Colorful autumn leaves and a drop in temperature pave the way for some fun fall activities in Baltimore.
While putting Old Bay on everything lasts all year in Baltimore, there are some things that you can only do if you’re here in the fall – and fall is finally here!
Fully embracing the cooler weather, Charm City invites you to grab a hoodie and dive into football season, campfires, craft beer festivals, and pumpkin patches.
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Attend a football game
There’s no better way to fully embrace Baltimore than to attend a Raven’s football game at M&T Stadium in the heart of the city. The season usually starts in September, right at the cusp of fall so the weather is perfectly chilled, and you can spend hours tailgating and eating stadium food as you watch the game.
You’ll get an awesome view of the Baltimore skyline from the stadium and will find that the entire city lights up in Ravens’ purple on game day.
Eat all the oysters
It’s a known rule that you should eat oysters during months that have an ‘r’ in them since that’s when they are the freshest – and Baltimore has tons of oyster festivals in the fall!
Some of the more popular ones are The Great Baltimore Oyster Festival and Racers’ Annual Oysterfest. There’ll be all-you-can-eat oysters, shucking contests, live music, and more.
Roast marshmallows around a campfire
While bonfires in public places aren’t allowed without a permit in Baltimore City, there are several farms and orchards that allow you to reserve your very own private bonfire site.
Places such as Butler’s Orchard or Milburn Orchard give you and your friends the chance to gather around a crackling fire, roast hotdogs, make s’mores, and stargaze for a perfect fall night. You could tell ghost stories to give the night a spooky twist.
Go apple picking
Apples are literally ripe for the picking during fall, making it one of the best activities to do with friends or family. And for some reason, I find that they always taste just a little bit sweeter when I pick them myself!
There are plenty of orchards around Baltimore where you can spend the day picking your own apples, having a picnic in the orchard, or indulging in some freshly baked fall treats.
Weber’s Cider Mill Farm, Shaw Orchards, and Lohr’s Orchard are some of my favorite seasonal stops!
Get spooked in haunted attractions
From the popular Bennett’s Curse to the terrifying Field of Screams, there are so many haunted houses in Baltimore. Getting the life scared out of me is one of my favorite ways to spend an autumn afternoon, and if that sounds like a good time to you too, you’ll love Baltimore in the fall.
Not only do these attractions have realistic haunted houses, but most of them also have sideshow performances, haunted forests, hayrides from hell, and abandoned buildings you may never get out of.
Go on a scenic train ride
Though you might have to make a day trip of it to get there, a scenic train ride that winds through the stunning natural views Maryland is known for is worth every minute.
Lasting around five hours, the Frostburg Flyer takes you on a roundtrip train ride between Cumberland and Frostburg. You’ll get stunning views of the fall foliage and scenery en route and get time to explore Frostburg’s Main Street which is full of quaint shops and restaurants.
Go pumpkin picking and on hayrides
Fall festivals full of hayrides, pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and petting zoos are a great way to spend a chilly fall day. Many farms and orchards in the area have an annual event that is fun for the entire family.
You can pack your own picnic, though many of them invite local food trucks to attend as well – you’re not going to want to miss out on freshly made desserts like pumpkin pie or apple fritters.
Attending a festival is a must-do fall tradition you don’t want to miss.
Grab a drink or two
Vineyards, craft beer festivals, Oktoberfest – Baltimoreans know how to celebrate all of these things and fall is one of the best times to do so. You’ll need something to keep you warm as the weather gets colder!
Wineries like Great Frogs and Fiore are a short distance away from the city and often host wine tastings or wine-making workshops.
The annual Baltimore Craft Beer Festival brings over 35 breweries to one place letting you sample local favorites.
There are tons of bars, pubs, and festivals that celebrate Oktoberfest; Das Best Oktoberfest at M&T Stadium Lots is an annual favorite and has live music, great food, beer games, contests, and over a hundred international, domestic, and local beers.
Spend a night with Edgar Allen Poe
The prince of all things macabre, Edgar Allen Poe, was a Baltimorean through and through. As the weather changes and the spooky Halloween vibes take over, it seems only appropriate to spend a day with the dark poet and writer.
Visit his grave and go on a tour of the adjacent catacombs and burial grounds. You never know who you’ll run into, dead or alive.
Buy local produce at a farmers’ market
The farmers’ markets in Baltimore start in early spring but go well into late fall. It’s one of the last opportunities to stock up on fresh fruits and veggies before the frost kicks in.
A lot of the farmers’ markets have more than produce; you’ll find arts and crafts, gourmet jams and cheese, fresh flowers, and even homemade ready-to-eat desserts and treats.
Some of my favorites are the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar and the Pratt Street Market; the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar operates from 7 AM to noon every Sunday under the Jones Falls Expressway. The Pratt Street Market runs from 11 AM to 2 PM outside the Equitable Bank Building every Thursday.
