Calendar of Events

All events were scheduled at the time of posting. Please confirm with event hosts before making plans.

Interested in a family friendly events list? Check out Sarah's Family Friendly Event Picks!

January

Through January 17

Inner Harbor Ice Rink. The Inner Harbor Ice Rink will return this year to kick off the holiday season in Baltimore. The Ice Rink will be open daily and there will be skate rentals available. The first 100 children will get free ice skating and skate rentals. $10 adults; $9 seniors, children & military; $4 skate rental; $150 season pass. 12PM-10PM Monday - Thursday; 12PM-11PM Friday; 10AM-11PM Saturday; 10AM-8PM Sunday. Top of the Amphitheater, Inner Harbor, 201 E Pratt St., Baltimore. https://www.waterfrontpartnership.org/waterfront-fun/inner-harbor-ice-rink/

Through February

Winter Village. Four Season Hotel Baltimore’s seasonal Winter Village returns to the Hotel’s outdoor terrace. The rooftop terrace will once again transform into a winter wonderland complete with an 1,800 sq. foot synthetic skating rink, all new cabanas with sleek fire pits for rent, festive food and beverage, and so much more. The Winter Village experience will be open to both hotel guests and locals alike Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 2PM-7PM. For additional information or to RSVP, visit Tock or call the Hotel directly at 410.576.5800. Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, 200 International Dr., Baltimore. https://www.harboreast.com/businesses/four-seasons-hotel-baltimore/

3-14

Downtown Discovery Days. DDD is an opportunity for all families to enjoy the outstanding museums, exhibits and businesses Downtown has to offer at a significantly discounted price, or free. By extending the promotion for more than a week, Downtown Partnership is giving the public more time to attend these attractions and eliminate the long lines that typically occurred when the event was just two days. For a list of participating attractions and organizations, see link. Prices, times and locations vary. https://godowntownbaltimore.com/event/downtown-discovery-days/

14-15

Elvis' Birthday Fight Club. “Elvis" and Kittie Glitter take care of business as hosts of this hilarious underground fight club. In seven elaborately staged rounds, this action-packed evening includes flim-flam fisticuffs, cartoon-like violence, below-the-belt comedy, and hot tah-tahs. Elvis' Birthday Fight Club answers the timeless schoolyard question of "who would win in a fight between..." The Fight Roster is a closely guarded secret, and trying to anticipate what the writer’s team will come up with is half the fun. The punch-drunk logic of Elvis' Birthday Fight Club is that "Commodious" (The King's toilet) is determined to make Elvis' dying wish a reality: that people would not only celebrate his birthday with cake and quaaludes, but also with backalley fisticuffs and "hot tah-tahs." Commodious has assembled the best "Elvis" he could afford and scored him a hot sidekick, Kittie Glitter. These two hosts oversee a subversive, surreal, and silly annual braw to honor The King of Rock N Roll. Get your tickets quick, this one usually sells out! Covid restrictions in place, see link for details. $28, $25 members, $40 Reserved Front Rows (+$3 Service Fee). 7:30PM & 9:30PM Friday, 7PM & 9PM Saturday. Creative Alliance at the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://www.creativealliance.org/events/2022/elvis-birthday-fight-club

14 - February 27

Pop-Up Ice Rink. The outdoor tennis courts at Johns Hopkins University get little use in the winter, so administrators have decided to put them to another use. From Jan. 14 to Feb. 27, the Homewood Tennis Courts near Charles Street and University Parkway will become a “pop-up ice rink,” free to JHU students and employees. There will be free hot chocolate, free skate rentals and special weekend hours for the community. Advance registration will be required for 90-minute sessions, and an online pre-registration system will be available in early January. Check back for more details. FREE. Johns Hopkins University Tennis Courts, Charles St & University Pkwy, Baltimore. https://hub.jhu.edu/2021/12/02/johns-hopkins-ice-rink-at-homewood/

Craft Your Own Cocktail Class. Always wanted to learn how to make cocktails like the pros? Gather in the tasting room with individual stations to make two of Sagamore's signature cocktails. Get ready to get hands-on creating these thirst-quenching cocktails! Tickets for this experience are sold in groups of two. *There will be updated tasting protocols and social restrictions when visiting Sagamore Spirit. $25. 6:30PM. Sagamore Spirit Distillery, 301 E Cromwell St., Baltimore. https://sagamorespirit.com/tours-and-events/craft-your-own-cocktail-class/

15-16

Havre de Grace Ice Festival. When the world goes into hibernation and endless days of Netflix binging, what better way to bring people out for a weekend of fun and entertainment than with Havre de Grace Ice Festival’s “Heroes & Villains!” This FREE event transforms the city into a magical winter wonderland with beautifully lit ice sculptures of all your favorite heroes and villains. Collaborations with the City of Havre de Grace, downtown merchants, non-profits and other groups create an overall experience that is a family-friendly showcase of Havre de Grace’s charm in all her winter splendor. Experience the live ice carving demonstrations, bands, artisans, chili cook-off, live theatre performances, kids’ stations, contests, in-store specials, food trucks, costumed characters, street performers, live radio broadcasts, outdoor hot toddy bar, fire pits, s’mores and more. You can even try your hand at ice sculpting by carving your name into a graffiti wall or join in the kids’ parade and be crowned Ice Prince or Princess! Grab your hat & mittens and join us in downtown Havre de Grace this January to make memories you won’t soon forget! FREE. 3PM-8PM. Downtown Havre de Grace, 450 Pennington Ave., Havre de Grace. https://www.visitharford.com/event/the-havre-de-grace-ice-festival/11894/

Winter Collages: Brrr . . Youth art workshop (virtual). Participants will use cool colors to make beautiful landscapes with trees and snow. Add blue and silver torn paper, silhouettes, whatever you imagine. You can even make it an abstract winter design! FREE, but registration required. 10AM-11:30AM. Cultural Center at the Opera House, 121 N. Union Ave., Havre de Grace. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-collages-brrr-virtual-tickets-181980627957

Kid's Terrarium Workshop. Let the kids create their own tiny world with a fun and exciting mini terrarium planting and decorating workshop. Instructors will assist kids and help teach them how to build your very own terrarium. All materials provided including mini moisture-loving plants such as polka dot plants, ferns and peperonmia, an open top glass bowl and a variety of colored sands, reindeer moss, or terrarium moss. Perfect for ages 4-12. $35. 4:30PM-5:30PM. Explorganics Plant Shop, 37 N Main St., Bel Air. https://www.explorganics.com/workshops-classes

Craft Your Own Brunch Cocktails Class. Looking to kick off your Sunday bright and early? Indulge with Sagamore Spirit for their Craft Your Own Brunch Cocktails Class. Come join a Sagamore team member as they walk you through the history of Sagamore Spirit. Gather in one of the tasting rooms with individual stations to make some brunch themed cocktails, a Whiskey Crush and a Vanilla Whiskey Cold Brew. Tickets to this class will be sold in groups of two. There will be updated tasting protocols and social restrictions when visiting Sagamore Spirit. $25. 10:30AM. Sagamore Spirit Distillery, 301 E Cromwell St., Baltimore. https://sagamorespirit.com/tours-and-events/craft-your-own-brunch-cocktails-class/

Sunday Funday - Bloody Mary Brunch. Join the chefs at Schola for some decadent brunch favorites including a Bloody Mary bar with all of the fixins'. Schola is BYOB, so you will need to bring your own alcohol. The menu for this class includes Prime Rib Potato Hash with Poached Egg & Hollandaise; Sausage Biscuits & Gravy; Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Pancakes & Seasonal Fruit; and, a make your own Omelette Station. $65. 11:30AM-2:30PM. Schola, 916 N Charles St., Baltimore. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunday-funday-bloody-mary-brunch-tickets-203372391297

Plant Care 101 Class. Whether you're just getting started, or have been growing houseplants for years, Plant Care 101 will educate you on all the basics of plant care and houseplant maintenance. This class will teach you how to water, feed and light your plants correctly. During this class you will learn about: watering; feeding and fertilizing; sunlight; houseplant do's and don'ts; and, proper houseplant placement in your home. Perfect for ages 16+. $20. 2:30PM-3:30PM. Explorganics Plant Shop, 37 N Main St., Bel Air. https://www.explorganics.com/workshops-classes

Full Moon Hike and Campfire. Join a nighttime adventure and explore the grounds of Leight Park to see what critters are doing after dark in the full moon. This program is for ages 8 to adult, under 13 w/adult. $8. 6PM-7:30PM. Otter Point, 700 Otter Point Rd., Abingdon. https://www.visitharford.com/event/full-moon-hike-and-campfire/11865/

MLK Dare to Dream Day 2022. A celebration in honor of the life and dreams of one of the greatest visionaries in America's history. During your visit on MLK Day, learn more about AVAM’s Visionary Artists of Color, grab a take-home Wear Your Dream button art kit, hear MLK’s famous “I have a dream” speech, and more! AVAM is FREE for all - please reserve your tickets now! Tickets are limited. FREE.10AM-5PM. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy., Baltimore. https://www.avam.org/event-details/mlk-dare-to-dream-day-2022

Baking Bread for Kids. In this cooking class, participants will tackle one of the most rewarding and enjoyable tasks in the kitchen...making bread! Nothing beats that smell! Join the chefs at Schola and talk about leavening agents and different types of flour, break baking ovens and different techniques of the trade. You'll also bake five different types of bread: Irish soda bread; focaccia; whole grain bread; flat breads; and, the old school Parker House rolls. $59. 12PM-2:30PM. Schola, 916 N Charles St., Baltimore. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/baking-bread-for-kids-tickets-203272311957

The Art of Baking Bread. In this cooking class, participants will tackle one of the most rewarding and enjoyable tasks in the kitchen...making bread! Nothing beats that smell! Join the chefs at Schola and talk about leavening agents and different types of flour, break baking ovens and different techniques of the trade. You'll also bake five different types of bread: Irish soda bread; focaccia; whole grain bread; flat breads; and, the old school Parker House rolls. $59. 6PM-8:30PM. Schola, 916 N Charles St., Baltimore. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-art-of-baking-bread-tickets-203268841577

18-23

The Prom. Everyone’s invited to the joyous Broadway hit! New York Magazine hails it “smart and big-hearted” while The New York Times declares it “makes you believe in musical comedy again!” The Prom is a new musical comedy about big Broadway stars, a small town, and a love that unites them all. Ticket prices and times vary. The Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N Eutaw St., Baltimore. https://baltimore.broadway.com/shows/the-prom/

Vegetarian Noodle Bowls. The chefs at Schola recently began reexamining how they ate, and as a result, started adding more hearty vegetarian foods to their class schedule. As big pasta fans, and as opposed to cooking these dishes with various meats, they are adding in lots of vegetables for more protein and nutrients. Join them for the Vegetarian Noodle Bowls class to make and enjoy: Pad Thai with Coconut Red Curry & Assorted Vegetables; Soba Noodles with Spicy Sesame Peanut Sauce; Snow Peas & Red Peppers; Mediterranean Noodle Bowl with Roasted Tomatoes, Artichokes, Kalamata Olives & more; Handmade Ramen with Mushroom Broth & Roasted Vegetable Toppings; and, Zucchini Pasta. $65. 6PM-8:30PM. Schola, 916 N Charles St., Baltimore. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vegetarian-noodle-bowls-tickets-221534675177

Margaritaville Happy Hour Class. Join the chefs at Schola for a fun Happy Hour class. Participants will make Guacamole, Salsa Verde & Pico de Gallo; Black Beans & Rice; Tacos con Ropa Viejo with Handmade Tortillas; Chipotle Braised Chicken, Queso Bianco & Corn Chili Rellenos; Queso con Chorizo with Tortilla Chips; and, Churros with Cinnamon & Sugar. Yum! Schola is BYOB so don't forget to bring along your choice of drink, if you choose. $65. 6PM-8:30PM. Schola, 916 N Charles St., Baltimore. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/margaritaville-happy-hour-tickets-203265070297

21-30

Harford County Restaurant Week. Harford County Restaurant Week returns and you're invited to enjoy 10 days of delicious dining at participating restaurants. See link for list of participating restaurants. https://www.visitharford.com/restaurant-week/

Date Night - Seafood. As the weather keeps getting warmer, we start thinking about great seafood as the main attraction in our special dinners. And there's no better place than the Chesapeake Bay for great seafood! For the first course participants will place plump cornmeal fried oysters atop a mixed herb salad with lemon vinaigrette and Old Bay Mayo. Then butter poach lobster tails to go with roast corn, tomato and basil risotto with crispy shallots. And for dessert, a spiced peach cobbler with chantily cream and candied walnuts. $85. 6PM-9PM. Schola, 916 N Charles St., Baltimore. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/date-night-seafood-tickets-203352060487

The National Players present "A Raisin in the Sun". National Players is honored to portray this award-winning drama with a universal story about an African American family dealing with prejudice, history, and a world where everything changes. $15, $10 students. 7PM-9PM. Cultural Center at the Opera House, 121 N. Union Ave., Havre de Grace. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-national-players-present-a-raisin-in-the-sun-tickets-221422830647

Harbor Point Ice Festival. The Harbor Point Ice Festival returns with LIVE ice carving! Watch award-winning sculptors use chainsaws and chisels to create spectacular icy creations before your eyes! There will be food trucks, and hot and cold beverages for sale during the event. FREE. 11AM-6PM. Harbor Point Central Plaza, 1310 Point St., Baltimore. https://www.harborpoint.com/hp-ice-festival

Venus Fly Trap Terrarium Workshop. Join Explorganics for a fun, educational workshop to learn how to grow and care for your own carnivorous plant! Instructors will walk you through the steps of creating a miniature work of art in a 1-gallon open terrarium with your choice of additional plants, moss and pebbles. After building the terrariums, Shannon will go over all the care instructions for how to feed and take great care of your bug eating plant at home. Perfect for ages 6+. $50. 4:30PM-5:30PM. Explorganics Plant Shop, 37 N Main St., Bel Air. https://www.explorganics.com/workshops-classes

Harbor Point Ice Festival After Hours. Join Bar Movement and Baltimore-favorite DJ Impulse for Ice Fest After Hours, an icy party under the lights of the Central Plaza! FREE. 6PM-9PM. Harbor Point Central Plaza, 1310 Point St., Baltimore. https://www.harborpoint.com/hp-ice-festival

Sunday Swing-Ain't Misbehavin' Concert. Heat up your winter with an afternoon of music from Ain't Misbehavin' Big Band, at The Highlands School. Be ready to dance to their infectious beat and bring your mask. $10. 3PM-4:30PM. The Highlands School, 2409 Creswell Rd., Bel Air. https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTQwMTU3

Fairy Garden Carafe Planter & Coffee Flight Night @ CoffeeBar. Create a fun Fairy Garden inside a recycled coffee carafe while enjoying your choice of 4 lattes handcrafted by CoffeeBar paired with local homemade sweets!! Instructors will guide you through the process of building your very own terrarium and provide all the materials including mini moisture-loving plants such as polka dot plants, ferns and peperomia, an open top glass bowl, and a variety of colored sands, reindeer moss, or terrarium moss. Perfect for ages 18+. $50. 5PM-6PM. CoffeeBar, 5 N Main St., Bel Air. https://www.explorganics.com/workshops-classes

The Art of Making Pasta III. Join the chefs at Schola as they continue to explore the endless world of making great pasta. In Pasta III class participants start to explore flavored doughs – a spinach and lemon zest fettuccini tossed in a tomato cream sauce and a porcini mushroom cannelloni stuffed with ricotta and sage. Then you’ll shape by hand some different and uncommon shapes – the Tuscan pinci, pencil thick strands in a traditional tomato sauce and the ‘ear’ pasta – orecchiette with sausage and bitter greens. You do not have to take any of the other pasta classes to take Pasta III. $59. 6PM-8:30PM. Schola, 916 N Charles St., Baltimore. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-art-of-making-pasta-iii-tickets-203287888547

Thai Food Basics. In this class, you will prepare six of classic Thai dishes and enjoy them family style, as is the tradition in Thailand. Menu includes: Vegetable Summer Rolls with Dipping Sauce; Tom Yum Soup with Mushrooms; Marinated Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce; Pad Thai with Stir Fried Vegetables; Coconut Curry Shrimp; Thai Basil Beef; and, Jasmine rice to accompany all of these dishes! $79.99. 6PM-8:30PM. Schola, 916 N Charles St., Baltimore. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thai-food-basics-tickets-203346012397

Date Night - Asian Cuisine. Join the chefs at Schola for some Asian favorites for Date Night. Bring your favorite sous chef in for some fun in the kitchen! Menu to include: an assortment of Dim Sum - Shrimp & Pork Wontons with Chili Garlic Dipping Sauce, Crispy Eggplant, and Mushroom Rangoons; Peking Duck Breasts with Baby Bok Choy & Mandarin Pancakes; and, Asian Five Spice Chocolate Cake. $85. 6PM-9PM. Schola, 916 N Charles St., Baltimore. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/date-night-asian-cuisine-tickets-203348840857

Virtual Artist Talk with Photographer Jon Kolkin: Being Respectful When Photographing in Unfamiliar Cultural Settings. Dr. Kolkin has decades of experience engaged in humanitarian work worldwide, and photographing in a diverse range of cultural settings. During this presentation he will share details about his immersive experiences, and their application to photographing both within the United States and abroad. RSVP required to receive link to webinar. FREE. 7PM-8PM. https://www.avam.org/event-details/virtual-artist-talk-with-photographer-jon-kolkin-being-respectful-when-photographing-in-unfamiliar-cultural-settings

Visible Mending Workshop. Visible mending is a great way to lengthen the lifespan of your clothes through unique, personalized embroidery, weaving, and patching. Bring clothes with small holes or tears and practice a Sashiko stitch, embroidery darning, and patching with local artist (and BMI educator) Jesse Lentz. Hand sewing experience is preferable but not required. Suitable for ages 12+. Registration includes museum admission (open 9 AM-3 PM). Students are responsible for their own supplies: needles, pins, thread, scissors, darning egg or mushroom, embroidery floss and embroidery hoops. $25; $20 members. 10:30AM-12PM. Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Hwy., Baltimore. https://www.thebmi.org/programs-events/visible-mending-workshop/

Korean BBQ. Although they‘ve been around for a long time, Korean BBQ joints are becoming more and more popular and the chefs at Schola have become huge fans of this style of eating! Although Korean cuisine goes much further than just barbecue, this class will focus on this unique dining experience. Take this class and explore the Korean ‘Mother Sauces or Jangs, try to understand the pickling process of Kimchi, create a vast array of Banchans, or side dishes, make your own Ssamjang, the ubiquitous Korean Barbecue condiment and bring all this the table where you’ll grill Kalbi, marinated short ribs and a few other treats only to wrap them in lettuce and enjoy! $79.99. 5PM-8PM. Schola, 916 N Charles St., Baltimore. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/korean-bbq-tickets-203389241697

Pig, Pickles, Smoke & Whiskey. Join the chefs at Schola and discover their most favorite culinary delights. This class will be part butchering, part sausage making, part BBQ and part pickling & canning. You’ll butcher a bone-in pork rack from which you’ll make smoked pork chops, spicy sausage and cure some bacon. There will also be some pork ribs to roast. The chefs will demonstrate to the class the proper techniques for pickling and canning some traditional bread & butter pickles and asparagus. All you need to do is bring the whiskey. $79.99. 12PM-2:30PM. Schola, 916 N Charles St., Baltimore. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pig-pickles-smoke-whiskey-tickets-203375129487

Southern Sunday Supper. Classic Southern Dishes for an awesome Sunday Supper! The menu for this class is TBD, but there is guaranteed to be some fried chicken! $65. 4PM-6:30PM. Schola, 916 N Charles St., Baltimore. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southern-sunday-supper-tickets-221541866687

Knife Skills Class. The knife is the chef's most important tool! The class will start with a lecture about knives, how they're made, how to sharpen them and what the different types are used for. The class will then go to work practicing the basic cuts, large & small dice, batonettes, peeling with a paring knife and mincing. Each student will then go to work deboning their own chicken. Everything you cut up will become dinner! Please feel free to bring your own knives and instructors will help you sharpen them on their sharpening stones. $59. 6PM-8:30PM. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/knife-skills-tickets-221529279037

Farmers' Markets

Fells Point Farmers' Market (year-round). Located at the corner of Broadway and Thames Streets in historic Fell’s Point, this market is a long-standing tradition. (You can still see the old stall numbers etched in the curbs surrounding Broadway Square). Stop by for grab-and-go bites, fresh produce and spirits from local distillers. Located just blocks away from downtown hotels, it’s also easily accessible from Water Taxi Landing 11. Open Saturdays, December through April, from 9AM-12:30PM; May through November from 7:30AM-12:30PM. Broadway & Thames Streets, Baltmore. http://www.fellspointfarmersmarket.com/

32nd Street Farmers' Market (year-round). The Waverly Farmers Market is more than a source of good food, it’s also the Charles Village social event of the week. Open year-round, rain or shine, the market provides fresh fruit and veggies, thick slabs of meat ready for the barbecue as well as baked goods and preserves, among other culinary delights. Open Saturdays 7AM-12PM, all year long. Located in the parking lot at the intersection of E 32nd Street & Barclay Street, Baltimore. https://www.32ndstreetmarket.org/map/

Ongoing Online and Virtual Enrichment Events

Miscellaneous and Just for Fun

LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems! Mo Willems, beloved children's author, invites you into his studio every day for his lunch doodle. Learners worldwide can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by visiting Mo’s studio virtually once a day for the next few weeks. Grab some paper and pencils, pens, or crayons and join Mo to explore ways of writing and making together. If you post your art to social media, be sure to hashtag it with #MoLunchDoodles! New episodes will be posted each weekday at 1PM and then remain online to be streamed afterwards. Check back each weekday for new lunch doodles! FREE. https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems

Mitchell School of Fine Arts Classes. Artist-owner Trevor Twist has modified youth and adult art lessons of varying skill levels through a virtual classroom, focusing on artist expression across the likes of painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Ongoing. Times and prices vary. Via Zoom. https://www.mitchellartschool.com/classes--private-lessons.html

Museums, National Parks and Gardens

Volunteer Park Conservatory Live Stream. You can get "plant therapy" on your couch for free through their live streams. Word is these live streams happen around mid-day, but if you miss a live stream, Instagram holds onto them for 24 hours; just check out their "story." FREE. https://www.instagram.com/vpconservatory/

Virtual Tour of The Waddesdon Manorm in Waddesdon, England. This Neo-Renaissance style château that has been a Rothschild family home since the late 1800s. The house, the grounds, and the majority of the collections seen throughout the home have been left to the National Trust, so that the public can visit and appreciate the home and gardens. The gardens were designed by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild with help from landscape architect Elie Lainé. The breathtakingly beautiful interiors of Waddesdon Manor can also be virtually toured using the link provided. FREE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyYuxTfdtKo

Virtual Tour of Claude Monet’s Garden, Giverny, France. Claude Monet's garden inspired much of his painting. Royal Academy curator Ann Dumas introduces Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny in Normandy, which is open to the public between March and November and maintained by a team of gardeners led by James Priest. FREE. Garden tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjWx2WNXFF4.

Virtual Tour of Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago IL. With over 50,000 members, the Chicago Botanic Garden has the highest membership of any public garden in the United States. The Garden consists of 385 acres and has a grand total of 27 gardens and four natural areas. Some of the 27 gardens include the English Walled Garden, the Japanese Garden, and the Plant Science Center. Boyce Tankersley, director of plant documentation, takes you on a tour of what's in bloom this summer. FREE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV0Ryaw0hGc

Virtual Tour of Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Papaikou, HI. The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden sits on 17 acres and it includes not only its own garden, but a nature preserve as well. With waterfalls, streams, and a boardwalk situated on the Pacific coast, this virtual tour is certainly a calming one, both visually and audibly. Expect to see more than 2,000 plant species, including over 80 species of heliconias and bromeliads, not to mention coconut and mango palm trees that have been around for over a century. FREE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtZ0dcUzGX8

Virtual Tour of Kew Gardens, Richmond, England. Kew Gardens is part of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, which also includes Wakehurst, a historic house and garden located over an hour away, in West Sussex, England. Located on 326 acres and boasting its own palace, Kew Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This virtual tour of 10 of the top ten sites in the Kew Gardens, also includes Kew Palace, the main surviving structure is known as Dutch House, which was once the residence of King George III and his family. Kew Gardens and Wakehurst have a grand total of approximately 27,000 taxa of plants, over 8 million specimens of plants and fungal herbarium, and a seed bank that contains more than 40,000 species. FREE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioG_Vfh0Kxw

Virtual Tour Five National Parks. If you want to escape to the great outdoors, you can virtually explore national parks. Google Arts & Culture teamed up with five national parks across the country to provide video tours led by rangers. From glaciers in Alaska to volcanoes in Hawaii, the tours will take you on incredible journeys. FREE. https://artsandculture.withgoogle.com/en-us/national-parks-service/parks

Museum Tours from Around the World. On Google Arts & Culture, you can take a virtual tour of thousands of museums around the world. According to Fast Company, the tech giant partnered with more than 2,500 museums and galleries, some of which include the Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and London's National Gallery. FREE. https://artsandculture.google.com/partner?hl=en

Virtual Tour the Louvre. While the Louvre in France is closed, you can virtually tour their exhibits. Tours allow you to zoom in on certain pieces and descriptions for more information. FREE. https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne

Virtual Tour Buckingham Palace. An iconic building and official residence of The Queen, Buckingham Palace has been the focus of many moments of national celebration. It is also a busy working building welcoming tens of thousands of people through its gates each year for Investitures, Garden Parties, Audiences and other events. Explore this magnificent building via a virtual tour. FREE. https://www.royal.uk/virtual-tours-buckingham-palace

Virtual Tour of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Miami, FL. Vizcaya is a Mediterranean Revival-style villa with Baroque elements that was once the home of businessman James Deering. The estate consists of 43 acres. It took eight years and $15 million to build the villa, and another year to complete the Italian Renaissance-style gardens and Vizcaya Village, which consists of 11 buildings across 12 acres, including greenhouses, fields, staff quarters, a garage, barns, and workshops. Explore the grounds and buildings in this virtual tour. FREE. https://vizcaya.org/virtualtour/

Virtual Tour of The Frick Collection, New York, NY. This Beaux Arts-style mansion located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan was once home to Henry Clay Frick, one of the most prominent industrialists during the Gilded Age. Take a virtual tour and see Old Masters paintings, decorative arts, and European sculptures in this former residence turned art museum, which includes Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Whistler, Bellini, Vermeer, and Goya, to name a few. FREE. https://www.frick.org/visit/virtual_tour

Virtual Tour of the Vatican Museums. Instilling a sense of wonder in everyone who enters, the 15th century Sistine Chapel is most renowned for Michelangelo's ceiling frescos. You'll have them (and the rest of the place) to yourself if you visit virtually, before making your way through a whole series of Vatican Museums—not least, Raphael’s Room and the New Wing. FREE. http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/tour-virtuali-elenco.1.html

The National Museum of Natural History. One of the world's most visited museums, and in our own backyard, this branch of the Smithsonian is magic at keeping kids of all ages entertained and learning. If your household could use some of that right now, head on in and start exploring the fossils, ocean life, even the insect zoo. And for pure eye candy, hit the Gems and Minerals Wing, or the Butterfly Pavilion. FREE. https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour

Volcanoes National Park. It may not be the best known of our national parks, but Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island is certainly one of the most unforgettable, as you'll experience on this ranger-led tour. You’ll see stunning images of the rippling black rock formations and the still-fiery lava flows that feed them. You’ll also stand inside a rainforest, go underground to tour a lava tube and take a helicopter flight over an active volcano—a vantage you’d be hard pressed to find on an actual visit. FREE. https://artsandculture.withgoogle.com/en-us/national-parks-service/hawaii-volcanoes/nahuku-lava-tube-tour

The British Museum. Home to no fewer than 8,000,000 works, this is one of the world's largest collectiosn. Even the tiniest objects hold their own on this virtual tour - you can view individual pieces, play audio to learn more, and search for related works. There's also a scrolling capability that lets you go back thousands of years. FREE. https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/

Tour the Taj Mahal. Built by a 17th-century Mughal emperor in memory of his favorite wife, who died during childbirth, the Taj Mahal is one of the most lavish architectural tributes on earth. For perspective on how the marble exterior shade-shifts throughout the day, from early-morning pinks to dusky blues, check out this video. The persistent thrum of tour groups makes the scene that much more realistic. FREE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=665AHTNpf2o

Virtual Deep Dives. Immerse yourself in the deep blue sea. NOAA is willing to take you there gear and cost free: You can do a series of virtual dives through National Marine Sanctuaries, whether you want to peace out to the waters around American Samoa (don’t miss Big Momma), the Florida Keys (have a look at the Aquarius Reef Base research center) or any of several spots in between. FREE. https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/vr/

Street Art Tours. If you’ve ever turned a city corner to be stopped in your tracks by the Technicolor explosion of a mural, you know the impact of street art. You can explore the world’s best graffiti, from Buenos Aires to Bombay, in Google’s impressive Street Art collection. See dozens of collections of the world's street art including giant abstractions that transform no-nonsense industrial buildings in Moscow, portraits in the arrondissements of Paris, and in Berlin, relive the fall of the wall through its iconic graffiti. FREE. https://streetart.withgoogle.com/en/online-exhibitions

Northern Lights. The traditional version of Northern Lights chasing includes piling on layers of clothing, waddling into a gorgeous but bone chilling expanse, waiting, running inside to warm up and repeating this dance hoping that you don't miss your chance. One advantage of watching from home, which you can do thanks to Manitoba’s Churchill Northern Studies Center, is that you cut straight to nature’s most amazing light show. Late winter into early spring happens to be among the best times to tune in. FREE. https://explore.org/livecams/aurora-borealis-northern-lights/northern-lights-cam

The Great Wall of China. Of the Great Wall's 4,000 total miles, 3,000 or so are walkable. Visit this New Wonder of the World virtually and start doing reconnaissance for your own trek without wearing out the tread on your gym shoes. FREE. https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china

Zoos and Aquariums

Smithsonian National Zoo Webcams. Aquariums and zoos across the country are live streaming their animals, so you can see what they're up to. Smithsonian's National Zoo has webcams of naked mole-rats, lions, giant pandas, and elephants. While the webcams will remain online, the animals might not be visible because volunteers won't be operating the webcams. FREE. https://nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams

Houston Zoo Webcams. Tune in to the Houston Zoo webcams to see giraffes, gorillas, elephants, chimps, rhinos, and and leafcutter ants. FREE. https://www.houstonzoo.org/explore/webcams/

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Webcams. Through 10 webcams, you can virtually visit sea otters, moon jellies, sharks, penguins and other see creatures. FREE. https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams

The National Aquarium Webcam. Tune into the National Aquarium's Blacktip Reef, Jellies Invasion and Pacific Coral Reef livestreams and enjoy a piece of the Aquarium from home. Cameras are only live streaming during business hours. After hours you can enjoy a previously recorded live stream segment. FREE. https://www.aqua.org/Experience/live#pcr

San Diego Zoo Webcams. The country’s most-visited zoo, with more than 3,500 animals in residence, was a pioneer in the world of open-air habitats and remains a leader in conservation science. You can catch a number of the most beloved inhabitants on live streams. Your virtual visit even has an edge over real life: Though mega-celebs Bai Yun Xiao Liwu were repatriated last year, you'll still find great archival footage of them on the Panda Cam. FREE. https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams

Safari Live. SafariLive comes very close to the experience and thrill of going on a safari. Track lions, leopards and hyenas as you make your way around herds of wildebeest and elephants, all while expert rangers school you on what you're seeing. Great inspiration to book your next safari, when we are all out of our social isolation, of course. https://www.facebook.com/WildEarthLIVE/ or https://www.facebook.com/WildEarthLIVE/videos/904091053345547/

Musical Performances

BroadwayHD. BroadwayHD, a streaming service for theater fans started in 2015, has long been bringing Broadway performances to people’s living rooms. On the platform, subscribers will find a combination of acquired performances including performances of Cats, The King and I, and Sound of Music, along with originals the platform filmed including performances of Kinky Boots and 42nd Street, from Broadway, The West End, and other elite venues around the world. The platform is currently offering a free seven-day trial, along with a wildly affordable $8.99 monthly plan. So go ahead and watch as many times as you want. You can even sing along if you please because you’re in your own house, who’s going to complain? $8.99/month or $99.99/year after the 7 day FREE trial. https://www.broadwayhd.com/

Digital Stage from The Kennedy Center. Watch extraordinary performances from the Kennedy Center's stages and beyond. They'll feature original works, new clips, and the best of their vast archive which you can also explore on your own. FREE. https://www.kennedy-center.org/digitalstage/

Berlin Philharmonic. The legendary Berlin Philharmonic is essentially playing house concerts with no door charge. Redeem the voucher code BERLINPHIL and receive free access to all concerts and films. FREE. https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/live

Sydney Opera House. Now is your chance to take a peek inside the Sydney Opera House. Accompanied by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, cellist Benjamin Schwartz and soprano Nicole Car, you'll wander through a day in the life of the site, from early morning, before the performers arrive, to stolen moments between acts. FREE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hunddVoMjo

Educational Resources and Entertainment for Kids

Scholastic Education Courses. To help millions of students whose schools have closed continue to learn, Scholastic is offering free day-by-day projects. According to its website, “Every day includes four separate learning experiences, each built around a thrilling, meaningful story or video. Kids can do them on their own, with their families, or with their teachers.” The educational projects are categorized by grade levels, which range from pre-k and kindergarten to grades 6 plus. FREE. https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html

Coloring Pages. Baltimore artist Landry Randriamandroso has announced that he will be posting coloring pages for kids and adults on his Facebook page. FREE. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012200018757

Science at Home. These science experiments, brought to you by the Maryland Science Center, will keep kids' minds learning and engaged. FREE. https://www.mdsci.org/learn/resources/science-at-home/

American Visionary Arts Museum Educational Resources. AVAM offers art workshops at the museum year-round that complement their collection and exhibitions. With these videos, they are coming to YOU with how to's of art projects you can do right at home with everyday household items. Enjoy, and have fun! FREE. http://www.avam.org/for-educators-and-educatees/educational-resources.shtml

Baltmore Museum of Industry. Museums offer a rich learning experience which doesn’t have to stop when you’re at home. Keep kids of all ages engaged during this break from school with these FREE activities designed and collected by the education staff at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Check back regularly for new activities that explore local industry which we hope will inspire the inventors and innovators of tomorrow. FREE. https://www.thebmi.org/visit/visit-from-home/

Mother Goose on the Loose. This exciting fun-filled story time uses rhymes, songs, puppets, musical instruments and more to stimulate the learning process of babies and toddlers. Mr. Cork is presenting his interactive story time via his Facebook page. He goes live every day at 10:30AM with a new story and at 4:30PM with a dance party! FREE (tips accepted via Venmo and Paypal). https://www.facebook.com/sprocketlearning/

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is dedicated to teaching students about the history and culture of the Chesapeake Bay’s communities and environment. Scroll down this home page to the Classroom Resources section for links to lessons and videos that you can introduce to children who are home from school. FREE. http://cbmm.org/learn/school-programs/

The Museum, Arts and Culture Access Consortium. The Museum, Arts and Culture Access Consortium has created a webpage to provide access to many at home learning resources from some of New York City's cultural institutions. Check back often. More content connections are being added everyday! FREE. https://macaccess.org/home-new/at-home-activities/

Wilkening Consulting. A Seattle based parent and museum consultant has compiled a list of museums with online lesson plans and learning. Check back often for updates and additional links. FREE. http://www.wilkeningconsulting.com/parental-resources.html

Neil Gaiman Reads. English author, Neil Gaiman, is known for writing a vast array of books from graphic novels to children’s books, from short stories to collaborations with the late-great Terry Pratchett. Readers may also know Neil Gaiman for his soothing voice when he reads the likes of Lewis Carroll’s The Jabberwocky in no other than a tulgey wood for a charitable cause. Gaiman has shared free online readings of his works The Graveyard Book and Coraline. Head to his Mouse Circus website for younger readers to listen. FREE. http://www.mousecircus.com/videos/

Goodnight with Dolly. Beginning April 2nd, everyone’s favorite Book Lady, Dolly Parton, is bringing children and families everywhere just what they need during a time of unrest. Goodnight with Dolly is a 10-week special series of weekly videos featuring Dolly reading select Imagination Library books. It is the hope that this gift will further inspire a love of books and shared storytime during this important period. Dolly hopes this series of stories will provide comfort and reassurance to coping kids and families during the shelter-in-place mandates. There are also links for activity sheets on the site. FREE. https://imaginationlibrary.com/goodnight-with-dolly/

ZUMBA & More with Alondra. Zumba and exercises for kids and teens with Alondra through Facebook Live! A unique way of exercising through dance and movement. Say goodbye to stress and have fun! Tip your instructor via Venmo: @alondraGrisel-Flores. FREE. Tuesdays at 6PM. https://www.creativealliance.org/events/2020/zumba-more-alondra or https://www.facebook.com/Creativealliance/

Exercise Classes and Videos

Barry's Bootcamp. Can't get to the gym? Barry's, a gym in NYC, will be streaming a band workout at least once a day on its Instagram. FREE. https://www.instagram.com/barrys/channel/

YMCA Exercise Videos. During this time of uncertainty, the Y is here for you. The Y continues to be your support for health and wellbeing, wherever you are. Regular exercise is one component of a healthy lifestyle that can help reduce stress and prevent illness. The Y is offering a variety of at-home exercise options called YMCA 360. You can take group exercise classes for all ages right in your own home at no charge for a limited time! Find some of your favorite classes by browsing videos. https://ymca360.org/

Kore Bootcamps. Virtual Bootcamp! Keep fit while social distancing. $50, first month only. https://korebootcamps.com/

Yoga Live! Movement as a Self Love Language. While you can’t head to Creative Alliance, that doesn't mean you can't continue monthly yoga sessions! Grace Marshall will be on Facebook Live Saturday mornings providing all with her Yoga: Movement as a Self Love Language workshop! This yoga class contains a plethora of movement styles for you to experiment with and incorporate into your own routine at home. Work with the natural rhythms of your body and learn breathing techniques to increase the mind and body connection. Visit this Facebook event on Saturday to join in Live! Tip your instructor via Venmo: @gracemarshmallow. FREE. https://www.creativealliance.org/events/2020/yoga-movement-self-love-language-2

Cooking Classes and Videos

Baltimore Chef Shop. The “recipes and tips” section of Baltimore Chef Shop has instructions and videos for some fun and kid friendly recipes. FREE. https://www.baltimorechefshop.com/recipes

Great Italian Cooking Lessons With Massimo Bottura. On MasterClass, the subscription site that taps into the expertise of top names in a variety of fields, from the arts to business, you can learn the secrets of contemporary Italian cuisine with the maestro himself, Massimo Bottura, whose three-Michelin-star Osteria Francescana twice took top place at the World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards. The course, called Massimo Bottura Teaches Modern Italian Cooking, covers a lot of ground, from learning how to make Mediterranean-style sole to a “better than panettone” souffle. $90. https://www.masterclass.com/ You can also find Bottura cooking lessons for free with the recently launched “Kitchen Quarantine” series on his Instagram site, where the famous chef shows what he’s cooking at home during the pandemic. https://www.instagram.com/massimobottura/channel/?hl=en

How To Make Carbonara With Michael White. Chef Michael White of Marea, Morini, and Ai Fiori knows carbonara. He talks through what al dente means, how to cook spaghetti perfectly al dente, whether you should use guanciale, bacon, or pancetta, and whether it’s ever appropriate to throw your spaghetti against the wall. The real secret, though, is copious amounts of pecorino and parmesan cheese. FREE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-IDUHH0_ow