All photos provided courtesy of author.
One of the best parts of being a student at Johns Hopkins has been the opportunity to explore the Greater Baltimore area. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I committed to JHU virtually, without the conventional in-person “revisit” activities that are often offered to admitted students making decisions on which school to attend. Therefore, the fall semester of my first year of medical school was my first chance to really experience Baltimore and start to feel at home! With autumn just around the corner, I’m reminiscing on some of my favorite Baltimore fall activities.
Apple picking is the quintessential fall activity — and the orchards in the Baltimore area do not disappoint. Several of my classmates and I drove out of the city one weekend to pick our own apples, visit the farm’s autumn market, drink fresh cider and even pick our own pumpkins in advance of Halloween. After our trip, we of course baked and shared apple-themed desserts.
Another great feature of autumn in Baltimore is the beautiful fall foliage. This is the perfect time to make the most of the great hiking weather, check out the trails in and around Baltimore and see fall foliage right here on the East Baltimore campus. My classmates and I took advantage of the changing seasons to take professional pictures in front of the dome and to go on fun group hikes.
Autumn also provided the perfect opportunity to explore local neighborhoods like Fell’s Point, Canton and Federal Hill with great harbor views, parks and coffee shops. As the weather turned crisp, my classmates and I enjoyed long walks through these neighborhoods — of course accompanied by coffee and pastries from our favorite coffee shops and bakeries. A personal favorite destination of mine is Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, a beautiful national park and historical site only a 20-minute drive from the hospital.
I hope some readers of this post will find these ideas interesting, and perhaps feel inspired to share some of their favorites as well!
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