Five Reasons To Visit Baltimore For Spring Break

When the topic of spring break crosses the mind, most people conjure up pictures of Florida or California. However, if you're on the East Coast without the money to take a long trip, you may consider stopping by Baltimore instead. As a major East Coast city, Baltimore has a lot to offer the entertainment seeker looking for some fun on their brief respite from school. Here are some reasons why.

Horseshoe Casino
1525 Russell St.
Baltimore, MD 21230
(844) 777-7463
www.caesars.com

If you can't afford to make it to Vegas or Atlantic City this spring break, consider spending a weekend at one of Maryland's newest casinos. With two stories of gaming, Horseshoe offers 122,000 square feet of slots, table games and a World Series of Poker (WSOP) room. If the gaming isn't a draw for you, you will still want to check it out for its restaurants, which rate as some of the highest-class eateries in the Baltimore area. You can also chill out at one of the bars for a relaxing weekend. Convenient to Camden Yards, you can check out the an Oriole's game or - in case you want to burn some of your hard-won money - you can walk over to the Inner Harbor for a plethora of shopping options.

Alternative Spring Break
100 South Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
(651) 291-0211
www.breakadifference.org

An "Alternative Spring Break" is an opportunity for youth to spend a weekend with others their age in various projects learning about and helping with the under-privileged situated in the inner city. The Baltimore program provides housing and food for participants as they staff food banks, upgrade transitional housing facilities and help maintain shelters. This may not be the kind of weekend that you were thinking of when you considered booking your spring break time - but it can actually be a very enjoyable and rewarding experience. Not only will you get to spend time hanging out and getting to know other youth while accomplishing something meaningful, but you will be able to get to know the faces of those who truly appreciate your time and efforts in a way that no one else ever will. Consider a spring break that will make a lasting impact and give you a sense of satisfaction you would never get relaxing on any beach.

Rocky Point Park
2200 Rocky Point Rd.
Essex, MD 21221
(410) 887-2818
www.baltimorecountymd.gov

Rocky Point sits out on a peninsula on the bay, offering hiking, fishing, boating and swimming on its life-guarded beach. This gives a beach experience for spring break that defies the stereotype of a Miami-type beach. Come stay near the beach and enjoy your days boating, swimming or fishing on the bay; playing volleyball, picnicking or sunbathing on the beach; or shooting some holes on the nearby golf course. This makes for a spring break filled with activities while being less crowded and more relaxing than many other beaches across the country.

Related: Five Reasons To Visit Baltimore For Spring Break

Mount Vernon Cultural District
1221 N Calvert St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 528-1919
www.visitmountvernon.info

Possibly one of the most prestigious cultural centers in Maryland is located right in Baltimore City. Mount Vernon is home to a delightful assortment of historical attractions, artful architecture, fine dining and cultural amusements which include the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, The Walters Art Museum, The Lyric Opera House, Centerstage, Spotlighter's Theater, The Peabody Institute, Contemporary Museum, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute, Garrett Jacobs Mansion, The George Peabody Library, Maryland Historical Society and the Theatre Project, to name but a few. Come stay at one of the plush local inns or hotels, most of which are historical landmarks as well as being delightful stays. Once you've hung your hat, get out and start exploring all of the culture and entertainment that Mount Vernon has to offer. There will be more than enough to fill your weekend.

Patapsco Valley State Park
8020 Baltimore National Park
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 461-5005
www.dnr2.maryland.gov

Going camping for spring break is not that revolutionary of an idea, and you could do little better than camping right on the Patapsco River in Maryland. You can rough it with tents, backpacks and hiking, or do it in luxury with a camper: the park accommodates both ways. The park includes a total of eight fully developed recreational areas with plenty of trails and woodlands winding between them - 170 miles of trails, to be exact. The park is actually nationally renowned for its hiking. Other recreation opportunities include hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, horseback and mountain bike trails. Enjoy any of the many picnicking areas which can accommodate large groups for a spring break party. And if at any point during the weekend you get tired of the woods, pop into nearby Ellicott City and enjoy the many historic and entertainment attractions.

Related: Best Spring Break Destinations For Students On A Budget

Joel Furches is a freelance writer and researcher for The Examiner and Logos Software, and also manages his own catalog of writing on Hub Pages. Joel is on the board of directors for Ratio Christi. He has a bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Education.