Besides the monsoon that wen’t down yesterday, it’s been heating up to sundress weather in my beautiful hometown of Baltimore, MD. You know us b-more folks love to get out, eat crabs and hang by the harbor when it gets warm, but what about a good ‘ol road trip from Charm City to say, the Delaware Coast? Or perhaps tapping into your hippy side at a festival like the Charm City Folk & Blue Grass Fest? Well if you’re looking for something fun to do with your boo, friends, or family, check out this quick starter guide on day trips and warm-weather fun in the Maryland area. You’re welcome, hon!

Festivals

Light City Festival: Until April 8

Even though there’s only two days left of this fun fest that has been illuminating the city for the past week, it’s worth going down to the Inner Harbor to check out the sculptures and interactive exhibits. Food, fun, lights, and lots of Baltimore talent to feast your eyes on. The bonus? Neighborhoods around the city have been given a $15,000 grant to create lit sculptures in their community. My favorite? A beautiful mural in the Hamilton Baltimore neighborhood that was painted with black light paint. It’s luminescent in the day, and glows in the night. Cost: Free 99

 

Federal Hill Spring Block Party: April 23

Ready to get down in one of the hippest neighborhoods that Baltimore has to offer? Then check out the Federal Hill Spring Block Party! With two stages, multiple performers, and all the street food goodies you can handle, you don’t want to miss this annual celebration of spring. Cost: Free 99 (except food, Natty Bohs, you get it!)

 

The 5th Annual Charm City Folk & Bluegrass Festival: April 29

I’m country as I can be (not according to my Virginia native boyfriend but I digress). So the Charm City Folk and Bluegrass Festival is right up my alley! Featuring groups like The Dustbowl Revival, Lonesome River Band and the Kitchen Dwellers, this fest is sure to be a down-home good family time. Think Old Bay caked crab cakes, a smoker full of delicious smoke-drenched meat, and all the folksy tunes you can handle, and you’ve got the Baltimore Magazine award-winning fest. It goes down in Druid Hill Park, and kids under 10 are free, but hurry up! Tickets for this fest sell out fast! Cost: $55 GA

 

The 2nd Annual Baltimore Food and Wine Fest: May 6

If there’s one thing I love, it’s food. If there’s one thing I REALLY love, it’s wine, of all kinds. And while Cali is often touted as wine country, Maryland has some beautiful white that are to die for. Picture this: food, and wine. Nuff said. Just kidding, however for most folks those things are pretty self explanatory. Bringing over 150 local and international wine, beer, and spirit makers, world-class chefs, artisanal-crafty craftsman, AND, factor in the fact that you get to rock that sundress that has been patiently waiting at the back of the closet for the foodie fest, and you’ve got warm-weather weekend gold. Cost: $39 in advance, $59 on-site GA

 

Roadtrips

Baltimore to Ocean City: 3 hrs

Okay, don’t roll your eyes when I say Ocean City. There’s a reason why folks from all around Maryland (and all around the country really) keep coming back to this summer main-stay, it’s fun! Within only a three hour drive from Baltimore, if you’re looking for a quick girls or guys trip, complete with a beach (I’m not saying the water is turquoise or anything,) a long boardwalk with delicious street meat, casinos, and beach from hotels, Ocean City is the place to go. Check out my road map below! I added some point of interest, like state parks, the best BBQ in Ocean City and an antique shop to stop at along the way.

Hotels – 

Ballin’: The Edge Hotel; from $328 per night (during high season)
Ballin’ on a Budget: This lovely AirB&B one bedroom condo; $100 per night

Ocean City Trip on Roadtrippers

Baltimore to Cape May, NJ via Lewes, DE: Drive; 2hrs, Ferry to Cape May, NJ; 1.25hrs

While most folks would rather stop and stay along the Delaware Shore once they get to the state, just a little more road trip ingenuity will take you to Cape May, NJ, and believe me, I’ve done it in a day. The drive to Lewes, DE is beautiful in itself, so you may be tempted to stop off at the many roadside fresh produce shacks and antique shops, but don’t dally! Your next stop will be the the Cape Henlopen State Park, where you can pause for pictures on the picturesque beach and explore the war-time ruins. Next, you’ll head on over to the port to take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry to, you guessed it, Cape May! The best part about it? This is a car ferry, so no worries about renting a car when you get to your destination. Cape May, NJ is like a mini Montauk, long cruiser-ready boardwalks, New England foodie delicacies like lobster rolls, and for all my winos out there, the Willow Creek Winery fits the bill.

My Favorite Hotel: The Virginia Hotel. Beautifully revived 18th century building, just off of the water. Room rates start at $119 per night.

Baltimore to Cape May, NJ on Roadtrippers

That’s all for now folks, but I’ll be back with more local road trips and tricks for you soon. In the mean time, have you ever taken any of these trips yourself? Let me know in the comments below!

More: One Day in VA Beach!

Xx,

Angel