You may not be on campus this semester, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to virtually connect to the Hopkins and Baltimore communities! And, hey, it never hurts to spruce up your feed on Insta and Facebook. These are some of the best accounts that Hopkins and Baltimore have to offer.
1. @hopkins_retro on Instagram
Run by the University’s Sheridan Libraries, this account showcases Hopkins history with lots of vintage photos and facts and also promotes events and public projects related to Hopkins culture — past and present. It’s a great resource to learn about the place you’ll call home for the next four years.
2. @jhufreestuff on Instagram
Though it hasn’t been terribly active recently since, well, campus is not currently open, this account is super helpful if you’re trying to snag as much free stuff as possible, from food to chachkies. The account posts alerts about pop-ups and events on campus that are offering freebies. It’s also a reliable way to hear about cool events and student discounts.
3. @hopkinsbike on Instagram
This account is run by an anonymous member of the Class of 2020 who has taken on the persona of a bike that was notoriously left abandoned on campus for months (maybe even years). They provide honest accounts of their experiences as a Hopkins student — touching on topics like mental health, career and grad school choices, relationships and friendships — in order to give advice, initiate community conversations about these topics and help other students who also struggle with them.
4. @baltimoremuseumofart on Instagram
The Baltimore Museum of Art is one of Baltimore’s free public art museums, located right on the south edge of Homewood Campus. Though you might not be able to visit it this semester, the museum’s Instagram account can liven up your feed with pictures of its incredible collection and keep you up to date about their events and other happenings in the Baltimore arts scene. If you’re extra passionate about art or museums, there are lots of other Baltimore museums that are definitely worth exploring online (and eventually in-person!), such as the American Visionary Art Museum, the Walters and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum.
5. @greedyreads on Instagram
Greedy Reads is a local bookstore with two locations — one in the Fells Point neighborhood and another in Remington — which is just south of the Homewood Campus. And here’s some good news: They ship nationwide so you don’t have to wait to support a Baltimore business. The Greedy Reads Instagram showcases their newest titles and book recommendations, as well as some adorable pictures of the owner’s dog, Audie, who hangs around the store. If you’re looking for something to do, the store has also been hosting a virtual book club during quarantine, which you can find information about in their story highlights.
6. @visitbmore on Instagram
Baltimore is called Charm City for a reason, and this Instagram proves it with beautiful pictures that highlight local restaurants, businesses and other attractions all around the city. Follow it now to put together a bucket list of all the places you want to explore once you arrive.
7. @eatmorebaltimore on Instagram
Baltimore is a foodie’s ideal city, with amazing Southern food, seafood and lots of foreign cuisines offered in its many restaurants, food halls and food trucks. If you already follow food accounts, definitely add this one, run by “Eater-in-Chief” Chris Franzoni, into the mix. Franzoni posts super frequently and includes a huge variety of Baltimore’s best dishes. And if you’re feeling ambitious and can’t wait to get to Baltimore to try all this mouthwatering food, you can always use this account as inspiration for some home cooking!
8. The Baltimore Sun’s Instagram (@baltimoresun) and Facebook
Even though you’re not in Baltimore quite yet, it’s still good to be informed about what’s going on in the city that our institution calls home so you can start to feel involved in the city. The Baltimore Sun is Maryland’s largest daily newspaper, covering local and regional news. Even if you don’t feel like paying for a subscription, simply following their Instagram and/or Facebook will keep you up-to-date on what’s making the headlines in Baltimore.
9. The News-Letter’s Instagram (@jhunewsletter) and Facebook (wink wink)
If you haven’t figured it out already (c’mon, you’re reading it right now), The News-Letter is the University’s student-run newspaper (and, fun fact, one of the oldest continuously published college newspapers in the country!). We’re currently online-only, and we publish new content daily, so follow us on our social media platforms in order to keep up with anything and everything Hopkins, like important updates from the administration, sports and arts event recaps, and student opinions on topics ranging from politics to music to mental health.
