Kid Baltimore | Family Activities with Children in Baltimore, Maryland

Sculpture Exhibition at Evergreen

 

We were feeling rather genteel, as we strolled along the grounds of Evergreen, a Gilded Age mansion on Charles Street. And hey, that's quite an accomplishment with our entourage of kids in tow. The Evergreen's new exhibit Simultaneous Presence explores the work of 10 sculptors. Each was asked to explore the "simultaneous presence of past and present." It's a theme that works very well here. The Evergreen mansion is quite an impressive backdrop, and you can't ignore the mix of past and present here, so why not embrace it.

Throughout the Italian style gardens are plenty of ivy covered walls, water fountains, and open spaces to explore. The exhibit is free, and on view throughout the museum grounds. It runs through September 26, 2010, Tuesday - Sunday, 9am - 5pm. Admission to the museum is additional.

410-516-0341

Evergreen
4545 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21210

[Map It]

Mums and Sundials

A recent trip to the Conservatory revealed two new surprises. First, the chrysanthemums, still in full bloom and crazy beautiful. I'm only showing one here, because I don't want to ruin the fun.

And second, this bizarre sundial. It shows multiple timezones, one on each plane. I think it's brilliant, despite the tree stump base. Surely the base was an afterthought.

Baltimore's time was dead on.

 

 

410-396-0180

Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens
3100 Swan Drive in Druid Hill Park
Baltimore, MD 21217

[Directions from their website]

Sowebo Arts Festival

 
photo courtesy of Sowebo

WHEN: Sunday, May 24, 2009
WHERE: In the Bullseye of Sowebo, Surrounding Hollins Market [Map it]

Every Memorial Day weekend, artists take to the street and musicians play for the crowd, Bohemian style. Things you might want to explore with your kids (or without) include watching a performance by Black Cherry Theater's puppeteers or joining "a communal painting tsunami" to create some street art. As always, there will be open art galleries to explore and music to hear, just watch out for the Conga line...

CALS Miniature Train Rides

I'm pretty sure the guys over at Leakin Park that run the miniature trains are just over-sized kids that never quite grew up, but they sure look like they are having fun. CALS (Chesapeake and Allegheny Live Steam) is a group of train buffs that builds, maintains, and operates mostly coal burning live steam locomotives. Obsessive, yes, but in a really good way, and they offer free train rides on the second Sunday of each month from April to November. 

We picked a beautiful day to ride, so the line was long, but manageable. Twenty minutes later, we were seated on our train and headed down the track at 6 miles per hour. Everything is "to scale" so in real size, we were zooming along at 48 miles per hour. See how easily I'm fooled. We glided along the track and circled the park. The tracksite covers an impressive 10+ acres and has over 3-miles of track, all of which has been built by members and financed without city, state or federal money. Donations are welcomed.

[Thanks, Tim and Brian!]

410-448-0730

CALS Live Steam Preservation Society at Leakin Park
4921 Windsor Mill Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21207

[Map it]

Elmo is from Baltimore?

WHAT: ChildFest 2009
WHERE: Reservoir High School, Fulton, MD
WHEN:  Saturday, May 9, 2009 10am-4 pm
TICKETS: FREE
INFO: Child Cancer Foundation Website

I had no idea that Sesame Street's Elmo (or his voice anyway) is from Baltimore, and he's coming to the area along with Rosita for a worthy cause – ChildFest 2009. Kevin Clash, the voice of Elmo and Carmen Osbahr, the voice of Rosita, will appear on stage during this event and it's all to raise money for The Children's Cancer Foundation. You can even have your picture taken by a professional photographer (no personal cameras allowed).

[Thanks, Maly!]

Thomas Dixon Aircraft Observation Area

One of the things I love about having this blog is the readers' suggestions I get. Recently, a couple of people have emailed me about the Thomas Dixon Aircraft Observation Area. I never would have found out about this place, so thanks Shaina and Mary!

Planes, planes and more planes zooming over our heads. Now maybe I wouldn't be so thrilled if my house were located directly under the flight path, but wow is it fun to watch those airplanes come in for landing. I never realized how close together the landings are. Maybe because on the rare occasion we travel by air, there is always more waiting than flying.

After watching the planes for a while we wandered over to the tot lot for a little climbing and general silliness. There is also a 12.5 mile trail that circles the airport.

Thomas Dixon Aircraft Observation Area
MD-176 & Jeffery Ave (closest intersection)
Glen Burnie, MD 21061

[Map it]