George Peabody Library
Thankfully, you don’t have to travel outside the United States to see a library this exquisite. Often referred to as the “Cathedral of Books,” the George Peabody Library contains about 300,000 volumes in a variety of topics ranging from architecture and literature to science and geography. One fun fact about this library is that it was the inspiration for the library in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, which is interesting because because this movie was the first thing I thought of when I saw this library.
Library Hours: Closed – Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays; 10:00am to 5:00pm Mondays through Thursdays
Admission: Free
Parking: Peabody Parking Garage
The Walters Art Museum
Located across the street from the George Peabody Library is this well-known museum. Founded in 1934, the Walters Art Museum is a Baltimore institution that houses over 36,000 art pieces from around the world. Such pieces include sculptures, artifacts, paintings, textiles, and other items. This building was designed by Italian architect William Adams Delano (1874-1960) and features an Italian Palazzo-style, especially in the courtyard. The courtyard of the museum was modeled after 17th-century Palazzo dell’Universita di Genova, an Italian university that has an open-air courtyard. Open-air courtyards are staples in Italian architecture and are often defined by symmetry, circulation, columns and arches.
Museum Hours: 10:00am to 5:00pm on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays; Closed – Mondays & Tuesdays; 1:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursdays
Admission: Free
Parking: LAZ Parking – Walters Art Museum Lot
The Baltimore Museum of Art
The Baltimore Museum of Art was founded in 1914 and currently houses over 95,000 artworks across various cultures and centuries. Like many art museums, the BMA has neoclassical architecture which often emphasizes symmetry, geometric shapes, and striking columns. The BMA is internationally known for having the largest Henry Matisse collection in the world, showcasing over 1,000 pieces of his work. The museum also includes masterpieces by Picasso, Van Gogh, and other well-known artists. The BMA is located adjacent to the Johns Hopkins University campus in Charles Village, so if you aren’t able to park in the garage, you might be able to find parking along the street close to the campus.
Museum Hours: Closed – Mondays & Tuesdays – Closed; 10:00am to 5:00pm Wednesdays – Sundays; 10:00am to 9:00pm on Thursdays
Admission: Free
Parking: BMA Lot & Johns Hopkins University (JHU) South Garage
Mount Vernon Place
Mount Vernon Place serves as both a historic treasure and an urban park, blending public space design, architecture, cultural institutions, and community. It features 4 small parks that surrounds Baltimore’s Washington Monument, the first major monument in the United States. Magnolias bloom in the area during spring, creating the perfect backdrop for photos.
Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens
H.P. Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens is an architectural and greenhouse treasure located in Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, Maryland. The conservatory was first opened in 1888 and was modeled after the Kew Gardens in London. The structure was built using Victorian-era iron, steel, wood, and glass and is currently one of the oldest glass-and-iron framed conservatories in the United States.
Conservatory Hours: 11:00am to 3:00pm Wednesdays – Fridays; 10:00am to 4:00pm on Saturdays & Sundays
Admission: Free
Parking: Druid Hill Park
Patterson Park
Patterson Park is one of Baltimore’s most famous parks and is known for its historic and recreational green spaces. The park’s most iconic landmark is the Patterson Park Pagoda, which was built between 1891 and 1892. The Pagoda serves as an observatory, offering panoramic views of the Patterson Park neighborhood and Baltimore. This spot is especially beautiful in spring when cherry blossoms and magnolias are in full bloom.
Baltimore Inner Harbor
I’ll be back for more, but for now, here’s a glimpse!
Thanks for reading!
