Top Rated Parks to Visit in Bel Air

"We know the Inner Harbor is the first stop for many Baltimore travelers. But before you visit the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, Power Plant and Historic Ships, get a birds-eye perspective of the attractions clustered around the waterfront at Federal Hill Park, a 10-acre, elevated park that was once defended by the city during the War of 1812. Wear comfortable shoes to climb the 99 steps to the top."

"Federal Hill Park showcases visitors with lush nature and relaxing views facing the port of the inner harbor. Furthermore, this park consists of numerous artistic views that are perfect for photoshopping and educational purposes. Moreover, their friendly staff is well maintained that caters to their client’s needs and inquiries within the park."

"If you’re looking for a park with a view, this is your place. This park is located in Federal Hill with easy access to residents in Riverside. Federal Hill Park isn’t an off-leash dog park, but it is the perfect place for a long scenic walk with your pup."

"Patterson Park is another great urban park that includes a swimming pool, ice skating rink, tennis courts, lake, lots of green space and walkways, and the pagoda (shown below) that is decorated in lights for the holidays and surrounded by blooms in spring. There’s plenty of space for long walks or runs, picnics, and events that are hosted there like the Baltimore Kite Festival and Wine at Sunset concerts."

"Spread over 295 acres of land area, Patterson Park features a Pagoda build in a unique Chinese style. The site boasts a massive park, an ice skating rink and a lake. A perfect location for nature lovers with fantastic vistas of Baltimore."

"Location on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/o9HTGnUz1Sufy2Bv8. Photo source: Daily News. Nicknamed the “Best Backyard in Baltimore“, for many it’s their favorite park to visit on Sunday."

"Cylburn Arboretum is 200 acres of trees, gardens, and manicured lawns that are especially nice to visit in spring when the flowers are blooming. The park is centered around Cylburn Mansion which was built in 1863 and is open for tours, including a holiday open house in the winter. The park also includes 3.5 miles of hiking trails through the surrounding woods, a greenhouse used for educational programs, and events like the annual Market Day."

"Full of gardens, greenhouses, wooded paths, and angelic statues, the arboretum is the perfect place for a quiet proposal where the two of you will have each other’s undivided attention. The Cylburn Arboretum also regularly hosts wedding ceremonies, so you know the location is ripe for romance."

"The Cylburn Arboretum off of Greenspring Avenue is just really fantastic. The grounds are sprawling and there is so much open space to run and play and enjoy seeing the trees and other plant life. There are over 20 individual gardens and some of the coolest old trees I have ever seen."

"The Bygone is a bar and lounge located on the top floor of the Four Seasons Hotel in the Harbor East neighborhood. It’s Instagrammable not only for its 1920’s-style, glitzy decor, but for its beautiful view of the city from its patio and floor-to-ceiling windows. The Bygone also has some strong cocktails with nice presentation, made to be photographed before they’re enjoyed."

"Bygone, located on International Drive in the Harbor East neighborhood, offers an eclectic mix of old Baltimore with a modern edge. It is an American gastro bistro that blends hip,..."

"Brewer's Art bar is a perfect example of the contradiction that characterizes Baltimore’s nightlife. The upstairs consists of an upmarket and elegant bar that resembles the living room of a 19th century lawyer .On the other hand, the downstairs section has an underground bar scene that attracts artists, college students and revelers seeking privacy in the shadows. The Brewer’s Art is famous for brewing a brown ale called Resurrection,which is arguably the best beer in Baltimore."

"Resurrection is one of the brews local beer lovers introduce to out-of-towners first. It’s flavorful and full-bodied, but the abbey brown ale works regardless of the weather or setting. Best sipped in the handsome upstairs bar of the Midtown-Belvedere establishment that shares its name."

"People come from all over the world to have the G & M crab cake. And they take them all over the world, too. Because the restaurant is just five minutes from Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, G&M is a frequent pre-boarding stop for travelers who want to take home a Maryland crab cake or eat one on the plane."

"The lime green exterior of Spring Cafe signals a new arrival to the Avenue. Inside, owner Rose Ebadi and her parents, former physicians, are serving up tea and cuisine from their native Afghanistan. “In Afghanistan, green tea is really big,” Ebadi said."

"While cafes half as popular as this Reservoir Hill fixture discourage lingering in hopes of turning your table, the Dovecote crew goes out of its way to make sure you don't skedaddle. But the warm family vibe extends well past the hospitality into the eats. The baked goods are especially appealing, including all manner of sticky buns and muffins and the sought-after peach upside-down cake (co-owner Gilda Pew's secret recipe)."

"Located in the historically Black neighborhood of Reservoir Hill, this shop runs itself as a community-focused third space first and a cafe second. A standout in the local coffee scene, Dovecote Cafe is high-energy, one of the great cultural hub cafes in America today. From the outside the space is instantly striking, with former display windows from the building’s pharmacy days now forming an alcove entryway."

"Discover local personalities, learn from in-house workshops and taste hand-crafted food and drink offerings at Dovecote Café. This Black-owned business near Druid Hill Park typically serves as a gathering place for creatives and makers alike. Sit down, try upside down cake or a breakfast burger and endure the welcoming space full of colorful murals made by Baltimoreans."

"With two locations in Baltimore, the downtown location of Café Poupon offers a small breakfast and lunch menu, and while it may not have a ton of options, everything they serve is fantastic. It is also a full bakery that takes orders for weddings and events, and offers baked goods to eat in or to take out. Its cakes are extravagant, unique, and made with great attention to detail, and the sweet treats in the shop are baked to perfection."

"In reality, it’s something much more: Vaccaro’s is a testament to the institution that is dessert. Perfect as a date spot but just as viable for a late night dessert binge, the glass case is stacked with a whole variety of options, the most notable of which being the cannoli cake. The alternating layers of the richest cannoli cream and ethereally light cake will bring a single tear to your eye as you stare, dumbfounded, across the still waters of the Inner Harbor."

"Vaccaro’s isn’t my favorite dessert place in Baltimore anymore, but I still have a soft spot for them because they were one of the first places I visited when I moved to Charm City. As a college student, I often came here to indulge my sweet tooth, and I found a lot of comfort in their food. They do everything from pastries to paninis, but my favorite thing to get here is their chocolate dipped cannoli."

"With a long legacy of treating the nation, you can be sure to find a dessert at Vaccaro’s that'll satisfy your sweet tooth. Yep, we're talking indulgent snickers volcanos, death by chocolate, mouthwatering slices of cannoli cake and even cheesecake topped with gelato, hot fudge and whipped topping. Looking for a signature?"