As February comes to an end and spring break chatter fills the air, it is almost that special time: spring. What does this mean for students at Hopkins who just want to enjoy a little fun in the sun? We all know you can't just plop down in the middle of East Baltimore and tan yourself, so where do you go?
For starters, there are many cute places on campus to enjoy Baltimore's most-cherished season. The first place, is of course "The Beach." The Beach actually provides a fun atmosphere for people to relax outside of the library -- fraternities set up volleyball nets or people play catch, girls bring towels and tanning oil and within minutes, you have a beach scene minus the sand and water. Many people also enjoy the scenic president's garden as a fun way to pass time. There are a few benches scattered on the lawn that provide a nice, quiet place for talking while still staying outside.
In addition to the president's garden, there is the sculpture garden. Located outside of the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA), it provides an ideal place to stroll and has wonderful outdoor dining. There are also various concerts that take place on the lawns of the garden.
Although we all love dear Johnny Hop, there are times when many are anxious to leave campus but don't have a car. Within walking distance, there are tons of beautiful places to hang out and enjoy the warm weather. If you're an early morning person, you may enjoy a walk to the Waverly Farmer's Market, which is on Greenmount Avenue between 33rd and 32nd Streets -- just a short walk away from campus. It is open every Saturday from 7 a.m. until noon, but the fresh vegetables and selection of bread make it worth the sleep you'll have to sacrifice.
If you prefer to sleep until noon on Saturdays, you may want to plan a picnic lunch at the Sherwood Gardens, just a few blocks off of University Parkway. Commonly know as the Tulip Garden, the area features a selection of beautiful flowers. It is usually filled with people eating and relaxing. The garden features six acres of azaleas, dogwoods, magnolias, wisterias, and of course, a plethora of tulips.
If you have a car or have a friend with a car, try the Inner Harbor. Simply walking around the Harbor is nice, but if you enjoy less walking and more sitting, you may be into taking a ride on the paddleboats by Pratt Street. They offer both standard paddleboats and more ornate boats shaped like Chessie the Chesapeake Sea Monster. It could be a fun activity to partake in with that special someone, or even with a group of friends. Also in the harbor you can find numerous outdoor dining venues.
Another great place to check out is the Cylburn Arboretum, a nature preserve and city park with 207 acres of land. The land that surrounds the Cylburn Mansion includes a bird museum, nature museum, and library, and serves as Baltimore's horticultural epicenter. You can tour the mansion and museum as well as the grounds, which feature multiple gardens and miles of wooded trails. Located about three miles away from campus, exercise-loving students can walk or jog there.
If you are the active type and sitting around amongst scenic landscapes drives you nuts, check out the Baltimore and Annapolis (B & A) bike trail. The total length of the trail covers thirteen miles between Annapolis and Glen Burnie. The southern part of the trail travels through quiet suburban neighborhoods.
For sports enthusiasts, springtime in the city also offers the promise of another season for the Baltimore Orioles. The Birds' home opener is on April 4 against the Oakland Athletics -- while tickets for opening day will be hard to get, the team frequently offers discounted ticket nights.
You can also enjoy sports here at Hopkins. There are tons of spring sports in full swing. You can work on your tan while supporting your favorite athletes and friends.
Lacrosse games are lots of fun garnering huge crowds and immense school spirit.
Spring in Baltimore is what you make of it. Don't make it another season wasted on D-level.
