Baltimore Is Bursting with Free Things to Do 50 Free Things
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Baltimore is Bursting with Free Things to Do Check out our list of Free Things to Do in Baltimore. From parks and the famed Inner Harbor to museums and tours, Baltimore has a long list of great activities that are fun and, most important, free! 50 Free Things: Recognize masterpieces at the Baltimore Museum of Art As a major cultural destination for the greater Baltimore region, the Baltimore Museum of Art is home to the internationally renowned Cone Collection, and it holds the largest and most significant Matisse collection of works in the world. Outside the BMA walls, experience the lavish Sculpture Garden, featuring two terraced gardens, fountains and 34 sculptures. Every Sunday the museum hosts hands-on workshops and interactive gallery tours for families from 2 – 5 p.m. Don’t miss the museum’s Family Audio Tour, which highlights 20 objects in the collection. The tour is narrated by Raoudi, Matisse’s perky schnauzer; rather than headphones, the tour offers a handheld audio device that allows families to pause and chat about a work. Shiver me timbers! Story Time with the Urban Pirates Join the crew of Baltimore's own pirate ship, Fearless, for swashbuckling tales of adventure on the high seas! Climb aboard the ship in historic Fell's Point, where the crew of pirates will take your family back in time without ever leaving the port! Enjoy the captivating tales of pirate history every Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. You can then choose to purchase tickets for a family fun cruise aboard Fearlessif you’re ready to hit the high seas. Amuse yourself at the American Visionary Art Museum's Sculpture Plaza and Wildflower Garden The exterior of the American Visionary Art Museum is almost as interesting as what you'll find inside. The building is surrounded by unique and curious sculptures, which you can explore for free! (But we suggest you buy a ticket and visit the intriguing collection and special exhibition on the inside!) Share a toast at Edgar Allan Poe's Grave Fascinated by strange and spooky places? Visit Poe and his wife, Virginia Clemm, in theWestminster Hall cemetery and keep a look out for the gravestones of some other prominent Maryland citizens. The cemetery is located at 519 West Fayette, on the corner of Fayette and Greene. Walk, wonder and create at the Walters Art Museum The museum owns more than 25,000 pieces of art and has free general admission, except for special exhibits. Bring the whole family to enjoy special family tours and activities for all ages. Children will enjoy the displays of knights' armor, the statues, the colorful paintings, the furniture, and the many small and lovely trinkets – including Faberge eggs. The museum provides a host of free family programs, from drop-in art classes on Saturdays and Sundays to museum tours with family-friendly guides. Head to thewalters.org/programs/familyfun to learn more about the Walters’ free programs. Sing and dance at the Harborplace Amphitheater Located between the Harborplace Pavilions, the amphitheater hosts free performances from singers, dancers, magicians and more. Street performers entertain by day while bands ranging from Motown and funk to R&B and country perform live, free concerts Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Rock out to live music Stop by Power Plant Live! on Friday evenings for the return of the Friday Night Live! concert series. Watch local artists and national headlining bands perform on the newest permanent outdoor stage. Or head over to Hard Rock Café Baltimore at the Inner Harbor for free outdoor concerts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from May through September. Free outdoor movies during the summer Films on the Pier in Fell's Point features free movies on Wednesday nights beginning at 8:45 p.m. on the Broadway Pier. On select Thursdays in July & August at 9 p.m., grab a blanket or a folding chair and catch a free film after dusk on Federal Hill. Flicks from the Hill is sponsored by the American Visionary Art Museum, and admission into the museum is free on these "flicks days" between 5 and 9 p.m. before the film. You can find out more information and complete schedule on their website. Bring your lawn chair or blanket to the intersection of High and Stiles streets in Little Italy on Friday nights for free Italian-themed movies at 9 p.m. Live music begins at 7 p.m. Johns Hopkins University is another great spot for Friday outdoor films. Feature films are played on the green in front of Shriver Hall. Live music begins at 7:30 p.m., with movies starting after sunset. 3400 N Charles Street. Bring your imagination to Artscape Held annually in July, the nation's largest, free arts festival celebrates with continuous musical performances by local, regional and national talent on multiple outdoor stages, plus indoor and outdoor visual arts exhibitions, sculptures, art cars, film and theater, crafts opera, dance, street theater and children's activities. Celebrate life, music and culture at the African American Festival Held annually in July, the African American Festival is a free family celebration of life, music and culture. Attendees enjoy live music, educational and historical exhibits, an interactive children's area, and crafts. Hop across the Inner Harbor on the scenic Water Taxi This free connector service operates daily along the city's Inner Harbor from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free routes depart from the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Museum in Fell's Point to the Tide Point Pier in Locust Point, just a short walk away from Ft. McHenry. You can also connect from Tide Point Pier to the Canton Waterfront Park. Dive into literature at the Enoch Pratt Free Library More than 60 years old, the Enoch Pratt Library continues to enchant book lovers of all ages with its immensity – it's just so darned BIG – an entire block in length. It’s one of the first to be built with an accessible street level entrance. The library’s branches feature free classes, musical performances and children’s story times throughout the year. Uncover the beauty of the Basilica The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was the first metropolitan cathedral in the United States. This historic site contains neoclassical architecture, a 17th- century organ, stunning artwork and more. Party the first Friday of the month in Hampden A frequent setting in John Waters' films, here is a neighborhood that still celebrates the bouffant and grilled-cheese charms of Charm City. Stop "down Hampden, hon" for First Fridays when participating merchants stay open late to host events, parties and special sales Pedal your way through the Gwynns Falls trails Get off the road and enjoy a leisurely (or rigorous) bike ride along the recently expanded 15 miles of trails. Become an urban explorer on the free Charm City Circulator The Charm City Circulator is your fast, friendly, and free shortcut to Baltimore's hotspots seven days a week. With connections to the Light Rail, MARC train, Metro, and the Water Taxi Harbor Connector, the Circulator is your first step in exploring the many local events and attractions Baltimore has to offer Browse the Galleries at the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower The Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower has been transformed into studio spaces for visual and literary artists. Take part in Open Studio Day and view impressive artwork from talented artists. During this free event, guests can visit artists' studios, view or purchase works of art, and enjoy refreshments and light fare.. Cruise the Fell's Point Art Loop Spend an evening mingling with artists, sampling cheese and wine, and soaking up the arts in Fell's Point. On the first Friday of every month, the Fell's Point Development Corporation works with 13 local galleries to display pieces from local artists. The types of art may include woodworking, photography, sculpture and oil paintings. Restaurants offer specials and stay open late to accommodate visitors. Take a self-guided tour of Baltimore's outdoor monuments From Baltimore sports heroes Johnny Unitas and Babe Ruth to somber memorials to the Holocaust victims, Baltimore offers a wide variety of outdoor monuments to explore. A few examples include: . Kaytn Memorial in Harbor East - stands in honor of Polish military officers, policemen and civilian prisoners of war executed by Soviet authorities on March 1940 . Washington Monument in Mount Vernon - the first monument built in honor of George Washington (currently closed for renovations.) . Babe Ruth statue - Camden Street outside the Eutaw Street Oriole Park entrance . Johnny Unitas statue - front of M&T Bank Stadium . Battle Monument - commemorates the Battle of Baltimore and honors those who died during the month of September 1814 during the War of 1812; Calvert and Fayette streets . Baltimore Holocaust Memorial - Corner of Water, Gay, and Lombard streets Bump, Set and Spike at Rash Field Check out "Baltimore Beach" and its seven volleyball courts made up of 1,000 tons of sand, located at Baltimore's Inner Harbor. This is a great place where locals and visitors – from beginners to experts – can meet and play organized games. Take in the enticing sights, sounds and scents at Baltimore's public markets For absolutely no money, you can enter Baltimore's Cross Street Market in Federal Hill,Lexington Market near the Hippodrome Theatre and the Broadway Market in Fell's Point. Get a feel for what doing the food shopping used to be like as you watch butchers and fishmongers at work and smell wonderful food cooking. Sample local flavors at the farmer's markets The annual Baltimore Farmers' Market offers the best deals on produce, herbs, flowers, fruit and more.