1. Eat a whole funnel cake at Spring Fair (the largest run student fair in America).
If fried goodness isn’t your thing, there’s plenty more to check out during the best weekend of the year. There are food trucks on the Freshman Quad, free concerts on the Beach and different vendors that sell goods and crafts from Friday through Sunday.
2. Take a stroll through Wyman Park to Hampden.
In Hampden take some time to check out the thrift shops, art exhibits and restaurants.
Grab a scoop of ice cream at The Charmery, known for their unique, Baltimore-inspired flavors like Tell Tale Chocolate for Edgar Allan Poe and Old Bay Caramel for the area’s favorite seasoning. Talk about a perfect way to spend a sunny weekend afternoon!
3. Try out one (or all) of Baltimore’s top breakfast spots.
Captain Crunch French Toast at Blue Moon Cafe and the Crab Cake Benedict at Miss Shirley’s are two of my top favorites. The nearby Papermoon Diner in Remington is only a short walk away and has great pancakes, omelettes, milkshakes and kooky décor that’s sure to keep you both full and entertained.
4. Visit the Peabody Library in Mount Vernon.
Only a short JHMI ride away, the Peabody Library is rumored to be the model for the library in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. It has over 300,000 volumes and you can often find wedding receptions, fancy cocktail parties and other events being held there.
Afterwards grab a latte at one of Mount Vernon’s hipster coffee shops like The Bun Shop or Ceremony Coffee Roasters.
5. Go to the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA).
The BMA is located just at the edge of campus, at the corner of N. Charles St. and Art Museum Dr. Not only does the museum have a great collection of works to enjoy, admission is free! Pack a picnic lunch to eat in the sculpture garden, or head to Gertrude’s restaurant (inside the museum) for some of Baltimore’s best crab cakes.
6. Visit Washington D.C. for the Cherry Blossom Festival in April.
The nation’s capital is just an $8 one-hour train ride away at Penn station and makes for the perfect day or weekend trip. Many students also enjoy taking part in the various parades and protests that happen in D.C. throughout the year.
7. Go to the Lighting of the Quads.
Lighting of the Quads is a winter kick-off event with lights, a cappella groups, hot chocolate, gingerbread house building and a fireworks show. Load up on free sweets and watch the fireworks all while taking a much-needed study break.
8. Explore some of the hidden locations on campus.
Get lost in the steam tunnels, sneak up to the top of the Gilman Clock Tower or stargaze from the Bloomberg Telescope. The best freshman year memories are spent exploring campus with a group of friends. Just don’t get caught in the steam tunnels!
9. Come back to campus for Intersession.
Intersession is a three-week period in January where students can take free classes like “The Archeology of Beer” or “Humor Poetry”.
You can take around two or three classes as pass/fail and even sign up for study abroad programs such as “Social Entrepreneurship” in Denmark or “Tropical Biology” in the Galapagos Islands. It’s the fun of college in a low-stress, relaxed environment.
10. Find your favorite study spot on campus.
Ask any Hopkins student and they’ll talk to you about their go-to study spot. There’s plenty on campus so you can figure out what works best for you. Whether it is the Beach on a sunny Friday afternoon, the Brody reading room, the Mudd Atrium or D level in the morning hours, your favorite study spot is out there just waiting to be discovered!
