An Insider’s Guide to Charm City

One of the best parts of living on the coast is enjoying all of the fresh seafood that is caught and served daily. The 13th Annual Chesapeake Oyster, Wine, & Beer Festival celebrates all things delicious that come from the sea. This year’s event takes place on January 25 at The Assembly Room, just a half-mile from Hotel Indigo Baltimore. There will be over 20 different types of raw oysters available to taste, shucked right before your eyes. Plus, there will be grilling and steaming stations for even more variety. In addition to oysters, shrimp, mussels, and clams will all be available to sample throughout the day. While you are enjoying the food, you can also treat yourself to a beer or cocktail from one of the 30 or so breweries and distilleries participating in the event. To complete the fun atmosphere, live music will be performed all day long.

All December long, the B&O Railroad Museum will be presenting a special way to celebrate the holiday season called B&O’s Magical Holiday Express. In addition to the normal train-themed installations, there will be special holiday exhibits, appearances from all of the most famous holiday characters, and lots of family-friendly fun. The museum, which is open from 10 am until 4 pm is less than two miles from Hotel Indigo, and this holiday outing is certainly worth the short trip. Other special highlights this month include a 30 foot Christmas tree and holiday-themed weekends. If you are looking for a unique and exciting adventure for the whole family to enjoy this holiday season, then you will want to chug on over to the B&O Railroad Museum. You will have so much fun that you are sure to add the Magical Holiday Express to your yearly holiday traditions.

Oktoberfest began in 1810 when the man destined to become King Ludwig I married Princess Therese and invited all of the citizens of Munich to join in the celebration. Since then, Oktoberfest has been a popular beer festival and fair that has spread from Munich to the entire world. On October 19, Oktoberfest Live will be held at Power Plant Live! which is only about 5 minutes from the Hotel Indigo. From 3-7 pm, you will have the opportunity to sample over 125 beers from local, regional, and even national craft breweries. Beers of all kinds will be available, but you will not want to miss the special Märzens and Oktoberfestbier that are made especially for this time of year. In addition to the incredible beer selection, there will be a variety of German-inspired cuisines like bratwursts, Bavarian pretzels, and sauerkraut. Plus, there will be live entertainment, music, dancing, and games all festival long.

Winter means shorter days and lower temperatures, but it also means plenty of opportunities for outdoor winter sports. Ice skating on an outdoor rink is a special experience that only works when the weather cooperates. This winter season, you have the opportunity to skate at the Pandora Ice Rink at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor which is less than 10 minutes from Hotel Indigo. The incredible outdoor facility is the perfect place to teach the kids how to skate, make a date a little more romantic, have fun with family and friends. The rink is open every day throughout December with Monday-Thursday hours from 12PM-10PM, Friday hours from 12PM-11PM, Saturday hours from 10AM-11PM, and Sunday hours from 10AM-8PM. Feel free to bring your own skates, but if you do not have your own pair, there are rentals available on site. Outdoor ice skating at the Inner Harbor is one the most fun winter activities available in the entire city.

Even though it seems like the opening night of the NFL season was only a week ago, we are already more than halfway through the 2018-2019 season. The local squad, the Baltimore Ravens, are having an up and down season with a current record of 4-5. However, they are hoping to make a strong playoff push to end the season. The team has remaining home games against the Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Cleveland Browns. Their beautiful home field, M&T Bank Stadium is only about 15 minutes from Hotel Indigo. Super Bowl winning coach John Harbaugh is hoping he can get a winning streak going with his superstar players like Joe Flacco, Willie Snead, Lamar Jackson, Alex Collins, Terrell Suggs, and CJ Mosley. If everything goes right, you could see the team as they begin a long postseason run that hopefully ends in another Super Bowl celebration.

With connections to horror legend Edgar Allan Poe and a location so close to the water, it is no wonder that Baltimore is home to plenty of legends and ghost stories. If you are looking to get into the Halloween spirit, then you will want to partake in one of the guided tours offered by Baltimore Ghost Tours. This popular tour group has been operating since 2001  and has been steadily developing a glowing reputation from day one. The tour departs from just outside of Max’s Sidebar which is only about 10 minutes from the Hotel Indigo. The tour guides will provide you with all of the spooky and exciting details of the haunted history of Fell’s Point and the surrounding area. Baltimore Ghost Tours offers a variety of experiences including pub walks, history tours, and ghost walks. No matter which option you choose, you are sure to have a spooky, good time.

If the Jurassic Park movie franchise is any indication, it seems that children of all ages, and adults too, remain incredibly fascinated by dinosaurs. The “Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice” exhibit at the Port Discovery Children’s Museum allows you and your family to explore the world of the dinosaurs. This one of a kind exhibit is available until October 15, 2018. The museum is only about a mile from the Hotel Indigo, an easy walk if the weather cooperates. Highlights of the exhibit include touchable recreations of dinosaurs like a T-Rex, Triceratops, and many more. Plus, there are interactive demonstrations that investigate what happened to the dinosaurs as well as a Field Research Station where your favorite dino lover can pretend to be a world-renowned paleontologist. This amazing installation allows visitors of all ages to indulge their imaginations as they wonder the world of the giant creatures that come before us.

Even though it seems like summer just started, Fall is just around the corner, and the first day of school is not far off. What better way to give summer a proper send off than a visit to historic Camden Yards for a Baltimore Orioles baseball game. The beautiful home field is located less than ten minutes from the Hotel Indigo. The Orioles are in a bit of a transition season, but manager Buck Showalter always makes sure that his team puts on an exciting display full of hustle and dazzling plays every time they take the field. In the next month, the Orioles have home games against the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Toronto Blue Jays. With star players like Mark Trumbo, Adam Jones, Jonathan Villar, and Chris Davis, the Orioles can compete with anyone, and they are hoping to close out their season on a positive note.

For the rest of the summer, the American Visionary Art Museum will be showing a variety of films on Thursday evenings at the Hughes Family Outdoor Theater. This one of a kind venue is only about 10 minutes from the Hotel Indigo. The shows begin at 9 pm, and the showings are all free! In addition, there will be free museum entry on movie nights from 5-9 pm. There will also be other free activities before the viewings like exercise series, Fit before the Flicks. Some of the films for this summer include Who Framed Roger Rabbit on July 12, Casablanca on July 19, Clue on July 26, The Birds on August 2, Harriet the Spy on August 9, Sherlock Holmes on August 16, Hidden Figures on August 23, and Austin Powers on August 30. So pack a nice picnic, bring your most comfortable blanket, and enjoy a classic film under the stars. If there is inclement weather, the viewings will be moved to the Jim Rouse Visionary Center because, as we all know, the show must go on.

After a brief relocation for some renovations, the Fell’s Point Farmers Market returns to Broadway Square for the 2018 season. This incredible farmers market, which has been described as Baltimore’s best Waterfront Market, is only about 15 minutes from Hotel Indigo. Of course, you can find some of the freshest local produce at the Fell’s Point Farmers Market, but there is so much more to experience. There are whiskey distillers, craft brewers, wineries, bakeries, waffle makers, and much more to satisfy your hunger and thirst. Additionally, there are a variety of craftsman and artisans selling items that include artwork, photography, perfume, crafts, and even candles. The 2018 season began in May and will continue every Saturday all summer long. You are certain to find new favorite treats, delicious local fruits and vegetables, and maybe even a unique gift or souvenir. The Fell’s Point Farmers Market is a Baltimore favorite, and the 2018 season has already proven to be extremely popular.

“Curiouser and Curiouser,” thought Alice multiple times during her time in Wonderland. Throughout the month of May, the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Theater will be putting on a stage version of Lewis Carroll’s classic story Alice in Wonderland, directed by Ian Gallanar. Eva Le Gallienne and Florida Friebus have beautifully adapted the whimsical story into a fun stage play that captures the playfulness of the source material. The beautiful theater is located a little more than half a mile from Hotel Indigo. With vibrant colors and talented actors, the story of plucky and innocent Alice using her ingenuity and cleverness to navigate the sometimes dangerous and always confusing Wonderland is wonderfully brought to life. All of your favorite characters, like Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Queen of Hearts, and the Caterpillar all make memorable appearances in Alice’s stage adventure. The fanciful performance is the perfect event for the entire family to enjoy.

The Port Discovery Children’s Museum is celebrating 20 years of entertaining educational exhibits throughout all of 2018. This unique museum which is run by a non-profit organization is only about 5 minutes from the Hotel Indigo, nestled in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor district. The current featured exhibit at the museum, Native Voices: New England Tribal Families, runs through May 13th and provides insight into contemporary native communities around New England. Popular permanent exhibits include BGE Studio Workshop, where kids are encouraged to let out their inner artist, Kick It Up, where you can play soccer on a stadium-inspired field, complete with electronic scoreboards, and the wet exhibit filled with H2O-inspired fun called Wonders of Water. Your kids are sure to enjoy every minute of their experience at the Port Discovery Children’s Museum, and your heart will be warmed with each smile that you see throughout the fun-filled day.

Almost everyone can identify with the main character from School of Rock, Dewey Finn, an affable wannabe rockstar who refuses to give up on his dreams of rock fame and glory. Of course, dreams don’t pay the rent, so Dewey pretends to be a substitute teacher at a stuffy private school. Through his interactions with his students, he encourages them to unwind and express themselves through music, all while avoiding the watchful eye of the school’s principal. The stage version of the beloved movie will grace the Hippodrome Theatre from March 20-25. The energetic show contains 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber as well as all of the foot stomping hits from the original show. This is the type of fun and excitement that is perfect for the whole family to enjoy. Dewey grows up and starts his own School of Rock so he can inspire the next generation of rock stars and dreamers, which it seems he was destined to do.

Baltimore is home to quite a bit of American history. From now until September 3, 2018, you can partake in the Frederick Douglass Path to Freedom Walking Tour which departs from Fell’s Point. Tours are available by appointment, and they generally take about an hour. On the tour, you are able to see notable spots where Frederick Douglass lived, worked, and worshipped. The starting point for the tours, Fell’s Point, is only about 10 minutes from Hotel Indigo. In addition to important spots in Douglass’s life, the tour also features maritime and historical sites from the history of Fell’s Point and Baltimore. The Path to Freedom Walking Tour is the perfect way to spend an afternoon if you have an interest in local and American history. You are able to walk in the footsteps of one of the most famous Americans in history. Perhaps you will be inspired by his great deeds! 

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has an impressive slate of performances on the calendar for the month of January. The orchestra performs at two different locations, but the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall location is less than 10 minutes from Hotel Indigo. The fun starts on January 11 with “A Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists” featuring James Wyman, Jauvon Gilliam, and Baltimore Hip Hop Artists Wordsmith. On January 12, “Off the Cuff: Impressionist Masterworks” pairs music by Debussy and Ravel with projections of art by Cezanna, Degas, and Monet. The “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1” will be performed by the extremely talented Gabriela Montero on January 19 and 21. To close out the month, Ann Hampton blends jazz pop in “Diva to Diva: From Ella to Adele” on January 26, 27, and 28. These riveting performances have a little bit of everything from Ella Fitzgerald to Carly Simon and Etta James to Carole King.

Charles Dickens classic tale of redemption and holiday cheer has been delighting Christmas audiences for over 150 years now. The local Chesapeake Shakespeare Company has adapted the stage version of the popular story to transport the action from England to the streets and neighborhoods of Baltimore. In this version, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future guide Ebenezer Scrooge through important Baltimore locations like Fells Point, Mount Vernon, and Cecil County. In addition to the story of redemption, this adaptation also provides the audience with glimpses of Chesapeake culture and history. Performances will take place from December 4- December 23, with most days featuring more than one show. The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Theatre is modern version of an Elizabethan Playhouse, less than a mile from the Hotel Indigo. After one viewing of this lively interpretation, you are sure to want to make this version of A Christmas Carol a part of your holiday tradition in the years to come.

If you are looking for a day full of fun, interactive, and informative activities meant for the whole family, then you will want to visit the Maryland Science Center. Less than ten minutes from the Hotel Indigo, the Maryland Science Center is one of the most popular destinations in the city for both locals and tourists alike. The Science & Main exhibit is scientific Main Street where visitors learn all about how science interacts with day to day life. Cells: The Universe Inside Us brings you face to face with the tiny cells that make up every part of your body. In the Life Beyond Earth exhibit, visitors get some insight into the search for extraterrestrial life and what that life might look like. Of course, these are just a few highlights of the many spectacular attractions and exhibits at the state of the art facility. You will have to plan a trip to the Maryland Science Center to discover your own favorite!

Das Best Oktoberfest is Baltimore City’s annual Oktoberfest blowout in the heart of the city: the lots of the M&T Bank Stadium. Here, you may expect all of the Oktoberfest trappings. Upon entry, you receive a free tasting glass. The show features over 150 international, domestic and locally brewed Maryland beers, and with your souvenir glass, you get the privilege of all-you-can-taste sampling. While you are sampling your beers (and wine pairings, if you like), enjoy the sounds of dozens of Oompah and Polka bands. There will be a literal ton of German foods available, primarily, of course, brats. Food will be available to order a la carte.

 The always entertaining Opening Tap Celebration on Saturday, October 13 will take place at the M&T Bank Stadium Parking Lot which is about half a mile from the Hotel Indigo. 

The Baltimore Book Festival that takes place on September 22-24, 2017 is about so much more than just books. There will be hundreds of local, celebrity, and nationally known authors making appearances, performing book readings, and signing autographs. Top chefs will perform cooking demonstrations to go along with their newest cookbooks. Additionally, there will be lots of live music, craft beer offerings and even a wine program. Some of this year’s featured authors include Devin Allen who will be discussing his book A Beautiful Ghetto, Cynthia Bond and her work Ruby, John Eisenberg and his sports book The Streak: Lou Gehrig, Cal Ripken Jr., and Baseball’s Most Historic Record, and Kerry Dunnington and her delicious offering The Seasonal Kitchen: Farm-Fresh Ingredients Enhance 165 Recipes. You will also want to stop by the Ivy Bookshop to pick up a festival map and a book or two to help you commemorate this exciting festival.

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is quickly becoming one of the most popular attractions in the entire city. Located only about 15 minutes from the Hotel Indigo, the Maryland Zoo is a great place to spend an afternoon. A new highlight of the zoo is the Penguin Coast Exhibit which just recently opened. This new habitat for the African Penguins includes underwater viewing, wave action, and water features which greatly improve the visitor experience. The zoo also has a variety of animal encounters which allow you to get up close and personal with some of your favorite wild creatures. You can feed a giraffe, watch a penguin feeding, chat with the polar bear or chimpanzee zookeepers, and even groom a goat. Be sure to bring a camera to capture all of these unique experiences! On your way out of the zoo, stop by the gift shop to find that perfect souvenir to help commemorate your visit.

Science Fiction fans are some of the most dedicated and knowledgeable fans in all of entertainment, so of course a fan run science fiction convention is sure to be loads of fun. From July 15-17, The Shore Leave science fiction convention will be taking place just 25 minutes from the Hotel Indigo. This is the 39^th year of the convention, and this year will feature writing workshops, stargazing, a game room, photo ops, and plenty of VIP celebrity guests. Some of the celebrity highlights include Michael Dorn, Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Worf, Kevin Sussman, Howard from The Big Bang Theory, Jodelle Ferland who Twilight fans will remember from her portrayal of Bree, and many more. Shore Leave is a fan friendly atmosphere that encourages interaction between fans and even with the celebrities that we all know and love. This is one experience that no true science fiction fan would miss.

The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) is a must see for art lovers of all kinds. The museum is perhaps best known for having the largest collection of works by the legendary Henri Matisse, over 1000 pieces. However, that is just one of the many highlights of this amazing museum located less than 10 minutes from the Hotel Indigo. BMA also houses masterpieces by Pablo Picasso, Paul Cezanne, and Vincent van Gogh. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the tireless efforts of the Cone sisters, Claribel and Etta, who collected much of the artwork while visiting Paris in the early 20^th century. Additionally, BMA has a variety of temporary exhibitions like Black, White & Abstract: Callahan, Siskind, White which displays the photography of American masters Harry Callahan, Aaron Siskind, and Minor White. No matter your taste in art, the Baltimore Museum of Art has something that you are sure to love.

Experience all of the beauty of the Inner Harbor at sunset with American Sailing Tours. As we inch closer to summer and the temperature continues to rise, there is truly nothing like the cool sea breeze on your face as you sail on this one and half hour cruise. The cruise departs from the Harbor East Marina, which is only about 10 minutes from Hotel Indigo. The sunset sail cruise is especially attractive for couples looking for an out of the ordinary romantic evening. Bring a bottle of your favorite wine and a blanket large enough for two people to make this an experience you will never forget. The captain and his crew are extremely friendly and knowledgeable, and will do whatever it takes to ensure that you have a special evening. On your way back to the marina, you will be able to gaze at the star filled night sky, if you can look away from your date of course.  

Did you watch super hero cartoons and television shows as a child? Did you use a flashlight under your blankets so that you could keep reading comic books past your bedtime? Do you love old television shows like I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffith Show, and The Lone Ranger? If so, Geppi’s Entertainment Museum is just the place for you. Located about a mile from the Hotel Indigo, Geppi’s is a unique museum that contains exhibits that cover the history of just about everything that can be categorized as popular culture. One great exhibit is When Heroes Unite which details how comic books helped America recover after the devastation of The Great Depression and World War II. The Expanding Universe exhibit covers the rise of technology and how that impacted the proliferation of pop culture in all forms. Of course, no trip to Geppi’s is complete without a stop in the gift shop which houses a wide variety of souvenirs to help you commemorate your trip through the history of popular culture.

This St. Patrick’s Day, you will want to experience one of the biggest and best parties in all of Baltimore which takes place the Cat’s Eye Pub. The Irish pub, which has been called “The Best Live Music Venue in Baltimore” is located in historic Fell’s Point and is only about 10 minutes from the Hotel Indigo. The highlight of the annual party is the live music from the band Dogs Among the Bushes who will be playing traditional Irish ballads as well as modern rebel songs from 2PM until 1:30 AM. Of course, there will also be traditional Irish cuisine as well as plenty of Irish drinks and cocktails. It doesn’t matter if you are Irish and looking for a chance to celebrate your heritage, or if you just want to enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. You are guaranteed to have a good time. Don’t forget to wear your green!

George Herman Ruth, Babe Ruth, is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Even non-sports fans are familiar with The Babe’s Herculean power and ability to hit towering home runs. During your visit to the Hotel Indigo, you should set aside a day to visit the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum,  which is located on the same grounds as the row house where the slugger was born. This amazing museum is conveniently located about 10 minutes from the hotel. There are exhibits which focus on Babe Ruth, baseball, and Baltimore sports in general. The Playing at the Babe Exhibit highlights the wide variety of actors that have played Ruth on television and in movies. The Historic House exhibit allows visitors to explore the very room where The Babe was born. The 500 Home Run Club highlights all of the Major League players who have reached the incredible milestone. If you think 500 is a lot, you will be impressed with Ruth’s 714 home runs. These are just three of the many great exhibits at the museum. You are sure to find your own favorite during your visit.

Ever since Edgar Allan Poe died in October of 1849, the world has been looking for clues regarding what happened during his final days. He was found delirious and wearing clothes much too big for him just before he died. But what if he left clues behind so someone could solve this mystery? Do you think that you could unwind Poe’s riddles and puzzles to once-and-for-all determine the cause of his early demise? Well, at the Edgar Allan Poe Escape, you, your family, and your friends will have the opportunity to do just that. The fun takes place less than 10 minutes from Hotel Indigo. Your group gets just one hour to try to solve a mystery that has befuddled academics, amateur sleuths, and everyone in between for the 150 years. Even if you are unable to crack the code, and who could blame you, you are sure to have a once in a lifetime experience!