How to spend spring at Hopkins

It’s finally warm in Baltimore, even by my California standards, which means it’s time to shed those winter layers and emerge from our dorms for reasons other than getting food.

Let’s start with things to do on and near campus and slowly but surely spread out to sunny Baltimore.

The classic and most recommended warm-weather activity on campus is hanging out on the Beach. Usually this means chatting with friends in the sun and hoping you’ll get a little bit darker in the five minutes you sit in the open before deciding it’s too hot and moving to the shade.

Try adding to the Beach experience by bringing a picnic, playing some Frisbee or having a few drinks (if you’re of age, of course).

The Beach is lovely because of its expansive green grass, but there are other places to enjoy the blooming beauty of nature. If you couldn’t make it to the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC, Hopkins has got you covered with some beautiful trees of our own.

Though the routes to class are pretty scenic this time of year, try taking a walk in areas of campus you normally wouldn’t pass, just for a better view of the cherry blossoms or the blooming flowers.

Speaking of scenic, there are also two free and lovely sculpture gardens on and near campus.

The Hopkins Sculpture Garden, near the Rec center, is covered in bright yellow flowers and cute animal sculptures made of stone. The BMA Sculpture Garden, next door to us (the Gatehouse), features more abstract sculptures by various artists. As it is part of the museum, the Sculpture Garden is only open Wednesday to Friday 10 a.m. to dusk and weekends 11 a.m. to dusk. Like the BMA, it’s completely free.

Another way to enjoy warm weather is to eat outside. Many eateries, including nearby Carma’s, Donna’s and Eddie’s Market, are once again offering outdoor seating.

Going even further out, Baltimore has several farmer’s markets in various neighborhoods. The closest to campus is the Waverly Farmers’ Market on East 32 Street and Barclay Street, which is open on Saturday. Unfortunately, other farmer’s markets in neighborhoods like Fell’s Point and Druid Hill won’t open until June, but you can enjoy the one in Waverly until then.

And lastly, remember the cool dragon-shaped paddleboats in the Inner Harbor? They’ve come back with the warm weather and are available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, and until 10 p.m. on weekends.

The campus and the city are at their brightest in the spring (literally) and you should enjoy the season before the humidity kicks in.