Baltimore County Public Library - Rosedale Branch

2.7 mi

During COVID, I actually avoided this location because I thought the drive up window at Perry Hall…read morewould be a much easier option. So for the past couple months I've been driving out of my way to the PH branch. Two weeks ago I thought I would give the WM a shot. Mannnn I have been so wrong about them. You drive in, call the number on the sign and tell them your name and which parking spot you're in (this is really only necessary if they are bringing the books to your car). I thought it would take forever to get someone on the phone, but each time it was right away (my 3rd trip in 2 weeks, yes I'm a bookworm). Then you have the option to meet them at the front door with your books. It was less than 30 seconds of a wait time!! While I like the lazy option of not getting out of my car at the PH branch, this was just as fast and convenient (if not faster because PH usually has at least 1-2 cars in line already).

Popped in quick to print something and the front desk woman was very kind and helpful!read more

My latest book courtesy of the Baltimore County Public Library

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Baltimore County Public Library

4.5

3.0 mi

This branch of the Baltimore County Public Library system is close to my work. Occasionally I will…read morehave books that I place on hold sent here so I can grab them after work. What I like about the Essex Branch: *Lot's of parking (it is part of a strip mall complex) *Access to all the books that the library system has to offer *Easy check out *The history about the branch that is posted on the walls. I spent a lot of time reading through these articles and information the first time I visited. So why only three stars? Namely, this branch is a lot smaller than the normal one I go to making computer access and comfortable seating more hit and miss. Also more hit and miss, if I'm popping in for a specific book there is less of a chance that they would have it.

This is my second favorite Baltimore County Public Library branch. The library is smaller than some…read moreof the other libraries in the county, but they make great use of their space with computer stations, quiet study rooms, activities, and of course a decent selection of books. I spent many Sundays here during my first semester of grad school. I never had any difficulty finding space in the quiet study rooms, and I found that the dedicated quiet space encouraged the quality of my writing for my weekly discussions and papers. The library also offers printing services for a very small fee. The librarians are friendly and kind, and remain knowledgeable about a wide array of books and other resources.

Baltimore County Public Library - Towson Branch

4.4

(12 reviews)

6.4 mi

This is a large central library. You can't find free parking immediately around it, so you can…read moreeither search a ways or pay for the municipal garage, which adjoins the library, is quite large, and is not wildly expensive. It was a substantial facility offering a mix of reading materials and social services. I had no difficulty in locating a workspace, and wifi, charging, and air conditioning was mainly what I needed.

Awesome library. Came here with my parents alot as a kid. Very clean and well staff. Ran by good…read morepeople

Inspiration to the Baltimore restaurant Like Water for Chocolate

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Enoch Pratt Free Library - Canton Branch

(7 reviews)

5.7 mi

I was able to come here to renew my library card! Staff were friendly and helpful…read more The small branch seems more kid centered, which didn't feel like somewhere I would frequent, but I would definitely come back to see what books they have available.

This is the oldest library in Balitmore city. I'm sad I just found it a few months ago. It's such a…read morelovely place. It's quite small but packed with the best items and it mainly attracts children as there's a school next door. But the staff is always super friendly - I never have my physical card but they can find me or enter in my number. The library also does a summer reading challenge (I just learned about this). If you sign up for the challenge in June, you get a free book for three months. I only signed up in July so I got my first free book and I will be going back in August. They also do a reading challenge so you just tell them how many books you read that month and then they enter you into a raffle I will for sure be signing up early next year and I just recommend everyone do this. It's amazing!

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Enoch Pratt Free Library - Light Street Branch

(8 reviews)

7.4 mi

Our friend's toddler enjoys the little Light Street Branch of Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library!…read moreWe stopped in to wind down from a busy active time near the harbor (May 2026). It has a nice children's section, and besides books for a range of ages, there's toys, play floor-areas, and drawing & coloring supplies. Computer terminals that parents can use, art on the walls, and helpful staff. We like it after a full day, or as a quiet warm / cool and dry refuge when the weather gets tough.

A super cute neighborhood focused public library branch - I went for the first time to attend one…read moreof their free events, creating lanterns for lunar new year. Parking is really hard in this area because it's on a very busy street and in Fed Hill. This is very close to Cross Street market so you can grab a bite while you stop at this library branch if you wanted. I do think their selection is more focused on the youth because there are a lot of families and schools nearby but glad I finally got to go in because I've seen it for years.

Look for the red sign on the east side of Light Street

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Accommodations for kids, like that toddler ladder-platform to reach books or interact with the helpful staff.

Baltimore County Public Library - North Point Branch

2.8

5.1 mi

North Point Branch Library...Website says open until 8pm on Thursday…read more I am here at 4:45pm and they are closed! Please update this information!! I drove here from the City to use the computer and now have to wait until another day. What are the hours???? Even the recording does not give any information, only says closed.

Don't use fax machine or trust the staff to help you! Was there July 25th of 2024 the place that…read morepapers was supposed to go never received my fax! Also missing the beginning part of my packet with personal information! Contacted Library and was of no help or responsibility!

Enoch Pratt Free Library - Southeast Anchor Library Branch

4.4

(7 reviews)

5.2 mi

I've always been fond of my local libraries. I've come here in the past to vote, but this visit was…read moreto utilize the library tools. I needed to print some documents. My printer was down and I had to have them quickly so, I knew I could do that here. I dealt with two librarians who were very helpful. When I couldn't log onto the computer one of the librarians checked my account and made a change that allowed me to sign on. Then, when I needed to print, she instructed me on the procedures. You can't just print directly to a printer. Once you print the items you want, you'll head to another computer, log on there, and your documents will be in a que waiting to be printed. You can choose color or black and white, then print. The first 20 pages each day are free to print. Cool! The computers were packed. Luckily I found one that was available, but keep that in mind. It was a calm, welcoming environment. They also have security on-site. That made me curious, but I suppose it's better to have them there and not need them than need them and not have them. Check out your local library!

Stopped by this branch because their location had a copy of a book I'd been meaning to read. The…read moreelectronic hold process via the website was easy and the staff was helpful when I arrived for pickup. They introduced me to Summer Break Baltimore, a summer reading initiative. With enrollment you receive a free T-shirt and a new book during the months of June, July and August! They also have prize raffles when you complete a book or participate in an event. Looking forward to lots of book time this summer!

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Baltimore County Public Library

3.3

3.6 mi

I love this branch, my local go-to. Staff is courteous and helpful. It's not as large as some…read moreothers nearby so doesn't have a lot of classrooms, etc. but I have been to two "classes" which were very fun.

Wonderful staff and nice selection of titles. Libraries are such an amazing resource and everyone…read moreI've talked to has been super helpful and friendly. There are pretty neat events, as well. Great location, right off the highway.

The Book Thing

For the price, can't be beat!…read more The model is simple: donate your books (up to 7 boxes per visit). They give them away for free! According to their website, you can't take more than 150,000 books per visit, so don't be too greedy, you bookworms! They sell 1-2% of donated books to cover overhead, but everything else is volunteer basis, keeping The Book Thing a free community even once a month. Be prepared to wait in line. We arrived at 11:45 so most of the big rush had faded. They let people in on the hour, with a max of 100 people in per time. If you arrive after someone leaves, they can let you in to finish that hour out. You could make a day of it - there are several cafés, breweries, and restaurants in the area that you could visit before or afterwards. Inside there are three rooms - red, blue, and green. They are organized by genres. A warning: this is not for claustrophobic people. It gets crowded and while people are generally polite and respectful, you will rub shoulders with plenty of other bibliophiles. My kids enjoyed it, though Child #1 was a tad overwhelmed and Child#3 wanted to get out of his umbrella stroller and run around! They all picked out something that was just for them. My wife gathered several books and I picked up a couple for myself. When you leave, you need to count your books and tell them that number (for their record-keeping) and your ZIP code. Other than that, it's a great deal, not to mention a fun way to meet other folks in the community. One parent reminisced about how her (now grown) daughter used to love a series that my middle child was looking at. I overheard one woman asking about a particular genre and a volunteer told her that those usually get picked over pretty early. So while there is more of a wait and higher demand closer to opening time, it sounds like there are some choicer items that are available then. DONATION - there is a small one-way road that leads around the back. After the morning rush, it seemed like it moves quickly. There's a small parking pad where you can pull up and give your books to some volunteers. Parking - it's Waverly, so pretty much street parking and you will have to look. We lucked out and saw someone leaving their spot right by the donation drop-off, so we were able to park close. If you have a bunch of books that could use a new home, come donate them here! If you are curious about grabbing some new books for yourself, drop on by! Just check the website for specific dates - it can vary from month to month what's available.

Such a cool community completely FREE resource in the city! I first heard about bookthings in 2023…read moreand this was my second time coming here. It has been in operation since 1999 and filled with volunteers and they now own the building. It's only open once a month now but I guess it used to be more. As a tip - go closer to the hour like on the :45 mark otherwise be prepared to wait an hour. People from all walks of life come here. This operates on donations so I dropped off my books and got in line. It is a bit overwhelming and the books are organized in categories. It is fun to browse but there is a chaotic energy that I don't always love. I don't think I would go back - I much prefer the little libraries! After standing in line, when you walk in, you do have to adjust to the brightness. It's a completely free resource. You can take as many books as you want. When you check out you just tell them the total number of books and your ZIP Code. It's amazing this free resource exists - make sure you don't hoard (like the two women in front of me who were on their fourth entry of the day). Make sure you partake in the recycling of the system. Take books back take new books and keep this amazing free resource in the community.

Lines to get in

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Edgar Allan Poe Grave

4.5

(94 reviews)

7.3 mi

Super cool spot. It was a cloudy and gloomy day when we walked by so it made this place feel eerie…read more The grounds and graves all looked well kept.

Located in a former church, now an event space, the grave is front and center. It has a short time…read moreline of Poe's life and brief introduction about the famous author. It is easily accessible and near the University of Maryland campus.

At Westminster Church Cemetery

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At Westminster Church Cemetery

Patterson Park

4.7

(82 reviews)

5.4 mi

A perfect park on a perfect spring day! The husband and I were in town to watch the Giants play…read moreagainst the Orioles and it was a beautiful Saturday. We stopped by for brunch at a place nearby and did the approx. 3 mile route around the park. There was a kite festival and there were a bunch of families and friends flying kites and enjoying the day. People were picnicking and playing music- really enjoying the spring day. If you have not been to this park, I highly recommend. It's a great place to spend the weekend.

This is a great park to go out and explore as a solo adventurer, bring a friend and sit and watch…read morethe ducks, go for a jog, or take your dog for a walk. Additionally, there's a children's area inside the park If you are looking for the Patterson Park Observatory it is approximately on the corner of S PATTERSON PARK AVE and E BALTIMORE ST

Playground

Pagoda daytime

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Washington Monument and Mount Vernon Place

4.7

(72 reviews)

6.7 mi

Amazing statues, large park area if your in the area it's a must see will definitely go againread more

Definitely a cool bit of history in Monument City!…read more The Washington Monument is the first major monument dedicated to this country's first president. Inside the building, there is a little area with interactive screens explaining the history of the monument in Baltimore city. This is free to peruse. For a modest price, you can reserve a time to go up the tower portion of the monument. It is clearly old, with stone steps spiraling up clockwise until reaching an observation spot at the top. It is tight and you may have to wait in the odd window well while someone else goes up or down past you. There are four windows each labeled "North," "South," "East," and "West" with different vistas of the city. My kids are rather enjoyed it; even Child #3 climbed up over half the steps on his own at just shy of 2 years old. The surrounding area of "Mount Vernon Place" is covered with nice areas for sitting, looking at statues of contemporaries of George Washington (e.g. the Marquis de Lafayette). Highly recommend coming out during Flower Fest in early May!

07-25-22

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Maryland Center for History and Culture

4.6

(28 reviews)

6.8 mi

This was an excellent museum, which I say as an enjoyer of museums. My sister who can appreciate a…read moregood museum but doesn't as much as me also loved it, if that convinces you anymore that you should go. The civil rights exhibit was SO in depth. It did a really good job of being specific to the area while still setting a foundational backdrop of nationwide events. I was wildly impressed. The images and items used were great. I also enjoyed the rest of the museum, especially the collection and the painted screens exhibit! I'm from Massachusetts and have been to my fair share of revolutionary war museums or exhibits so I more sped through that section, but it also seems comprehensive.

This is a great place to learn about Baltimore's rich history. I started on the 3rd floor then…read moreworked my way down. The 3rd floor was the "Furniture in Maryland Life" exhibit. This exhibit consists of furniture pieces from the years 1634-2000. There were many pieces that I wanted though they were vintage. The second floor had a few exhibits: Unfinished Revolution, Claire/McCardell and Collecting Maryland. The Claire/McCardell really caught my eye. The exhibit highlighted how she redefined women's fashion in America during the 1930s -1950s. My favorite exhibit was on the 1st floor. It was the Passion and Purpose: Voices of Maryland's Civil Rights Activists exhibit. The 1st floor was dedicated to all of the Black activism in Baltimore. I love learning about Black history and I learned so much about Baltimore's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.

Claire McCardell

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Hampton National Historic Site

4.2

(24 reviews)

6.6 mi

We visited the Hampton National Historic Site in Towson this past weekend. This estate was owned by…read morethe Ridgely family for 7 generations from 1745 to 1948. The Georgia mansion home was the largest private home in America when it was completed in 1790. The estate was a plantation, one of the largest in Maryland, and hundreds of people were enslaved at the plantation until the end of the Civil War. The property is operated by the National Park Service, so a park ranger gives guided tours of the property. Our ranger guide was really friendly and did a wonderful job guiding us through the house. She taught us about the history of the area, the family, and the estate. She taught us about the architecture of the house and the artifacts visible throughout the house (many of which are original to the home). She also highlighted the lives and stories of enslaved persons who spent part or the entirety of their lives at Ridgely. There is some important Maryland history here at Hampton, and I really appreciated our experience. The house is undergoing some renovations right now and we were a bit tight on time, so we weren't able to explore the grounds (I think you can visit the slave quarters, cemetery, and more on the grounds), so I'd like to go back and explore more of the site's history. As an NPS property, it's free to visit and tour and definitely worth checking out. It's history hidden in plain sight - you've probably driven past it many times without stopping by!

We went on the 1 hour tour inside the house and were amazed by the renovation and details of the…read moreestate. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and answered our questions. I would recommend getting tickets to tour the house. We went last year and were only able to walk the grounds. Tickets are only $1 at recreation.gov.

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Mt Vernon Belvedere

(3 reviews)

6.4 mi

An old school building in an old school neighborhood. It's been preserved nicely over the years and…read moreought to be on your visit list of Baltimore.

This used to be a happening hotel back in the early 1900s where celebrities and some Presidents…read morehave stayed. You can see the pictures on the walls and enjoy the historical elegance. The building was converted into condos and that explains the industrial style toilets that can flush anything. I would love living here for both location (nestled in Mt Vernon) and historical ties but the washer/dryers are limited (I think there are two per floor). There is The Owl Bar downstairs and the The 13th Floor lounge on the top floor with amazing city views.

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'Hotel Belvedere'

Shot Tower

3.3

(11 reviews)

6.5 mi

Well, that was lame. Nice noticeable landmark that we walked to and it was completely closed up. I…read moreshould have checked the hours, but they're so darned limited anyway that it's useless for most. Erected in 1828 for making shot. Molten lead, poured through a sieve at the top, dropped into a tank of water inside the base. Height 234 feet, 3 inches. Diameter at base 40 feet. At top 20 feet. Owned by the City of Baltimore.

This past Saturday, my husband and I were able to visit the Phoenix Shot Tower, also known as the…read moreOld Baltimore Shot Tower, which is a red brick shot tower, 234 feet tall, at the foot of the Jones Falls Expressway. When it was completed in 1828, it was the tallest structure in the United States. The tower was originally known as the "Phoenix Shot Tower", then the "Merchants' Shot Tower", and now is also sometimes called the "Old Baltimore Shot Tower". It is the only surviving shot tower among three that existed in Baltimore, and was designated a National Historic Landmark on November 11, 1971. The Phoenix Shot Tower was named for the lead shot that was manufactured there from 1828 to 1892. Molten lead was dropped from a platform at the top of the tower, traveling through a colander-like device into a vat of cold water to create the shot.