known artists, including Auguste Rodin and Alexander Calder. It also features a stone terrace and fountain, making it a place where you can enjoy a moment of peace and reflection amid Baltimore’s urban landscape. Below the Wurtzburger Sculpture Garden, you can stroll through the two-acre Ryda and Robert H. Levi Sculpture Garden, which houses 14 works from the late 20th century.

Location: 10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore

Hours: Sculpture gardens are open from 10 a.m. to dusk Wednesday through Sunday, weather permitting.

Papermoon Diner

While retaining its hidden-gem status among tourists, the Papermoon Diner is a beloved institution by Baltimore locals. The first thing you’ll notice about the diner is its distinctive decor. Pez candy dispensers and colorful paintings line the walls, and you’ll encounter numerous mannequins throughout the restaurant. It’s impossible not to smile when you’re at the Papermoon Diner.

The diner’s quirky decor is matched only by the creativity of its menu. It serves a variety of mouthwatering breakfast items, such as the Big Dipper, which consists of two pieces of brioche French toast filled with eggs, powdered sugar, and syrup, and is served with home fries. For lunch or dinner, the restaurant offers salads, sandwiches, quesadillas, burgers, and pasta. Don’t leave without trying one of the diner’s signature milkshakes, which come in delectable flavors like caramel sea salt, bacon, peanut butter, and espresso.

Location: 227 W. 29th St., Baltimore

Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Takeout and delivery options are available.

Jones Falls Trail

Baltimore has so many high-quality trails that you may have missed the Jones Falls Trail. If so, put it on your list of places to visit soon. The Jones Falls Trail is a moderately hilly trail that offers stunning views of both the urban landscape of the city and the forested hills of nature. The first part of the 11-mile trail goes past Baltimore landmarks, including Inner Harbor and Penn Station, and provides views of the downtown skyline and architecture. The other two parts of the trail offer more natural landscapes as they wind past vibrant gardens, dense woods, and meandering streams.

While walking, jogging, or biking along the trail, you’ll pass various sites, including the Maryland Zoo, the Cylburn Arboretum, and Druid Hill Park. There are blazes and signs to help you navigate the different parts of the trail, and you can access any part of it via the light rail or by parking nearby.

Location: Access the trail at various locations. Go online for directions and more information.

Hours: Open daily

Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum

The Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum may fly under the radar, but it’s no less impressive than the other world-class museums in the Baltimore area. Built in 1831, it is the oldest surviving railroad station in the country. It originally transported freight but added passenger service in 1857. Though it stopped functioning in 1972, local groups worked hard to restore the station so others could continue to learn about its role in Baltimore’s industrial history.

The museum, which is free to visit, has two levels featuring various exhibits, including the telegraph and ticketing office, a car house, and the freight agent’s living quarters. Two other buildings on the property offer additional insight into the station’s historical significance. In these buildings, you can view a replica of the track between Baltimore and Ellicott City and a 1927 caboose that operated on the rail line.

Location: 3711 Maryland Ave., Ellicott City

Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

There you have it — five hidden gems you can find in the Baltimore area. Have you heard about any of these places? If you’re a local, did we miss one of your favorite lesser-known attractions in Baltimore? Contact Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC to let us know, and we’ll add it to our list. We enjoy helping people find new ways to explore our community.

Find a New Car Near Baltimore

If you’re looking for a new vehicle in Baltimore, stop by Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC in Clarksville, Maryland. We proudly serve customers across Baltimore and the surrounding areas. We offer an extensive inventory of new and quality pre-owned vehicles at prices you won’t find anywhere else. You can even trade in your current vehicle for same-day payment, which you can accept in cash or put toward the purchase of your new vehicle. For more information, visit our dealership or contact us online.

Inner Harbor – Baltimore by Reading Tom is licensed with CC BY 2.0

Tags: Maryland, Parks
Posted in Local | No Comments »