Not exactly the safest hike since I went down closer to bridge trekking through rocks LOTS before…read moregetting to platform then took steep steps up only to find trail closed Oops!

Definitely a hidden spot, but not quite a gem. The place needs upkeep. Steep downhill walk, you…read moredefinitely need shoes with traction; one wrong move and you could impale yourself in one of the rebars sticking out along the trail. The viewing platform is old and needs reinforcement. The site is pretty especially with the autumn colors, but desperately needs work. There are two viewing spots: one on the deck right near the falls, and one concrete path spanning the creek and you can view the whole falls.

I love tulips, so when I read about this place, I couldn't wait to visit. It's located as the…read morecenter of an expensive Baltimore block, surrounded by million dollar homes. There is no start or end, so just park on one of the surrounding streets and walk over. We were there the third weekend in April, and while the tulips were definitely past their peak, and many were completely gone, there were plenty of flower beds of tulips still blooming. Plus, almost all of the azaleas were blooming. I loved that they had so many different colored tulips and azaleas. They did different combination of colors in all the different flower beds, so we ended up seeing some surprisingly beautiful displays, even with some tulips no longer blooming. We weren't there very long because it was cold out, but this would be a great spot for engagement pictures or a picnic.

Sherwood Gardens is a privately owned community park in the Guilford neighborhood of Baltimore. A…read morenonprofit raises money for the gardens' maintenance and the spring planting. Although it's a privately owned park, the gardens are open to the public, with street parking on all sides. Up to 70,000 tulip bulbs are planted annually along with other spring flowering bulbs. The gardens are charming but as with anything spring-related, spring is shorter and shorter and less and less predictable. Use your best judgment to get the photos you see here. This spring, we had a mid-April heat wave and by this past Saturday, the tulips were already looking quite rough and the daffodils were gone altogether. For the best blooms and pictures, pay attention to the weather. The spring flowers were most beautiful early in April this year and the heat wave cut their beauty a bit short this year. When we visited on Saturday, it was certainly still a lovely place for a walk, and we did see plenty of people taking pictures and enjoying the gardens. However, it wasn't as beautiful by then as we might have expected for early April. A lovely little park. You can take a walk, read a book, take photos, enjoy a picnic... Certainly take advantage if you live in or are visiting this area of North Baltimore - especially in those weeks of the years when the tulips are in full strength and beauty!

Great hike for all ages and most abilities. I went hiking with my brother and his family and they…read morehave 4 kids ages 3-9. There is a Porta Potty at the beginning of the trail in the parking lot. The trail is well maintained. The are parts where the elevation is a little steep and long. If you have lunch issues then the elevated parts may be an issue. There is one part where you have to cross the river that requires some balance and walking across stones or through the water, whichever you prefer. The trail has tree roots on it in several parts, so watch your ankles so you don't roll them. There are benches along the way to sit rest on and there are benches at the end of the trail overlooking the falls. The falls has a little pool below it that is fun for the kids who like to wade in it. There are large flat stone spaces where you can sit and observe the falls.

Beautiful spot for a family splash. Reserve your spot in advance to ensure you are able to park. We…read moregot there early on our reservation day and had plenty of space and peaceful time there.

Patapsco State Park is a huge, beautiful plot of land accessible from multiple areas of MD…read more For only $2 car, collected in an unattended Honor Box, you get access to acres and acres of nature's finest greenery scattered among hills and rocks and boulders to hike through trails of trees, streams, waterfalls, and more. Because of the tall trees, you get plenty of shade while walking through the woods. I take my young children who can effortlessly conquer 3 miles of the trail without hesitation. It's an awesome nature experience hearing the birds chirp & insects buzz, seeing the small schools of fish being carried down the stream, the crawling creatures perfectly positioned for nature enthusiasts capturing photos. The park entry also allows you to use the open grass areas to picnic or grab a grill. The water is practically a beach area as I've seen multiple families lined up on both sides of the bridge enjoying the cool water. As well as my children and I. There's plenty of parking. The bridge is a highlight boasting wonderful opportunities for pictures with beautiful natural lighting. There's also some train tracks on the other side of the bridge perfect for photo ops but BEWARE! it is a functional and operating train track! My family and I can't get enough of this park. Definitely experience it for yourself.

There's a resident Bald Eagle in the park now and I've seen him five times this spring. Saw him…read moreflying upstream with a fish in his talons today. Woodpeckers, blue jays, and nuthatches were there today.

Our retired women's group walks each week at Jonas Green Park. The paths are paved & well…read moremaintained. The loop is short but we go around several times. Parking and bathrooms are available and you can't beat the views.

We wanted to go to Sandy Point Beach Park one Saturday afternoon, but the lot was full. I asked one…read moreof the cops directing traffic for another recommendation and he said "Google Jonas Green." Which I did, and 15 minutes later we were at Jonas Green, and there were lots of spots available. Jonas Green is a small park, with a small and very calm beach -- perfect for our toddler. Like most of the waterfront around Annapolis, it has beautiful views, plus restrooms, grills and picnic tables, and a nice variety of people: couples, families, kids. Very family friendly and quiet. We loved it, and will definitely go back.

Amazing hiking trails! Trails are pretty accessible for all levels…read more The trail maps need updating as there are some new trails.

It's closed for months to repair a sewage siphon in spring, which is ridiculous. There's a sewage…read morepipe that empties into the waterfall area, but people don't seem to care and they swim, even though you can smell the sewage. The whole place and even the forest is littered with hard lemonade and beer bottles, babies diapers, dog poop and all kinds of food wrappers.

What a gem! Chessie's Big Backyard is such a great spot for kids (and grown-ups who like a good…read morewalk). The walking trails were really nice--well maintained with peaceful forest views. Perfect for a stroller, and some nature scavenger hunts. The playground itself is huge and looked really well cared for. The toddler area was unfortunately closed during our visit, but the rest of the space more than made up for it. There are tons of benches and seating all around, and you can see most of the playground from just about anywhere, which is so helpful when you're keeping an eye on kiddos. There's a massive covered pavilion area that would be perfect for group meetups or a picnic in the shade. And while it was still closed for the season, the splash pad/water park area looked like fun! Definitely planning to come back in the summer to check it out! Such a great spot to have in the area!

Would definitely come here again didn't know that it was a park with a waterpark next to it just…read morefor small kids nothing major nothing big but it's still amazing. Granddaughter had a blast.

Divided into 6 parts, it's not possible to do it in one day or even one week. Each part is…read moredifferent, although there is overlap. It could take a lifetime to get to know this park well. It's pretty huge. In fact, it's Maryland's largest state park. I spent 4 days here camping recently and barely scratched the surface. There are lots of hiking trails for all levels. There are numerous bike trails that are flat and easy, including the famous Torrey C. Brown rail trail that goes for about 20 miles and crosses into Pennsylvania. And there's also a fair amount of mountain bike trails that range from moderate to difficult. There are places to swim and picnic too. All of it is family friendly. Essentially, the park is the land all along both sides of the Little Gunpowder Falls River. You'll just have to see it for yourself. I can recommend Jesse's Trail and Pleasantville area loop for mountain biking; Torrey C. Brown rail trail (an all-weather trail made of crushed stone that's flat and smooth) for both hiking and biking; and Hobo Beach for a dip in the water. Parking can be challenging, so the earlier in the day, the better.

a magnificent state park offering endless opportunities for outdoor adventure! with scenic hiking…read moretrails, beautiful river views, kayak and canoe launches, and peaceful picnic areas, it is a perfect destination for nature lovers, families, and anyone looking to relax outdoors.

Absolutely gorgeous gardens and the best part is that admission is completely free…read more Rain or shine, the gardens were stunning and exceptionally well maintained. We were impressed by the variety of plant collections, some of which rivaled gardens we had previously paid admission to visit. Parking was free and we chose to park at the Visitor Center. However, those planning to visit the Butterfly Experience should park closer to the Conservatory, as the walk between the two was fairly substantial. The map was detailed and pathways were well maintained, making the grounds accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. We purchased tickets for the Butterfly Experience and check in was quick and seamless. I did find the additional $2 service charge unfortunate, especially since there was no option to purchase tickets in person. Thankfully, staff were flexible with entry timing. The volunteers were incredibly kind and guided visitors through the double door system efficiently. Inside, butterflies freely flew around the conservatory and many rested on the ground, so we had to stay mindful of where we stepped. I especially appreciated the bulletin board displaying all the butterfly species currently housed inside. The Children's Garden was relatively small but wonderfully colorful and dense with greenery. The vibrant artwork throughout added a whimsical charm that made the area feel playful and inviting. Nearby, the Winter Garden and Camellia Garden were similarly well maintained, though neither was particularly abundant in blooms during our visit. I still appreciated the many art installations scattered throughout the surrounding trails. The Fragrance Garden absolutely lived up to its name and ended up being one of my favorite sections. Beyond the floral aromas surrounding the garden, the entire area felt incredibly serene and the air itself felt remarkably fresh and crisp. The Japanese Tea House was beautifully simplistic, featuring plain wooden benches along the exterior while overlooking still water framed by lush Japanese trees. The Anderson Pavilion offered a similar tranquil atmosphere on the opposite side of the Visitor Center, though surrounded by a different collection of trees and landscaping. The Visitor Center contained a small gift shop, though I did not notice many customized or particularly memorable souvenirs. The building otherwise seemed primarily dedicated to educational programming and exhibits. The grounds were incredibly well maintained and there was an impressive variety of gardens to explore and interact with. While I found the Butterfly Experience somewhat expensive, it would absolutely be worthwhile for those who have never visited an active conservatory before. Otherwise, the free portions of Brookside Gardens alone make this an easy and worthwhile stop for anyone in the area.

This is a lovely park and served as a great alternative to going downtown to see the cherry…read moreblossoms. They have areas to sit with various views of the lake. Dogs are not allowed unless they are service animals. There are centers on the premises that have bathrooms in addition to events and programs they give yearly.

Large shady park, views, nice playground…read more We come here fairly frequently for the long shady paths and many benches. There's parking on three sides, but it can get tight. We entered up a gradual ramp from the southeast edge, instead of the steps at other entrances to the park. The park is a little elevated, so there are nice views across the Patapsco and Inner Harbor, and of Ravens Stadium. You can see a cool 55-foot whirligig / windvane sculpture behind the American Visionary Art Museum. (Jun 2026). There are monuments and at least one informational / historical panel to read. We really liked the playground!

Delightful park that tackles the pirate theme with sabers drawn! From the Signal Hill Tower slide…read moreto the many cannons, kids 3-10 will enjoy! I do admit that the lack of public restrooms makes staying too long with little ones challenging, and several of the smaller play items do need to be refurbished... but overall a great time nonetheless!