Top 10 Free Things to do in Baltimore
Exploring Baltimore doesn’t have to cost you anything! There are plenty of free things to do in Baltimore, and when times are tight, it’s good knowing you can still have fun on a dime—or less! Read on to discover some little-known Baltimore attractions that fit your budget.
- Take a Walking Tour
- Tour the Baltimore Museum of Art
- Visit Edgar Allan Poe’s grave
- Take in Some Live Music
- Find Some Books
- Feed the Ducks
- Watch Free Outdoor Movies
- Take a Walk in the Park
- Explore the Inner Harbor
- Tour the Basilica
Historic Jonestown, Inc. offers free Heritage Tours of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Take a guided tour led by a uniformed guide, or light off on a self-guided tour of 20 historic Baltimore sites. Highlights include the Historic Ships Museum, the Star Spangled Banner Flag House, and the U.S.S. Constellation Museum. For more information about this great opportunity to get to know Baltimore better visit: www.HeritageWalk.org.
The Baltimore Museum of Art’s philosophy is “art for all.” Because of this leaning, they do not charge admission. Tour the spectacular Andy Warhol displays, or the largest collection of Henry Matisse paintings in the world! To learn more about the BMA go to: www.ArtBMA.org.
The famous American suspense writer and poet is buried at Westminster Hall and Burial Grounds. Taking a moonlight stroll in the cemetery won’t cost a thing! Plan a visit on January 19th in the early hours of the morning and try to catch a glimpse of the infamous “Poe toaster:” a cloaked man with a silver-tipped cane who leaves a bottle of cognac and three roses on the author’s grave – and has every year since 1949. Be the first to identify the mystery man! To learn more visit: www.EAPoe.org.
Summer in Baltimore is one long concert! At other times during the year you can watch the street performers at the HarborPlace Amphitheater. The HarborPlace Amphitheater in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is the place to go for free live pop, rock, and progressive music every summer Saturday and Sunday evening. And all for free! Bring a blanket and a picnic lunch and spread out under the stars listening to some good tunes. For more information about free things to do in Baltimore at HarborPlace go to:
Baltimore is dedicated to keeping you literate! Visit the Enoch Pratt Free Library, and The Book Thing to stock up on new titles. Book donations are welcome; however you do not need to donate to these establishments to grab some good reads! For more in-depth information about the historic Enoch Pratt Free Library go to: www.PrattLibrary.org. For Baltimore free stuff through The Book Thing please visit: BookThing.org.
Outside Baltimore’s beautiful National Aquarium, the Harry & Jeanette Waterfront Park offers a pristine retreat in the heart of the city. Bring a bag of bread crumbs and toss them to the ducks. Watch the children and the dogs play. Bring a picnic lunch. Relax. To learn about more free stuff in Baltimore at the Harry & Jeanette Waterfront Park go to: www.Aqua.org.
From June to August, know that your weekend nights in Baltimore are covered. Many neighborhoods – including Federal Hill, Fells Point, Charles Village, and Little Italy – offer sponsored free movie nights under the stars. Drawing from box office hits, blockbusters, and family classics, you are sure to find a movie you and your family will love! To check the current schedule of Baltimore free stuff go to: www.PrattLibrary.org.
There are many lush, serene public parks in Baltimore – perfect places for a leisurely stroll, picnic lunch, yoga practice, and more! Play soccer or baseball at Riverside Park; pack your camera and take artsy shots of the tree-lined paths at Patterson Park; go fishing or mountain biking at Patapsco Valley State Park. Whatever your outdoor pleasures, you will find an outlet for them in Baltimore. For more free things to do in Baltimore visit: ci.Baltimore.md.us.
Baltimore’s Inner Harbor has everything for the window-shopper trying to tighten her purse strings. Chock-full of trendy retail shops, restaurants, outdoor entertainment, and more – a walk around the Inner Harbor can be a stress-free way to spend an afternoon. If you are in Baltimore for Christmas, don’t miss the holiday lights! The Inner Harbor is aglow with lights, ice sculptures, and Santa’s Workshop. To learn more about Baltimore free stuff at the city’s premiere destination go to: Baltimore.org.
Baltimore is home to the country’s first cathedral: the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This cathedral has hosted visits from Pope John Paul II and Mother Theresa. This 19th century house of worship offers free lectures and concerts as well as mass. To take a guided tour of the Basilica, it is requested that you donate $2. To learn more about this Baltimore landmark go to: www.BaltimoreBasilica.org.