Visit Baltimore: Federal Hill Park

While in Baltimore, we made a stop at Federal Hill Park, where we got to take in magnificent views of the city, and the boys got to release some energy on the playground.

The area was once the spot of a tower that was built to watch for ships, and it also served as a military outpost during the War of 1812 and the Civil War.

Cannons that were used during the Civil War can be found in the area.

Now Federal Hill Park boasts a great playground, where kids can slide, swing, and climb, as well as numerous benches were people can relax and take in the view.

Federal Hill Park
300 Warren Ave

Baltimore, MD 21230

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Visit Baltimore: Miss Shirley's Cafe

While in Baltimore, we headed to Miss Shirley's Cafe in Roland Park.  This very popular brunch spot has won awards and been featured on TV, so we were excited to dine there!

Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Southern Slammer Sandwich

Healthy "Hot Mess" Scramble

Bay-O Po' Boy

There's quite an extensive menu of yummy food options to choose from when dining at Miss Shirley's Cafe!

I ultimately decided upon the Southern Slammer Sandwich, which won a Best Breakfast Sandwich in America award from Restaurant Hospitality Magazine a few years ago. The sandwich consisted of fried green tomato, applewood-smoked bacon, avocado mash, cheddar, and a fried egg!

So many faves in that sandwich. It's no wonder why it won Best Breakfast Sandwich in America!

The Healthy "Hot Mess" Scramble consisted of spinach, avocado, peppadews, sweet potato, quinoa, and sprouts.

For the Bay-O Po'Boy, you can opt for three mini jumbo lump crab cakes or cornmeal-encrusted soft shell. The crab is stuffed on a ciabatta that's dusted with Old Bay, and also includes Tabasco bacon onion jam, Old Bay remoulade, and lettuce. 

The food and service were both great at Miss Shirley's Cafe. 

Miss Shirley's Cafe
Roland Park
513 W. Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21210
410.889.5272

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Visit Baltimore: Lucky's Coffee, Ice Cream, and Candy

Our Maryland ice cream stop brought us to Lucky's Coffee, Ice Cream, and Candy.

This cute shop offers lots of made-in-Maryland goodies (I bought some omiyage!), as well as Glenview Farms (made-in-Pennsylvania) ice cream, and Taharka Brothers (made-in-Baltimore) ice cream.

Salty Caramel

Rainbow Sherbert

Cookies & Cream

They also offer soft serve!

Chocolate

Lucky's is the perfect spot to pick up a sweet treat!


Lucky's Coffee, Ice Cream, and Candy
601 E Pratt St

Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 752-2500

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Visit Baltimore: American Visionary Art Museum

Gallery-A-Go-Go Bus - Nancy Josephson

A very fun place to take the entire family to in Baltimore, Maryland is the American Visionary Art Museum.

According to the website, "Visionary art as defined for the purposes of the American Visionary Art Museum refers to art produced by self-taught individuals, usually without formal training, whose works arise from an innate personal vision that revels foremost in the creative act itself."

I really enjoyed perusing the artwork in the American Visionary Art Museum.  From whimsical and magical, to dark and macabre, the various artists and art showcased truly captured my attention.

Untitled - James Franklin Snodgrass

The Tinker -  Lorann Jacobs

First Dance - Stanley Wright

What Me Worry? Bed - Patty Kuzbida

The creations of these visionary artists were open to interpretation, and sometimes you needed to take a closer look, or even a step back, to get the whole picture.

Now through September 2 is The Great Mystery Show exhibit.  With a focus on mystery as "that one secret power behind great art, science, and pursuit of the sacred," 39 visionary artists delve into the mysteries of life, death, love, and the universe.

The kids' absolute favorite exhibit was the The Flatulence Post by Bob Benson.  Press a button and you can't help but giggle at the fart noises emitted from the post!  Surrounding the Flatulence Post is funny art depicting what different types of farts look like.  So creative!

The kids thought it was neat to see art created from all sorts of materials - matchsticks, broken plates, coffee cans, bottles, and junk!

Lusitania - Wayne Kusy

My Grandma's Old Blue Willow - Mary Proctor

Can-Can - Isadore Waber

Community Art Car Project

Stegosaurus - Leo Sewell

In a neighboring building is the three-floor Jim Rouse Visionary Center, which houses larger exhibits, including a very fun Cabaret Mechanical Theatre with buttons kids could press to make all sorts of objects animate.

On the third floor, visitors can actually step into a bird's nest in David Hess' Bird's Nest Balcony.

The American Visionary Art Museum is very family-friendly, and I love how there are several interactive exhibits to engage the little ones, both inside and out. 

The Gateway - Antar Mikosz

Cosmic Galaxy Egg - Andrew Logan

Meditation Chapel / Wedding Altar - Ben Wilson 

It was so neat and inspiring to see so many different types of art at the American Visionary Art Museum!

American Visionary Art Museum
800 Key Hwy

Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 244-1900

Mahalo to the sponsor for the complimentary tickets.

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