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Sunday in Druid Hill Park with you?
Druid Hill Park: Welcome
Spanning 745 acres and a history of over two decades, Druid Hill Park is the third oldest established park in the United States. In 1652 the Susquehannock Indians ceded the land to Lord Baltimore and the Park then passed through the hands of three generations of the Rogers family before most of the land was sold to the city. Eventually, in 1860 it was established as an official city park, and it now features on the National Register of Historic Places.
While it’s not the most well-known of Baltimore neighborhoods, the Park has all the ingredients for a perfect afternoon: start your day off with a leisurely walk around the most vibrant and fragrant flower displays you’ll find in the city, and end with a seasonally and locally sourced dinner that will be well deserved after a long day of exploring. Grab your comfiest shoes and get ready for a walking tour packed full of activities around the Park.
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Head over to the Palm House to be instantly transported to the Caribbean.
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Your first stop is Rawlings Conservatory. Opened in 1888, the Conservatory is one of Baltimore’s most incredible structures –you’ve probably seen it while driving into the city and wondered why there’s an ornate glass structure randomly along the road, and it’s definitely worth your while to venture off the path and take a look around. After walking through a small room with orchid covered walls, you’ll be greeted by luscious green towering palm trees in the Palm House and then loop back around to walk through the dry summers of the Mediterranean with large cacti, blossoming flowers, running waters and even a fishpond. There are a number of walk-in slots available daily, but you can reserve your free tickets online to pick your one hour time slot, which is more than enough time to travel the world through the three greenhouses and two display pavilions, and take plenty of Insta-worthy pictures.
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The flamboyance of flamingos at the Zoo are a must-see.
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The Maryland Zoo might not be top of your Baltimore bucket list – the aquarium is often the go-to spot – but just a ten-minute walk from Rawlings, it’s really not to be missed. Plus, you’ll have already seen some fish at Rawlings, so who needs an aquarium? You might find yourself getting some strange looks if you’re not walking around with small children, but you’ll be the one laughing when you can walk from polar bears to giraffes to otters without pushing a stroller around. According to Hopkins senior Cindy Choi, “the diverse range of native and exotic animals and various seasonal interactive features make the Maryland Zoo an enjoyable, accessible experience for visitors of all ages.” So, take full advantage of your student status for half price tickets ($11), or even invest in membership ($35), which if you go more than twice already pays for itself.
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Follow the Jones Falls Trail around the Park for our next destination.
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If you’re not too tired from walking around the zoo, it’s time to follow the Jones Falls trail through the park and the back of Druid Hill for a game of Disc Golf. A mix of frisbee and golf, this course consists of eighteen holes and is the ideal way to enjoy the April sunshine. Walk around the park, take in the rolling hills and trees and in the distance, you should even be able to spot Druid Hill Lake and the surrounding cherry blossoms.
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Courtesy of @milkandicevintage
Book an appointment to explore the wonders of Milk & Ice Vintage.
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Next, we’re heading up and out of the park towards Woodberry to Milk & Ice Vintage. Originally based one neighborhood over in Hampden, owners and operators Angie Pollock and Kate Shultz closed the store in 2020 to focus on their studio meets showroom at the top of the Park, just peeking into Woodberry. You can check out their vintage and antique clothes here if you want to just glance in as you walk by and head straight to dinner, or you can make a private appointment to go inside and have a proper look around.
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Courtesy of @woodberrykitchen
Enjoy live music and a drink outside on the Woodberry Kitchen patio.
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After a long day of walking, disc golf-ing, and taking in all the many sights and sounds of Druid Hill Park, it’s time to end the day with dinner at Woodberry Kitchen. The restaurant prides itself on its “farm-to-table” menu, so everything is locally sourced and supports sustainable agriculture. Located in a renovated 1870s foundry, Woodberry Kitchen offers a cozy, rustic setting with plenty of outdoor patio seating in the summer. The restaurant is on the pricier side, so keep this spot for a special occasion. It’s time to grab a drink from the outdoor bar, enjoy the warmth of the fire and the picturesque fairy lights, and rest your feet – your step count from the day probably just brought up your yearly average.
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