Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
April 17, 2024

Leisure

Leisure is the section where we highlight the intriguing, exciting and all-around fun events and activities happening in Baltimore over the weekend.



COURTESY OF ARUSA MALIK
Arusa and her friends exploring St. John’s College at the heart of Annapolis. 

When in Annapolis (from the perspective of a quasi-Annapolitan)

Although Annapolis, Maryland’s capital, is just 45 minutes away from Hopkins, many students don’t know what it has to offer. Between the views of the Chesapeake Bay to the delicious seafood available, Annapolis is an amazing place to visit for a mini trip away from school!


COURTESY OF MINGYUAN SONG
Catan is a great board game to own and play with your roommates! 

Different ways to game in college

I never played any games growing up. I didn’t have a Playstation or an Xbox, nor Wii or other Nintendo products. The closest I got were the ipad games like Clash of Clans and the free version of Minecraft that didn’t allow you to save your progress. So when I got into college, part of me thought that I’d be free to explore whichever virtual world I wanted to — but school and life got busy, and it wasn’t until the beginning of my junior spring that those aspirations were realized. 


ARUSA MALIK / DESIGN AND LAYOUT EDITOR
You can find hints of the coming spring in all kinds of events this weekend!

Events this weekend (April 5–7)

There are just a few more weeks left of school, and the wrapping up of classes means the full bloom of spring! As the weather gets warmer, Baltimore starts booming with events. 


COURTESY OF JULIA MENDES QUEIROZ
Praia da Joatinga, one of many beaches on the Rio de Janeiro coastline.

Five tips to keep in mind when traveling

This spring break, the two of us (along with our roommate, Liz) went to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! This trip had been a while in the making, and we were really looking forward to it. Rio is Julia’s hometown — she was born there and only moved to the U.S. for college, so it’s where she’s spent most of her life. Yana had never been there before but was really excited to see the place where Julia grew up! 


COURTESY OF JOSEPH BECUTIORTIZ
There is simply nothing better than wolfing down some diner food after a long run. 

Spring Break: The long awaited rest

After the onslaught of tests, quizzes, midterms, projects and whatever else our professors decided to throw at us, spring break was upon us. With most Hopkins students leaving as early as possible, it was like a great migration of birds, all leaving towards the south, where you would see them appear in instagram pictures of the warm sandy beaches of Florida, Puerto Rico or other tropical resorts.


IMAGE COURTESY OF YUYU HUANG
There are many other places to see cherry blossoms in Maryland besides the Tidal Basin!

How to spend springtime in Maryland and D.C.

As spring takes hold in D.C. and Maryland, the cherry blossoms burst into life, splashing the city in pinks and whites. Sure, it might sound cliché, but let me take you through my own cherry blossom chase, complete with the lowdown on some great food finds along the way. I hope this helps you plan your own spring escapade!


ARUSA MALIK / DESIGN AND LAYOUT EDITOR
Celebrate Easter weekend with many activities around the city including Major League Baseball’s opening weekend!

Events this weekend (March. 29–31)

Welcome back from Spring Break! Perhaps you need a break from the past week of partying and traveling. Make sure to check out a series of wholesome events around the city over Easter weekend! 


ARUSA MALIK / DESIGN AND LAYOUT EDITOR
Don’t miss the peak bloom of the Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C.!

Events this break (March 16–23)

If you are staying near Baltimore over Spring Break, here are a few things to help you keep busy, stay entertained and relieve some stress to prepare for the final stretch of this semester!


COURTESY OF MINGYUAN SONG 
Perhaps the best feature of the Rec Center is the amazing view you get on the treadmills and bikes!

Everything to do at the Rec Center

One of the best perks of attending Hopkins is the free, daily access to our state-of-the-art recreation center. And, after their recent renewals, there’s no better time than the present to check out the Ralph S. O’Connor Recreation Center. With new features in the weight room, a number of different workout classes and even a pool and climbing wall, it’s the perfect place to start your day. Work on those muscles and release some pent-up stress and head over.


COURTESY OF MINGYUAN SONG
You don’t have to look too far to find some of the best picnic spots around town!

The best picnic spots on and around campus

As the blossoms flower, days elongate, birds chirp and plants invigorate, spring inches closer and closer each day. Less than 2 weeks away, the official season change is just around the corner and will likely bring sun and weather for everyone to enjoy the outdoors! Across our college campus, perhaps you’ll see companions competing in volleyball or spikeball, friends laughing on chairs set up in the quads or a hammock of their own, classmates studying outside the library or owners accompanying their eager dogs on a walk. 


ARUSA MALIK / DESIGN AND LAYOUT EDITOR
Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with a fun run and a lively parade in downtown Baltimore!

Events this weekend (March 8–10)

Watch the city come alive with Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations this weekend! Just don’t forget to wear green and set your clock forward an hour for daylight savings!


ARUSA MALIK / DESIGN AND LAYOUT EDITOR
Catch the CIAA basketball championship this weekend and a number of events that they put on!

Events this weekend (March 1–3)

Baltimore is hosting the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) basketball tournament to kick off March Madness! However, even if you’re not interested in basketball, there are still many more events to check out.


COURTESY OF MINGYUAN SONG
The jellyfish hall was small but filled with beautiful displays that felt like a dream to walk through. 

How to make the most out of the National Aquarium

When my girlfriend visited this past weekend, I suggested that we visit the National Aquarium in Inner Harbor. I realized it was now my third year in Baltimore and I still hadn’t been to its largest tourist attraction, so that was one box to check. I also heard that it’s a must-go date spot, and being in a long-distance relationship, I don’t have too many opportunities to realize in-person dates, so I decided to book the tickets.




COURTESY OF ZACHARY BAHAR
Your 21st should be a special one — just make sure you prepare enough food for everyone!

On throwing yourself the perfect 21st birthday party

For my 21st birthday, I knew I needed to go all out. While turning 21 is arbitrary, it is the rite of passage that fully marks you as an adult in American society: capable of voting, getting drafted into the military, and most importantly, legally getting drunk. This is not a responsibility to take lightly and requires proper preparations to do right. Here are my recommendations to craft your perfect experience.


COURTESY OF VERONICA SCHMIDT 
Make sure that you provide plenty of drinks and refreshments for your party!

How to throw a Galentine's party

Celebrations of love should be about more than just your significant other; you should also celebrate your friends. Enter Galentine’s Day. A portmanteau of “gal” and “Valentine’s Day,” this holiday takes the focus away from romance for 24 hours and is meant to honor the platonic relationships in your life. If you didn’t go all out for the day this year, no worries! This guide can help you start brainstorming early, so you can make the most of it next year.


ARUSA MALIK / DESIGN AND LAYOUT EDITOR
Wind down from midterm exams and papers with some fun events this weekend!

Events this weekend (Feb. 16–18)

The Super Bowl, Lunar New Year and Valentine's Day are behind us, but the festivities don’t have to stop! Check out what you can do this weekend away from Homewood Campus! 


IMAGE COURTESY OF MINGYUAN SONG
There are many great date spots around Baltimore. You just have to know where to look!

Where to find the best Valentine’s Day date spots

With Valentine’s Day in the spotlight, date spots are in demand more than ever. As the semester shifts into full gear, however, it’s too easy to become fully immersed in the depths of the Homewood campus. If you’re looking for some cute date spots to take your significant other or friend, here are some of Baltimore’s hidden gems.


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