Urban Discoveries Baltimore

There’s a good reason you’ve never heard of the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA), and the reason is that you’re not a visitor. But! This weekend said association invites you to take advantage of two coinciding facts: (1.) that you live in a place people sometimes tour and (2.) that the economy sucks. Basically, the city is conspiring to make local stuff temporarily cheap or even free. Some of the goods:

The Station North Spring Music Festival from 5:00 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, April 25th will include at least twenty acts performing at the following locations: outside on the surface lot at 2 East Avenue, Joe Squared (133 W. North Avenue), Windup Space (12 W. North Avenue), Metro Gallery (1700 N. Charles Street), Hexagon (1825 N. Charles Street), I-Bar (2118 Maryland Avenue), and the Zodiac (1726 N. Charles Street). If you want to know exactly who’s playing where, then check out the festival website, but if you really want the authentic free local festival experience, just show up planless, drink, and dance like a teenager.

The Free City Scavenger Hunt from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 26th will start at the Baltimore Visitor Center in the Inner Harbor (401 Light Street), where you’ll sign in, receive hunt materials, and establish an ironic/witheringly insidery team name. The hunt will take you all over Baltimore, and those who complete it will be eligible for prizes, none of which are likely to outshine the weather.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Fun City will be in full effect from 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. on April 25th in the Inner Harbor. And, while thanks but no thanks, Carnival, we’ve got enough nicknames already and ‘Fun City’ just doesn’t have the zing we’re looking for , we will, however, pour one out for David Foster Wallace and accept your free music, dancing, beach ball, and “interactive aquarium.”

Dozens of museums, restaurants, and other attractions around Baltimore are offering discounts and special rates, so there’s no excuse to stay home. Where do you go to feel like a tourist in your home town?

Posted in: Things To Do This WeekendNo Comments