Baltimore Ravens Games

Photo Credit: Moe Epsilon

In lieu of the recent NFL draft I'll bring up a series of looming events, The Baltimore Ravens season. I briefly touched on this in my blog about M&T Bank Stadium which is where they play but I didn't go much into depth. The reigning Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens begin their season in August of 2013. As you can tell, that is right around the corner. It feels like just yesterday that we were celebrating the Super Bowl victory!

The schedule for the upcoming season was recently released and is set to be a fantastic year.  As you can see from that link they have 9 home games. A home game in Baltimore is an experience unlike any other. I love attending Ravens games and the events that transpire before and after kickoff. No matter what the weather or temperature, the Ravens faithful will be out in the parking lots tailgating and going strong. The tailgates are a blast. You can't take in a deep breath without smelling delicious food being cooked, and everyone is willing to give it away.

While in the stadium, you are guaranteed to have a blast. For blocks around the stadium you can hear the exuberant fans singing the Seven Nation Army tune which has become a staple at Ravens games. The sea of purple and black is a beautiful site on game day. Like most stadiums, the prices at M&T Bank Stadium are not as favorable as one would like but still reasonable. Depending on the game, the ticket prices vary. Although most games are sold out the availability for tickets is still pretty high which is always nice for people who make up their minds at the last minute.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco 

The Fan Zone outside the stadium is a great time as well. Games, vendors, merchandise, food and even players are the big draw here. It provides a more family oriented, kid based atmosphere which some of the other tailgate spots might not.

Another great way to tailgate for the games is at The Gameday Warehouse located two blocks from the stadium. This is always a popular location especially during poor weather. They serve food and alcohol in the Warehouse and also have a wide selection of flat screen t.v.s where you could watch the pregame activities or another game that might be happening.

I love attending Ravens games because they are my favorite football team but also because they are a great time. If you don't like the Ravens but are a fan of some other team, maybe you can get lucky with them coming to town. Following the draft this year is set to be another promising season. For all things Ravens, check out their website where you can find tickets, news, the schedule, roster and anything else you could desire about the Baltimore Ravens!

The National Zoo: Washington, D.C.

For 364 days out of the year there is a place right in our background that provides free entertainment. The National Zoo in Washington, D.C. is a 163 acre zoological park in the heart of the city. Featuring over 2000 animals from 400 different species you can spend all day there and not make it to each exhibit.

Photo Credit: Steve

Zoo's are a great time for all especially one as big as The National Zoo. You can bring the whole family or your friends and enjoy yourself. I love the fact that it's free as well. Most thing's I have blogged cost money and aren't as inclusive as the Zoo. The Exhibits at the Zoo vary widely with a few like the Bird House, Panda Habitat, Great Cats, and even Lemur Island.


So if you're looking for something to do at anytime throughout the year head down to Washington, D.C. and have a special day at the National Zoo.

For more information about exhibits, animals, how you can help, education, travel plans or anything else zoo related go to the website.

Below are special occasions held at the Zoo that offer a different experience for those attending:

• Woo at the Zoo - A Valentine's Day talk by some of the Zoo's animal experts discussing the fascinating, and often quirky, world of animal dating, mating, and reproductive habits. All proceeds benefit the Zoo's animal care program.
• Earth Day: Party for the Planet - Celebrating Earth Day at the National Zoo. Guests can find out about simple daily actions they can take to enjoy a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
• Easter Monday - Easter Monday has been a Washington-area multicultural tradition for many years. There is a variety of family activities, entertainment and special opportunities to learn more about the animals. Admission is free, and this event traditionally welcomes thousands of area families. The celebration began in response to the inability of African Americans to participate in the annual Easter Egg Roll held at the White House, until the Dwight Eisenhower presidency.
• Guppy Gala - This annual family-friendly event offers guests animal encounters, food and a variety of activities. This event is ticketed and open to FONZ Members only. All proceeds benefit the Zoo's animal care program.
• Zoofari - A casual evening of gourmet foods, fine wines, entertainment and dancing under the stars. Each year, thousands of attendees enjoy delicacies prepared by master chefs from 100 of the D.C. area's finest restaurants. All proceeds benefit the Zoo's animal care program.
• Snore and Roar - A FONZ program that allows individuals and families to spend the night at the zoo, in sleeping bags inside of tents. A late-night flashlight tour of the zoo and a two-hour exploration of an animal house or exhibit area led by a zoo keeper are part of the experience. Snore and Roar dates are offered between June and September each year.
• Brew at the Zoo - Guests can sample beer from a variety of microbreweries at the Zoo. All proceeds benefit the Zoo's animal care program.
• Fiesta Musical - FONZ celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with an annual fiesta at the National Zoo. Animal demonstrations, Hispanic and Latino music, costumed dancers, traditional crafts and Latin American foods are offered.
• Grapes with the Apes - Visitors toast to wildlife conservation and learn about great apes at the Zoo's wine tasting event. All proceeds benefit the Zoo's animal care program.
• Rock-N-Roar - An event featuring live music, food and drink, and viewings of lion and tiger enrichment.
• Autumn Conservation Festival at Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) - Visitors talk with scientists one on one and learn about their research that spans the globe. Scientists are also on hand to help visitors explore the tools and technology they use to understand animals and their environments. Guests can get behind-the-scenes looks at some of the SCBI's endangered animals.
• Boo at the Zoo - Families with children ages two to 12 trick-or-treat in a safe environment and receive special treats from more than 40 treat stations. There are animal encounters, keeper talks and festive decorations. All proceeds benefit the Zoo's animal care program.
• Zoolights - The National Zoo's annual winter celebration. Guests can walk through the Zoo when it is covered with thousands of sparkling environmentally-friendly lights and animated exhibits, attend special keeper talks and enjoy live entertainment.

 (Source: Wikipedia.com)

Photo Credit: InSapphoWeTrust

Artscape Festival: Nations Largest Free Art Festival

Photo Credit: Kamau Collins

Attracting over 350,000 people over 3 days, ignoring Artscape as an activity for Maryland is impossible. Artscape is July 19-21 this summer. Held in the heart of Baltimore City on Mt. Royal Avenue, the Artscape Festival is crazy and awesome experience. It features hundreds of individual art vendors who come from all over the country to present and sell their works. You can find anything out there. I've been to Artscape for the past 4 years and each time is different and better than the last. The festival completely shuts down a huge section of streets in the city.

The art work on the streets are absolutely fantastic. The vendors compete and pay for spots all year because having the opportunity for hundreds of thousands of people to walk around and see and buy your products doesn't exactly present itself that often. Even if you don't consider yourself an artsy person (I don't) you can still find something that sparks your interest. The pieces vary drastically from sculptures, to pottery, to clothes, to paintings, to purses, to jewelry to who knows what. There are hands on activities you can participate in to make your own art works.

Another great part of the festival are the performances. Periodically throughout the streets you can catch a street performer, showcasing their interesting or usually strange talent. There are also 3 or 4 different musical stages with a wide variety of musical acts. Usually their is a pretty big name performer to headline the even with a bunch of other groups playing during the day. Another attraction this past year was added as the festival coordinators stepped it up with a Ferris wheel.

Photo Credit: Kamau Collins

Artscape also features delicious food from diverse international vendors and catering companies. The food is honestly some of the best I've ever had. Just like the art showcases, vendors come from all over to show off their special foods and make some money. One of the best parts of it all is that alcohol is served and you can walk around and casually drink all day.

Overall Artscape in Baltimore City is a great time and an experience anyone should be able to enjoy, so this summer bring the whole family or your friends out and have a good time! Below is a video showing some highlights from one of the days last summer! For more information about the event feel free to check out the Artscape Website as it will be updated regularly until the event.

Maryland State Fair

One of the best ways to wrap up the summer is at the Maryland State Fair. The fair is always held right before school starts and it was a nice to close out the summer activities with a little more than a week of events. This summer the fair is from August 23rd to September 2nd. The Maryland State Fair is located at the Timonium Fairgrounds in Lutherville. It is a fun, relaxing, and entertaining vacation destination within the state.

There are a wide range of activities to keep guests entertained throughout the course of the Fair. From looking at the Fair's website, it appears that the country group The Band Perry will be performing at some point during the week, probably towards the end. The actual dates of the events are still tentative because we still are so far away from the actual event.

This video is a few years outdated but still shows the overall scene!

One of the big staples of the Maryland State Fair is the draw on the "country" side of the state. Many of the events revolve around livestock showing or bull riding or pig racing, etc. Some of the cooler more popular things to watch are the different kind of races whether it be pigs or also horses, and also the "Masters of the Chainsaw" competition.

Fun for everyone not interested in the livestock can come from the delicious food and rides in the carnival like atmosphere.

Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County is a bit of change of scenery for most Maryland folk, but it is a beautiful change of scenery at that. Tucked in to the Western corner of the state, Deep Creek Lake is the biggest inland body of water in the state at 3,900 acres. 

What makes Deep Creek so special is the year round entertainment. Clear water lakes, rivers, and snow capped mountains provide enjoyment throughout the entire year. In the area there are tons of houses available for rent and there's also a four season resort called Wisp. 

You can do all the things you'd imagine you could do at a huge state park with a giant lake. Fishing, boating, hiking, hunting, biking, skiing(during the right season), waterskiing, tubing and there is even a golf course.

I prefer to visit during the summer because I more enjoy the warm weather, swimming, and water sports atmosphere. It truly is a majestic place during the warmer months and is a great getaway in the state. So this summer look into a trip to Deep Creek and stay for a few days or longer and explore your inner outdoorsmen. 

Preakness: The Biggest Party in the Region

May 18th is right around the corner and that is the day of the annual Preakness race. The Preakness race is a huge occasion for locals and visitors alike. 50,000 people can't be wrong year after year, after 137 running's of the race.

The Preakness race is held on the third Saturday in May at the Pimilico Race Track in Baltimore. It is the second leg of the US Triple Crown and usually the second largest crowd for a horse race in North America, behind only the Kentucky Derby.

You may be thinking, but Tom, I don't care even the slightest about horse racing. To be honest neither do I, but I love large crowds partying together. The horse race is only about 2 minutes of the entire day. The concert in the Infield is a great time and the lineup this year will definitely not disappoint. The headliner is Pitbull who will bring the house down with his upbeat party music. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are also headlining and are sure to get the crowd into party mode too. A country group, Florida Georgia Line are also performing on the Infield. Check out the video above to get an idea of what it looks like to be in the Infield on the day of Preakness.

Ticket prices vary depending on where you want to sit or if you just want to go on the Infield or if you want to get the Preakness Mug, but I think the cheapest ticket starts at $50. You can purchase tickets or check out travel information, or any variety of things on the interactive Preakness website.

Six Flags America: Only Theme Park in the Old Line State

With the weather heating up you'll be looking for places to get away and have a blast with friends and family and Six Flags America is that place for Marylanders. The only theme park in the state is located in Prince Georges County, in Bowie. Now don't let that scare you. The park is closer to D.C. but is also not far from Baltimore and is an easy travel for anyone. There are a few available travel options to get to the park so that shouldn't be any issue.

Going on a nice, hot day is definitely your best bet, that way you can experience the water park as well as the regular rides. The park offers some awesome roller coasters, the best in the state. Six Flags is the best and closest option for Marylanders in search of a thrill.

The newer themed rides are the best bet and guaranteed to be the most fun, so like any theme park that's where you'll find the longest lines. The Batman and Superman are the most fun ones that I went on while I was there. It wasn't nice enough for the water park when I had went but it looked pretty sweet. Everyone I know who has been there loved it.

Joker Roller Coaster, Photo Credit: Phaesia2011  

Six Flags America is the most convenient location for Maryland folk like myself. It's a good outing and a nice experience on a nice day. The price is very affordable and you can even buy season passes that could be worth it if you like it enough the first time you go.